QUANTIFIED SELF – readings & assignment

Readings to be read before class on Wednesday, 2/17:

• http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/news_events/news-releases/jordan-etkin-tracking/#.VrvlzxgrJdf

• https://blog.underarmour.com/devices/activity-trackers/the-beginners-guide-to-quantified-self-plus-a-list-of-the-best-personal-data-tools-out-there/

Reading – Read before class on Monday, 2/22:

•  “THE QUANTIFIED SELF: Fundamental Disruption in Big Data Science and Biological Discovery”
  https://www.cs.swarthmore.edu/~jwaterman/cs97/f14/uploads/Main/qs.pdf

For this 400-500 word long blog post, you will be analyzing your own methods of self-tracking, and then discuss how you feel about self tracking. Due Sunday night/before class on Monday, February 22

Pick a way that you self track and analyze it. This could be an exploration of an app in your phone.

1. Explain what the app is and what you intended to track upon getting the app/beginning to tracking yourself.
2. What information must you put in in order to use the app? How often do you input?
3. Is there any information that the app does not need to function, but might suggest you input to “better” the app’s function?
4. What is the future of this app? Do you see it changing anything in medicine, health, education, romance, etc?
5. Does the app/do you post about this to social media? Why?

6. Last, explain how you feel about self tracking. Does this make you feel happier? Do you feel happier when you track this (or any) aspect of yourself? How do you feel when other people post about their quantified self on social media?