Understanding the human machine [commentary]

Abstract

The concepts of ¿self-tracking¿ and ¿the quantified self¿ have recently begun to emerge in discussions of how best to optimize one¿s life. These concepts refer to the practice of gathering data about oneself on a regular basis and then recording and analyzing the data to produce statistics and other data (such as images) relating to one¿s bodily functions and everyday habits. Some self-trackers collect data on only one or two dimensions of their lives, and only for a short time. Others may do so for hundreds of phenomena and for long periods. © 2013 IEEE.