Maybe you’ve heard of Quantified Self or maybe you’ve heard one of its several names for several variations. Basically it is one concept – to track life.
What Is in the Name
In simplest context, Quantified Self is recording – one’s own – not anyone else’s or any group’s – life. Observations can include any variety of measurements and assessments. Wearables track body functions of activity, rest, working out or physical records of pulse, temperature, respiration. Recording eating and drinking consumption is another. Evaluating mental states such as moods or emotions or happiness is yet another aspect. What books you read, movies you watch, etc. The list could be exhausting. The list of resources for the quantified self and its variations is growing as well.
Almost everything we do generates data.- Gary Wolf
Quantified Self evolving: term, methods, and even a movement
Term
Self tracking of itself has been around since the first woman wanted to predict her upcoming cycle and the life decisions thereof. Balancing your check book is a form of quantifying your actions as well. The term “quantified self” though goes back to the 1970s, basically when applying sensors and computing entered the equation.
This is awkward for all of us.
The nascent body sensing apparati though took some time to develop.
In 2007 Wired Magazine editors Gary Wolf and Kevin Kelly proposed the “quantified self” as “a collaboration of users and tool makers who share an interest in self knowledge through self-tracking.”
In 2010, Wolf spoke about the movement as a TED talk.
[ted id=966]
Method
Going back to monthly cycles and balancing checkbooks examples, self-tracking isn’t a new process. The Quantified Self method though incorporates technology as appropriate for the Information Age. That’s the new part.
Basically => Quantified Self = sensor + recording technology
Since Gary Wolf’s 2010 Ted Talk the variety and capability of sensors has increased greatly. The Internet of Things (IoT) platform bleeds into QS as well. The results are increasing volumes, variety and velocity of data – now we’re talking Big Data!
An easy example is monitoring blood pressure.
You might know what stressors increase blood pressure, but how often does that happen? How much of an increase is significant? What times or conditions reduce your blood pressure?
Now an easy–to-wear sensor can monitor blood pressure continuously and transmit that data to storage. Instead of discrete, hit-or-miss blood pressure measurements, Big Data captures a continuous stream of readings from which doctors or data scientists can observe patterns or predictability.
Rinse and repeat for any habit or activity or condition you want to observe. Sensors, apps, websites, products, services abound in which to quantify your life. See the list below for a list of what available now. Or check out the QS site for tools.
Movement
Quantified Self has become a community as well. Gary Wolf and Kevin Kelly went on to found Quantified Self Labs in California to aggregate the Quantified Self forum.
Most major cities in the US and around the world host regular QS meetings, perhaps not monthly but often enough to share experiences.
Our aim is to help people get meaning out of their personal data. – QS website
Quantified Self the group began hosting annual QS conferences in 2011 in San Francisco and other countries the year following the Ted talk. The next upcoming conference is June 18-20, 2015. The IoT is in the same location the following week at the O’Reilly SOLID conference.
Quantified Self <=> Big Data
Today’s Quantified Self methodology is a Big Data capability. It is volume, variety and velocity of information that only recently could be captured AND comprehended.
As for WHY Quantified Self? Because we can? Better sleep, better health, or a better life? Big Data doesn’t have the answers, just awareness in the data. You still decide what a better life is.
Further information on Quantified Self
About Quantified Self … itself. OR …
From Mark Moschel’s The Beginner’s Guide to Quantified Self (Plus, a List of the Best Personal Data Tools Out There)
Top tools for data collection and visualization
The lists below include some, but not all devices. Be sure to do your research when picking the best device for you.
Track anything
To start: Use pen and paper or a digital spreadsheet (Google Drive or Excel).
My recommendation: AskMeEvery – Simple tracking of meaningful data via email or text
Alternatives: IFTTT – Connect your online services (ie. Save foursquare checkins to Google Drive). Daytum – Collect, categorize, and communicate everyday data.
Activity
To start: Moves – free mobile app
My recommendation: Fitbit. They are one of the few activity tracking companies that promote an open API.
Alternatives: Nike Fuelband, Amiigo, Bodymedia, Omron, Misfit Shine, Jawbone Up, RunKeeper, Strava
Sleep
To start: SleepCycle – mobile app
My recommendation: Zeo
Mood
My recommendation: Happiness
Alternatives: MoodPanda, Moodscope, Moodjam, MercuryApp
Heart
To start: Cardiio – uses the iPhone camera to measure heart rate
My recommendation: Emwave2 – heart rate variability tracking and stress reduction
Alternatives: Polar, Mio, Basis, Myithlete, Adidas miCoach – training shirt with heart rate sensors, Tinke – heart rate variability
Blood Pressure / Weight
My recommendation: Withings
Alternatives: Blipcare, iHealth
Blood Testing
My recommendation: WellnessFX
Alternatives: InsideTracker, Talking20
Miscellaneous
- 23andMe – DNA sequencing
- uBiome – microbiome sequencing
- Lumoback – posture
- Nike Hyperdunk – shoes with sensors
- Spectracell – micronutrient testing
- Dexcom – continuous blood glucose monitor
- Quantified-mind – cognitive tracking
- Muse – brain sensor
- Hapilabs – a fork that tracks eating behaviors
- MyFitnessPal – nutrition and diet
- RescueTime – productivity
Visualization tools: Excel, Tictrac, Nineteen. Indiemapper
Inspiration: FlowingData, Feltron Reports, Visualizing.org