selfrecording

Self-recording refers to the practice of recording events, experiences, or a person’s own actions by the person themselves, typically using portable devices. It includes video, audio, and written records such as diaries, blogs, or social media posts. Self-recording can serve personal reflection, archival purposes, or public communication, and it often emphasizes first-person perspective.

Context and methods: The spread of smartphones, compact cameras, and wearable devices has made self-recording widely accessible. Common formats include video diaries or vlogs, audio diaries, photo journals, and written blogs. Recordings may be episodic or continuous, and they can be produced for private use or shared online.

Applications: Self-recording is used in education and research to capture personal experiences or field notes; in journalism and documentary practice as a primary source; in psychology or therapy for self-monitoring; in performance art and activism; and in ordinary life for personal memory.

Considerations: Privacy and consent are important when recording others. Data security and ownership, copyright, and platform terms may affect how recordings are stored and shared. Authenticity can be challenged by editing, selective recording, or context loss; biases and subjectivity are inherent. Practical concerns include data management, device reliability, and battery life.

See also: journaling, autobiographical documentation, video diary, first-person documentary.