sydney self-knowledge through numbers
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Sydney Self-knowledge through numbers. Significant Outliers. How much can one data point inform ? By Bo Li. The default method. The scientific method most of us will be familiar with. Aims to maximize accuracy Make informed hypothesis Design experiment to test - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SydneySelf-knowledge through numbers
Significant OutliersHow much can one data point inform?
By Bo Li
The scientific method most of us will be familiar with.
Aims to maximize accuracy
Make informed hypothesis Design experiment to test Analyse and adjust if necessary
The default method
Novel experiences besides those intended to be measured.
Concordant ◦ Weight loss◦ Less mental fog
Discordant◦ Improved productivity◦ Feeling sleepy earlier◦ Jaw tension
Peripheral Observation
Relevant xkcd
An observation that lies outside normal experience.
Generally inadequately accounted for by conventional measures of significance.
‘One perfect day’
‘Turkey problem’
Enter Outliers
A single outlier generally only indicates ‘weak’ associations.
Prone to false positives but useful as starting point.
Zero frequency
Convergent events
Convergence of coincidences
Ex1: Stomach cramps Hereditary condition causing painful cramps
and gastrointestinal upset. Irregular av.~1/month in frequency
Last experienced 04/03/12
Polyphasic sleep
Diet overhaul
Cold thermogenesis
Unknown
2012
Device measuring HRV.
Subjective feeling of being ‘calmer’ and more present.
Two outliers: felt fine, but could not get device to turn green.
Next day spent fixing/scraping code due to glaring errors.
Ex2: Emwave
May-12 development of a bad rash in the small of the back.
Tried balm, extra padding, change chair, etc Rash went away.
Jun-13 Shortly after moving workstations, had relapse.
Change of chair as common element.
Ex3: Mystery rash
Track events outside normal experience and recurrent, unusual events.
Conduct self-experiments as normal.
Build associations between experiments and observations.
Strength of association determined by degree of changed experience.
Method summary
Very little effort spent to log. Does not require a priori hypothesis. Less time needed for results. Ability to find meaning in fairly trivial or
transient events. Visceral rather than abstract associations.
Misses slight incremental improvements. Lacks rigour
Benefits and Drawbacks
Questions?