Q S A M S T E R D A M 2 0 1 4 B R E A K O U T S E S S I O N Q S + V I R T U A L R E A L I T Y O U R S E L V E S , V I R T U A L L Y M A Y 1 0 T H , 2 0 1 4

Eric Blue U: http://eric-blue.com E: eric@traqs.me T: @ericblue

OURSELVES, VIRTUALLY QUANTIFIED SELF MEETS VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual reality gives us new ways to represent ourselves with data. We’ll discuss ideas for merging virtual reality with Quantified Self, visualizing biometric data and exploring personal data models.

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS SELF-TRACKING AND VIRTUAL REALITY EXPLORATION

Quantified Self §  Better self-awareness through experimentation and tracking data points §  Epiphanies and discoveries by visualization §  Data -> Information -> Knowledge -> Action

Virtual Reality §  Becoming more mainstream and accessible (e.g. Oculus Rift) §  Ability to create a ‘virtual self’ and explore data in entirely new ways §  Interact with your data: biometric, location, biofeedback, neurofeedback

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VR IS BECOMING MORE MAINSTREAM

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NOT JUST FANTASY: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS?

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THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS – WHAT IS POSSIBLE? IDEAS [1]

What could you do with Virtual Reality and your self-tracking data? §  Create a timeline and walkthrough where you can visualize metrics (activity level,

heart rate, blood work, 23andMe data) and actually interact with this data as objects.   Explore a three-dimensional (fourth if you add time) archive of your biometric data.

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THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS – WHAT IS POSSIBLE? IDEAS [2]

What could you do with Virtual Reality and your self-tracking data? §  Visualize your brainwave data in real-time. Using NeuroSky, Emotiv, or other

consumer EEG devices you could view your brainwave data in real-time in a Virtual, interactive 3D graph and experiment with Neurofeedback. How does your current state affect focus levels and brain waves: Beta, Alpha, Theta, Data.

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THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS – WHAT IS POSSIBLE? IDEAS [3]

What could you do with Virtual Reality and your self-tracking data? §  Actually visit places you’ve been in the past. If you collect massive amounts of

geolocation data (latitude/longitude), imagine having a Google Streetview experience where you can see where you been.  BUT, being able to jump to your top locations and even add contextual overlays like heatmaps. There already is an Oculus Rift Google Street view application.

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THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS – WHAT IS POSSIBLE? IDEAS [4]

What could you do with Virtual Reality and your self-tracking data? §  Build your own life-like virtual double: your virtual, quantified self.  This might sound

uncanny, but a company Infinite Realities is already developing and using gigapixel scanning technology to create amazingly detailed virtual representations of people. Interact with your own virtual double – having the model capturebio, neuro, physical attributes, and even mood over time.

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THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS – WHAT IS POSSIBLE? IDEAS [5]

What could you do with Virtual Reality and your self-tracking data? §  Build your own virtual lifelogging storage unit or memory palace.  Create 3D virtual

models of your favorite places or through image and video data you’ve collected through lifelogging gadgets (think SenseCam).  And, why not create an ACTUAL virtual room or memory palace where you can place your lifelogging events – pictures, memories, knowledge, etc. and make things easier to recall?

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS SELF-TRACKING AND VIRTUAL REALITY EXPLORATION

WHAT ELSE IS POSSIBLE?

§  Other practical applications

§  Unique ways to visualize and interact to better lead to self-discovery §  Opening up virtual models to let other people explore

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