What's on your desk, David Pierce?

David Pierce is The edgeThe general editor. What is a general editor? It means, he says, “well, nothing. I write stories and podcasts, and I write a newsletter called InstallerBut mostly I spend a lot of time trying to convince people to like to-do list apps as much as I do.”

We asked him to tell us a little about his workspace.

It appears he has set up his office in a basement recreation room.

Yes, it's a basement/office/guest room/storage closet/play area/designated dog sleeping spot all in one. I used to have a more office-like office in our house, but then we had a kid, so now that's my wife's office; They took me to the basement because I don't care how cold it is down here all the time. Whenever we have child number 2, I don't know what we're going to do.

Between the couch, wet bar, and basketball hoop, not to mention the sliding doors that lead to the garden, it feels like a comfortable space.

It's nice down here! I deeply regret only purchasing a 42-inch TV for this space because, with a little work and a much larger screen, this could be a great place to hang out and watch movies. But even now it suits me quite well, especially when the weather is nice and I can leave the sliding doors open all day.

The main disadvantage of this setup is that all of that is also my experience on video calls and when recording podcasts. So, I'm always torn between wanting him to feel comfortable and fun and needing him to look at least a little bit professional and put together. It means I spend a lot of time moving blankets and pillows on and off the couch.

Could you tell us a little about the desk itself?

The desk is black. Ikea Alex desk on top of two white Ikea Alex filing cabinets. I've tried many different desktops over the years and it turns out that what I need more than anything is simply space. This desk is nothing special and I really wish I could convert it to a standing desk, but it's huge, cheap, and does the job. However, the table top is starting to wear quite a bit, so it might be time to replace that piece.

The other furniture above is from Ugmonk's Gather collection, which I wrote about a while ago and bought after finishing the story. I have the 2×3 organizer game and the Large monitor standboth of which are very expensive for what they are, but I love the way they look and the story and intention behind them.

I just had to look up the name on amazon: it is “amazon.com/dp/B06Y3PGPR2/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?tag=theverge02-20″>HON Office Chair Black | Ignition 2.0 | Ergonomic | Adjustable tilt, swivel wheels, comfortable for long hours”, which should tell you basically everything you need to know about how good and stylish it is. I bought it in 2021 for $332, after a lot of research because I just couldn't spend money on a high-end desk chair. I've had back problems forever, and this one has actually served me pretty well – it's starting to break down a bit and one of the arms split open a few weeks ago, but I sit on this thing for too many hours a week. , and I'm living to tell about it.

Here's the longest one: Tell us about the different tech devices you're using.

My computer is a Mac Mini M1, which I love and can't either wait to upgrade to whatever Apple releases next. It is plugged into a 27-in. shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-usb-c-hub-monitor-u2723qe/apd/210-bdpf/monitors-monitor-accessories”>Dell UltraSharp U2723QE monitor, which I recently got and love so far. There is an Insta360 Link webcam on top.

I have a surprising amount of Logitech gear: I use the MX Master 3S mouse and the amazon.com/Logitech-Programmable-Backlighting-Bluetooth-Rechargeable/dp/B0BKW3LB2B?tag=theverge02-20″>MX Keys S Keyboardwhich are the best in their class as far as I'm concerned. I use the amazon.com/Logitech-Multi-Device-Stereo-Speaker/dp/B074KJ6JQW?tag=theverge02-20″>Z207 Computer Speakerswhich are aggressively mediocre, but they were like $40, so whatever.

My phone and Apple Watch charge primarily on the Twelve South HiRise 3 charging standwhich is nice and minimalist but so infuriatingly slow that sometimes I want to throw it out the window. I need to update this.

I have a 13-inch iPad Air on my desk (it's a review unit, so it won't be this one forever, but there's always a tablet here) for when I want to watch something while I work or when I'm trying out an app or game. When I also have something very long to read, sometimes I take the iPad and lean back in the chair instead of looking at the monitor.

My podcasting setup is a amazon.com/Shure-SM7B-Cardioid-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B0002E4Z8M?tag=theverge02-20″>Shure SM7B Microphone in a amazon.com/RODE-Swivel-Mount-Studio-Microphone/dp/B001D7UYBO?tag=theverge02-20″>PS1 mounted armattached to a amazon.com/Cloud-Microphones-CL-1-Cloudlifter-1-channel/dp/B004MQSV04?tag=theverge02-20″>cloud lifter (if you know it, you know it), attached to a amazon.com/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B07QR73T66?tag=theverge02-20″>scarlet 2i2 interface, connected directly to the Mac Mini. I use a amazon.com/Elgato-Ring-Light-Temperature-app-adjustable/dp/B08GMDQ87T?tag=theverge02-20″>Elgato ring light so that my face looks less bad on camera. The other part of the setup is two pillows that I place on my desk to muffle the sound. Is that technology? I use the same amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E?th=1&tag=theverge02-20″>Sony MDR7506 headphones like every other podcaster out there; I've had this pair for years, although I have had to replace the earbuds several times. When I'm not using my headphones, they hang from a amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-HPH300-Headphone-Hanger-Accessory/dp/B005LDVQ04?tag=theverge02-20″>Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone hanger, which is totally unnecessary but makes my desk feel less cluttered.

That is all that is permanent; everything else is a rotating cast of devices I'm testing, things I bought but will definitely return or give to a family member, and charging cables. There are always so many charging cables.

You have fewer decorations in your workspace than many of your colleagues, but it's hard to miss that adorable Father's Day art.

I didn't realize it until you said it, but every decoration in this basement is made by a family member. My wife did the painting that is behind me in every podcast and meeting; My mom painted pictures of our two dogs, who sit on the ledge behind me; and my son seems to come home from daycare with artwork two or three times a week. Sometimes it's not very good (don't tell him I said that), and sometimes my wife and I fight over who gets to hang it. Luckily, when it's Father's Day art, I can win.

And then there's the Lego plant, the Lego chef, and the Rubik's cube under your monitor.

Both Lego things were wedding gifts! The plant from my wife's best friend's wedding, very recently; Both the bride and groom loved plants and made one of these for each guest. The chef is from the wedding of one of my best friends, a few years ago; The couple chose Lego characters that they felt best represented each guest. I never asked him why he was a chef, but I love it. I aspire to his facial hair.

I bought the Rubik's cube during the pandemic, in a fit of boredom when I decided to learn two things: juggling and solving a Rubik's cube. I learned to juggle! I still can't figure this out. But I won't leave my desk until I learn it. Plus, it's a lot of fun to play with during calls.

It looks like you are reading Character limit: How Elon Musk destroyed twitter. How is the book?

It's great so far! I always try to have a printed book on my desk as a way to get off work or just stop looking at screens for a few minutes. I should probably read instead of scrolling through TikTok, you know? Normally it's a super spy novel, but right now it's this one. Even having followed and covered this story closely, some of the details are mind-boggling. And usually not in a good way.

Is there anything else we didn't cover that you would like to add?

You may have noticed the bunch of cables hanging on the right side of my desk. That's the best thing I've ever done in my life; I made a hole in the back of the file cabinet, placed a power strip there and made myself a loading drawer. Sometimes I carry things inside and keep them organized, and that's also where I keep all the stuff that's carried around on a mat or pad or whatever, but mostly, it's just that big curtain of cables. It has a Lightning cable, a Micro USB cable, a couple of proprietary cables for various devices, and a bunch of USB-C cables. It's not pretty, but wow, it makes life easier without having to search for a plug or cable. Charging stations to win!

Photography by David Pierce / The edge