What’s on your desk, David Pierce?

David Pierce is The edgeis editor-in-chief. What is an Editor-in-Chief? It means, he says, “Well, nothing.” I write stories, do podcasts and write a newsletter called Installerbut mostly I spend a lot of time convincing people that they like to-do list apps as much as I do.”

We asked him to tell us something about his workplace.

It looks like you’ve set up your office in a basement lounge.

Yes, it’s a basement, office, guest room, storage room, play area and designated dog sleeping area all in one. I used to have a more office-like office in our house, but then we had a kid and now it’s my wife’s office – I’ve been relegated to the basement because I don’t mind how cold it is down here all the time. Whenever we have child #2, I don’t know what we’ll do.

Between the couch, liquor cabinet, and basketball hoop, not to mention the sliding doors that lead to your backyard, it feels like a cozy space.

It’s beautiful down here! I deeply regret purchasing a 42″ TV just for this room because with a little work and a much larger screen this could be a pretty awesome place to hang out and watch movies. But even now it suits me quite well, especially when it’s nice outside and I can leave the sliding doors open all day.

The biggest downside to this setup is that all of these things are also my background in video calls and recording podcasts. So I’m constantly torn between wanting it to feel comfortable and fun and needing it to look and be put together at least a little bit professionally. This means I spend a lot of time putting blankets and pillows on and off the couch.

Could you tell us a little about the desk itself?

The desk is a black Ikea Alex desk on two white Ikea Alex filing cabinets. I’ve tried many different desks over the years and it turns out that I’m mostly just Space. This desk isn’t anything special and I really wish I could convert it into a standing desk, but it’s huge and cheap and does the job. However, the tabletop itself is starting to wear down quite a bit, so it may be time to replace this part.

The other pieces of furniture on top are from Ugmonk’s Gather collection, which I wrote a while ago and purchased after I finished the story. I have the 2×3 organizer set and the large monitor stand, both of which are very expensive for what they are, but I love the look of them – and the story and intent behind them.

I just had to search for the name on Amazon: it’s the “HON Office Chair Black |”. Ignition 2.0 | Ergonomic | Adjustable tilt, rotating wheels, comfortable for long hours” which should basically tell you everything you need to know about how good and stylish it is. I bought it in 2021 for $332 after doing a lot of research because I just couldn’t afford a really high quality desk chair. I’ve always had back problems, and this one has served me really well – it’s starting to tear a bit, and one of the arms split open a few weeks ago, but I sit in this thing too many hours a week, and I live to tell the story.

Here’s the long question: Tell us about the different tech devices you use.

My computer is an M1 Mac Mini, which I love but also can’t Wait to update on what Apple is launching next. It’s connected to a 27″ Dell UltraSharp U2723QE monitor that I recently purchased and am loving so far. There is an Insta360 Link webcam above it.

I have a surprising amount of Logitech gear: I use the MX Master 3S mouse and the MX Keys S keyboard, both of which are best in class for me. I use the Z207 computer speakers, which are aggressively mediocre, but they were like $40, so whatever.

My phone and Apple Watch are mostly charged via the Twelve South HiRise 3 charging station, which is beautiful and minimalist but so annoyingly slow that sometimes I want to throw it out the window. I need to update this thing.

I keep a 13-inch iPad Air on my desk (it’s a review unit, so it won’t stay this way forever, but there’s always a tablet with me) for when I want to watch something while I’m working or when I’m out and about testing an app or game. Even if I have something really long to read, sometimes I pick up the iPad and sit back in the chair instead of staring at my monitor.

My podcasting setup consists of a Shure SM7B microphone on a Rode PS1 arm, connected to a Cloudlifter (if you know), connected to a Scarlett 2i2 interface, and plugged directly into the Mac Mini. I use an Elgato ring light to make my face look less bad on camera. The other part of the setup is two cushions that I put on my desk to block out noise – is this technology? I use the same Sony MDR7506 headphones as every other podcaster out there; I’ve had this pair for years, although I’ve had to replace the ear cups a few times. When I’m not wearing my headphones, they hang on an Audio-Technica AT-HPH300 headphone holder, which is completely unnecessary but makes my desk feel less cluttered.

These are all permanent things; Everything else is a rotating selection of gadgets I’m testing, things I’ve purchased but will definitely either return or gift to a family member, and charging cables. There are always so many charging cables.

You may have fewer decorations in your workplace than many of your colleagues, but the adorable Father’s Day art is hard to miss.

I didn’t realize it until you said it, but every decoration in this basement was made by a family member. My wife has painted the painting I have behind me in every podcast and every meeting. my mother drew pictures of our two dogs sitting on the mantel 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 argue about who gets to hang it. Luckily I can win if it’s art for Father’s Day.

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

Both Lego items were wedding gifts! The plant from my wife’s best friend’s wedding recently – the bride and groom were both really into plants and made one for each guest. The chef is from my best friend’s wedding a few years ago; The couple chose Lego characters that they felt best represented each guest. I’ve never asked him why I’m a chef, but I love it. I’m going for his facial hair.

I bought the Rubik’s Cube during the pandemic when, out of boredom, I decided to learn two things: juggle and solve a Rubik’s Cube. I learned to juggle! I still can’t solve the problem. But it won’t leave my desk until I learn it. Plus, it’s just fun to play around with while on the phone.

It looks like you’re reading Character Limit: How Elon Musk Broke Twitter. How is the book?

It’s great so far! I always try to keep a printed book on my desk for checking out after work or just stopping looking at screens for a few minutes. I should probably read TikTok rather than scroll, you know? Usually it’s something like a super spy novel, but right now it’s this one. Even after following and discussing this story closely, some of the details are overwhelming. And usually not in a positive way.

Is there anything else we didn’t cover that you’d like to add?

You may have noticed the pile of dangling cables on the right side of my desk. This is the best thing I’ve ever done; I drilled a hole in the back of the filing cabinet, put a power strip in it, and built myself a charging drawer. Sometimes I charge things indoors and keep them organized, and that’s also where I keep all the things that are being charged on a mat or pad or whatever, but most of the time it’s just the big tangle of cables. It has a Lightning cable, a Micro-USB cable, a few proprietary cables for various devices, and a range of USB-C cables. It’s not pretty, but boy, does it make life easier when you never have to search for a plug or cable. Charging stations for victory!

Photography by David Pierce / The edge