The Real Japan — Craig Mod
Tim FerrissKey Moments
Craig Mod on writing, walking, books, Japan, and finding your path.
Key Insights
Personal journey shaped by humble beginnings, early tech exposure, and a desire for independence.
The profound impact of Japan on his life, influencing his career and perspective.
Writing and bookmaking as core creative pursuits, emphasizing physical objects and enduring value.
The transformative power of walking as a meditative and creative practice.
Overcoming challenges like addiction and low self-worth through disciplined creative work and lifestyle choices.
The importance of mentorship, supportive communities, and finding archetypes to guide personal and creative growth.
FROM POST-INDUSTRIAL ROOTS TO DIGITAL FRONTIERS
Craig Mod's early life in a post-industrial Connecticut town, centered around an airplane engine factory, lacked cultural vibrancy but offered early, serendipitous encounters with technology. Growing up in a lower-middle-class environment without a strong sense of personal or financial archetypes, Mod developed an early drive for independence and escape, seeing money and the burgeoning internet as pathways. His neighbor's gifted computer and early access to IRC fostered a fascination with design, programming, and storytelling, setting the stage for a career that would blend technology with literature.
THE ALLURE OF JAPAN AND THE SEARCH FOR BELONGING
Mod's journey led him to Japan at age 19, seeking a fresh start and a new perspective. His experience in Japan, particularly his deep immersion in the language and culture, became pivotal. Despite initial challenges like a demanding homestay, his musical background and integration with local communities facilitated language acquisition. Japan offered a sense of societal support and a unique position as an outsider, providing a curious safety net that allowed him to pursue his creative endeavors with fewer systemic barriers than he perceived in the American system.
CRAFTING A CREATIVE LIFE: BOOKS, WRITING, AND ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE
Central to Mod's identity is his dedication to making books. Despite the rise of digital media, he champions physical books as immutable objects of enduring value. His career, which includes early success with influential articles on digital publishing and the iPad, has consistently circled back to book design and creation. This focus is fueled by a deep appreciation for typography, design, and the tactile experience of physical objects, distinguishing his work from ephemeral digital content.
THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF WALKING AND ENDURANCE
Walking has become a cornerstone of Mod's creative practice. His extensive walks across Japan, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, served as catalysts for profound reflection and creative output. These journeys, often spanning hundreds of kilometers, provide a disciplined framework for writing and photography. The physical exertion and immersion in diverse landscapes and cultures are intrinsically linked to his ability to produce large volumes of work, transforming experiences into tangible forms like articles and books.
NAVIGATING ADVERSITY: ADDICTION, SELF-WORTH, AND RESILIENCE
Mod candidly discusses his struggles with alcohol in his 20s, stemming from a low sense of self-worth and a lack of clear archetypes. A pivotal moment occurred after a painful breakup, leading him to confront his issues through running and preparing for a marathon. This personal reckoning marked the beginning of a deliberate effort to build self-worth, establish financial sustainability by charging appropriately for his work, and cultivate a less scarce mindset, ultimately leading him to sobriety and a more grounded creative practice.
THE INTERSECTION OF PERSONAL HISTORY AND COLLECTIVE NARRATIVES
His latest book, 'Things Become Other Things,' explores the intertwined themes of his childhood friendship, the loss of his closest friend Brian, and the socio-economic landscape of Japan's Kii Peninsula. This narrative reflects on systemic failures, the creation of family, and the profound impact of seemingly small life choices. By meticulously walking and writing, Mod seeks to illuminate lesser-known aspects of Japan and honor the people and history embedded in the land, transforming personal memory into a universal story.
ARCHETYPES, COMMUNITY, AND THE PURSUIT OF MEANINGFUL WORK
Throughout his career, Mod emphasizes the importance of archetypes and supportive communities in fostering creative growth. From early encounters with influential designers to attending artist residencies like MacDowell, he has actively sought out and learned from individuals who embody the dedication and vision he aspires to. His membership program and public writings aim to provide similar guidance and connection for others navigating their own creative paths, fostering a sense of shared endeavor and mutual support.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Products
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Organizations
●Books
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Craig Mod grew up in a lower-middle-class, post-industrial town in Connecticut. He developed an early fascination with computers and the internet due to a neighbor's generosity, using early tools like IRC and Mosaic. His passion for writing and design was also a constant from a young age.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A neighborhood in San Francisco mentioned by the host.
Early internet technology used to access the web before broadband.
A Japanese bookstore chain mentioned by the host where he found judo textbooks.
Company doing experiments around digital design on the iPad, part of the experimental digital design scene.
City in Connecticut where Liz Danzico and Craig went for pizza.
State where the MacDowell artists' residency is located.
Author of 'Pilgrim at Tinker Creek,' whose writing incredibly inspires and motivates Craig. He rereads her books to activate his creative impulse.
The largest and most populous island of Japan.
A sacred region on the Kii Peninsula, home to important pilgrimage routes and shrines.
University in Japan where Craig first studied and later returned for an intensive language program.
City in Tibet where Craig had a peculiar hotel experience, leading him to a 'dream reader.'
Book by Robert Bringhurst that Craig has meticulously studied, contributing to his obsession with book design.
A book by Michael Ondaatje, described as a poetic historical novel.
Prefecture in Japan, part of the Kii Peninsula.
One of the artist residencies Craig Mod recommends and has attended.
