Personal measurements could combine in ways that could provide help we need to achieve our goals, stay healthy, and connect more effectively with friends, family, and communities. There are many obstacles and social risks between us and effective data-based advisors, but it’s worth exploring a few possibilities.
Fitness Coach – We already seem to be halfway to this. The devices we own can count our steps and our calories. They can chart out fitness and track out vital signs. But there still are a few bugs to be worked out. One is that measurements tend to be against average standards. We are varied enough so, for some of us, the typical is far from the ideal, and may even be harmful. As more longitudinal information is recorded and as genetics sensitivities and potential are better understood, the potential is to optimize with a focus on the individual. But perhaps it is more important effectively communicating and putting the data into context. For example, the health advantages of measuring steps famously became beside the point when Zoë Chance became obsessed with the numbers and only broke her addiction when faced with exhaustion and injury.
Savvy Companion – By combining location, video detection, audio detection, public records, and historical information, you can get a deeper understanding of the world around you. This could fulfill the role of a tour guide, providing the story of art around us (how old is that statue?), structures (how many people live in that building?), the works of famous people (George Washington slept here), and information about the natural world (what kind of tree is that?). Add some analysis and music can be identified, you can get cautions on safety, or you can be reminded of the name of the man who looks so familiar.
Time Manager – If you live a life a to-do lists, plans, calendars, and schedules, you may be relatively efficient, but you know some things get done and some things don’t. Life gets in the way in the form of canceled appointments, late clients, disasters, unforeseen circumstances, and the times you get lost in online research (or games). Even small changes can force a radical reevaluation of what you are committed to and how deadlines might need to be reset. In theory, there should be a limited set of parameters for reorganizing plans in the face of change. Your priorities, opportunities with closing windows, deadlines, obligations, synchronized work, and the limits of your own biorhythms could provide clear bases for updating schedules. The system might even be able to explore alternatives, such as rescheduling appointments, without your intervention.
It could also look for patterns that challenge your stated priorities. If your plans for mastering a foreign language or reading War and Peace keep falling through, a reality check might be in order. It could also suggest what you could do with time that opens up. I always keep a list of jobs that can be done in small increments of time. I call this interstitial work, and it makes time when I’m waiting for someone to arrive less frustrating and boosts my productivity on days when I finish task early.
All of these are doable today. Next time, I suggest some e-advisors that reach further into the future.
Escrito por Peter Andrews |
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