This thread is diverging from what the GP meant, which was just to describe how fun and good for you collecting data can be. After all, how can you get better a

This thread is diverging from what the GP meant, which was just to describe how fun and good for you collecting data can be. After all, how can you get better at certain things if you're not willing to collect data on your performance? But the problem is that you can spin just about any kind of data collection in just the same way. In the 1960s, this exact scenario would have been part of a futuristic horror story. Robots and computers monitoring your every move, with your permission and encouragement, in an effort for you to become "better." In fact, I seem to remember several old sci-fi shows with just this kind of plot. It's interesting to note that such a scenario doesn't seem so horrific any more, and those warning about it are more and more seen as alarmists. I'm not sure where this is all heading, but the trajectory in public opinion is not very heartening. Modern marketing is turning its attention to popularizing your life "assisted" by machines which then take lots of observations about your behavior and report on them back to some third party.