Gawker: valleywag, metaversatility

Chadrick loves looking for work (also: new Valleywag mascot needed!)

Melissa Gira Grant — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Chadrick, Chadrick, Chadrick. Most of all, we loved saying his name. Chadrick Baker, the virtual-worlds enthusiast Valleywag plucked from obscurity to be our mascot, has been fired from his day job. We think. He should have known better than to bite the digitally furry hand that feeds him. After Chadwick called a competitor — we're not sure, we don't follow the fancy 3D game worlds he runs in — a "hack" in a barely read interview, his CEO, Peter Haik, had to step in and disown Baker's comments. After Haik emailed the company Baker dissed and said he couldn't be sorry enough for what had been said, we hear he took all his apologies one step further and let Baker go.

Not that anyone at Baker's maybe-former employer Metaversatility will confirm that. I wondered why they even bothered to let me get past the GrandCentral answering service prompts if the fellow who picked up was going to flatly answer "No comment" to every question I asked. Why not just have a bot handle the media calls? Especially after this last round of press. Not that it matters: Baker's own LinkedIn profile shows he's no longer employed by the incomprehensible company he couldn't resist pitching us.

Not to rub it in, Chadrick, but we've got some more bad news for you.

Your Valleywag mascot duties? You've just not been up to snuff for ages. We were hoping for Scoble-level pageviews from you. While we are still in search for a successor, we've relieved you of your post immediately. Readers, your nominations are welcome in the comments.

Chadrick loves Diana, and the feeling is mutual

Owen Thomas — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:00:00 EDT

The act that first brought Chadrick Baker, virtual-worlds advocate and lover of love, to our attention was his declaration of romantic fealty to four Valley foxes. Bad news for Sarah Meyers, Amanda Lorenzani, and Sarah Lacy: Baker has found his feelings for Ask.com art director Diana Furka requited. Before declaring their feelings, the two pursued a platonic paternship on a website, Oddistry.com. Good luck, you crazy kids! As for the rest of you, can you think of a better caption for mascot and mate? Suggest one in the comments, and it will become the new headline. Yesterday's winner: "You mean this isn't the Facebook prom?" by dannyisme.

Chadrick, the new Robert Scoble, loves everything

Owen Thomas — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:40:49 EDT

The best thing about drunkblogging? When people send in detailed corrections about your alcohol-addled ramblings. Chadrick Baker, lover of tech women, lover of the Internet, now informs me that his affections are unlimited. I'm appointing him Valleywag's new mascot, replacing Robert Scoble. His email, after the jump:

I love the internet? Oh come on Owen, I love everything, not just tech women and the internet. Yes, EVERYTHING. I especially love Virtual Worlds. Speaking of which, last night, the multiple login thing, I was talking about using something like Open ID to transfer online identity between multiple virtual spaces or social platforms. Not logging into myspace and facebook at the same time, I was just using that as an example, obviously a poor one :P
It was good meeting you last night and yes Owen, I love you too.

Soon!