Possibly the most vague, all encompassing phrase is The Internet of Everything.
Its ridiculous.
This ambiguous term which literally harbours everything from email data capture forms to complicated algorithms which analyse and scrutinise the financial markets, has come as a result of our lack of comprehension around Big Data (another completely abstract term which frivolously gets thrown about).
Everything will be connected; everything will have a meaning IoE demands.
The whole point of IoE is to transform the ways in which we collaborate and innovate while arming us with unprecedented real-time insights and awareness about our environments, our workplaces, ourselves.
But How?
Well no one has really got that far. Hence the loose term Everything
However, there is one aspect that has surfaced out of this undefined concept, which is very interesting. This is the Quantified Self Movement. Something which has a lot more going for it than this airy fairy, my kettle will be connected to my left toe bullshit.
In essence, the Quantified Self movement employs technology to drive greater self-awareness by tracking data related to exercise, diet, health maintenance, financial management, learning and so forth.
What excites me is this wealth of knowledge we will learn about ourselves that would previously have remained unknown. How much sleep you need, but not scientific journals generalising that as humans we need 8 hours, but personal measures, so we can set personal goals, and personal expectations. We will find out things that far exceed or go against our instincts and expectations. Now that is exciting.
And by co-opting some of the techniques of gaming, Quantified Self introduces one of the greatest motivators of all: fun.
Whether were conscious of it or not, every time we step on a treadmill or hold off on eating that second cookie were not only quantifying ourselves were also competing with ourselves.
Theres something universal about playing for points and prestige that seems to capture our attention. Now it wont be a case of working harder, but working smarter.
