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SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
Outline
The Digital Era introduces emerging product categories that have evolved
around certain habits and concepts. One tendency in the Information Age is
recording and storing quantitative and qualitative data based on an individual's
life by using ubiquitous computing devices. Such products, bringing
self-observation and autobiographical memory capabilities to an extreme level,
have the potential to morph human beings by augmenting and altering their self-understanding through presenting previously non-existent information
regarding their lives. The diversity found in this product range is increasing
parallel to the growing demand. However, the meaning of these products for
human life is rarely discussed. It remains a question whether these personal
logs lead to an enriched self-knowledge for their users or not. This thesis aims to investigate the design principles and the influences of self-tracking products and services on daily life within a socio-technical framework in order
to establish a connection between self-tracking by ubiquitous computing devices
and the notion of self-concept.
Abstract
CHAPTER 1What is self-tracking?
CHAPTER 2Developing design guidelines for the two main functions of self-tracking devices
CHAPTER 3Influences of self-tracking on the nature of human beings
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Outline
CHAPTER 1What is self-tracking?
CHAPTER 2Developing design guidelines for the two main functions of self-tracking devices
CHAPTER 3Influences of self-tracking on the nature of human beings
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
CHAPTER 2
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
1.1 Definitions of Self-Tracking
1.2 Product Examples
1.3 A Socio-Technical Exploration of
Commercial Self-Tracking Products
CHAPTER 1A Background for Digital Self-tracking
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
“Memory Extender” (Memex) in 1945: Record and store all information of one’s lifespan and function as a supplement for biological memory
CARPE (Continuous Archival and Retrieval of Personal Experiences):Aims to continuously
keep a track of daily
activities through a
product
The process of creating an artificial memory through passively archiving individuals' life experiences in digital format.
The process of collecting and reflecting on personal data to regulate and gain an understanding for one’s own behaviour.
PIM: (Personal Information Management)Organise, retrieve and
control a data network
where every digital
footprint of an
individual is collected
Active participation to reach goals
Health monitoring
Bodily data through biosensors
Principle level goals with ideals
Gamification
Detecting problems and making changesDefined as “positive technologies”Claimed to bring insight and self-knowledge
What is Self-Tracking?
Lifelogging Personal Informatics
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
1) Recording information automatically through sensors and storing it in a hard disk2) Retrieving stored information through a software
Self-watching system for life tracking: Stimulation of
muscles, heart beat, walking pace, voice input and
output, miniaturized head-mounted display and
cameras with wireless connections
Visual memory prosthetic
Perception enhancer
Design Guidelines:
Mobility, embodiment, immediacy
Second skin, third eye, second brain
Database with images, audio, documents, web
browsing history, sent and received messages,
phone calls, location data
Design Guidelines:
Associative system instead of hierarchical
Photographic visualizations for easier retrieval
Annotations for their narrative value
Hyperlinks within the archive
Memex vision: Supplementing biological memory
How Do Self-Tracking Devices Work?
WearComp, 1970’s MyLifeBits, 2001
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
1) Recording information automatically through sensors and storing it in a hard disk2) Retrieving stored information through a software
Sensor Types: Accelerometers (felt speed change), GPS (location and
time data), ECG (electrical activity of heart, PPG (optically measuring
pulse), EEG (electrical activity in the brain),GSR (level of sweat showing
distress or arousal), temperature, moisture, sound and light sensors
Product Types: Smart phones, wristbands, lifelogging applications,
smart watches, patches, reality-augmenting glasses, head-mounted
cameras, body-metric textiles, activity monitoring, medical tracking
Software Platforms: Reading information, interpreting data, meaning
making, activating lifelogging devices
How Do Self-Tracking Devices Work?
