There is a pernicious trend infiltrating our lives, colonizing our ways of thinking and being. This is the need to measure everything. Take, for instance, physical activity. In the past, people took long strolls in nature and did their quotidian exercises. Today our fancy wristbands measure every step, every pulse, and every heartbeat. Except for measuring thoughts, these gadgets throw up scores of numbers. We are told that all this information should help us lead healthy lives. And indeed they may certainly do that, especially to one who is living unconsciously, numbers may be a call to action. But many of us take measurements to such an extreme, that we stress out when we leave our fitness bands at home. We simply cannot exercise without them. This indicates that we have entered into serfdom with our gadgets. What was an enabler of a good life, has now become a bondage. The need to measure everything indicates that we have lost the art of enjoying a walk, without having to seek a sense of achievement. It is not that the sense of achievement is bad, it is just that the sense of achievement is wrapped up in abstract numbers on a lifeless display.
We see the obsessive need to measure things infest even the social, not-for-profit sector. Rich, kind-hearted people pour millions into solving social problems. Be it climate change, poverty or deforestation. In the past, the donors would choose their cause and donate, only casually enquiring into what was the result of their donations. Today, we have rigorous statistics showing impact, lives changed, emissions averted and even fancy metrics such as social return on investment. The justification is that we need these metrics to track, monitor and ensure that the money is well-spent. Having worked in this sector, I can tell you that most of such measurement is hogwash. It is exceedingly difficult to measure things like lives changed, happiness created, or pain alleviated. To avoid this challenge, and indeed to avoid the effort in developing an ability to recognize true value, social scientists use proxies – income generated, life span extended and so on. But the very act of using these numbers reduces the impact into lifeless numbers. “500 smiles spread” – as though one smile isn’t enough. Moreover, they make reporting such a challenge, that most not-for-profits spend an inordinate amount of time and effort in filling out impact questionnaires. Again, metrics when used effectively can help. But they cannot be used as a proxy for real human intelligence. We choose to use metrics, when we lose the ability to value things without numbers.
We have lost the ability to value things on their own, so we need numbers to help us evaluate their value. We see this in art: paintings (by their price), music (by albums sold), books (by copies sold) and so on. We even call such artists and authors ‘bestsellers’. This means that we have lost the ability to view the work of art – as it is – and appreciate its inherent value, without needing to put a price on it. Indeed, society has descended to such lows that people only look at price to determine value.
Let’s now look at an example where measuring things appears right down stupid. Let’s assume we were to measure the ‘health of a relationship’ of a couple. Let’s suppose, a new device (obviously endowed with artificial intelligence) is invented – called Lovexa. This device listens to all your conversations with your partners, measures your vital statistics, and can read moods, and emotions. This device constantly gives your relationship a score. Imagine a meter, constantly running between zero and ten. The goal of your relationship quickly becomes trying to ensure that this meter never falls below, say five. This of course would be unacceptable. And would mean the end of the relationship. And so, we jump onto the bandwagon of putting immense effort into pleasing Lovexa so that she doesn’t dock us points. Can you imagine the situation at home? One of the first things you would do is to begin to fake it. You will speak lovingly, even if you don’t mean it. You will hide your fights, bury your frustration and put on your best false behaviour, just to ensure that your score tells you – you are succeeding in your relationship.
Is this sane by any measure (no pun intended)? Unfortunately, this is what measurement has done to all of us. At work, it means we are measured against sales targets, papers published, presentations given, number of meetings attended, and so on. In our personal lives, we measure ourselves by the value of our house, the salary, the price tag of our car and so on. We also measure our children, by their academic achievements, by their talents. Not because these things make the children happy, or indeed ourselves, but because they are scores on a social scale. These numbers matter to us because we look better compared to others.
Using numbers to understand the inherent value of things dehumanises us into mere abstractions. Remember, the numerals and indeed all of mathematics is a mere abstraction. Numbers give us an illusion of control, when in fact we have none. The doctor tells us that the surgery will be 75% successful. This tells us very little. While it may mean that 75% of a sampled population came out alive from the surgery, it hardly tells us if we belong to that majority – which is what matters to us. The same with happiness surveys and whatnot. It makes some scientists feel that they actually understand complex phenomena when they don’t. Numbers are a respectable way to cover our ignorance.
How then should we live? Can we get rid of all measurements? Obviously not. We need to measure things when we have to. Numbers are useful. When we order 1 kg of potatoes, we know how many potatoes that entails. When we know we need to drive 100 kilometres, we can judge if our fuel tanks can last the trip. As utilitarian concepts, numbers are useful and indeed imperative. However, when we begin to attempt to put numbers on things that cannot be and should not be captured in numbers, we begin to have fractures in society.
Measurement indicates an achievement mindset and not a discovery mindset. This makes a huge difference. When we read a book, in order to claim on Goodreads that I have read the book (again note the need for social approval), reading is denigrated as a means to an end. However, when we read for the joy of reading because we love knowledge, then reading is elevated to a sacred activity. Yes, I use the word sacred, because it uplifts our spirits. It is a bringing of oneself to an activity in love, in which we lose ourselves, only to find peace and joy. To do this, we need to begin to value ourselves, sans any socially determined measurement devices. You are valuable, just because you exist. You are a unique ripple in the ocean of being. We must strive to deconstruct all socially driven means of valuing us.
Does this mean that we slip into laxity? No. We strive to become better versions of ourselves. When we find the source of value within ourselves and begin to express this in creative endeavours – be it painting, science, or just cooking healthy meals for our children – society heals its madness. We regain our beauty, grace and power. And everybody benefits from having such people in their lives. This is the source of true wealth in society – not numbers on a balance sheet.
Journey of a thousand words 