Daylight Computer

An interview with founder Anjan Katta

With the launch of the eponymous DC-1 Daylight Computer has been at the forefront of a revolution in human computing. Their vision is to build devices that honor our innate desires to be creative while also been more connected with our natural environments.

Personally I've become more connected to circadian rhythms and circadian biology over the past year and I was intrigued by the first prototype that I saw of the DC-1 device—a device with all the promise enabling us to touch the future while still being grounded to the beauty, wonder, and healing power of the natural world.

I had a chance to connect with Anjan Katta (Daylight's founder) and talk to him about the DC-1, life, and his philosophy on staying connected in our modern world.

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① There has been a movement in the past couple years toward more healthy conceptions of modern computing. Devices that are designed for use outside and that encourage more healthy integration with the natural world are paramount to that. I would love to hear about your journey with Daylight Computer and bringing your first product to market. What drove you to create a product in this space?

I felt uniquely screwed by modern computing—both mentally and physically. My ADHD made it challenging to stay focused given the attention starvation of modern computers, and I struggled with seasonal affective disorder and vitamin D deficiency from being indoors too much. It dawned on me that the only device that didn't negatively impact me was my Kindle because I have a fundamentally different psychological relationship with it. This realization of my Kindle as a computer led me to envision something new: a paper-like computing substrate.

I started thinking about Arthur C. Clarke's idea that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. What if we could create computers that felt like the enchanted objects from Harry Potter—a Marauder's Map or Tom Riddle's diary? This vision of computing as magic, where analog objects are imbued with technology in a way that respects human physiology and psychology, became the driving force behind Daylight Computer.

② As you approached a hardware product like this, what were the underlying principles that drove the feature set and industrial design of the device itself?

Our core principle was to create technology that integrates seamlessly into our environment without demanding constant attention. We wanted to design analog-looking objects that are beautiful and unobtrusive when not in use, but can come alive with computational power when needed. The goal was to give users intentional control over their attention, rather than having technology constantly vying for it.

We focused on creating a more humane vision for computing, one that prioritizes physical and mental health. This meant rethinking every aspect of personal computing devices, from tablets to phones, monitors, and laptops. We wanted to create a better Kindle-like device that could handle more computing tasks while maintaining the benefits of e-ink technology and a paper-like interface.

③ The Daylight tablet is the first device you are taking to market. What is your longer term vision for Daylight? What other products do you want to bring to life?

Our vision for Daylight extends far beyond just creating tablets. We're looking at four main categories of innovation. First, we want to refactor personal computing with health and wellness at its core, following Maslow's hierarchy of needs. This means reimagining phones, monitors, laptops, and watches with physical health, mental health, and executive function as primary considerations.

Second, we're pursuing what I call the "Harry Potter vision"—making real-world objects magical and interactive, as an alternative to virtual or augmented reality. Third, we're exploring environmental design, creating products like smart alarm clocks or habit-tracking frames that subtly enhance our surroundings. Finally, we want to involve humans in the process, potentially integrating coaching or community support into our ecosystem.

④ I would love to hear you talk about the the philosophy and science behind Daylight Computer. How did you begin on the journey of creating more harmonious devices and what did you learn along the way?

This journey has been eye-opening in many ways. I learned the crucial importance of supply chain and manufacturing expertise—it's not just about having great ideas, but being able to realize them through intricate production processes. This gave me a new appreciation for why Steve Jobs chose Tim Cook as his successor at Apple.

I also realized the power of cross-domain knowledge. By combining insights from health, biology, engineering, and display technology, I was able to see possibilities that others in the industry missed. This taught me that there's a lot of innovation potential when you approach problems with a different philosophy or set of values.

Lastly, I was struck by the skepticism we faced from traditional gatekeepers in the venture capital world. Many liked our ideas personally but doubted that people truly wanted healthier technology. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of optimism and faith in human potential when innovating.

⑤ Lastly, I would love to hear any wisdom you have to share about how to life a more grounded life? What do you wish more people knew about finding balance in a connected world?

I've come to deeply value empiricism in our relationship with technology. Instead of relying on specs or theoretical capabilities, we need to actually try things and see how they impact our lives. Often, a device that can do less on paper ends up enabling us to do more in reality, simply because it doesn't have the same addictive pitfalls.

Another crucial shift for me was moving from a scarcity mindset to one of trust. Much of our addictive behavior with technology comes from a fear of missing out on important information. I've learned to trust that if something is truly important, it will find its way to me when the time is right. This approach has dramatically reduced my stress and improved my relationship with technology.

Ultimately, I believe we need to rediscover the wisdom of our ancestors—to try things for ourselves, to value experiential knowledge, and to trust in the natural flow of life. By doing so, we can create and use technology in a way that truly enhances our lives rather than controlling them.

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