Slashdot Mirror

Panelists will include Philip Zimmerman (PGP + Silent Circle), Nico Sell (Wickr), and Casey Openheim (Disconnect). The question being asked is, is privacy possible today?

The web site for the event is : http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=480

Naturally, the panel will look at technologies like data mining (and anti-data mining) and encryption. VLAB is interested in business opportunities for startups with disruptive technologies, the panel will be seeing what's possible.

VLAB usually looks for major disruptive trends, events, and technologies. The Snowden leaks (and also the Google, Facebook, etc. reactions) may have started something significant, and sparked an awareness.

In any case, it should be an interesting event. If you're in the area, you might want to check it out. (full disclosure - I'm the event chair for the privacy event).

Best Regards,
Tony

I agree that the effort you have to put in has to be pretty low and the value of the feedback you get has to be better. There are some things where this is already the case. And, if you add in a social aspect it can actually be fun and compelling. For tracking your bike rides and runs, check out Strava - http://www.strava.com./ It does really still appeal to those who are already pretty motivated to ride. But it does stoke up that motivation a little. It is sort of addictive to see how you are doing, and they really do provide enough value in their feedback. They will be on the panel at the VLAB event discussing personal analytics businesses at Stanford - http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438.

There is a group at Google called PACO - http://code.google.com/p/paco/ PACO is a tool for building your own personal tracking experiments. This is very much at the project stage. They will be demoing at the VLAB event "The Uploaded Life: Personal Evolution through Self Tracking" at Stanford on March 20th - http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

Is this a type of thing that could develop into a business? Come to the event to hear a discussion on that question and more with Gary Wolf Co-Founder of the Quantified Self and Three-Time Tour de France Winner Greg LeMond. There will also be a presentation by the company Healthrageous, which is tackling the general health problem using biometric devices, machine learning and virtual digital coaching to help regular people achieve better health.

People may find it uncomfortable to be reminded, but that is why simple feedback like looking in the mirror or weighing yourself can be so helpful in improving oneself. Ideally, with regular feedback, not just once a year learning that you have wasted a lot of time, you can keep on track without too much pain.

Check out this company that has a product that gives continuous feedback about posture - http://www.lumoback.com./ I know I would do better with my back pain if I had their product. They will be demoing at the VLAB event on March 20th at Stanford - The Uploaded Life - http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

I really wanted to get the word out about this event coming up at Stanford. I feel like a bit of a fool for not putting the link in the submission!

There will be a panel discussing just this topic at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, put on by the MIT/Stanford Venture Lab (VLAB). VLAB puts on a great event. If you are in the area you should definitely join us!

The Uploaded Life: Personal evolution through self tracking
http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

When:

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
6:00 - 7:00pm Networking and Refreshments
7:00 - 8:30pm Panel Discussion and Q&A
Where:

Stanford Graduate School of Business
CEMEX Auditorium at the Knight Management Center

Moderator:
  Gary Wolf, Co-Founder, The Quantified Self & Editor, Wired Magazine

Panelists:

  Rick Lee, CEO of Healthrageous
  Mark S. Gainey, Co-Founder Strava, Inc
  Leslie Ziegler: Creative Director, Rock Health
  Greg LeMond, Three-Time Winner of the Tour de France

Event Description

Large companies, as well as, garage hackers are leveraging smaller,
cheaper sensors and powerful mobile devices are accelerating the
virtuous circle of goal setting, data collection, analysis and social
motivation necessary to stimulate lasting and steady gains in health,
sports performance or other areas of self evolution.

What happens when we add the power of Social/Mobile and always-on
personal devices to the evolving health markets. Peer pressure (social
reinforcement) and data tracking have significantly contributed to the
success of the $11B self improvement and $55B weight loss markets.
Legacy business such as Weight Watchers have relied on snippets of
painstakingly input data. How will the game be changed when personal
data goes from a drop in the bucket to an ocean?

What new perspectives do start ups provide using sensors and on-line
services, to disrupt and support the incumbents in self evolution and
health? And, what is needed for break-out success?
  What new opportunities will exist in widespread tracking?
  How do you keep users engaged long enough to make meaningful changes?
  Will a start-up create virality to accelerate growth, become
a category killer?
  What are the challenges of collecting and applying meaningful data?
  What incentives are effective to encourage adoption outside
of tracker enthusiasts and early adopters?
  Can a single offering service survive or will those
aggregating multiple data streams dominate?
  Can these services grow on an ad based model or is a
subscription necessary?
  How are companies using social motivation to encourage
consistent engagement and long term participation?

http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

I really wanted to get the word out about this event coming up at Stanford. I feel like a bit of a fool for not putting the link in the submission!

There will be a panel discussing just this topic at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, put on by the MIT/Stanford Venture Lab (VLAB). VLAB puts on a great event. If you are in the area you should definitely join us!

The Uploaded Life: Personal evolution through self tracking
http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

When:

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
6:00 - 7:00pm Networking and Refreshments
7:00 - 8:30pm Panel Discussion and Q&A
Where:

Stanford Graduate School of Business
CEMEX Auditorium at the Knight Management Center

Moderator:
  Gary Wolf, Co-Founder, The Quantified Self & Editor, Wired Magazine

Panelists:

  Rick Lee, CEO of Healthrageous
  Mark S. Gainey, Co-Founder Strava, Inc
  Leslie Ziegler: Creative Director, Rock Health
  Greg LeMond, Three-Time Winner of the Tour de France

Event Description

Large companies, as well as, garage hackers are leveraging smaller,
cheaper sensors and powerful mobile devices are accelerating the
virtuous circle of goal setting, data collection, analysis and social
motivation necessary to stimulate lasting and steady gains in health,
sports performance or other areas of self evolution.

What happens when we add the power of Social/Mobile and always-on
personal devices to the evolving health markets. Peer pressure (social
reinforcement) and data tracking have significantly contributed to the
success of the $11B self improvement and $55B weight loss markets.
Legacy business such as Weight Watchers have relied on snippets of
painstakingly input data. How will the game be changed when personal
data goes from a drop in the bucket to an ocean?

What new perspectives do start ups provide using sensors and on-line
services, to disrupt and support the incumbents in self evolution and
health? And, what is needed for break-out success?
  What new opportunities will exist in widespread tracking?
  How do you keep users engaged long enough to make meaningful changes?
  Will a start-up create virality to accelerate growth, become
a category killer?
  What are the challenges of collecting and applying meaningful data?
  What incentives are effective to encourage adoption outside
of tracker enthusiasts and early adopters?
  Can a single offering service survive or will those
aggregating multiple data streams dominate?
  Can these services grow on an ad based model or is a
subscription necessary?
  How are companies using social motivation to encourage
consistent engagement and long term participation?

http://www.vlab.org/article.html?aid=438

MIT/Stanford Venture Laboratory is helpful. They'll be taping their events and broadcasting them soon also.

www.deja.com/~vlab
www.vlab.org

Check out
www.vlab.org
www.deja.com/~vlab for good resources.