Melanie Swan
The Quantified Self: Fundamental Disruption in Big Data Science and Biological Discovery
Futures Group (United States)
key contemporary trend emerging big data science quantified self qsindividuals engaged selftracking kind biological physical behavioral environmental information n 1 individuals groupsthere opportunities big data scientists develop new models support qs data collection integration analysis also lead defining openaccess database resources privacy standards personal data usednextgeneration qs applications could include tools rendering qs data meaningful behavior change establishing baselines variability objective metrics applying new kinds pattern recognition techniques aggregating multiple selftracking data streams wearable electronics biosensors mobile phones genomic data cloudbased servicesthe longterm vision qs activity systemic monitoring approach individuals continuous personal information climate provides realtime performance optimization suggestionsthere potential limitations related qs activitybarriers widespread adoption critique regarding scientific soundnessbut may overcomeone interesting aspect qs activity fundamentally quantitative qualitative phenomenon since includes collection objective metrics data subjective experience impact datasome dynamic explored quantified self becoming qualified self two new ways applying qs methods tracking qualitative phenomena mood understanding qs data collection first step creating qualitative feedback loops behavior changein longterm future quantified self may become additionally transformed extended exoself data quantification selftracking enable development new sense capabilities possible ordinary sensesthe individual body becomes knowable calculable administrable object qs activity individuals increasingly intimate relationship data mediates experience reality