Commercial Products
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Discovery of new tools
Interest in data
Triggering events (ex: Health problems)
The desire to hear suggestions
Regarding the Archives:
Temporality is captured and materialized permanently
Seeking timelessness
Evidential value
It is about the act of collecting rather than the collection itself
Immortality: “Mind uploading”
Death drive: Erasing memoirs by burying them into an archive, “decay of aura”
Personal Drives for Keeping Lifelogs1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
1.1 DEFINITIONS
1.2 EXAMPLES
1.3 FRAMEWORK
CHAPTER 1
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Feasibility of enhanced sensor
and storage technologies
Technological determinism: Technology as an agent for social
change
Push strategies in the market:
Making customers accept
regardless of needs
Pull strategies in the market with
the increasing demand
“Selfie”
A cultural reflection in language
Online communitiesQuantified Self (Self-Knowledge
Through Numbers)
Crowdfunded projects
Pebble smart watch, Emotiv
brain tracker
DIY products and forums are
signs of prosumer culture
(proactive consumers)
Surveillance transforming into
voluntary sousveillance
Violation of others’ privacy
Permanent pressure of an open
arrest, an imprisonment
Commercialized data, medical
e-commerce ventures through
health data
“To be forgotten” as a human right
Socio-Technical Extents for the Demand
Economical Social Political
2.1 An Overview Of Self-concept
2.2 Self-observation Through Self-tracking Devices
2.3 Augmenting Autobiographical Memories
Through Lifelogging
2.4 Design Principles For Self-tracking Devices
That Contribute To Self-knowledge
CHAPTER 2The Design Of Digital Self-observation And Autobiographical Memory Systems
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
The Concept of “Self”
Self-Concept The total sum of beliefs
that people have about
themselves Making the Self-Concept Content (Self-as-Known)
Structure (Self-as-Knower)
Self-AwarenessSelf-focused attention, selective processing and
encoding of self-relevant information about the self
Self-Knowledge = Self-Description (memories of the past)
= Self-Evaluation (observations towards the future)
Collecting informationProcessing data
LifeloggingPersonal Informatics
SelectivitySelf-relevance
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
The Self is An Outcome of...
Physiological and genetic biological processes
Existential conditions of subjective experiences
Social practices that involve interactions with others
The unconscious thought
Conscious, cognitive ways of mentally processing information including:Memory, thinking, feeling, motivational processes such as personal control and self-regulation
Especially the last category is directly related with the two main functions of self-tracking devices: Memory and observation
Developmental Models of the Self
The Changing Self
ChildhoodFactual, Objective, concretePrivate, intrinsic
StableAccurate, true factsContinuous, linearCoherentUnity
DynamicDistorted, biased narrativesShifts, self-seekingChanging Multiplicity
AdulthoodSymbolic, meaningfulSubjective, interpretativeSocial , context-specific
ConsistentIntegrated
Adaptive
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Developing a Sense of Self through Self-Observation
The Rouge Test
The self-directed behaviors of rouge marked infants
towards their own faces instead of the mirrors
showed the existence of self-awareness in infants
through using mirrors
Pictures and videos are
also for increasing
self-awareness by seeing one’s self
Representational Tools
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Motives, Methods and Dynamics of Self-Evaluation
Self-Enhancement
Placing one's self in positive
positions
Self-Assessment
Creating accurate representations
of the self
Self-Verification
Maintaining consistency
Self-Improvement
Expanding the self beyond its
current boundaries or limits for
identifying new avenues of
self-expression
Self-Other Distinctions
Separation and individualization
Private-Social Selves
Referential processing
Public judgments
Socially desirable responses
Self-blame, decreased motivation
Past-Present-Future Selves
Struggle with current self
Based on personal values
Abstract and strong distant goals
Actual-Desired Selves
Hierarchical goals for an ideal self
Self-Regulation
The overall process of
behavioural control through;
Self-observation,
Judgmental processes and
Self-response
Self-regulation is directly
connected to self-tracking
devices for observing, assessing and acting upon the self.
Motives Methods Dynamics 2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Motives, Methods and Dynamics of Self-Evaluation
Perceptual Control Theory (PCT)Hierarchical organization for goalsParallel, simultaneous processingEmotions, mental control, behavioral guides, attention Construal Level Theory (CLT)
Motivation for abstract goals are higher
Personal values are involved
Require deliberate focus
Motivation for concrete goals are lower
Personal values are less involved
Easier to achieve with no focusACT ACT
BE
DO
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Self-Regulation as a Feedback Cycle
Cybernetics
Self-Regulation Information Processes
The science of communication and
control that studies abstract princi-ples of organization in complex systems, where information, mod-
els and controlled actions steer
towards purposes, while counter-
acting various disturbances.
1) Defining: Goals or behavioral standards
TOTE (Test-Operate-Test-Exist)
Test: Comparison of the existing
state to desired state
Operation: Action process where
existing state is altered
Test: Comparing until existing and
desired states are equals
Exit: End sequences according to
the outcome of the loop
2) Regulating: Actions in respect to the goals
TOTE
Self-Awareness Theory
The consciousness of the lack of
compatibility between existing
and desired states result in
reducing one’s self-awareness.
