Uploaded December 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Today most of what the internet knows about us is limited to what we tell it. Tomorrow, an increase in the number of sensors that we attach to ourselves and surround ourselves with may provide rich new data streams for internet services to consume. One term for this movement is the quantified self. At its best, it represents an earlier ideal that what can be measured can be understood and potentially improved. However, at least today the links between more data and better outcomes remain tenuous. But in the future data collected from sensors mounted on and inside of us may allow the internet to care for us when we are sick, recommend what to eat, and generally help us take better care of our fragile human selves.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
Today most of what the internet knows about us is limited to what we tell it. Tomorrow, an increase in the number of sensors that we attach to ourselves and surround ourselves with may provide rich new data streams for internet services to consume. One term for this movement is the quantified self. At its best, it represents an earlier ideal that what can be measured can be understood and potentially improved. However, at least today the links between more data and better outcomes remain tenuous. But in the future data collected from sensors mounted on and inside of us may allow the internet to care for us when we are sick, recommend what to eat, and generally help us take better care of our fragile human selves.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
