Creating Meaning in a World of Quantified Selves

The urge to document our lives isn't new, and as readers of this column, you're no doubt well aware of the many new self-tracking technologies-particularly those related to health. A large part of the appeal of health tracking devices stems from their seeming objectivity. Built on sensors and algorithms, these systems appear neutral and consistent, impervious to human frailties and whims. Yet for many, use of these self-tracking techniques and technologies isn't straightforward. Here, we unpack four tensions surrounding self-tracking and discuss the role of quantification in understanding ourselves.