Episode #467: Slot Machines to Sunlight: Rethinking Computers with Moritz Bierling

In this episode of Crazy Wisdom, host Stewart Alsop speaks with Moritz Bierling, community lead at Daylight Computer, about reimagining our relationship to technology through intentional hardware and software design. The conversation traverses the roots of Daylight Computer—born from a desire to mitigate the mental and physiological toll of blue light and digital distraction—into explorations of AI integration, environmental design, open-source ethos, and alternative models for startup funding. Moritz discusses the vision behind Daylight’s “Outdoor Computing Club,” a movement to reclaim nature as a workspace, and the broader philosophical inquiry into a “third timeline” that balances techno-optimism and primitivism. You can explore more about the project at daylightcomputer.com and connect through their primary social channels on X (Twitter) and Instagram.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Daylight Computer, critique of mainstream tech as a distraction machine, and inspiration from Apple’s software limitations.
05:00 – Origin story of Daylight, impact of blue light, and how display technology influences wellbeing.
10:00 – Exploration of e-ink vs. RLCD, Kindle as a sanctuary, and Anjan’s experiments with the Remarkable tablet.
15:00 – Development of Solo OS, the role of spaces in digital environments, and distinctions between hardware and software.
20:00 – Vision for AI-assisted computing, voice interaction, and creating a context-aware interface.
25:00 – Emphasis on environmental design, using devices outdoors, and the evolutionary mismatch of current computing.
30:00 – Reflections on solar punk, right relationship with technology, and rejecting accelerationism.
35:00 – Introduction of the third timeline, rhizomatic organizational structure, and critique of VC funding models.
40:00 – Discussions on alternative economics, open-source dynamics, and long-term sustainability.
45:00 – Outdoor Computing Club, future launches, on-device AI, and the ambition to reclaim embodied computing.

Key Insights

1. Technology as Both Lifeline and Hindrance
   Moritz Bierling frames modern computing as a paradox: it connects us to society and productivity while simultaneously compromising our well-being through overstimulation and poor design. The Daylight Computer aims to resolve this by introducing hardware that reduces digital fatigue and invites outdoor use.
2. Inspiration from E-Ink and Purposeful Tools
   The initial concept for Daylight Computer was inspired by the calm, focused experience of using a Kindle. Its reflective screen and limited functionality helped Anjan, the founder, realize the power of devices built for singular, meaningful purposes rather than general distraction.
3. Designing for Contextual Intent
   With the introduction of Sol OS, Daylight enables users to define digital “spaces” aligned with different modes of being—such as waking, deep work, or relaxation. This modular approach supports intentional interaction and reduces the friction of context-switching common in modern OS designs.
4. Respectful Integration of AI
   Rather than chasing full automation, the Daylight team is exploring AI in a measured way. They’re developing features like screen-aware AI queries through physical buttons, creating a contextual assistant that enhances cognition without overpowering it or promoting dependency.
5. Alternative Economic Models
   Rejecting venture capital and the short-term incentives of traditional tech funding, Daylight pursues a community-backed model similar to Costco’s membership. This aligns financial sustainability with shared values, rather than extracting maximum profit.
6. Third Timeline Vision
   Moritz discusses a conceptual “third timeline”—a balanced future distinct from both primitivism and techno-solutionism. This alternative future integrates technology into life harmoniously, fostering right relationship between humans, nature, and machines.
7. Environmental Computing and Cultural Regeneration
   Daylight is not just a hardware company but a movement in environmental design. Through initiatives like the Outdoor Computing Club, they aim to restore sunlight as a central influence in human life and work, hinting at a cultural shift toward solar punk aesthetics and embodied digital living.