This one started out asking the question; ‘Do companies need to have the data on your quantified-self?’
But they (in my mind) did not even come close to answering or talking much about that aspect (they touched on what I have already blogged about – saving money on your health insurance from your quantified self data).
What I found most interesting was this statement about why even do the whole quantified self thing.
Whether it’s through tracking apps in life-logged activities such as yoga, moods, fitness, nutrition, steps, or anything else you can imagine, the future is proving that end-users will have a powerful way to become increasingly more mindful about their daily actions. Through auto-suggestion and using real-timed and actionable data proofs, a person will now be gifted with a brand new view of themselves which in turn will deliver a much higher probability of personal transformation.
As much as I track my data, I have not really seen any of this ‘personal transformation’ yet.
Yes, I have totally changed my body. I have lost 20 pounds and put a lot of muscle on, but I do not think that any of it has come about from quantifying myself. It’s come from my desire to find peace of mind and the realization that life is just a whole lot more fun when you are fit. (My Grand Canyon hike is a perfect example of that latter aspect).
As I track more of my body metrics I am curious to see if I notice this effect of the data driving me, rather than the other way around.
If you own a business or are looking to advance human evolution, the time to look deeper at QS is now.
For over 100 years, technology has been the double-edged sword that has on one hand robbed humankind of exercise, movement, and expression while delivering a higher productivity yield.
Now, with the rise of QS, we can drive business and human evolution together side by side.
I said it before, I will say it again, wearables, biometrics and the quantified self is coming.
Opt in or not, I don’t think it’s going to matter, someone, somewhere will be monitoring your body metics.
May as well be you.