Craig Mod, a brilliant writer, designer, and photographer, returns to share insights from his new book, 'Things Become Other Things'. He delves into the ethical implications of AI tools and digital communication, highlighting frustrations with platforms like Discord. The conversation shifts to the evolution of creativity in the digital age, touching on the transition from film to digital photography. Craig also discusses the limitations of voice assistants like Siri and critiques Apple's current design philosophy, advocating for a return to innovation.
Craig Mod's new book, 'Things Become Other Things', captures his reflections on a profound journey through Japan's culture over four years.
He emphasizes the ethical concerns of using AI for content generation, particularly regarding the use of copyrighted data without consent.
Mod critiques the chaotic nature of platforms like Discord and introduces The Good Place as a calmer, more meaningful community experience.
He debates the permanence of digital content, advocating for mindful curation over indiscriminate archiving of social media to preserve quality memories.
Deep dives
The Return of Craig Mod
After a hiatus of four years, Craig Mod reappears for a conversation that feels both familiar and new. He is currently on a virtual book tour in preparation for his new book release, 'Things Become Other Things,' which is set to launch shortly. During this time, he reflects on his previous extensive journey walking around a peninsula in Japan, where he documented his experiences and thoughts while engaging with local culture. This book encapsulates the essence of those reflections and how they have evolved over the past four years.
The Evolution of AI Tools
Craig shares his thoughts on the emerging world of AI and its implications, particularly in generative content creation. He expresses concern regarding the ethical dimensions of using AI to generate images and text, highlighting how proprietary data sources, including copyrighted material, are often leveraged without appropriate compensation or consent. Despite the complexities, he finds great value in code generation tools, explaining how AI has dramatically improved his own software development processes, allowing him to build unique applications tailored to his needs. Craig emphasizes that while AI tools are beneficial, there is still importance in understanding the underlying technical specifications and processes.
Rediscovering Digital Communities
The conversation delves into Craig's experiences with various online community platforms, contrasting them with his recent project, The Good Place. He critiques the chaotic nature of existing platforms like Discord and the overwhelming real-time expectations that they create for users. In response, he created The Good Place, a more tranquil, asynchronous space that limits posting frequency and encourages calmer interactions among its members. This design choice allows for a more meaningful engagement rather than the frantic interactions that often characterize other platforms.
The Nature of Digital Archiving
Craig expresses a philosophical stance on the concept of digital archiving, debating what should be preserved online. He reflects on his Generation X mindset about data and memories, feeling a compulsion to keep everything, despite recognizing its drawbacks. He believes that many social media posts likely do not merit eternal preservation, as they often belong to a transient moment in time. Craig is committed to curating his digital footprint, focusing instead on collecting quality content that warrants preservation for future generations.
Learning From Long-Lasting Art Forms
In discussing the evolution of media and art, Craig explores the value of permanence in written works compared to the ephemeral nature of social media. He argues that books, unlike posts, hold a special significance in preserving insights, stories, and experiences that can resonate with readers for years. This medium fosters a depth of understanding and connection that quickly disappears in the fast-paced digital landscape. Craig envisions his new book not only as a narrative of his journey but also as a lasting contribution to cultural conversations surrounding personal connections and the essence of place.
Crafting His Book: Tools and Thought Process
Craig reveals his creative process for writing 'Things Become Other Things,' from dictating ideas on the go to drafting and refining chapters. He utilizes an array of tools, primarily focusing on the Ulysses app to manage his writing and notes effectively. The structure allows him to compartmentalize his thoughts into chapters, ensuring fluidity and organization as the work matures. His use of pop-up newsletters galvanized his writing productivity, demonstrating how setting a clear timeline can elevate engagement and output.
The Publisher’s Role in Book Design
The discussion touches on the collaborative process of book design with Random House, where Craig managed to maintain some input over design choices, like cover images and photo placements. While he relinquished control over certain design decisions, he was pleased with the final product, particularly the choice of typography, which he feels complements the narrative beautifully. He appreciates the balance between text and images, thinking of the book as a harmonious blend of visual and literary storytelling. This process of cooperation illustrates the challenges and rewards of publishing within a traditional framework while also adapting to the author's vision.
Craig Mod returns to the show to discuss his splendid new book, Things Become Other Things. Other topics include creating with AI tools (including programming), social media permanence vs. ephemerality, and more.
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The Good Place — Craig’s write-up on designing and building (with Claude Code) his own custom Twitter-like ephemeral social network for members of his (fun, excellent) Special Projects website.
