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May 5, 2008

We Lost A Blogging Giant Today: Duncan Riley Leaves TechCrunch

Michael Arrington

97 comments »

Today was Duncan Riley’s last day at TechCrunch, and he will be greatly missed.

Duncan joined us exactly one year ago and was our most prolific writer, covering tech and startup news seven days a week. He is the author of our highest trafficked post ever, and, based on TechMeme headline counts, he is the fourth most important tech blogger on the Internet (by the way, current or former TechCrunch writers take 4 of the top 5 spots). He is a giant among us, someone who’s fought in the trenches with me through some very trying times, and he will be greatly missed.

So why is he leaving? To compete with us, of course. :-)

Duncan will shortly announce the launch of Inquisitr, a blog covering the stuff that he is passionate about: pop culture, tech stories and various oddities that he thinks people will find interesting. You can subscribe to Inquisitr in your feed reader via this URL. You can also read Duncan’s personal blog here.

The list of former TechCrunch writers grows longer. Duncan joins ex-TechCrunchers Nick Gonzalez (now at Social Media), Marshall Kirkpatrick (now at ReadWriteWeb), Natali Del Conte (now at CNET TV) and Ben Meyer (now at Facebook) who’ve left us over the years. All of them remain good friends, and I have every reason to believe Duncan will as well.

You may see the odd story from Duncan here on TechCrunch from time to time for old times sake. But to get your daily dose of his always smart, sometimes crazy ramblings, make sure to bookmark Inquisitr. My sincere hope is to have the opportunity to buy that blog some day and bring him right back into the fold.

Matt Craven at Blog Herald interviewed Duncan about his change in jobs, listen here.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 9:57 pm and is filed under Company & Product Profiles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Trackbacks/Pings (Trackback URL)

  1. Podcast 2008.2: An exclusive interview with Duncan Riley on his exit from TechCrunch : The Blog Herald

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

  2. duncanriley.com » So I Left TechCrunch Today

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:26 am

  3. Interesting News at TechCrunch | Josh Anstey's Blog

    May 7th, 2008 at 4:39 am

  4. Duncan Riley Leaves TechCrunch : Content Quake

    May 7th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

  5. The FriendFeed Orgasm And Why It Is Off The Mark » David Risley

    May 8th, 2008 at 8:06 am

  6. O despartire foarte eleganta.

    May 11th, 2008 at 2:27 am

Comments

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  1. whoopie

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    duncan, some parting advice - your website needs to be about 4000% faster.

  2. TechSadhu

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Pop Culture + Technology + Oddities = Very Interesting!!!

  3. Alejandro Reyes

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

    wow - good luck in all your endeavors man.

  4. John Sullivan

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    ahhh when do I start?

    Good luck Duncan I’ll come by and check up on ya

  5. Aaron Brazell

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    Man, oh man. Bye Duncan… Again… :(

  6. Matt Craven

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    Damnit Mike, I had the URL - didn’t publish it because I didn’t think he was ready :)

    Matt

  7. Farb Nivi

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Best of luck Duncan!

  8. ManyR

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Looking forward to it… :-)

  9. Edwin Khodabakchian

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    May be it is time to try to reach out to Louis Gray!

  10. SearcH◆ EngineS WEB

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

    Duncan was the most interactive blogger on TechCrunch.

    The nasty, patronizing comments that were made about his writing abilities, upon first joining TechCrunch, were rude.

    As with everyone, he had to polish his craft.

    Readers were insulting him and calling for his termination.

    It is nice that it is revealed that he was the most trafficked writer here.

  11. Sumesh

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    “My sincere hope is to have the opportunity to buy that blog some day and bring him right back into the fold”

    Do it now, Michael - hold it off for future and it might be expensive ;)

  12. Whatever Way The Winbloze

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    This feels like John Lennon leaving The Beatles. R.I.P. TechCrunch. Your days are numbered without Sir Duncan ‘Lennon’ Riley typing out the most in-depth technology analysis 24×7x365.

