A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF WIRED MAGAZINE IN TERMS OF SELF-TRACKING DEVICES

Abstract

In the digital era that we live in now it is possible to gather biological and biographical data of an individual by wearable digital health and activity-tracking devices. The phenomenon is known as self-tracking and it intends to expand individual’s self-knowledge and as a result to improve both the physical and psychological health. By self-tracking applications that digital health and activity-tracking devices provide now we can measure diverse biodata from heart rate, body fat percentage and pain levels to miles run, calories eaten and even to mood and happiness levels. The aim of this paper is the analysis of growing digitalized self-tracking trend through a content analysis of Wired magazine. This well-known design and technology magazine monthly publishes in print and online technology related articles on how emerging technologies affect culture, economy and politics and it reaches online more than 30 million people each month through wired.com, digital edition. This present study, carries out a content analysis of all the issues until December 2016 through the term 'self-tracking' and also two other closely related terms: 'quantified self' and 'lifelogging'. In the analysis, the usage period and popularity of these three terms; their relation network with the main topics and the sub-topics of the magazine are examined. By this analysis, the study presents the scope and relevance of the rising trend of self-tracking technologies from the birth of this trend.