Abstract

Self-tracking most notably emerged over the last century. To self-track is to record life activities, encoding them into a series of quantified variables–or what has been called “health” and “lifestyle” data. Commonly, this is practiced with wearable de- vices, such as wristbands, necklaces, pendants, and badges, which are tethered to smartphones and personal computers. Through these devices, a meal is measured by its calorific quantity, a heartbeat measured by its rate, and sitting at a desk is rendered the calculable accumulation of inactivity. Yet, this perspective on health and lifestyle is not particularly new. Defining food as energy, knowing the importance of a regular heart rate and the value of exercise are staple points of advice in general medical practice. However, these are no longer exclusively “medical␣ perceptions.