I’ve wanted to add GPS data to a lifelog for the longest time. Now I can have look at how useful it really is to a lifelog.

In short, it isn’t. There are a few things worth of note though.

Scale
Usually, when we go about our every day activities, we just have a few vague recollections of places we’ve been. Seeing it completely mapped out in a log like in the video above gives you a sense of space and direction. This elevates your self awareness to a grander scale; a scale you wouldn’t normally consider. It’s humbling to see yourself navigate those tiny streets. The Earth is huge. Humans are ants.

Exploration
We sometimes get lost in big cities. I like to call it exploration. Even though most of us don’t mind taking a few extra turns to get to our destinations, we arbitrarily map out the area we’ve covered using our minds. Some people are good at ‘mindmapping’. I know for a fact I have a terrible sense of directions. Oftentimes, my directions get jumbled up and my mindmap just fails from that point on. So GPS data added to lifelogs could be somewhat useful in retracing our steps. You could argue that GPS data by itself would be enough. Then I’d say the added photos and audio would make it easier to recall.

But it still isn’t useful
Overall, I think GPS data is not really needed for lifelogging. It distracts you from what is most important: the photos, audio, thoughts and time. GPS is just eye candy. Maybe it’s useful for when you’re in a area you’ve never been to. Beyond that, I wouldn’t add it to a lifelog. Maybe at the beginning or end of the video as a short burst of locational info. Or even a tiny map in a corner, a minimap. That might work. I’ll try that sometimes.