Seeking Success Without Numbers

The Value of the Intangible

Working as an engineer I spend a lot of time worrying about metrics. Whether they’re appropriate. Where they fall short. What they mean. How to improve. How to communicate them effectively. And yet, I always feel we’re leaving something on the table. We’re obsessed with numbers, sometime for the wrong reason, and yet it’s hard to argue against them. Why is that? In this essay I muse about the intangible as a new year reminder of what is easily forgotten.

In a world dominated by metrics and numbers, it can be easy to fall into the trap of equating value with what can be quantified. We accumulate wealth, grades, followers, and muscle in the pursuit of an elusive and often misguided idea of success. But what about the things that cannot be measured? How do we assign value to a hug, a smile, or an act of kindness? The answer, of course, is that we cannot. These things, and the people who create them, possess value that defies measurement.

This idea of the intangible is not just a rosy sentiment. It’s about recognizing that there are many aspects of our lives that cannot be easily measured or quantified, but that still have tremendous value and importance. How do you assign value to the performance of a politician? How do you quantify the worth of a teacher? These are things that will shape the politics of societies and the life of children. It’s crucial that we find ways to properly recognize and reward the intangible contributions that individuals and institutions make to our communities and our world.

The negative consequences of the focus on quantifiable metrics

As the political philosopher Michael Sandel might argue, there are certain aspects of human experience and relationships that cannot be reduced to a dollar value or a quantifiable metric. Furthermore, institutionalizing metric can shape the system in ways that lead to undesirable effect. These disconnected feedback loop can be found in many places.

In education, for example, the emphasis on standardized testing can lead to a “teach to the test” mentality, where the focus is on preparing students for a specific exam rather than on developing their overall critical thinking skills. This can also lead to a funding allocation system that disproportionately benefits high-scoring institutions, creating a secondary market for expensive tutoring services that only families who can afford it can access.

In healthcare, the fee-for-service billing system, where providers are paid based on the number of procedures and services they provide, can also be problematic. This system can incentivize providers to perform more procedures, rather than focusing on the overall health outcomes of their patients.

In the economy, the use of shareholder value as the primary metric for evaluating the performance of companies can also lead to negative consequences. This focus on maximizing profits for shareholders can lead to a disregard for externalities, such as the impact on the environment or on the well-being of employees.

The challenge of recognizing intangible value

The focus on quantifiable metrics is a pervasive issue that can have far-reaching consequences for society. It is not just about the specific metrics we choose to define our own worth, such as the number of Instagram followers or other poorly-defined metrics, but about the fact that these metrics are measurable and therefore often prioritized above intangible factors. This emphasis on what is measurable can seep into various aspects of our lives without us even realizing it, leading to the neglect of others facets that are just as important, if not more so, in determining well-being and welfare.

The reflex reaction to pointing out the inquantifiable is to attempt to measure it. If only we were able to measure what is through the right amount of data, measurement, surveillance, we could properly infer what ought to be. We should be careful not to fall into the trap of trying to measure things any more than we can.

Metrics and numbers can provide a sense of certainty and control in an uncertain world. By focusing on what can be measured and quantified, we may feel like we have a better understanding of our place in the world and how we can improve our circumstances. This craving for certainty and security is one we must get better at recognizing in ourselves and reminds ourselves that life cannot solely be optimized through a mathematical process. Our ideals are not, and plausibly cannot, be defined in such rigid framework as rules or policy. Society requires a constant conversation to face the ever changing situation its population will face.

To let go of this calculating moral fantasy is the task we must undertake to reach a more reasonable perspective on how we can create and co-exists together. The challenge ahead is how to cultivate a citizenship that can wrestle with multiple concept of good in a nuanced way.

Counterarguments and alternative perspectives

It is important to recognize that there are valid arguments for the use of metrics and numbers in certain contexts. Metrics can provide useful benchmarks and help to track progress and identify areas for improvement. However, it is crucial to find a balance and not rely solely on metrics as the sole indicator of success or value.

Another perspective to consider, aligned with this call for the intangible, is that of the “capabilities approach,” developed by philosopher Amartya Sen and economist Martha Nussbaum. This approach argues that the ability to lead a flourishing life should be the primary focus, rather than the achievement of certain specific goals or metrics.

This approach recognizes that there are many different ways to lead a fulfilling life and that these capabilities, such as being able to participate in the political process or having access to education and healthcare, should be the primary focus.

Conclusion and call to action

In conclusion, it is important to recognize the value of the intangible and to find ways to properly recognize and reward the contributions of individuals and institutions that cannot be easily measured or quantified. By doing so, we can create a more well-rounded and balanced approach to success and well-being.

So, let us not forget the value of things that cannot be measured and start cultivating its appreciation in ourselves. After all these are the things that truly enrich our lives and make the world a better place.