An examined life

In the NYT, Gary Wolf describes a new trend among computer geeks (“The Data-Driven Life”). Using various sensors and gadgets, they are now trying to collect as much data about their personal lives as possible. One has even compiled a searchable database of all ideas he has discussed with others or considered himself since the early 1980s. The idea behind this “self-tracking” is apparently not only to achieve greater efficiency in specific areas, but also to make sense of their lives – in the only way that can make sense to a geek. To some, it has obviously become a compulsion they see no reason to resist. In his sympathetic account, Wolf asks: “We use numbers when we want to tune up a car, analyze a chemical reaction, predict the outcome of an election. We use numbers to optimize an assembly line. Why not use numbers on ourselves?” Why not, really – it does sound quite logical. The early adopters are keenly aware that they are abnormal geeks, but are confident that what seems socially awkward now will soon be the new normal. That, I guess, is logical, too.