Science is all about measurement. Is this bigger than that? Did this change over time? Is the object of study moving relative to a reference? How is this different from that? Does that difference associate with health or disease? And on, and on, and on.
Confidence in measurements has everything to do with confidence in the discovery. There is enormous value placed on the repeatability of the measurements (hence the field of statistics), and whether an independent measurer finds the same outcome (rigor).
Economics uses measurement tools to study the imaginary scale of tradeoffs (how much would something be worth in time or currency?). There is fair criticism about economics because it can know the cost of everything but not the value of anything. It’s also clear that not everything that’s measured is valuable, and that not everything of value can be measured.
There are different scales (measurement devices) for what we value. Here are high value features to the human experience that challenge measurement.
Humility. But, is there evidence that there was intentional space made for allowing someone else to get ahead of me?
Faithfulness. But, is there a way to track a pivot from the easy out of walking away from a commitment and, instead, pausing to re-engage to do the difficult work of adhering to spoken deliverables?
Beauty. But, can one discern receipt of inspiration, wonder, hope, or courage from absorbing pristine natural vistas of various scales, pondering artistic depictions of people, places and things, savoring aromas and tastes indicative of blends that delight and satisfy, accepting relaxation in the company of family and trusted friends?
Use the next days to have a measured reprieve from scientific measurements.