An early chat system that Craig Mod used as a teenager, connecting him to the 'antsy art scene.'
Influential designer and artist, whose work Craig admired.
An American novelist, whose books Craig mentioned were not being read in his hometown.
One of Craig's roommates in Palo Alto, described as coming from a loving and brilliant family. Craig recalls Ben's 'hugs' as life-changing.
A contemporary poet and novelist mentioned by Craig Mod as an example of a poet who transitioned into novel writing.
Prefecture in Japan, part of the Kii Peninsula.
An incredible book by William Gibson that Craig rereads, praising its poetry, story, and capture of early 2000s Japan.
A neighborhood in San Francisco where Craig Mod lived.
Character from the animated TV show, used as a reference for wearing a full body snowsuit to bed.
Craig's professor at UPenn, an acclaimed stop-motion animator who taught him about 3D programs and was an incredible artist.
An incredible designer and design thinker, mentioned as someone Craig learned from.
A London-based design and consultancy studio doing future studies about books, part of the experimental digital design scene.
One of the oldest and most prestigious artist residencies in America, located in New Hampshire, where Craig attended a writing fellowship.
A woman Craig met at MacDowell, a novelist who recommended 'Train Dreams' and whose own work, like 'Thrilled to Death,' Craig admires.
A book by John Crowley, recommended by the host for its poetic qualities.
City in Japan, south of which lies the Kii Peninsula.
The southernmost of Japan's main islands.
One of the artist residencies Craig Mod recommends and has attended.
A TV show from the 80s that influenced Craig's early perception of wealth and success.
A city in Japan Craig hitchhiked to during spring break from his host family.
A design professor at UPenn who was brutally honest but incredibly impactful, fostering Craig's obsession with book design.
Place where Craig and his girlfriend went on a 40-day trip, leading to a spiritual experience.
Writer for The New York Times magazine whose work and voice Craig admires. His favorite book is also 'Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.'
A school in London known for its rigorous language programs, specifically Japanese.
Film referenced by the host when Craig mentioned the MacDowell artist residency.
A collection of short stories by Lynn Tillman, recommended by Craig Mod for its humor and insight.
Former US Secretary of Education under Donald Trump, who criticized Craig's high school.
The car Craig drove across America to his first internship in Silicon Valley.
Documentary referenced by the host to describe Craig's dedication to quality in his work.
A famous pizza restaurant in New Haven.
New York City institution where Liz Danzico was founding an interaction design program.
A book by Annie Dillard that profoundly inspires Craig; he rereads it to overcome writer's block. It's an important non-fiction narrative.
The northernmost of Japan's main islands.
Craig Mod's home state, described as a post-industrial town where he grew up.
A video game played by Craig with locals at an arcade in a working-class part of Tokyo.
Influential artist and programmer, whose work Craig admired.
A well-known digital agency from the early days of the internet, where Craig attempted to intern.
The town in Nepal where most trekkers start their journey to Annapurna Base Camp.
A mirrorless camera that Craig reviewed, leading to a highly successful long-form article and significant affiliate revenue, known for its Micro Four Thirds sensor.
Prestigious design organization in New York City, where Craig was invited to be a judge at a young age.
Person working on experiments around digital design on the iPad with Push Pop Press.
One of Craig's roommates in Palo Alto, described as coming from a loving and brilliant family. Craig recalls Enrique's 'hugs' as life-changing.
A famous concert venue, used metaphorically to suggest the interview's informal setting.
An online brokerage account that Craig opened at age 19, one of his early forays into finance.
A novel by Albert Camus, which Craig and his girlfriend both brought on their trip to Tibet, signifying a fated connection.
A sacred mountain peak in the Annapurna Himal, visible from Annapurna Base Camp.
A high-end shopping district in Tokyo, used as an example of expensive real estate in Japan.
An early, seminal design studio in Connecticut, whose director noticed Craig Mod's work.
Author of 'The Elements of Typographic Style,' a book Craig Mod has read repeatedly and intensely studied.
Author whose work, like 'Coming Through Slaughter,' is described as poetic and novelistic.
A photographer known for her ethereal black and white photos, whose documentary demonstrated the theological belief required for creative practice.
Influential designer and artist, whose work Craig admired.
Mountain range in Nepal where Craig hiked to base camp on his 29th birthday, a transformative experience.
An incredible designer and design thinker, mentioned as someone Craig learned from.
The Stanford University design school, from which Craig's roommates graduated.
Author of 'Train Dreams,' a book that deeply impacted Craig with its language and poetic quality.
Author who inspired Craig's practice of booking hotel rooms for dedicated writing.
A programming language for educational use, which Craig used on a Commodore 64.
One of the earliest blog-publishing services, mentioned in the context of Craig working on blogging software before its launch.
Company Craig mentioned doing CSS work for, indicating his consulting efforts to supplement his income.
An incredible designer and mentor whom Craig mentioned meeting early in his career and reconnecting with in Palo Alto, who encouraged him to apply for a writing fellowship.
Designer of Flipboard, whose work Craig admired.
City where Craig went for a walk with Kevin Kelly.
A poet and author recommended by the host for his book 'Little Big,' which aligns with Craig's appreciation for poetic language in novels.
The peninsular region of Japan (south of Kyoto/Osaka) where Craig Mod has done many profound walks, inspiring his new book.
One of the artist residencies Craig Mod recommends and has attended.
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