The Tyranny of Metrics
Hardcover Paperback Kindle Edition"The Tyranny of Metrics" by Jerry Z. Muller is a critique of the pervasive use of metrics and performance indicators in modern society. The author argues that the emphasis on measuring and quantifying every aspect of life, from education to healthcare and business, has created a harmful culture of "metric fixation", in which individuals and organizations prioritize data over more nuanced and complex forms of decision-making. Muller traces the history of metrics, from their origins in the scientific management movement of the early 20th century to their present-day ubiquity in government, academia, and the private sector. He argues that while metrics can be useful tools in certain contexts, such as tracking progress towards specific goals, the overreliance on metrics has led to numerous negative consequences, including the erosion of professional judgment, the creation of perverse incentives, and the distortion of priorities. The author discusses numerous case studies to illustrate these issues, including the use of standardized testing in education, the emphasis on productivity metrics in healthcare, and the reliance on performance evaluations in corporations. He also offers suggestions for how we can begin to address the problem of metrics tyranny and restore a more balanced approach to decision-making.
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