Proposing a virtual self

Through my explorations in quantitative personal data collection, I have begun to see the potential
for this information repository to act as a 'virtual self', able to display information and become a
platform for interaction. Short term plans for this data are simply to increase the volume and
variety of information retained, through standardizing and automating collection processes. Also,
improvements with the storage, browsing, and filtering of this information are needed.
As this collection of information becomes a clearer picture of oneself, the thought has emerged that
this data itself could be displayed in such a way to automatically construct a personal narrative.
For example: what did I eat for breakfast, who are my friends and family members, what do I spend
my time doing on the computer, how often do I travel, and so on. These kinds of questions are the
foundation of understanding another person, and I would like to investigate a potential system that
would provide an interface for friends, acquaintances, and total strangers to explore my own
personal data.
I propose for this course that I write a short report, focusing on the purpose and specifications of
such a system, using supporting literature and diagrams where relevant. I will also create several
annotated wireframe mockups of this system, to explain how user interaction would take place,
including issues of incentives for participation, search/retrieval, and user interface.

Outline
1. Overview and background
a) Introduction

Our digital footprints

Increasing sharing of personal data online

b) Purpose

Synthesis of personal identifiers

Data mining

Leveraging the power of personal networks to organize and add data

With incentives for contribution

Creating and displaying a cohesive personal narrative

2. Specifications
a) How can we model human interaction? What questions would you want to ask and how would you
expect information to be offered?

20 questions/guess-the-sitcom-character examples

b) Collection of data

Data standards (out of scope)

Automatically tracked/imported information

Manually input information

External user-contributed data

c) Display of data

Live stream of data

Timeline browser

Sorting/filtering

Chat bot

d) User interaction

Contribution of data

Correction and organization of existing data

Querying bot for personal information

e) End results
3. Annotated mockups
a) Dashboard
b) Virtual avatar chat interface
c) Sorting/filtering
d) Contributing data
e) Constructed narrative