Build a Private & Reliable Smart Home
The modern smart home is broken. We were promised a future of convenience and intelligence, but were delivered a reality of compromised privacy, unreliable cloud servers, and systems that serve corporations more than they serve us. We are told to accept that our data is the price of admission and that true ownership is a thing of the past.
We reject this premise entirely.
Our home is our sanctuary. The technology we utilize within it should be trustworthy, dependable, and fundamentally ours. This manifesto outlines the non-negotiable principles of a true Thinking Home.
1. Intelligent Sovereignty
We are the ultimate authority of our own homes. Intelligent Sovereignty determines our every decision. This guiding principle means we are empowered to consciously choose how our home operates, what data it collects, and where that data resides. It is the declaration that our home’s intelligence belongs to us and us alone. We do not cede control for convenience; we build systems that provide convenience without compromise.
2. Primacy of Local Control
Our commitment to Local Control is absolute for all critical functions. For a system to be trustworthy, its brain must reside within the walls of our own homes. By processing commands and automations on-premises, we achieve unmatched speed, unwavering reliability, and the highest possible level of privacy. We are in control even when the internet is down. The cloud can be a useful tool for non-essential services, but it can never be the foundation.
3. Intentional Planning
We practice Intentional Planning. A Thinking Home is built, not bought. We reject the impulsive accumulation of disconnected gadgets. Before a single device is purchased, we will create a comprehensive blueprint. Every sensor, every switch, every component has a defined purpose and a clear role within our cohesive ecosystem. This methodical approach eliminates the digital junk drawer and ensures our result is powerful, logical, and complete.
4. Human-Centric Design
Technology must serve us; we do not serve technology. A light switch must always work as a light switch. An automation has failed if it creates confusion or frustration for our family or guests. We are committed to building systems that are intuitive, resilient, and enhance daily life in a seamless, invisible way. The ultimate measure of our smart home is not its technical complexity, but its ability to be a reliable and welcome partner.
Take TTH Pledge
- I believe a home should be more than just smart; it should be wise, secure, and respectful of its inhabitants.
- I commit to building a system founded on Intelligent Sovereignty, Local Control, Intentional Planning, and Human-Centric Design, as a personal declaration of my own technological independence.
- I will not trade privacy for convenience by ceding control to outside, unknown entities.
- I will build a Thinking Home.
Step 1: Make Your Declaration - Inspire Others
Make your commitment public. Share this declaration on your social network of choice. Join the growing movement dedicated to building better and more private smart homes.
“I just made The Thinking Home Declaration. It is time to build a smart home that’s private, reliable, and serves me, not Big Tech. Join the movement and declare your own technological independence.”
Hashtags to include: #TTHDeclaration #ThinkingHome #LocalControl #SmartHome
Step 2: Join the TTH Community
Your declaration is the first step; your journey is a shared one. Our community is the best place to turn our principles into practice. It is an active hub where we can learn from the experiences of others, share your own knowledge, and find solutions to real-world challenges.
We invite you to introduce yourself in the I Took the TTH Pledge thread. Tell us what brought you here, post about the projects you are planning, and learn from a community that is building the future of truly smart homes, together.