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New Nudge Technology Prods You To Take Action
HughPickens.com writes Natasha Singer reports at the NYT on a new generation of devices whose primary function is to prod people to change. This new category of nudging technology includes "hydration reminder" apps like Waterlogged that exhort people to increase their water consumption; the HAPIfork, a utensil that vibrates and turns on a light indicator when people eat too quickly; and Thync, "neurosignaling" headgear that delivers electrical pulses intended to energize or relax people. "There is this dumbing-down, which assumes people do not want the data, they just want the devices to help them," says Natasha Dow Schüll. "It is not really about self-knowledge anymore. It's the nurselike application of technology." While some self-zapping gizmos may resemble human cattle prods, other devices use more complex cues to encourage people to adopt new behavior. For example, the Muse, a brain-wave monitoring headband, is intended to help people understand their state of mind by playing different sounds depending on whether they are distracted or calm. "Based on what it registers, it plays loud, disruptive wind or waves lapping or, if you are supercalm and you maintain it for a while, you get calm, lovely noises of birds tweeting," says Schüll. "You do learn to calm your mind.
But do the new self-tracking and self-improvement technologies benefit people or just create more anxiety? An article published in The BMJ, a British medical journal, describes healthy people who use self-tracking apps as "young, asymptomatic, middle-class neurotics continuously monitoring their vital signs while they sleep." Dr. Des Spence argues that many health tracking apps encouraged healthy people to unnecessarily record their normal activities and vital signs — turning users into continuously self-monitoring "neurotics." Spence recommends people view these new technologies with skepticism. "The truth is that these apps and devices are untested and unscientific, and they will open the door of uncertainty," says Spence. "Make no mistake: Diagnostic uncertainty ignites extreme anxiety in people."
But do the new self-tracking and self-improvement technologies benefit people or just create more anxiety? An article published in The BMJ, a British medical journal, describes healthy people who use self-tracking apps as "young, asymptomatic, middle-class neurotics continuously monitoring their vital signs while they sleep." Dr. Des Spence argues that many health tracking apps encouraged healthy people to unnecessarily record their normal activities and vital signs — turning users into continuously self-monitoring "neurotics." Spence recommends people view these new technologies with skepticism. "The truth is that these apps and devices are untested and unscientific, and they will open the door of uncertainty," says Spence. "Make no mistake: Diagnostic uncertainty ignites extreme anxiety in people."
We make pledges and promises to better ourselves because we recognize at times, we are our own worst enemy... but we regularly fail at self betterment.
Unfortunately, it's not difficult at all to win a debate with one's self over whether you deserve that pastry, beverage or morning free of exercise.
Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.
Ernest Hemingway
We've had devices that have prodded us to change for decades. From the evil bathroom scale to advertisements through movies, radio, tv, etc. trying to nudge us to change our buying habits..
"Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
We have as a society been conditioned to respond to stimulae. nowhere is this more true than in the United states where advertising is all pervasive and in its goal to sell products, both descructive and deceptive in its employment. Branded drugs should be 'asked about' the next time you go to the doctor, because an elderly couple in clawfoot bathtubs subconsciously promise tranquility and balance. Foods arent high in sodium and fat, theyre "packed with protein" which will help you lose weight, sleep well, and be smarter and healther.
the easier nudge isnt to create more plastic clip on dongles to rate our restlessness or activity, its to become more accountable on our own terms. Stop tolerating major multinational food companies telling you things are healthy and start independently verifying your consumption. Realize that buy one get one free is just a 50% off sale. Chipotle is just rebranded sugar salt and fat with a nice farm image. Cliff, Kind, Luna, and other 'protein bars' are just candybars with a larger-than-average ad revenue and a clean name. Energy drinks are selling potential in a can of sugar, sodium, and bubbles.
Looking to consume a product to reign in your product consumption is the very definition of insanity and its only advocated because predatory industries are doing everything they can to keep you from reading a label. So the next time youre at the grocery store remember the most powerful 'take action' fact that no company wants you to understand: 4 grams is 1 teaspoon. Apply that conversion to the sugar salt or fat content in any meal and youll soon realize capitalism wants you fat sick and broke.
Good people go to bed earlier.