W. Kamau Bell is a man of many hats: acclaimed comedian, incisive activist, engaging podcast host, prolific author, and devoted father. He’s a familiar face whose unique blend of humor, social commentary, and political activism has consistently resonated with audiences across platforms like Totally Biased, Politically Re-Active, United Shades of America, and We Need to Talk About Cosby. With a Peabody, four Emmys, and even a Celebrity Jeopardy! championship under his belt, Bell’s influence is undeniable. He’s been honored by the ACLU and even crowned the Ambassador of Fishbone by its founding member, Chris Dowd. In short, W. Kamau Bell is perpetually in motion.
Amidst a whirlwind of podcast recordings for Who’s With Me, a comedy tour, managing his Substack, and promoting his upcoming children’s book Rock Paper Scissors Cheese
(due October 27th), Bell graciously carved out time to share insights into his digital world for The Verge’s Weekend Questionnaire. His answers are as candid and thoughtful as his public persona, revealing a surprisingly practical approach to technology.
The Indispensable & The Underappreciated
What is your most indispensable tool?
Without hesitation, Bell declares, “A charger. All of this is just shiny paperweights without a charger.” A refreshingly pragmatic answer from someone whose livelihood often depends on connectivity.
Which app is the most underappreciated?
Bell champions the humble map app, a daily necessity. He quips about wishing for a better MapQuest to avoid “the Trump Billionaire guys’ apps,” humorously noting, “The map apps that have the Gulf of Mexico listed as the Gulf of America. SOOOOOOOOO EMBARRASSING!!!”
What is the first app you install on a new phone or computer?
After acknowledging the convenience of app transfers, Bell admits, “if I had a clean phone with only the basic apps on it, I would quickly install YouTube. What do you expect me to do? Just think my own thoughts all day? I need somebody constantly telling me something about something. Or singing me something about something.” A relatable confession for many in the digital age.
Navigating the Digital Landscape
What is one thing you wish you could change about your phone?
Bell yearns for simplicity: “Just come in a hard case with that piece of plastic that claims it stops your screen from cracking already on the phone. I just bought it. I don’t need a project, and I’m not comfortable asking the person at the cellphone place to do it for me. Also, I’m sure it is a scam, but I just put it on there anyway.”
How many tabs do you have open right now?
A true digital native, Bell considers 17 open windows across two browsers “light work.” When deep into writing a Substack article, that number can easily soar to 30. His rule: “I only close them when I hit ‘publish’ on an article. I have to earn the right to close a window.”
Which social media platform do you use the most (if any)?
Bell offers a surprising thank you to Elon Musk: “I really want to thank Elon Musk for breaking my addiction to Twitter. It wasn’t healthy, so I can say that he really improved my life by ruining Twitter.” Now, he’s an “Instagram and Threads guy,” though he issues a playful warning to Zuckerberg: “My generation isn’t afraid to leave social media platforms. We left MySpace and Friendster, just like I left Twitter.”
What is your happy place online?
His online sanctuaries are watching the latest Japanese videos on YouTube or enjoying Lionfield videos with his 8-year-old on Instagram, highlighting a blend of personal interest and family time.
Gadgets, Games & Creative Aspirations
What is your favorite gadget you’ve ever owned?
A classic: “Afro pick with extra-long metal teeth with a fist as the handle.”
Which was the most disappointing?
Two contenders: “A brush that claimed it could effectively comb Afros. I bought it because of Shark Tank. But I think my hair is just too long. Or the X-ray specs they used to sell in comic books.”
What game do you have the fondest memories of?
A tie between PC classic Civilization and NBA Live ‘95 on Sega Genesis. Bell humorously adds, “I’M SOOOOO OLD!”
Which tech trend do you wish would go away?
His answer is succinct and shared by many: “AI.”
What is one thing you wish you had created?
The viral sensation Flappy Bird. “But I would have let it rock instead of deleting it. Maybe because I have three kids, I can’t look a gift app in the mouth like that. You all would have had at least eight Flappy Bird movies by now. It would have out-Minioned the Minion movies.”
Life, Wisdom, and Focus
What creation are you most proud of?
Beyond his professional accolades, Bell’s most cherished creation is deeply personal: “My three daughters. It was a collab project.”
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
From Kevin Kataoka: “Don’t think you are going to make it just by doing stand-up comedy. You need to learn how to write other things.” A testament to diversifying one’s skills.
What is your current obsession?
The NBA off-season, which he finds “way better than the actual season, even with the Knicks winning.”
What do you do when you need to focus?
His method involves “Coffee and extreme quiet… like leave me the eff alone… so I can listen to YouTube while I work.” He notes that “Middle of the night is the best time to work, but I can’t do that as often as I like… those three k” (presumably referring to his kids, which was cut off in the original text).
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