One Thomas Alan

Reflections and photos from life in Japan and abroad.

The next stage is going to be computers as 'agents.' In other words, it will be as if there's a little person inside that box who starts to anticipate what you want. —Steve Jobs, 1984

In 1984, Steve Jobs envisioned a future where computers wouldn't just take commands—they'd anticipate our needs, like “a little person in that box.”

He was off by a few years, but agents are exactly where we are today. Jobs seemed to be framing this stage as a shift in the relationship we have with technology, not just capabilities.

Illustration of a person interacting with their computer like it's a person.

Maybe it's this relationship shift with technology that's making so many uncomfortable?

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

I think many are chasing someone who doesn’t exist.

Someone built from scraps of admiration.

📷 Taken in Tokyo. A reflection on identity, illusion, and how easily we lose ourselves.

#streetphotography #blackandwhite

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Time, light, stories Simple pleasures. Elements that shape our life.

Like many photographers, I have a habit of collecting cameras, books, and watches. There’s something about the way timepieces and cameras sit together—both designed to capture or measure the passing of time. Both poetic in their own way. Add a good photo book and it adds depth to this quiet ritual of time, light, and stories.

📷 Leica D-Lux 8, taken w/ Ricoh GR III ⌚️OnePlus Watch 2 📚New York Street Street Diaries @philpenman

#ricohgriii #leicadlux8 #photography

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” — Ram Dass

Some days feel like that old song:

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign, Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind. Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?

Telling me what to do, what not to do.

Pushing, pulling, shouting directions in all caps.

Even the quiet moments feel loud.

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

I don’t struggle with complexity itself. I struggle with irrelevant or poorly explained complexity.

On Complexity

As always, your mileage may vary, So use what’s helpful. Discard the rest. ✌️

#philosophy #thinkingoutloud

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Some of the most important things in life are the ones you choose freely, not the ones you do out of pressure or obligation.

As always, your mileage may vary, so use what’s helpful. Discard the rest. ✌️

#philosophy #thinkingoutloud

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Today's Tangled Visual

An abstract peek inside the evolving, tangled mind of a creative technologist.

TheTeknologist Illustration

TheTeknologist Illustration

I’ve always loved to doodle and sketch—and I still do. But now, with AI, I can flesh out the ideas in my head faster than ever.

ChatGPT o3 Prompt (I could have done this in the 4o model too)

Create a horizontal creative but minimalistic illustration with a white background based on this idea with no words, only my domain name theteknologist.com – focus on the abstract idea

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

#ai #aigeneratedillustration #chatgpt #prompts

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Most of our life is spent chasing the person we think we’re supposed to become, until one day, we wake up and realize who we are.

Did the billion little choices it’s estimated we make in a life guide us there?

Or was it always meant to be?

As always, your mileage may vary, so use what’s useful. Discard the rest.

#quotes #philosophy

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

“I have faith in humanity. I just don’t trust people. :)” — Me (but I’m sure I’m not the first)

As always, you may view it differently, so take what works, discard the rest.

#quotes #philosophy

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Plan for order and you’ll be destroyed by chaos. Prepare for chaos and you’ll thrive in any condition. — Sahil Bloom, *The Curiosity Chronicle*, Jan 7, 2025

From: 34 Life Lessons from 34 Years – Sahil Bloom

As always, your mileage may vary, so use what’s helpful. Discard the rest.

#quotes #philosophy

Written by a creative technologist, photographer, and an evolving human living in Japan—enhanced (and tangled) by technology.

Enter your email to subscribe to updates.