The Tyranny of Metrics - by Jerry Z Muller

The Tyranny of Metrics is a thought-provoking book that sheds light on the unintended consequences of our obsession with quantifying human performance.

Jerry Muller's well-researched and accessible writing reveals how this fixation on measuring has led to distortion, gaming, and a loss of focus on what truly matters.

The book provides numerous examples from various fields, including education, medicine, business, and government, demonstrating the damage caused by this tyranny of metrics. Muller argues that while metrics can be useful when used as a complement to personal experience and judgment, they often become a replacement for these critical components.

The result is a system that prioritizes quantity over quality, leading to unintended consequences such as "gaming the stats" and "teaching to the test." The book also offers practical solutions for addressing this issue, including a checklist of when and how to use metrics effectively.

By reading The Tyranny of Metrics, you will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of quantification on our lives and learn how to navigate this complex issue with confidence.

Don't miss out on this essential corrective to a trend that increasingly affects us all.