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
The Observer’s Presence in a Feedback Cycle
Second-Order Cybernetics
The role of the observer in the construction of
systems
Observer; is not neutral and detached
has assumptions
changes the results of observations
Self-consciousness;requires the presence of the observer as a condition
Observers in Self-Tracking; "What I perceive as the agent of my own experiences",
"What the computer reads from my experiences"
"What knowledge I make of the computer-generated
outputs regarding my experiences."
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
The Observer’s Presence in a Feedback Cycle
Observers in Self-Tracking
I
Experiences, perceptions
and cognitive actions are
the first-hand knowledge
of the world, not data
Knowing is a way of doing
Autopoiesis: Self-making
The observer sees only
what its system allows
him to see
Computer
Users are automatically
observed with sensors
and abstract data is
signified by the software
Regarding flexibility:
Which domains are
observed?
Regarding objectivity:
Commands of the
designer and programmer
makes it subjective
I + Computer
Interaction between the
message and the receiver
Hybridity:
The computerized and the
intrinsic knowledge are
integrated
Schemas:
Knowledge is mentally
constructed through
personal filters rather
than being passively read
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Design Directions for Personal Informatics Devices
Defining Goals Assisting users for defining goals
Self-relevant goals
Several goals with a hierarchy
Ideal self with personal values
Future-directed goals
Monitoring Behaviour Gathering and presenting data
Flexibility of gathering data
Watching motivational factors
Self-tailored feedbacks
Developmental social models
Preventing referential blame
Visually concrete desired self
Narrative literacies
ACT ACT
BE
DO
Taking Action
TOTE
Guiding users for reaching goals
Testing goals before operating
Acting simultaneously on goals
Testing progress and goals
Completing the loop
A Description of Autobiographical Memory
Self-Memory Systems
Self is rooted in the meaningful descriptions built into autobiographical memoriesBuilding digital personal archives are integrated into this biological mechanism
Conceptual model for the dynamic processes involved in the autobiographical memoriesMainly explains encoding, storage, retrieval processesInteractions between the memory storage & the control centre units
1) Autobiographical Knowledge BaseRaw material
Internal and external sources
Episodic & semantic memories
Limited
2) Working SelfRegulates encoding and retrieval
Selective filters according to:
Goals, interactions, coherence
Directive, social, self functions
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
TOTE (Test-Operate-Test-Exist)
Test: Comparison of the existing
state to desired state
Operation: Action process where
existing state is altered
Test: Comparing until existing and
desired states are equals
Exit: End sequences according to
the outcome of the loop
Self-Awareness Theory
The consciousness of the lack of
compatibility between existing
and desired states result in
reducing one’s self-awareness.
Autobiographical Knowledge Base
Memory Types Content Structure
Provides raw material for building memories with permanent representation types
Biological Constraints
Trace Decay: Losing associations
Interference: Rewriting
Source-Monitoring Error: External
Episodic Memories:(Similar to lifelogging)
Factual, concrete, mostly visual
With people, place, time details
Hierarchical grouping
“Lifetime periods”
“General events”
“Event-Specific Knowledge”
Semantic Memories:Meaningful and abstract
General self-knowledge of life
Visual-Spatial Traces: Objects, people and places
Visual-Temporal Traces: Events and actions
Verbal, Sensory, Affective Traces: With vividness, intensity attributes
Spatial Traces: First-person “field” view / Third-person “observer” view
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Working Self
Functions of Autobiographical Memories Self Function
Control unit of the self-memory system, an adaptive mechanism
Directive Function: Guidelines from past experiences
Social Function: Maintaining social bonds by sharing events
Self Function: Creating a coherent sense of self
Correspondence & Coherence
True to the event / self or not
True Memories
Vivid, accurate, validating
False Memories
Interpreted, distancing
Self-Narratives
Story telling for present goals
Cue Avoidance
Forgetting the unwanted self
Principles of the Working Self
Memory Consolidation: Selectively emphasized memories
Variables for Encoding: Uniqueness, consequentiality,
unexpectedness, emotion provoking aspects
Associative Cues: Interconnected patterns of activation:
Location, time, activity, behaviours, perceptual cues, evaluations
Generative Retrieval: Activities / goals & refined content-frame
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Design Directions for Lifelogging Devices
