Noise as Dysappearance: Attuning to a Life with Type 1 Diabetes. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kingod, Natasja; Cleal, Bryan
• Is Part Of: Body & society. Volume 25:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: attunement -- dysappearance -- Facebook -- noise -- type 1 diabetes; Human body -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.4613
• DOI: 10.1177/1357034X19861671
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-034X

Abstract

In this article, we use noise as a metaphor for the overload of information – embodied, technological and online social – that characterizes life with type 1 diabetes. Noise illustrates embodied sensations of fluctuating blood glucose, measurement problems and alarms from digital self-care devices and irrelevant or emotionally disturbing posts on Facebook. Attunement is crucial to the quality of self-care achieved by individuals and comprises: (1) developing skills to receive clear signals from the body, (2) adjusting and individualizing self-care technologies to bodies and daily lives and (3) discerning appropriate distracting and unhelpful self-care information. Ideally, life with type 1 diabetes is harmonious, with clear messages from bodies, technologies and Facebook that enable better self-care.