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>To validly criticize using GDP as the headline measure, you need to show not merely that GDP is flawed, but that there is an alternative measure that can be pr
by naravara 9y ago
>To validly criticize using GDP as the headline measure, you need to show not merely that GDP is flawed, but that there is an alternative measure that can be practically calculated that is on-balance better at capturing the overall picture.
Why? Maybe we should be more humble about what metrics can and can’t do for us.
Maybe we should admit that many of the things that matter to us are subjective rather than avoiding the difficult questions by fixating only on things that appeal to positivists?
- dragonwriter 9y ago> Why? Because if it's the best tool we have for a purpose, then it's the right tool for that purpose even if it's not the platonic ideal of a tool for that purpose. > Maybe we should be more humble about what metrics can and can’t do for us. Not only do I agree with that, I've made the same point elsewhere in this thread: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16082943 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16082943