With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Blogger Goes Around L.A. Asking Old People for Advice on Camera
David, 72, is an art historian
Since mid June, Seth Menachem has been walking around his Fairfax District neighborhood, getting to know his elderly neighbors, interviewing them on camera for advice and posting the captivating short clips on his blog, Life Advice from Old People.
"Maybe it's because my dad died, maybe it's because I was so close to my grandparents, and maybe it's a combination of both," he explained over e-mail. "But, I love speaking to the elderly and I love getting advice from them on the things they've learned in their lives. It forces me to reevaluate my life constantly - not a bad thing. Even if I'm doing all the right stuff (believe me, I'm not), there's nothing wrong with checking in to see what can be done better. I actually learn a lot from the people who didn't necessarily do everything right. They reveal the most about life when they reflect on what they lost, what they could have had, and what they should have done differently."
The idea for the blog came when he was hanging out with two of his elderly neighbors who were telling stories and giving him advice on life. "I realized that most elderly have so much to teach and so few people to tell what they've learned," Menachem explained. "I thought I could find a way to make it easy for young people to hear from old people while giving the old people a platform to speak. Frank and Abe have no idea what a blog is, but they did it for me, anyway."
Sponsored message
Menachem, who is an actor and writer by day--he just sold a TV show to Starz called Partners--already has a collection of over 40 videos. Many of them focus on locals, but he has caught a few stars of note including actor Jon Voight and Oscar winning director Errol Morris who both gave some very poignant advice (view those videos below).
Jon Voight, Actor
Errol Morris, Director
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
