In her book The Virtual Self, Nora Young discusses the perception of self that is developed with technology in the digital era. Through extensive conversation on the concept of self-tracking, Young highlights the various qualities that can be deduced from chosen data set as well as the notion of data mapping. Within different chapters, the advantages of tracking technologies are outlined, which cannot be deliberated without acknowledging the ideas of privacy, confidentiality and ethics that are imbedded in technological cultures. As Young states, “the danger” of using social media “is that we lose touch with the subtleties of the embodied presence of those we care for”(63). To expand, I would argue that an individual’s intense roles with technology might be creating a stronger sense of self-discovery yet in combination with the “continual partial attention” (Stone), pushes the boundaries of relationships with others. Such new technologies are showing, as Young says, “that we may undervalue the role of on going physical presence of others in our self-discovery” (63).

A lot of applications that are now on the market are positive ones, which target different modes of tracking in order to further the self. The motivations of all of these apps are to promote and produce the best that you can be; to eliminate your uncertainties and to focus on the positive things. Such themes for these popular applications are fitness apps and anti-distraction apps. Fitness apps can provide a motivational means of attaining your goal, constantly reminding you of your daily requirements all while breaking down your big goal into attainable bite-sized tasks. Another big industry for the app realm is anti-distraction apps. Task management apps, such as Carrot, help you efficiently complete for to-do lists. Other apps under this category include ones, as Young recalls using, that monitor your computer usage, which supply you with distinct data of how you use your time on the computer. At first this might seem useless, but when you break down the time spent, or wasted, on certain tasks the results might be both disgust and stimulate you to change your habits. Both of these app examples are evidence that self-tracking technology is a great tool for further developing and enhancing the self.

If you go out for dinner at a restaurant tonight, you would be bombarded with people of all ages at tables and rather than engaging in conversation with the person next to them, each person at the table will have their heads buried in their smart phone or tablet. Depending on the people that you are surrounded with, this constant involvement with technology with either maintain neutrality possibly slightly strength your relationship, or the incessant attachment to technology will damage and threaten your relationship with said person. This trend of technological involvement is one that I have observed numerous times in various spaces and places. Call me old-fashioned, but the more attached that an individual is to their technology, the more disengaged I feel with the person and the more repelled I then become, leading me to feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied, no longer wanting to spend my time with said person. This example demonstrates that the determination of just how virtual the self is, will have a great impact the values that are represented in daily lives, hence will be visible in their relationships.

In the world of recreational books, Young’s novel does a great job of highlighting the new scope of technology, including the possibilities of self-tracking, data management and our personal futures with such technologies. Although, reading this book from an academic point of view, I have to say that the book felt very unfinished, as if it were a prequel to a bigger volume. As far as material covered in this novel, nothing that she talks about was new or exciting. All of the “new” technology she discusses is no longer in the forefront of up and coming media, as I have already been exposed to it and discussed it in several other classes. Contrary to my opinion of the novel’s content, for the average Joe who doesn’t engage with the news or academia, this book might just be revolutionary.

Works Cited

Young, Nora. The virtual self: how our digital lives are altering the world around us. Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, 2012.