James Lander is the author of The Thinking Home and a strategist dedicated to helping people reclaim their privacy. After years of frustration with unreliable gadgets and invasive apps, he created a roadmap for a truly intelligent home. His philosophy of Intelligent Sovereignty is built on two core principles: Local Control for privacy and speed, and Intentional Planning to ensure your technology serves you. His work empowers you to build a home that is not just smart, but secure, reliable, and fundamentally yours.
This category serves as a critical watchdog for the smart home consumer. Here, we dissect the latest industry news, corporate policies, and market trends, exposing the hidden risks of cloud-dependent ecosystems and advocating for consumer rights. From analyzing device “bricking” events to deconstructing predatory subscription models, these articles empower you with the knowledge to navigate the complex landscape of the smart home market and make informed decisions that protect your investment, your privacy, and your ownership.
Guides to the “Intentional Planning” methodology, including steps for getting started, understanding your home’s unique needs, effective budgeting, and leveraging the Project Planning Workbook to create a cohesive blueprint.
Explore the foundational principles, core concepts, and the overarching vision behind building a truly sovereign, private, and reliable smart home that genuinely serves its occupants. This category delves into the “why” of a “Thinking Home.”
Focus on designing smart home systems that prioritize the people who live in them, emphasizing user-friendly design, family acceptance (like the “Spousal Approval Factor”), and accessibility for all household members.
Artificial Intelligence is the next great battleground for the Sovereign Home. It can be a powerful tool for liberation or a sophisticated spy for digital landlords. In this section, we show you how to ensure it’s the former. We dive deep into the practical applications of AI, from predictive automations to truly private voice control. Learn how to harness the power of machine learning and make AI your servant, not your master, using local-first solutions that make your home smarter without sacrificing your freedom.
For the enthusiast and tinkerer, this category offers deeper dives into complex topics like network segmentation (VLANs), liberating hardware with custom firmware (Tasmota, ESPHome), and integrating local AI for unparalleled intelligence.
This is where the theory ends and the implementation begins. Home Assistant is the powerful, open-source platform at the heart of The Thinking Home. Here, we move beyond philosophy and get our hands dirty. This section is dedicated to the code and configurations—the automations, scripts, and integrations—that give you absolute control over your intelligent environment.
In-depth comparisons and critical considerations for selecting the central “brain” of your smart home system, evaluating different philosophies like open-source power, dedicated reliability, and all-in-one polished solutions.
Insights into different types of smart hardware, from essential switches and everyday sensors to advanced presence detection technologies, helping you choose the right tools for the right job.
A comprehensive guide to keeping your smart home running smoothly while fortifying it against threats. Learn essential strategies for troubleshooting common issues, preventing costly damage from leaks or fires, ensuring system resilience through backups, and achieving peace of mind with intelligent security measures.
