My Sunday in Data

The following is the list of digital data that I created on Sunday, February 17:

  • Sent messages via Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Slack, and SMS: data on the messages I compose and the people I talk to
  • Registered for an event on Eventbrite (and responded “going” to the same event on Facebook): data on my whereabouts for that date/time and the type of events that appeal to me
  • Added an event to my Google Calendar: usage data (when I make changes to my calendar, what kind of events I create, where my event will be, etc.)
  • Liked a post on Facebook: data on people I interact with and posts that get my attention
  • Listened to an album on Spotify: data on what kind of music and artists I like, what time I listen to music, for how long I listen to music, etc.
  • Made 2 phone calls to 2 different movie theaters: phone data
  • Edited a Google Doc: data on when I made changes and what changes I made
  • Tracked a UPS package: data on what time and how frequently I am checking my package’s status
  • Wore my Fitbit: activity data (where I have been, how many steps I have taken, how much activity I have done, how much I slept, what time I woke up, how much I sat still, etc.)
  • Ordered a drink at Starbucks using the Starbucks app: data on my app usage, the drink I ordered, the time I ordered it, etc.
  • Logged into Google Starbucks wifi: data on the info they collect from me (name and email), when/where I am logging in, and what I am doing while using their wifi
  • Browsed the web: every website I visit, the time I visit it, how much time I spend there, etc.
  • Used my Pixel, iPad, and Macbook: screentime data for each device
  • Downloaded files from Dropbox: Dropbox usage data, as well as download history on my computer
  • Edited files on Dropbox: more usage data
  • Used Google Maps to map a route: data on my intended origin/destination, and my actual route to get there
  • Rode the T: data on my origin stations and the time that I tapped my Charlie Card
  • Bought movie tickets: customer data for the movie theater, and financial data for my bank account/credit card
  • Downloaded the Zipcar app and logged into it: download/usage data
  • Visited Mathworks site for help with Matlab documentation: the types of uses I am interested in using Matlab for, how long I spend looking at each page, etc.
  • Coded on Matlab: Matlab usage data, computer usage data, Dropbox data since the files were backed up to Dropbox

Bonus non-digital data creation: I signed off as a witness that my housemate cleaned the bathroom.