  13. Sean

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    Good luck Duncan, I’ll miss your stories around these parts.

  14. Andrew

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    surely he could do the two things at the same time…at least until the other blog got traction

  15. Lachlan Hardy

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    So does his absence from that list of former writers mean that Nik Cubrilovic is *still* employed by Techcrunch or just that you’d rather not mention him given the current debacle with Omnidrive? (http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/omnidrive_ceo_nik_cubrilovic_responds.php)

  16. david amodt

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    props to duncan and TC. always enjoy reading his articles and looking forward to the launch of the new venture… is TC funding any part of his new venture?

  17. ak4life

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    TechCrunch will go on just fine. Duncan was a great asset though.

    ——–
    ak4life

  18. lawrence

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    good name and interesting spin with that Inquisitr blog site.
    Caters to a wide demographic, i can see people logging in there daily to scan the weird headlines of the day.

    but it’s still hard as hell, to make things fly.

  19. Jamie

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    Duncan was one of the weakest techcrunch contributors (IMHO) so it’ll be interested if his own blog survives (unlikely) and whether he’ll be back knocking at your door Michael!

  20. Trace

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    Duncan, the feedback I’ve gotten from folks that have used the magazine / box style article layout like yours is that they significantly boosted traffic when they dropped that format and switched to the standard blog format (like techcrunch) with one article on top of the other…. not talking about style / look of the theme, just the box presentation of each article…..just a thought…

    Trace.

  21. Pat Phelan

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

    Best of luck Duncan
    you were always my favourite techcrunch writer, oh, eh, besides Mike of course
    take care
    subscribed

  22. sumodirjo

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    ganbatte kudasai to both duncan and mike

  23. yongfook

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    so who’s going to be representing techcrunch in this timezone now to keep the articles churning out 24×7?

    I think techcrunch should hire a dude in China - would be great to get an insight there.

  24. Igor The Troll

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    Michael how can you put yourself as number one on your own list? Troll number one. ;-)

    Duncan great blog! Very funny and looking forward to reading your stories! I guess Trolls must be Free!

  25. Andy Schweig

    May 5th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

    Duncan Riley, Blogging Giant?

    What else Michael?

    George Bush, Thoughtful Peacekeeper?
    Hillary Clinton, Non-Pandering Truthteller?
    Jerry Yang, Expert Poker Player?

    Keep us the non sequiturs.

  26. chrisqie

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    As we all known,Ducan is a great blogger, but I don’t think “Inquisitr” is interesting enough, pop+tech = what? human culture? I really really can NOT understand it. it should be focus on something.

  27. Wes

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    Will miss you Duncan, it was good to see somebody post stories in the same time zone as me.

    I will be following your blog closely.

  28. Rushabh Choksi

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:08 pm

    Hey Duncan,
    I wont be missing you much coz I can still catch you on your blog..Anyways Best of luck.:)

  29. chris qie

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

    @ Andy

    Of course Michael is also “A Blogging Giant”. it’s Blogging+Giant ,Be care the word before “Giant”, Bush? Jerry Yang? they’re not vocational “Blogger”.

  30. Doron

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    the guy that once wrote that Prince is a washed up artist is going to write a blog about pop culture?

  31. Joe M.

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Either Mike jumped the gun on giving out the link or Duncan has decided to make his site look like a bunch of new stories with no branding. Where is your logo Duncan?

  32. Dave Q

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    Keep those posts coming, Duncan. Where ever it emanates ;) Good luck

  33. John McCrea

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    Good luck with the next Big Thing. Thanks for the great coverage of Plaxo along the way. You helped the world see the truly useful side of our service at a time when many were skeptical. Your candor, insight, and directness will continue to serve you well in whatever you do. “Old media” ought to pay more attention to what you do.

  34. Duncan was a bad writer

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    Thank goodness. Good luck Duncan but I won’t miss your poor writing and lack of analytical ability.

