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American Morning

Violating an Internet Hunk's Privacy

Aired July 03, 2001 - 09:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In San Francisco, a computer engineer noticed a lot of people looking at him at bus stops and on the streets.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: This is a strange story.

NELSON: It is bizarre.

KAGAN: The more people stared, the more he was wondering what was going on. Finally, he had to ask someone. The answer surprised him and perhaps it will as you, will surprise you as well. It surprised me there.

Here is James Hattori with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Dan Baca, a 29- year-old computer network engineer, considers himself an outgoing guy. But these days you wouldn't blame him for being a little shy or paranoid.

DAN BACA, "GORGEOUS GUY": Well, I had mixed feelings. It was more of like anger, a little bit of outrage.

HATTORI (on camera): Why?

BACA: Because I felt like I was being targeted.

HATTORI (voice-over): Targeted on this popular Internet community bulletin board, called Craigslist in Missed Connections, where people post anonymous notes for others they've met briefly or admired from afar. In a string of messages beginning in May, Baca was dubbed "the gorgeous guy."

(on camera): This is where it all started, Baca's regular downtown San Francisco bus stop. Someone -- he doesn't know who -- saw him and posted his description on Craigslist. He had no idea what was going on until he noticed strangers watching him and talking about him. Some even approached him.

BACA: So eventually one person, I said, "Look, how do you know my schedule? How do you know I have a gray bag? How do you know I typically wear dark clothing?" And that's when she told me. She goes, "Well, I actually saw it on Craigslist."

CRAIG NEWMARK, FOUNDER, CRAIGSLIST.ORG: He was, as I characterize it, both flattered and terrified.

HATTORI: Craig Newmark, who started Craigslist, says the gorgeous guy phenomenon went on for weeks with dozens of posts.

NEWMARK: Nothing to take seriously. It's pretty goofy. But sometimes we need a shared experience that's nothing but goofy.

BACA: It is for fun. You know, it's like a live drama unfolding in front of their eyes.

HATTORI (on camera): Do you still get recognized?

BACA: All the time.

HATTORI (voice-over): Call it his 15 minutes of fame. Baca has been on the front page of "USA Today" and has fielded dozens of calls from radio and TV shows, even Letterman and Leno. Now he's thinking about acting, modeling, maybe charity events, though to avoid any more street scenes, he's changed his commuting route.

(on camera): You just don't want to be an object, like the gorgeous guy?

BACA: I can't avoid that already. That's already, it's too late for that. I already am the object, the gorgeous guy. It's just that I want to be considered more like the nice guy, too.

HATTORI (voice-over): James Hattori, CNN, San Francisco.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NELSON: The big question is can he get a date?

KAGAN: Can he get a date? Well, if the girl who put that original posting on there.

NELSON: I bet.

KAGAN: Yes.

NELSON: If she knows where he is.

KAGAN: Hook them up.

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