Welcome, everyone, to this exciting hour of code video chat with David Karp, the founder and CEO of Tumblr. Tumblr, which started around 2007, has grown to host over 200 million blogs, making it one of the fastest-growing social networks. Let’s give a warm welcome to David!
David: Thanks for having me! I’m thrilled to be here today.
Host: Our first question comes from Wissahickon Middle School in Imbler, Pennsylvania. What got you interested in coding and programming? Was there a specific event or project that sparked your interest?
David: I grew up during the early days of the Internet, when dial-up was a thing. I was fascinated by the creative stuff people were making online. I wanted to express myself, and back then, that meant learning to code and build websites. It was like my form of art, similar to how others express themselves through music or fashion.
Host: Great! Our next question is from Bumpass Middle School in Hoover, Alabama. Abhishek asks what your parents thought when you decided to drop out of high school to create a website.
David: Surprisingly, they were very supportive. Over a decade ago, schools didn’t offer many opportunities to learn programming. I wanted to focus on coding, but the school curriculum didn’t match my interests. My parents saw my passion and believed I could find more opportunities outside of school.
Host: Thanks for that thorough answer! Many students are trying computer science for the first time this week, so hopefully, they’ll keep going. Our next question is from Morgantown High School in Morgantown, West Virginia. Nick asks if you faced any specific challenges as a young entrepreneur.
David: Yes, the biggest challenge was inexperience. Building a company for the first time is a learning process. I had to quickly adapt to managing not just a product but also a team, investors, and a community. Surrounding myself with experienced mentors helped me navigate those challenges.
Host: Our next question is from Cedarville High School in Cedarville, Michigan. What personal trait do you think has made you successful?
David: I believe an unstoppable optimism and positivity are crucial traits for great leaders. There can be a lot of negativity in the world, but staying excited about building and creating, even in the face of challenges, is important. This positivity has helped me and my team overcome tough moments.
Host: Interesting! Our next question is from Edna Brewer Middle School in Oakland, California. They want to know why you chose the name “Tumblr.”
David: The name comes from the concept of “tumblelogging,” which was a different approach to blogging focused on sharing photos, music, and links rather than long articles. I wanted to create a platform that allowed for this kind of expression, so we named it Tumblr.
Host: Our next question is from Balmoral High School in Winnipeg, Canada. What do you think is the most interesting aspect of using Tumblr?
David: The coolest part about working on Tumblr is seeing how creative tools we develop are used in unexpected ways. For example, when we launched features, we often see communities adopt them in ways we never anticipated, which is incredibly fulfilling.
Host: Our last question is from August Martin High School in Queens, New York. How do you manage your time as a busy CEO while also being a creative software developer?
David: I don’t get to write code as much anymore, which is a tough part of growing a company. My role has shifted to motivating and guiding the team. Initially, I resisted having a structured schedule, but as the team grew, I had to adapt. Now I have a busy calendar, but it allows us to accomplish a lot.
Host: Thank you for your insights! One common question we receive is about where to start learning to code. What advice do you have for beginners?
David: I recommend starting with mobile app development, as the tools and resources are very accessible. You can find great books on Android or iOS development that guide you through creating your first app. It’s a straightforward way to get started and build your skills.
Host: Thank you so much for your time, David! Everyone, please join me in thanking David for joining us and sharing his insights!
Imagine you are starting your own blog like David Karp did with Tumblr. Think about what topics you are passionate about and create a simple blog using a platform like WordPress or Blogger. Share your blog with your classmates and discuss the creative process behind your blog’s theme and content.
Reach out to a local entrepreneur and conduct an interview to learn about their journey, challenges, and successes. Prepare questions similar to those asked to David Karp. Present your findings to the class, highlighting any similarities or differences with David’s experiences.
Following David’s advice for beginners, brainstorm an idea for a mobile app that solves a problem or fulfills a need. Use a tool like Figma or Adobe XD to design a prototype of your app. Share your design with the class and explain the features and functionality of your app.
Research the concept of tumblelogging and how it differs from traditional blogging. Create a short presentation or infographic that explains the differences and showcases examples of tumblelogs. Discuss how this form of expression can be beneficial for sharing creative content.
Organize a workshop focused on developing optimism and positivity, traits David Karp mentioned as crucial for success. Participate in activities that encourage positive thinking and resilience. Reflect on how these traits can help you in your personal and academic life.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
Thank you everyone for joining us today for this exciting hour of code video chat with David Karp, the founder and CEO of Tumblr. Tumblr was founded around 2007 and has over 200 million blogs, making it one of the fastest-growing social networks today. Please join me in welcoming David!