  35. Jason H.

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm

    Best Wishes, Duncan. Thanks for all of your great posts; you’ll surely be missed :)

  36. Richard MacManus

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:35 pm

    Best wishes Duncan! I personally don’t know how you managed to blog 7 days a week and stay sane, but certainly TC will miss you.

  37. Noah

    May 5th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    Looks like the most-trafficked post was written by Michael, to me.

    Good job Duncan. I have to confess — I was pretty critical when you first started, but I was truly impressed by your posts after a couple months. I guess everyone takes a little while to get into the swing of things. It’s a lot easier to be critic than a creator.

  38. Jordan Golson

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:01 am

    So Mike, does that mean you’re hiring now?

  39. Larry Rubin

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:04 am

    Congratulations Duncan! Wishing you great success with Inquisitr.

    Dropping the “e” was sheer brilliance!

    :)

  40. 9ice

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Michael, I must confess that I like your spirit

  41. Anand

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Good bye Duncan…I finally know how you look like ;)

    @Mike
    I guess there is something wrong with the HR policies at TC.Why’s everyone leaving? Try increasing the bonuses..

  42. YouYap.com

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:25 am

    Duncan write about my website: http://www.youyap.com

  43. Jens Buch

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:30 am

    Duncan, good luck and thanks for the many good posts.

  44. Tony Stubblebine

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:33 am

    Good luck Duncan. It’s great that you’re able to go start your own thing.

    I’m pretty impressed by how people who come through TechCrunch go on to do other interesting things. I think it speaks well for the opportunity that Michael is giving people. Also, speaks well that he’s so supportive of people after they leave.

  45. Dianelle

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:46 am

    Duncan/Mike

    Still haven’t answered why you boycott Omnidrive / Nik Cubrilovic stories - you put the boot into alot of other stuff but just hide like babies when you have something to really investigate.

    Talk about a coalition of the unwilling.

  46. Anon

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:56 am

    His first post will probably have something with “Jihad” in it.

  47. Miiko Mentz

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:01 am

    Sad to see him leave TC, but change is always good.

    Duncan, best of luck with Inquisitr.

    Cheers!

  48. Dick Hertz

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:02 am

    I remember the first time I read a TechCrunch post by Duncan Riley. I found his insight to be extraordinary and his candor uniquely refreshing.

    He quickly became my favorite TechCrunch author.

    In a day and age when few bloggers think before they write, Duncan Riley stood out as a true intellectual, able to convey in simple words complex concepts that few have the mental facilities to comprehend.

    His intellectual capabilities are exceeded only by his vision. A true digital clairvoyant, Duncan time and time again proved that he had an uncanny foresight to not only identify new technology trends, but to discern almost subtle, invisible patterns in the world itself.

    It is no surprise to me that a man as exceptional as Duncan would venture out on his own. It was not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Those who are truly brilliant cannot be subjected to the control of another.

    As Duncan, the epitome of brilliance, now liberates himself to take flight and soar amongst the stars where he belongs, I have no doubt that he will find great success with Inquisitr.

    Some will express deep sadness at his departure but those of us who stand in awe at what he has accomplished at TechCrunch can only feel a sense of deep gratitude for all that Duncan has provided during his tenure.

    I wish him the best and nothing excites me more than the thought that with his newfound freedom, he will lead the blogosphere to an even greater future than he ever could as an employee of TechCrunch.

    In closing, I would like to thank Duncan for all that he has done. The patience that he has exhibited with those of us who cannot yet recognize his genius is truly deserving of commendation.

    His posts not only informed us but inspired us. To search deeper. To think harder. To dream bigger.

    I am a wiser and stronger human being because of Duncan.

    He represents all that is good with the world and if we had more Duncan Rileys, I think the world would be an even better place.

    May I be the first, but not the last, to toast a class of champagne to the man, the legend - Duncan Riley.

    Yours,

    Dick Hertz

  49. EH

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:18 am

    Couldn’t have been better even if it was a fake Amazon review. Dick Hertz wins the thread.

  50. Paul Montgomery

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:21 am

    Dick Hertz, you are a suckhole.