Autobiographical Knowledge Base Working Self Hardware Components: Hard disk, Sensors
Storage and perceptual mechanisms supported:
“Interference” can be fixed by reliable storage
Verbal cues need to support with visual cues
Indexing memories by memory attribute cues
“Trace decay” can be fixed by association
Accessive links through a hyperlinked system
Software Components: Interface
Selectivity recording instead of passive logging
Hierarchically dividing episodic data and linking events
Guiding tagging and filter creation
Prioritizing activity contents and goals, not time stamps
Making meaning by affective, semantic, evaluative cues
Adding notations and annotations for narrative quality
Digital forgetting & creative treatment of memories
Main Principles:
1) Selectively encoding of records
2) Organization of episodic information
3) Selective retrieval of records
Directive functions: Causality & consequences
Self functions: Digital forgetting = locking, filtering tags
creativity / accuracy balance
Social functions: Stories shaped for the audience
Operational Design Principles for Self-Tracking Devices
Content Structure Grasping “Self-as-Known”
1) Self-Relevance Principle
Personal significance of collected information
“To be” goals meaningful on a personal level
“Memory consolidation:” Selectively emphasizing
2) Revealing Principle
Showing new perspectives
Being a mirror for the unknown
Discovering the hidden sides of the self
Ex: Unconscious dynamics (Sleep data)
3) Developmental Models Principal
Differences from childhood to adulthood
Interactions of “Self-as-Knower”
4) Hierarchy Principle
Hierarchical goals (PCT), parallel processing
Grouping episodic memories within a hierarchy
5) Association Principle
Including perceptual, sensory and attribute cues,
Hyperlinked system with connected cues
6) Selectivity Principle
Triggering records according to personal choices
Strategic reasoning for retrieval
7) Main Functions Principle
Directive, social, self functions: Coherent self
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
1) Autobiographical Knowledge BaseRaw material
Internal and external sources
Episodic & semantic memories
Limited
Strategic Design Principles for Self-Tracking Devices
Modeling the self as a linear entity after modernist vision
Self-seeking for becoming
Meaning through associations
Morphing values, changing selves
Consistency in the multiplicity of the self
Expansion with developmental shifts
Creative dimensions
Modeling the self with dynamics
Life stories with a timeline
Consistency in unity
Progression
Perfection
Steady enhancements
2.1 SELF-CONCEPT
2.2 OBSERVATION
2.3 MEMORY
2.4 DESIGN
CHAPTER 2
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
3.1 Historical Perspectives on the Self and
the Techniques for Self-Tracking
3.2 The Impact of Technology on the Changing
Forms of Identity
CHAPTER 3Towards a Mediated Sense of Self
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Historical Perspectives on the Self and the Self-Tracking Methods
Consciousness
“Conceptual Self”Cognitive abilities to define “I”Ownership
LanguageNumerals, ideograms, writingCommodities, social status
Cultural Context Methods
EgyptiansEvidential value HieroglyphicsReligion, for afterlife
Ancient GreeceUnderstanding wisdom of the soulKnowing one’s true selfDuplicity Theory: Self-/ Awareness
Oral tradition, power of memoryCognitive effort with no written toolsSeeing one’s self / tools as reflection
Philosophical stance“Know thyself”“Myth of Narcissus”
Hellenistic PeriodActive concern for taking good care
“Vigilance:” Keeping careful watchActions towards physical healthWritten tradition: Diaries, depictions
Self-interest for body’s well-being
Historical Perspectives on the Self and the Self-Knowledge Methods
Consciousness
The Middle AgesSelf-examinationSelf-abandonment and affirmation
Christianity’s religious obligationsGod as the spectator
First autobiography: “Confessions”Self-control by a stage-based model
Cultural Context Methods
RenaissanceBack to: “Know thyself”Self-interestUnique personality of the self
Skepticism of beingThinking as the source of actuality
HumanismMan as the measure of lifeIndividualization
“Cogito ergo sum:” I think therefore I am
Genres of auto -portrait / -biographyPrinted ego-documents, memoirsSubjective expressions
Intrinsic self-knowledgeMind over matter
Age of EnlightenmentFacts about the selfPersonal experiences
“Reason”s suppression over religion“Self-made man”
Observations of the self and the otherSelf-knowledge through interactions
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Historical Perspectives on the Self and the Self-Knowledge Methods
Consciousness Cultural Context Methods
Post-Industrial PeriodInformation RevolutionIncreased computing & automationNecessity for meaning
Not to have, but to be through goodsAccurate, concrete, no interpretationDifficulty in meaning making
Product-Service System (PSS)Digital input: SensorsDigital output: Data