David: Thank you for having me! I’m really excited to chat today.
Host: Our first question is from Wissahickon Middle School in Imbler, Pennsylvania. What got you interested in coding and programming? Was there a specific event or project that sparked your interest?
David: For me, it was growing up on the Internet. I was one of the first kids who experienced dial-up Internet, and I was enamored by all the creative things people were making online. I wanted to express myself and put my identity out there, which back then meant learning to code and build websites. I started exploring the tools available and eventually learned how to create my own website. It became a form of self-expression for me, similar to how others express themselves through music or fashion.
Host: Great! Our next question is from Bumpass Middle School in Hoover, Alabama. Abhishek asks what your parents thought when you decided to drop out of high school to create a website.
David: Surprisingly, they were very supportive. This was over a decade ago, and back then, there weren’t many opportunities in school to learn programming. I wanted to focus on coding and building websites, but the curriculum didn’t align with that. My parents recognized my passion and believed I could find more opportunities outside of school.
Host: Thanks for that thorough answer! Many students are trying computer science for the first time this week, so hopefully, they’ll keep going. Our next question is from Morgantown High School in Morgantown, West Virginia. Nick asks if you faced any specific challenges as a young entrepreneur.
David: Yes, the biggest challenge was inexperience. Building a company for the first time is a learning process, and I had to quickly adapt to managing not just a product but also a team, investors, and a community. Surrounding myself with experienced mentors helped me navigate those challenges.
Host: Our next question is from Cedarville High School in Cedarville, Michigan. What personal trait do you think has made you successful?
David: I believe an unstoppable optimism and positivity are crucial traits for great leaders. There can be a lot of cynicism in the world, but staying excited about building and creating, even in the face of challenges, is important. This positivity has helped me and my team overcome tough moments.
Host: Interesting! Our next question is from Edna Brewer Middle School in Oakland, California. They want to know why you chose the name “Tumblr.”
David: The name comes from the concept of “tumblelogging,” which was a different approach to blogging focused on sharing photos, music, and links rather than long articles. I wanted to create a platform that allowed for this kind of expression, so we named it Tumblr.
Host: Our next question is from Balmoral High School in Winnipeg, Canada. What do you think is the most interesting aspect of using Tumblr?
David: The coolest part about working on Tumblr is seeing how creative tools we develop are used in unexpected ways. For example, when we launched features, we often see communities adopt them in ways we never anticipated, which is incredibly fulfilling.
Host: Our last question is from August Martin High School in Queens, New York. How do you manage your time as a busy CEO while also being a creative software developer?
David: I don’t get to write code as much anymore, which is a tough part of growing a company. My role has shifted to motivating and guiding the team. Initially, I resisted having a structured schedule, but as the team grew, I had to adapt. Now I have a busy calendar, but it allows us to accomplish a lot.
Host: Thank you for your insights! One common question we receive is about where to start learning to code. What advice do you have for beginners?
David: I recommend starting with mobile app development, as the tools and resources are very accessible. You can find great books on Android or iOS development that guide you through creating your first app. It’s a straightforward way to get started and build your skills.
Host: Thank you so much for your time, David! Everyone, please join me in thanking David for joining us and sharing his insights!
—
This version maintains the essence of the conversation while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – Example sentence: “In our computer class, we learned the basics of coding by creating a simple game using Scratch.”
Entrepreneurship – The act of starting and running a new business, often involving taking risks. – Example sentence: “Her passion for entrepreneurship led her to start a small online store selling handmade crafts.”
Programming – The act of creating and designing software using a specific language to solve problems or perform tasks. – Example sentence: “Programming in Python allowed him to automate his homework schedule efficiently.”
Website – A collection of related web pages located under a single domain name, often created for a specific purpose. – Example sentence: “She designed a website to showcase her artwork and share her creative process with others.”
Skills – The abilities or expertise needed to perform tasks effectively, often gained through practice and learning. – Example sentence: “Developing coding skills can open up many opportunities in the tech industry.”
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something new or solve problems. – Example sentence: “His creativity shone through when he designed a unique app for organizing school projects.”
Challenges – Difficult tasks or problems that require effort and determination to overcome. – Example sentence: “One of the challenges of coding is debugging errors in the program.”
Tools – Software or applications used to assist in completing tasks or solving problems. – Example sentence: “Using the right tools, like a code editor, can make programming much easier.”
Development – The process of creating, improving, or refining a product or software. – Example sentence: “The development of the new app took several months, but it was worth the effort.”
Positivity – The practice of being optimistic and focusing on the good aspects of situations. – Example sentence: “Maintaining positivity helped her stay motivated during the long hours of coding.”
