Quantified self: The tech-based route to a better life?

[Evil Eye]

Another New Year, another list of resolutions to make… and no doubt break. For some, 2013 may begin by going to the gym, or giving up smoking. But what about a more thorough and personal approach towards self-improvement, like monitoring your thoughts, e-mails, or even your bowel movements? If the answer is yes, then perhaps this is the year that you’ll be joining a growing group of people who are using technology to measure their lives in extraordinary detail.



Probably since the dawn of humanity, people have been fascinated by even the most minute details of their lives, and kept track of what was going on in their bodies and minds. The Roman philosopher Seneca tracked the food he ate and what he dreamt at night. Benjamin Franklin consistently recorded his performance on 13 measures, such as cleanliness, frugality and overindulgence, believing it would keep him virtuous. Engineer and architect Buckminster Fuller nicknamed himself “guinea pig b” and kept a diary on his daily life and ideas.



But in the past, record-keeping was time-consuming, requiring a commitment that only a very few had the patience to muster. Others cared, but not THAT much. Today, that’s changing, as it becomes easier to track everything, from diet to mood to sleep quality. Smartphones come equipped with features like GPS, accelerometers and gyroscopes that can record your activity, location and other vital statistics. Millions of fitness-focused or diet-conscious people track their workouts or their desserts with apps and devices like Fitbit that track physical activity or calories burned. New technology also makes it easier to share results with others – who doesn’t want to brag the first time they run more than 5 miles (8km), or be praised when they’ve managed to lose 10 pounds (5kg)?

Full article: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130102-self-track-route-to-a-better-life





Also known as stalking yourself

Does anyone here keep track of something they do?

 

[Jazzy]

I keep a daily journal of the important happenings of that day. Lots of times I have referred back to it to find out when I ordered something, when I called someone, what expenses I laid out...well you get the idea.

 

[Evil Eye]

So... accounting?



As for me, can't say I do anything like that.

 

[Jazzy]

So... accounting?

Correct. Lots of accounting and spread sheets.

 

[Evil Eye]

Lovely

 

[Jazzy]

I don't mind it. As a matter of fact, it relaxes me.