Turning Yourself Into Numbers

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines wearable technology (WT) as a calculative practice. Although a large body of research examines the role of WT across different disciplines, the phenomenon remains largely absent from central accounting research. WT shares fundamental characteristics with calculative practices embedded in accounting - both can compress complex processes into numerical representations. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study is based on eleven semi-structured interviews with individuals who use WT in everyday life. The empirical material is analysed using postphenomenology which enables an analysis of how WT mediates individuals' perception and behaviour. The findings suggest that WT operates as a calculative practice, positioning it within the expanding margins of accounting. WT can compress complex human processes into a single numerical representation - a step count, a sleep score, a body battery - allowing the individual to interpret themselves through numbers. The findings further shed light on the importance of individuals' own subjectivation processes for WT to succeed as a calculative practice that steers users' conduct. In addition, this thesis identifies moments of resistance from the participants in the study, highlighting the fragile nature of WT as a calculative practice.