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Industrial PeriodDehumanizationSelf towards efficiencyLowered self-expressionMechanic limits for thinkingIdentity crisisIncreased representations of self
Self-fulfillment and expression
Life choices of the self-made man
Industrial RevolutionTaylorismMan / Machine DichotomyNature / Man DichotomyAlienation to work, producing, selfChanges in technologies & lifestyles
Romanticism
Existentialism and individualization
Mechanic techniquesControl, progress, speedAutomated techniquesTypewriterStereotypical living with less insightCommercialization of photography
Art
Intrinsic self-examination for choices
Summary for the Historical Perspectives on Self/-Tracking
Consciousness Cultural Context Methods
Increased social affirmation
Changing religions
Changing philosophies
Changing lifestyles
Increased popularity
Technology as a part of culture
Constant intellectual effort
No steady improvements
Technology for self-awareness
Decreased cognitive effort *
Less creative treatments *
Fragmented self *
Lowered self-awareness *
Self-interest for technology *
(* Chapter 3.2 )
Improved (?) techniques
Towards mechanic, automated
Augmented cognition *
Analogue to digital *
Accurate outcomes *
Mechanized outputs of self-data
Today
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Relating Self-Tracking to Posthumanism and Transhumanism
Cyborg
Man’s ability to make tools
Tools Makers of tools
Augmentation of “humanity”
ex: Clothes, wheels (Body)
ex: Counting, writing (Mind)
Man-machine system
Cyborg: Cybernetic organism
Mechanical elements built-in
Regulating adaptation
Set man free to explore, think
Transhumanism
Transition stages to posthuman
Evolution
Darwinism
Progress for bettering
Eugenic thought
Superior human model
Help of technology
Ideal�self
Perfectionism of species
Rationally controlling nature
Posthumanism
Transcendence of “humanity”
1) Homo “Sapiens” = “to be wise”
Augmented cognitive capacities
Altered intelligent act:
Handling information of the life
Partial amplifications
2) Singularity: Man = Machine
Living, non-living blended
Human, inhuman morphed
Unity of physical and virtual
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Relating Self-Tracking to Posthumanism and Transhumanism
Transhumanism
Transition stages to posthuman
Evolution
Darwinism
Progress for bettering
Eugenic thought
Superior human model
Help of technology
Ideal self
Perfectionism of species
Rationally controlling nature
Principles Behind Self-Tracking
Self as a political construct
1) The Will to Overcome the Current Self
The will to improve current self: Progress, growth, speed
Reaching a culturally mediated, ideal self
2) Control Over the Body and Mind
“Being in control” of one’s nature within rational boundaries
Constant self-watching and surveillance
3) “Survival of the Fittest” Theory
Competition through gamification
Self-awareness is more about awareness of the rivals
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Age of EnlightenmentFacts about the selfPersonal experiences
“Reason”s suppression over religion“Self-made man”
Observations of the self and the otherSelf-knowledge through interactions
Categorical Distinctions and Unities for Posthumanism
Distinctions
Dualisms & Dilemmas for Technology
Man - Machine
Nature - Artifacts
Superiority of Mankind
Privileged status for man for indistinct definitions
Fear of Technology
Machines’ control over human
Transformative powers
Existential Risk:
Threats for extinction
End of human intellect
Unities
Blurred Boundaries
Man as machine, machine as man
New Possibilities for Humanity
Redefining the limits of daily life
Expanding the boundaries of human body
Freeing from historical constructs
The Second Self
Multiple identities
Cutting across real life distinctions: Race, class
Reconstructing the self
Decentralized identities, no self/other distinction
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Towards a Mediated Sense of Self
Mediations of the Self Sources of Self-Understanding
Semantics of Codified Knowledge
In”form”ation vs. Information
Metadata
Fragmented self
Data Overload
Exponential increase in self-representations
Readability
Redundancy factor
Perceptions of Reproductions
Blindness and de-realization
New Essences for SelfhoodExistence within Virtuality
Self in Representations
Absence-as-presence
Ontology of the Virtual Self
Simulacrum
Cyborg’s Dilemma
Natural embodiment, detachment from nature
“Enframing”
Agency of the Self
Routines of self-control
Transcoding: Language and actions of computing
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Mediations of the Self: Sources of Self-Understanding
Semantics of Codified Knowledge
In”form”ation “In-formare” (Form within): To give form, shape, or character
Empirical evidence with referential qualities of the factual reality
InformationIndependent entity of signaling with no referential quality
Mathematical processes of sending and receiving message
Data > Information > “Codified Knowledge”
Not linked to “Tacit Knowledge” or the knowledge of life experiences
