Well-Being
While I was automating my home, I became aware that we are living inside a computer surrounded by cables and wires, processors, logic devices hidden inside the walls of our home, and airways entering the home. We are immersed inside many networks and systems. The problem is how to enjoy living inside a such environment. This computer is even greater with the Internet where, with a simple click on a web page, we realize that we exist because we are bombarded with customized advertisement, emails, and telephone calls. It is important to master automations, firewalls, and information filters to avoid being paralyzed and crashed due to an excess of information in a smart home.
Any home information is private and it should be confined within the home premises, and with the option of not being reachable from the internet. But, well-being information may be important to home dweleres looking for ways to improve it. Here are some questions to explore, how good are the air we are breathing and the water we are drinking? How bad are noise and light pollution? How many hours is our daily sleep? Is the home ventilation adequate? Can we rank different home locations? I would espect that a smart home should provide answers, or tips, to some of these issues.
Living in Berkeley, the awarnes of immersion in the computer is emphasized by the view of the transformers, cables, wires and telephone poles in front of our building. Birds enjoy the scenary hanging on AC distribution lines, while squarrels use the hanging CATV and telephone cables between buildings as their highways. Plants at times use the telephone poles as a place to grow. This extended computer scenario is a real ecosystem, and we are a part of it.
For additional reading about well-being check the bookmarks.