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Guardian writer joins the influencers who took over LA
Guardian writer Dave Schilling says he has begun posting Instagram Reels in Los Angeles, where one fitness hashtag alone holds 190 billion videos; the complaint became content.

At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “Influencers have taken over my city. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em | Dave Schilling”, with reporting from Earwolf.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 10:20 AM ET on #Trending, by Dale Bearman and Hank Ledger.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The GuardianInfluencers have taken over my city. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em | Dave Schilling
- EarwolfDave Schilling - Earwolf facts used on air
What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA Guardian columnist says influencers have taken over Los Angeles, so he has started posting videos on Instagram himself.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDave Schilling, writer-at-large, headline says if you can't beat them, join them. He's making Reels now. Actual videos, he stresses.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAs opposed to what, exactly? Fake videos?

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe Los Angeles Times says visibility is a currency out there. Fitness influencers share waking up, eating and getting dressed.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorGetting dressed. For an audience. I do that every morning and the audience is a cat that isn't mine.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd the same piece counts a hundred and ninety billion video submissions under the hashtag gymtok. Nobody in that city is unfilmed except you.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the one man complaining about it joined it. Then I'll say the hashtag: hashtag lateadopter.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months





