To Die For
Entrepreneur and Charlestown resident Jeff Taylor, 47, the whiz behind Monster.com and Eons.com, a social networking site for boomers, is hoping to bring the stodgy newspaper obituary back to life.
(Photograph by Webb Chappell)
You recently launched your latest venture, Tributes.com, a site that allows individuals to post obituaries online. It's pretty depressing, don't you think? I mean, why base a whole business around dead people?
You know what? I think it's exactly the opposite. I have this fascination with having a storied life. I had a relationship with a grandfather, but I wasn't old enough to appreciate it and I find I have nothing to look at to be able to enjoy that story.
If you were my father, I would appreciate you sitting me down and showing me pictures. Isn't it a little weird for your kids to go on the Internet to see this?
Stuff is in cardboard boxes in people's attics. Your classic obituary or death notice is something cut out and sitting in someone's Bible. I think there is the ability to make connections and build family trees where it's not just a date of birth and date of death. You're cynical about this. Want to share your age?
I'm 37.
It's hard to relate to at 37. It's creepy at 37. But it's intriguing at 47.
Why are you still creating websites? Wasn't Monster.com successful enough? [He sold Monster.com for $900,000 in 1995.]
You know, I'm definitely an entrepreneur. It's what makes me happy.
How many hours do you spend on the Internet?
In utility or for enjoyment?
Both.
Do you count e-mail?
Yes.
BlackBerry time?
Sure.
I probably spend three hours a day.
How many hours do you spend actually talking to people?
I still have a traditional diary that has appointments at 9, 10, 11. That usually includes face-to-face or phone.
Do you have to set rules to stay offline? It becomes addictive for some people.
I wear a BlackBerry on my hip. I like to be on the grid.
Do you ever put the BlackBerry down?
I have no problem turning it off after about 10 at night. And I have a number of hobbies.
Like what?
I'm a DJ. I play new dance music, often referred to as techno or house music. I have a radio show on Sirius on Sunday nights: Jefr Tale. I also go to Burning Man. If you go to myspace.com/rootsociety, that is my camp. I run one of the biggest theme camps.
OK, I feel better now. I was worried that you spent way too much time in the basement e-mailing people.
I mean, if you look at my history, I'm on a couple boards. I'm on the board of the Citi Performing Arts Center. I am on the board of advisers at Berklee. I collect Shelby Mustangs from mid '65 to 1970. And I am very active in Guatemala. In a village there, I helped them build some roads. You don't have to worry about me.
