A.J. Jacobs recounts a
self-conducted experiment about documenting one’s life in his article, Overly Document Life. The statement that drives this article is
that the human memory is generally unreliable and fails to completely store
information. Jacobs creates an experiment in which he dons a small camera and
films his every day life for an extended period of time. Not only does he film
everything but he utilizes apps and computer programs in order to track every
emotion, every meal, and even the amount of sleep he gets.
Jacobs uses many rhetorical devices
to enhance his article. The personal examples given by friends and family
during his experiment help to shape the tone of the article as well as give it
a less scientific feel. It is not about the data but more about the experiences
he has and how it shaped his outcome. Jacobs employs pathos through the
interactions and conversations he has with the people he comes in contact
throughout his journey. Most notably are the times when he is interacting with his
sons, by teaching them lessons or through the argument he has with his wife.
Jacobs uses an informal voice to
write his article. In doing this, it opens up a more personal platform for the
reader to connect with Jacobs’ experiment. By using first person language and
modern examples, it pulls the reader in and makes them feel like they are a
part of the story as well. This story-like method of writing reflects the
“dinner table” style of writing. It allows for Jacobs to invite other people
into the conversation, such as his wife, friends, or even strangers that he
meets. By including the conversations that he has with each person, it creates
a conversational atmosphere.
The chronos of the piece is perfectly executed,
since the digital age has completely taken over modern society. Technology is
used to document, create, and store everything. Jacobs points to this as a
motivation for his experiment, and to see just how well documented a person’s
life can be. His overall findings lead to the conclusion that it is possible to
document every minute of one’s life. On one hand, he remarks that he feels safe
and in control of his everyday life instead of forgetting most things. Yet
there are some set backs, as seen in the argument with his wife. Logging one’s
daily life does not fix everything.
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