Chapter 3 from Self-Tracking from Neff and Nafus dives deeper into tracking and how an individual adapts their technology to better suit their individual needs or desires. Every self-tracker has a goal when they purchase a self-tracking technology. Sometimes in order to achieve that goal, they must alter the product to fit their specific needs. In the book, they gave examples such as monitoring the temperature in a home and keeping track of the energy used. Tracking and having multiple uses may require multiple technologies.
Another topic that is brought up in the book is cultivating a habit. Users use tracking to change habits or start new ones. What if tracking habits turns into a habit itself. Many trackers who monitor daily steps, monitor them at an extreme level. For example, for some self-trackers, they NEED to get 10,000 steps in the day or they feel like their day isn't complete.
Do you believe this kind of habit? Do you believe there should be limitations?
I believe that there are many possible positive outcomes for self-tracking, but I believe there are also downsides. Self-tracking does not prove 100% accuracy. How can one be sure that they are successfully tracking what they are attempting to? Especially when the tracking is related to health, the user should be sure that they are correctly using the tracking system and that it is the right fit for them. Many people also decide to purchase self-tracking devices, because they are eye appealing or a current trend. Self-trackers should be sure to connect their needs to the correct self-tracking device rather than settling for what's cheapest or most readily available.
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