#154: The Hidden Life of Wearable Technology with James Gilmore — Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with James Gilmore, Associate Professor of Media and Technology Studies in the Department of Communication at Clemson University, and author of The Bringers of Order: Wearable Technologies and the Manufacturing of Everyday Life, about the promises and pitfalls of wearable technology. From Fitbits and Apple Watches to smart glasses, implantables, and Disney’s MagicBand ecosystem, James explores how wearables shape behavior, collect data, and blur the line between convenience and surveillance. The conversation looks at what these devices actually measure, why their outputs can be misleading, how shame and self-optimization can become built into the user experience, and why stronger public literacy, informed consent, and policy conversations are urgently needed as wearables become more embedded in daily life.

Key Points:

Wearables don’t measure reality, they interpret it – Devices like Fitbits and Apple Watches generate data through sensors and algorithms, meaning what users see as “steps” or “activity” is a constructed output, not a direct reflection of the body.
Convenience often masks surveillance – From fitness trackers to Disney’s MagicBand, wearable systems streamline experiences while simultaneously collecting detailed behavioral data that can be analyzed, modeled, and monetized.
Technical literacy is becoming essential for everyday life – Understanding even the basics of how wearables work helps users better interpret their data, question outputs, and make more informed decisions about consent and usage.

James Gilmore, Associate Professor of Media and Technology Studies in the Department of Communication at Clemson University , Author of Bringers of Order: Wearable Technologies and the Manufacturing of Everyday Life , LinkedIn
Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications , and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability , LinkedIn

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