‘Technologies of the self and other’: how self-tracking technologies also shape the other
| Published date | 13 May 2019 |
| Pages | 119-127 |
| Date | 13 May 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-12-2018-0094 |
| Author | Katleen Gabriels,Mark Coeckelbergh |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance,Information & communications technology |
‘Technologies of the self and other’:
how self-tracking technologies
also shape the other
Katleen Gabriels
Department ofPhilosophy, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, and
Mark Coeckelbergh
Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims to fill this gap (infra, originality) by providing a conceptual framework for
discussing “technologies of the self and other,”by showing that, in most cases, self-tracking also involves other-
tracking.
Design/methodology/approach –In so doing, we draw upon Foucault’s“technologies of the self”and
present-day literature on self-tracking technologies. We elaborate on two cases and practical domains to
illustrate and discuss this mutual process: first, the quantified workplace; and second, quantification by
wearablesin a non-clinicaland self-initiated context.
Findings –The main conclusion is that these shapings are never (morally) neutral and have ethical
implications, suchas regarding “quantified otherness,”anotion we propose to point at the risk that the other
could becomean objectof examinationand competition.
Originality/value –Although thereis ample literature on the quantified self, considerably less attentionis
given to how the relation with the otheris being shaped by self-trackingtechnologies that allow data sharing
(e.g. wearablesor apps such as Strava or RunKeeper).
Keywords Computer ethics, Internet of Things, Ethics of technology, Quantified otherness,
Quantified selfhood, Self-tracking technologies
Paper type Conceptual paper
Introduction
Mobile applications (apps) and wearable devices shape the self. In this context, numerous
academic articles focus on “quantified selfhood,”“self-tracking”and “lifelogging”(Allen,
2008;Swan, 2013;Lupton and Smith, 2018). These self-tracking technologies increasingly
steer the self in directions by respondingto and evaluating performances. Social networking
services (SNSs) allow individuals to share the data generated by mobile and wearable
computing. Several (recreational)runners, for instance, share their performances, monitored
by popular fitness apps such as RunKeeper or Strava, on Facebook. A graph displays the
calories burnt,the distance ran, the roads taken, etc.
This way, the self, including her bodily information, becomes visible for an audience.
Even though the Western individual is given more technologically mediated opportunities
The authors are grateful to the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. They also
like to thank Tania Moerenhout, Joel Parthemore, and the Philosophy and Ethics group at Eindhoven
University of Technology for reading and commenting on earlier versions of this article. The paper
was also presented at Ethicomp 2018; suggestions and remarks received there have improved the
paper. In this context, the authors are also grateful to Richard Volkman.
Technologies
of the self and
other
119
Received2 December 2018
Revised24 January 2019
Accepted29 January 2019
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.17 No. 2, 2019
pp. 119-127
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-12-2018-0094
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