This document discusses the concept of quantified self (QS) and its gendered implications. QS refers to the tracking of various physical metrics like calories burned, sleep, and activity levels. However, the document notes that QS risks encouraging unhealthy behaviors for women such as obsessive calorie counting and dieting. Additionally, making such personal health data publicly visible could disproportionately impact the privacy of marginalized groups. The document cautions that while QS may provide health benefits, its applications require consideration regarding potential negative psychological or social consequences depending on gender.

1. +
Gendered Quantified Self
Rayna Stamboliyska
Paris Descartes University
RS Strategy

2. + What is ‘quantified self’ (QS)?
The continuous tracking of various aspects of our
physical bodies
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how many calories we burn;
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our body fat percentage;
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how many steps we take in a day;
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how long we sleep;
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n
how many hours a week we spend commuting or sitting at a
desk;
…
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

3. +
Measure and score
We have the ability to measure and score our lives
It is thus a matter of time to start scoring our:
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social reach and influence;
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tastes and preferences;
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achievements;
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credibility and reputation;
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habits;
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expertise;
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…
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4. +
Interconnected & shared self
All that information is at your fingertips at all times…
chart a path for improvement—and share your winning strategy and stats with others
… an interconnected world of healthier, happier people making much more informed
decisions.
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

5. +
Science and QS
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REM-sleep gender differences;
diseases, e.g. amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis 1: lithium carbonate drug 0
(PatientsLikeMe, CureTogether);
…
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

6. +
Science and QS
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REM-sleep gender differences;
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diseases (PatientsLikeMe, CureTogether);
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…
BUT
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Does wearing orange-tinted glasses or
performing regular hopping exercises can
improve sleep quality?
Does eating butter improve arithmetic
ability?
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

7. +
Science and QS
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Does wearing orange-tinted glasses or performing regular
hopping exercises can improve sleep quality?
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Does eating butter improves arithmetic ability?
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No rigorous controls;
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No double-blinding;
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Sample size of one;
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Possible placebo effects
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

8. +
The future is now
●
Potential to encourage self-tracking through gamification
●
QS is no miracle recipe but may be an efficient method
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

9. +
We are all Sheldon
SHELDON: When do you
evacuate your bowels?
LEONARD: Er, when I need
to?
SHELDON: I'm sorry, but I
can't rent to hippies.
LEONARD: OK, 8:00?
SHELDON: I can't give you 8.
I can give you 7:30.
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

10. +
We are all Sheldon… O rly?
‘Manly dieting’
“Nothing manly about watching your weight”, The Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec 2002
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11. +
What’s wrong with girls’ bodies?
Women do not really quantify themselves sensu QS
1) anything framed around dieting and calories;
2) anything described as being about fertility
are practices associated with 'feminine stuff’ and make
many of us keen to avoid being “that girl”
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

12. +
The hungry games
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“Monitor 'calories out' but not
'calories in’…“
“The proliferation of apps that
obsessively quantify eating and
fitness—Tap&Track, My Diet Diary,
Fitbit Activity, and hundreds of others
—have radically transformed the
way anorexia afflicts patients.”
“QS is helping Flore in fighting back
anorexia.”
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

13. +
‘Are you tracking anything?’
Bentham & the Panopticon
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14. +
‘Visibility is a trap’
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“For me, launching into a discussion of my existing selftracking projects would basically be like coming to a
conference in my underwear.” (W.E. Boesel)
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for many marginalized groups: “visibility is a
trap” (Foucault, ‘panopticism’)
http://me.hatewasabi.info .../... @MaliciaRogue

15. +
Thank you!
rayna@hatewasabi.info
@MaliciaRogue