MetadataData about data. Referential, but lack narrative qualities for meaning
Fragmented selfData fragments, obstructs, destabilizes the unity of self-knowledge
There is no direct transformation from self-data to self-knowledge
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Mediations of the Self: Sources of Self-Understanding
Data Overload
Exponential increaseMoore’s Law: Every 18 months computing capabilities are multiplied
Data pollution causes noise
ReadabilityFor infinite information different meaning generation processes
Handling information is not possible
Paralyzes the ability to respond knowledgeably
Redundancy factorRedundancy exists in human communication; Makes it noise
resistant and enables focusing attention to the important
Context & significance level tags are needed to prevent irrelevance
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Mediations of the Self: Sources of Self-Understanding
Perceptions of Reproductions
BlindnessOverexposure to the visible causes a perceptual disorder
Vision is clouded by signs
Blinded to the realities of the actual self
De-realizationData pools are references of self-interest, but not self-knowledge
Infinite replications reduce the self to an optical illusion
Disappearance of actuality
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Essence of the Mediated Self
Self in RepresentationsThe world has become a “world picture”
The existence is conceived as a picture to measure and execute
Absence-as-presence: The self buried under its representations
Ontology of the Virtual SelfTechnological information as a reality
Increased progressive embodiment
Actual presence is dominated by data
Simulacrum: Self-data becomes truer than the self
The gap between referrer & referent is;increasing for meaning,decreasing for realities
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Essence of the Mediated Self
Cyborg’s Dilemma
Natural EmbodimentNatural integration of man & machine may cause unnatural results
The self disconnects from its inner realms during self-actualization
The search for inner self transforms into the search for scientific truth
“Enframing”“Standing reserve” is a situation where nature transforms into the
resource of technology
“Enframing” is a situation where the nature of man transforms into the
resource of his own technologies, the object of its own science
Mankind is the raw material for existing technologies
The self is becoming downgraded to the source of self-data
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Semantics of Codified Knowledge
In”form”ation “In-formare” (Form within): To give form, shape, or character
Empirical evidence with referential qualities of the factual reality
InformationIndependent entity of signaling with no referential quality
Mathematical processes of sending and receiving message
Data > Information > “Codified Knowledge”
Not linked to “Tacit Knowledge” or the knowledge of life experiences
MetadataData about data. Referential, but lack narrative qualities for meaning
Fragmented selfData fragments, obstructs, destabilizes the unity of self-knowledge
Essence of the Mediated Self
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Agency of the Self
Routines of self-controlThe power of agency is becoming a territory for the digital technologies
Cultural products: Presence of built-in mindset and action patterns
Self-tracking is bound to the attachment to certain technologies
Man is “free” to live a controlled life, a life imposed by power relations
The position of authorship is handed to automated sensors
“Auto”biographies and “auto”portraits: Passive condition of the self
TranscodingPersonal experiences are encoded in computer language & meaning
Artifacts behave more lifelike and life is becoming more engineered
Accurate processing of routine activities is computation
Walk = Counting steps, Knowledge = Data, Processing = Understanding
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
Reconstructing the Mediated Sense of Self
Balancing codified knowledge and tacit knowledge
Balancing the agency of the self and the self-tracking devices
Disturbing the routines for mindfulness
Design practices need to respond to the inevitable advancements in technologies and humanity
Designing meaningful interactions between computerized and the human
Building upon the context of the self & self-understanding
Assessing usage experiences & values brought by such products
3.1 HISTORY
3.2 POSTHUMAN
CHAPTER 3
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective
Conclusion
The design guidelines
regarding the self-tracking
products can reconstruct the
self through blending the
codified knowledge and the
tacit knowledge of one's life by
positioning the biological
mechanisms of self-making
and self-awareness as the
primary starting points
11.05.2015M.A. Thesis Jury DefenseBURCU AVCI
SELF-KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DIGITAL SELF-TRACKING DEVICES:
Design Guidelines for Usability and A Socio-Technical Examination from Posthumanity Perspective