    ;)

  51. Kevin

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:37 am

    This is really a sad news for all TC readers…

  52. Paul Short

    May 6th, 2008 at 2:08 am

    I haven’t fallen out of my chair in a long time, but, Ouch! Huge news. Not that you need it, but good luck with the new ventures, Duncan ;-)

  53. Orli Yakuel

    May 6th, 2008 at 2:31 am

    Duncan, I think you are an excellent blogger!
    Wishing you all the best and good luck in your new way.

    (I’ll still be in touch on emails… :-))

  54. Ross Dawson

    May 6th, 2008 at 3:11 am

    Good onya Duncan! Looking forward to tracking the new site - speak soon!

  55. jenkins

    May 6th, 2008 at 3:40 am

    Why have you guys lost so many people over such a short period of time? It speaks volumes…

  56. PookieBadmuffin

    May 6th, 2008 at 4:36 am

    Somebody should buy him a dictionary as a parting gift…

  57. Rollo

    May 6th, 2008 at 4:36 am

    The content was good. Pity about the grammar though.

  58. Ric

    May 6th, 2008 at 4:57 am

    Mike,
    This is why I love this site - you HELP guys on your team that have outgrown techcrunch.

    I know I am not the blogger Duncan was, but if you would consider an alternate, I would love to join!

    Duncan - I would say I will miss your blogging, but I guess I can just mosey on over to your new gig. If there were only a way to remember the name… hm. How about: “Nobody expects the [Spanish] Inquisitr!”

    Ric

  59. jc

    May 6th, 2008 at 5:09 am

    The best for Duncan. Techcrunch already hired a new guy for replacement, Runcan Diley.

  60. duncans doughnuts

    May 6th, 2008 at 5:23 am

    Good luck Duncan. Pissed that I won’t be able to use this great alias here anymore. Hello Inquisitr.

  61. Douglass Patel

    May 6th, 2008 at 5:25 am

    Wow,

    Just seemed like yesterday that I was helping change his diapers. Dunkie is now all growd up.

    I’ll nver forgot the night in Santa Cruz, the D-man, Lupe, Sanchez and me.

    This was the times.

    Good by, and remembers to write soon!

  62. Victor Cajiao

    May 6th, 2008 at 6:04 am

    That’s why Arrington is a class act. What other employer does this? Not many. Good luck Duncan, and Mike…keep creating hits man, it’s what you do. Also congrats on the Time Magazine mention as a power broker.

  63. Vijay

    May 6th, 2008 at 6:19 am

    Duncan,
    We’re going to miss your great posts, insights and discoveries.

    I’ill definitely check you out on your new blog.

    Best of luck my friend!

  64. Mike

    May 6th, 2008 at 6:54 am

    this is great news
    i hate reading his stupidly obvious posts

  65. Josh Anstey

    May 6th, 2008 at 7:05 am

    Good luck Duncan!

  66. Larry Larrikin

    May 6th, 2008 at 7:14 am

    Extolling Duncan as a “great blogger” and a “blogging giant” is damning praise for the blogosphere. His hyperbolic articles were chalk full of factual errors, little or poor analysis, quotes taken out of context, and logical fallacies. But worse than that is his inability and unwillingness to admit his mistakes and correct mistruths.

    Glad to see him go.

  67. David

    May 6th, 2008 at 7:37 am

    Good luck with your new venture Duncan! Take care.

  68. solacetech

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am

    “My sincere hope is to have the opportunity to buy that blog some day and bring him right back into the fold.”
    Always on the upswing…. Duncan thanks for bleeding Techcrunch green for so long. Looking forward to seeing Inquisitr skyrocket!

  69. Fabian Schonholz

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:09 am

    Good luck.

  70. Dick Hertz

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:21 am

    Larry Larrikin: your comment is damning praise for the commentosphere.

    Duncan’s insightful articles were full of knowledge, detailed analysis, valuable insider quotes and logical brilliance.

    He represents all that is right with the blogosphere and all that is wrong with the mainstream media.

