Other Voices, Other Geniuses: David Sims

Welcome to the Sims-ulation

In case you missed it, this newsletter just launched a questionnaire series, asking my most interesting friends and acquaintances my most I-feel-like-asking-this questions. Last time, we heard from Demi Adejuyigbe…

This week it’s David Sims, co-host of the hit movie podcast “Blank Check with Griffin and David” and staff writer at The Atlantic. He lives in New York with his wife and their kid. I once dated his brother’s roommate, and all three (David, his brother, his brother’s roommate) are super nice.

OTHER VOICES, OTHER GENIUSES: David Sims

What song are you especially into currently?

I cannot stop listening to “Candy’s Room” by Bruce Springsteen ever since Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott’s podcast did their “Darkness On the Edge of Town” episode. I know. I am a dad. New music is beginning to upset and confuse me.

What is your greatest pet peeve?

People switching up plans on me at the last second. I am very bad at being emotionally prepared for my flaky friends to do this even when I know that they will.

How do you like to waste time?

Reading wikipedia entries for the broadest possible topics. Y’all ever read the Wiki entry for “fire”? It slaps. “Pasta”? That’s a great way to spend 30 minutes.

At what age did you get your driver’s license?

I got my UK license when I was 17. I got my US license when I was 23! The UK test is really hard and took an hour and involved highways and reversing around a corner, the US test involved me turning right a couple times and then generally aiming my car at the curb to “park.”

What news topic that will always get you to click?

Knicks trade rumors, movies blowing through their box office tracking, and ANYTHING to do with the NYC subway.

What is the most illegal thing you have ever done that you are willing to admit to here?

I used to steal glossy magazines from the WH Smiths at Blackfriars station. And I guess, like, drug use?? I dunno how much illegal stuff I’ve done! What is even illegal these days!

Please put a selfie here:

This is my "hot selfie." I took it by mistake many years ago when I was lying in bed and trying to open my camera. I have never looked hotter before or since which is v annoying.

Please put a feet pic here:

I would truly rather include a nude than a picture of JUST MY BARE FEET. Ick. No shame to people who like feet but wow.

If you could press a button and get ten million dollars but one person would die and it wouldn’t be linked to you in any way, who would you want to die?

I’m not pressing any buttons. Always ends badly.

What do you consider the secret to your success?

I answer texts quickly.

When have you been or felt the most FAMOUS in your life?

Every time I pick my daughter up from school. A chorus of toddlers yelling “[my daughter’s name]’s dad!”

How many piercings do you have, and where on your body are they? If none, what would you get if you had to?

I have none!! I’m scared of them but me and Fran Hoepfner talked about getting our nipples pierces in honor of Rooney Mara doing that to play Lisbeth Salander once. We shoulda!

Who or what is your most problematic fave?

The hosts of Inside the NBA.

What is the name of your most active group chat and what do you typically message about?

I am in a demented chat called “The Basket Chat” filled with NBA fans that gets like a thousand messages a day, so that. But my most active and venerable group chat is with my three best friends from high school, and it’s called True Friends, and we mostly talk about our dicks and stuff.

What is your favorite sex act or position?

I like standing while my partner is lying down, or at least I THINK I like this, because it emphasizes my height etc., but it is often a logistical nightmare like so many vaguely creative sex acts that involves a lot of whispered instruction and repeated queries of “does this feel good?” Is it pretty boring to say my fave thing is giving and receiving head? Yes. Is it probably the right answer? Yes.

What do you think Taylor Swift is doing AT THIS VERY SECOND?

She’s watching One Day on Netflix on the couch. For sure.

How did you meet your best friend?

She came over for dinner one night after running into my then-girlfriend at the time on the street (they had vaguely known each other in high school). Within ten mins of chatting I realized she was the best person in the world. Still is!

If you have a pet, put a picture here. If you don’t, feet again. If you have more than one pet, pick the cutest:

Ok fine here’s my feet.

Which Sex and the City character do you most identify with?

Samantha.

What is your credit score? C’mon, just tell me!

I think it’s like 730 or something. It’s good. Used to be bad though. Like I think it was 450 at some point. Thank you, podcast money!

How did you meet the person to whom you lost your virginity?

We did a summer filmmaking course together in high school. NERDS

What is a conspiracy theory you actually think is true?

Anything to do with Denver International Airport.

Thoughts on God?

Hope he’s doing well.

How is a raven like a writing desk?

Ugh I know the answer to this because I studied Carroll in college. It’s like, “because it can make musical notes but they’re flat.” Something like that. Should I send my feet again?