week6
2024.11.6
This week's studies delved deep into the "Quantified Self" and the practical applications of data visualization. Through reading Lupton’s (2016)...
More information
This week's studies delved deep into the "Quantified Self" and the practical applications of data visualization. Through reading Lupton’s (2016) "The Quantified Self" and Whitson’s (2013) discussions on gamification of self-quantification, I have come to understand that self-quantification is not merely a tool for self-monitoring but also a means to reshape individual identity and behaviors through digital technologies.
In our practical sessions this week, we experimented with Arduino and other sensors for creative programming, which gave me a more tangible understanding of how digital technology interacts with our daily lives. By measuring simple physiological data like body temperature, I learned how to convert these biometric data into digital signals and perform basic data analysis. This process not only honed my technical skills but also deepened my insights into how digital devices can subtly monitor and record our lives. Additionally, through Broussard’s (2023) discussion, I realized that technology is not neutral—it could perpetuate social biases in gender, race, and ability through algorithmic biases, often invisibly. This recognition has made me understand that as a future digital media professional, we need to critically examine the application of technology to ensure it impacts society positively rather than negatively.
Facing examples like Amazon’s use of algorithms to optimize workflows, I also began to ponder how data and surveillance are used as tools to enhance efficiency in workplaces, potentially at the cost of personal privacy and freedom. Burgess et al.'s (2022) exploration of everyday data cultures helped me see that as producers and consumers of data, we are continuously interacting with these digital tools, and our data are being used to shape markets and social structures unknowingly. These insights have deepened my consideration of data ethics. I have become more attentive to how data are collected, analyzed, and applied in decision-making processes, as well as the underlying power dynamics involved.