    His legacy here and in the blogosphere at large will not be forgotten anytime soon and you can be sure that future generations will look at Duncan Riley as an historic figure who helped establish the blogosphere as a legitimate source of news and information.

    I would not be surprised to see university courses taught about this great and daring man who, if he taught us one thing, taught us that information can be freed from the grasp of those elitists who seek to hold it prisoner.

    God Bless Duncan Riley.

  71. Jose Miguel Cansado

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:26 am

    Good luck mate!

    I will read you at your new blog.

  72. James Cogan

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am

    Congrats Duncan. Inquisitr = bookmarked.

  73. Nick

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:43 am

    Thanks for all the great posts Duncan!

  74. Not Sad

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:57 am

    Are you serious? A “blogging giant”? Duncan, while he may be a very nice guy, wrote the worst stories on this website. Mostly filler.

    Go back and look at his ludicrous predictions about Google last year.

  75. Alex Hammer

    May 6th, 2008 at 8:58 am

    Kudos to Michael Arrington for a classy post. Good luck to Duncan! Two short pieces of advice. 1) Don’t work your key people seven days per week. 2) Offer equity stake to your key people (see Duncan Blog Herald interview, Duncan did go out of his way to praise Michael and say good things about TechCrunch) or at minimum profit sharing.

    Win-win, never greedy. Even now you want to buy him (his blog) someday in the future you say. You’re on top, but who knows, maybe someday he could buy you. Just say you hope to work with him again in the future.

  76. rick

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:07 am

    You’re going through writers like Larry King goes through wives, and I’m betting that’s not where the similarities in the relationships end.

  77. John / SocialNext

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Hey Duncan I’ll be sure to check out the new blog. Nice work over here on TC!

  78. Jon Doerr

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:28 am

    Duncan,

    I think I speak for all your Australian audience when I say we’ll miss your focus on Aussie related startups and endeavours.

    Good luck to you sir.

  79. Nick Gonzalez

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:33 am

    Cheers Duncan! I’ll be reading.

  80. Larry Larrikin

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:35 am

    Dick Hertz: Your sarcasm is brilliant! Totally over the top. And your name is clever too!

  81. Dick Hertz

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Larry Larrikin: what sarcasm?

    I will pass your kind words about my name on to my mother. I am truly blessed to be one of the few people in the world whose name not only states who I am, but describes how I feel.

  82. Andy Schweig

    May 6th, 2008 at 10:10 am

    @72

    James Cogan = gay

  83. anonymous coward

    May 6th, 2008 at 10:27 am

    A “giant?” isn’t this the same guy who called another blogger he disagreed with a “cun*?” some giant

  84. Funny post

    May 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    Dick Hertz = Dwight Schrute?

    LOL

  85. John Evans (Syntagma)

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

    If “a week is a long time in politics”, a year is an eternity on the internet. How did he manage it? :)

  86. Jeremiah

    May 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

    Egads, it’s about time.

  87. Quitter is for losers!

    May 6th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    Another Techcrunch Quitter!!!

    Hmmm. This song fits
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU

    LOL. hahahahhah, please dance like that guy.

  88. Milo

    May 6th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

    Once more, Good bye man. :)

  89. Steven C

    May 7th, 2008 at 1:09 am

    Shit, Duncan got a pasting from many (inc me) but actually became one of the most respected here IMO because of his humbleness and willingness to communicate and partake, and learn. blimmy.. good luck Duncan. I will be following along..

  90. He's Out!

    May 7th, 2008 at 5:37 am

    Frankly, I’m not sad that he’s leaving TC. Bad grammar, LOTS of factual errors and arrogance. Good riddance.

  91. Your Uncle Bob

    May 8th, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    Hate to be an ass, but I believe in brutal honesty. In that vein, I’m quite pleased to see him leave TC. He never struck me as particular educated about technology, his writing was amateur and mediocre at best and he seemed to be flat wrong about many topics. So, all in all, I think TC will be much better without him.

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