The Scoreboard Trap | How Metrics Change What We Value
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The Scoreboard Trap | How Metrics Change What We Value
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We measure success because we need to know whether we're making progress. But what happens when the measurement becomes more important than the goal?
In this episode of The Rational Nationalist, Lee Ellis explores how metrics can reshape the incentives, priorities, and even values of the people using them.
From politicians celebrating legislation without examining its results to journalists chasing page views, individuals competing for wealth and status, and policymakers navigating the Cold War, the same problem keeps appearing: once we establish a scoreboard, people start playing to win.
How do we distinguish genuine progress from impressive-looking numbers? And how can we hold institutions accountable without encouraging them to pursue the wrong objectives?
This week's episode examines how the way we keep score can change the game itself.