About the book
What happens when people turn their everyday experience into data: an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of self-tracking.
People keep track. In the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin kept charts of time spent and virtues lived up to. Today, people use technology to self-track: hours slept, steps taken, calories consumed, medications administered. Ninety million wearable sensors were shipped in 2014 to help us gather data about our lives. This book examines how people record, analyze, and reflect on this data, looking at the tools they use and the communities they become part of. Gina Neff and Dawn Nafus describe what happens when people turn their everyday experience—in particular, health and wellness-related experience—into data, and offer an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of using these technologies. They consider self-tracking as a social and cultural phenomenon, describing not only the use of data as a kind of mirror of the self but also how this enables people to connect to, and learn from, others.
Neff and Nafus consider what's at stake: who wants our data and why; the practices of serious self-tracking enthusiasts; the design of commercial self-tracking technology; and how self-tracking can fill gaps in the healthcare system. Today, no one can lead an entirely untracked life. Neff and Nafus show us how to use data in a way that empowers and educates.
Editions of Self-Tracking
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262529129
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262334686
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262334693
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262334709
Read an Excerpt
What happens when people turn their everyday experience into data: an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of self-tracking.
People keep track. In the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin kept charts of time spent and virtues lived up to. Today, people use technology to self-track: hours slept, steps taken, calories consumed, medications administered. Ninety million wearable sensors were shipped in 2014 to help us gather data about our lives. This book examines how people record, analyze, and reflect on this data, looking at the tools they use and the communities they become part of. Gina Neff and Dawn Nafus describe what happens when people turn their everyday experience—in particular, health and wellness-related experience—into data, and offer an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of using these technologies. They consider self-tracking as a social and cultural phenomenon, describing not only the use of data as a kind of mirror of the self but also how this enables people to connect to, and learn from, others.
Neff and Nafus consider what's at stake: who wants our data and why; the practices of serious self-tracking enthusiasts; the design of commercial self-tracking technology; and how self-tracking can fill gaps in the healthcare system. Today, no one can lead an entirely untracked life. Neff and Nafus show us how to use data in a way that empowers and educates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Self-Tracking about?
What happens when people turn their everyday experience into data: an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of self-tracking.
People keep track. In the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin kept charts of time spent and virtues lived up to. Today, people use technology to self-track: hours slept, steps taken, calories consumed, medications administered. Ninety million wearable sensors were shipped in 2014 to help us gather data about our lives. This book examines how people record, analyze, and reflect on this data, looking at the tools they use and the communities they become part of. Gina Neff and Dawn Nafus describe what happens when people turn their everyday experience—in particular, health and wellness-related experience—into data, and offer an introduction to the essential ideas and key challenges of using these technologies. They consider self-tracking as a social and cultural phenomenon, describing not only the use of data as a kind of mirror of the self but also how this enables people to connect to, and learn from, others.
Neff and Nafus consider what's at stake: who wants our data and why; the practices of serious self-tracking enthusiasts; the design of commercial self-tracking technology; and how self-tracking can fill gaps in the healthcare system. Today, no one can lead an entirely untracked life. Neff and Nafus show us how to use data in a way that empowers and educates.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Self-Tracking?
Mathematics and Science > Science: general issues > Impact of science and technology on society
Where can I read a sample of Self-Tracking?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262529129
Is Self-Tracking part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Self-Tracking?
Dawn Nafus, Gina Neff
Who is the Publisher of the book Self-Tracking?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Self-Tracking is available as paperback(ISBN 9780262529129) and ebook(ISBN 9780262334686) and ebook(ISBN 9780262334693) and ebook(ISBN 9780262334709)
Where can I buy Self-Tracking online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Self-Tracking from below
Where can I buy Self-Tracking?