The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe 396: Frank H. McCourt, Jr,—Selected Garbage from Families of Distinction
Jul 23, 2024
Frank H. McCourt, Jr., a businessman and philanthropist, shares his upbringing in Boston, starting a garbage collection business at 13. He discusses creating a new internet in his book, advocating for data ownership by individuals. The podcast explores his mission to empower users with control over personal data and ethical internet alternatives.
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Early Entrepreneur: Selected Garbage
- Frank McCourt started a trash-collection business at 13 to work and make money while he waited to join the family construction firm.
- He branded it humorously as "selected garbage from families of distinction" and expanded into other small services as demand grew.
From Red Sox Bid To Dodgers Rebuild
- McCourt bid on the Boston Red Sox, lost, then was asked by MLB to consider buying another team and eventually bought the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- He rebuilt the Dodgers' infrastructure and culture, turning a losing franchise into a perennial contender.
Data Is Modern Personhood
- McCourt reframes personal data as "personhood" and argues it should be owned by people, not platforms.
- He says current platforms scrape and monetize intimate profiles, turning citizens into subjects of surveillance.