Tony Pierce: How LA Handles a Pandemic

Tony Pierce talks to people for a living. They tell him about how life is these days, what jobs they do, what challenges they face, and what they make of the crazy world around them. As a longtime resident of LA and blogger extraordinaire, who better to hear from during a pandemic to learn how life is for Angelinos. We discuss things like how LA feels today, what is good about working from home in this crisis, and how people are coping in different communities. We also look back on our glorious past and how we got here internet-wise. Also safe places to park your plane or new car. Today on the podcast, we spend the hour with the great Tony Pierce!

Tony Pierce: New Media Pioneer

TonyTony Pierce was blogging before most of us had broadband internet and well before smart phones existed. For over a decade he has been writing daily and bringing people into his world on the busblog, where nothing is true. Through it all, he has preached about what would only years later be understood as good advice for anyone interested in writing or creating content online: keep going, do what makes you happy, and tell some good stories along the way.

For the first time in several years, Tony and I hit the record button and look at what has happened and what is happening both in terms of our online lives and internet-media in general. And make no mistake about it, I credit Tony Pierce among the top sources of inspiration when it comes to self-expression on the internet and here on my website.  So beware, compliments will be thrown around!

bmtv25 Busblog National Tour, NYC
































A little throwback to last month, when I happened to be in NYC at the same time as my friend Tony Pierce. He was on the east coast swing of his busblog-cross-country extravaganza. This is just a little video gift for him to post and a souvenir of that day.

Citizen Journalism is Tony Pierce in NOLA

When I heard that my friend and blogger inspiration, Mr Tony Pierce, was driving down the eastern US heading towards New Orleans, I immediately send an email. “We gotta do a podcast about what you see in NOLA” I told him. And of course he said ‘yes’. (we’re still working out the logistics)

But when I looked yesterday at photoeassy on LAist, and even better, his videoblog entry interviewing a high school girl in the NINE WARD, I had to watch it again. I sat back in my chair and once again felt inspired. Not that I had forgotten, but it reminded me of what I love about being a citizen reporter through personal media. The spontaneity of it all, the rawness, the honest curiousity. Free of that desire to look polished and clean and perfect… focusing on the message. And through his posts, I certainly heard a message about what is or IS NOT happening down in New Orleans.

For tonight I’d simply like to recommend you check it all out, all his writing from the big easy.. and especially that video. I know it may not connect with you, but from where I sit, this was excellent work and important when it comes to telling a story without expensive cameras and executive producers.