When Measures Become TargetsThe dark side of tracking a particular behavior is that we become driven by the number rather than the purpose behind it.If your success is measured by quarterly earnings, you will optimize sales, revenue, and accounting for quarterly earnings.If your success is measured by a lower number on the scale, you will optimize for a lower number on the scale, even if that means embracing crash diets, juice cleanses, and fat-loss pills.The human mind wants to "win" whatever game is being played.This pitfall is evident in many areas of life.We focus on working long hours instead of getting meaningful work done.We care more about getting ten thousand steps than we do about being healthy.We teach for standardized tests instead of emphasizing learning, curiosity, and critical thinking.In short, we optimize for what we measure.When we choose the wrong measurement, we get the wrong behavior.This is sometimes referred to as Goodhart's Law.Named after the economist Charles Goodhart, the principle states, " When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." Measurement is only useful when it guides you and adds context to a larger picture, not when it consumes you.Each number is simply one piece of feedback in the overall system.
The dark side of tracking a particular behavior is that we become driven by the number rather than the purpose behind it.
跟踪特定行为的阴暗面是我们会被数字而不是其背后的目的所驱动。
particular[pərˈtɪkjələr]
特定的;特别的
Ex: He is not focused on a particular joke.
例句翻译:他并不专注某个具体笑话。 分析:强调某一个具体对象。
behavior[bɪˈheɪvjər]
行为
Ex: Tracking changes your behavior.
例句翻译:追踪会改变你的行为。 分析:常用于习惯、心理学和管理语境。
purpose[ˈpɜːrpəs]
目的;意义
Ex: Do not forget the purpose behind the number.
例句翻译:不要忘记数字背后的目的。 分析:purpose 指为什么做某事。
If your success is measured by quarterly earnings, you will optimize sales, revenue, and accounting for quarterly earnings.
如果您的成功是通过季度收入来衡量的,那么您将优化销售、收入和季度收入的核算。
quarterly[ˈkwɔːrtərli]
季度的;每季度
Ex: Quarterly earnings can shape behavior.
例句翻译:季度收益会塑造行为。 分析:quarter 指一年四分之一。
optimize[ˈɑːptɪmaɪz]
优化;使最有效
Ex: We optimize for what we measure.
例句翻译:我们会优化被衡量的东西。 分析:常用于商业、技术、效率语境。
revenue[ˈrevənuː]
收入;营收
Ex: Daily revenue is one measurement.
例句翻译:每日营收是一项指标。 分析:商业语境常用。
If your success is measured by a lower number on the scale, you will optimize for a lower number on the scale, even if that means embracing crash diets, juice cleanses, and fat-loss pills.
The human mind wants to "win" whatever game is being played.
人类的大脑希望“赢得”正在进行的任何游戏。
visual[ˈvɪʒuəl]
视觉的;看得见的
Ex: Visual progress can motivate you.
例句翻译:看得见的进步能激励你。 分析:visual 强调通过眼睛能看到。
evidence[ˈevɪdəns]
证据
Ex: The checklist is evidence of your progress.
例句翻译:清单是你进步的证据。 分析:指能证明某事真实存在的信息。
This pitfall is evident in many areas of life.
这种陷阱在生活的许多领域都很明显。
pitfall[ˈpɪtfɔːl]
陷阱;隐患
Ex: Measuring the wrong thing is a pitfall.
例句翻译:衡量错误的东西是一个陷阱。 分析:指容易忽略的危险。
reinforce[ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs]
强化;加强
Ex: Rewards reinforce good behavior.
例句翻译:奖励会强化好行为。 分析:re- 表示 again,force 表示力量。
We focus on working long hours instead of getting meaningful work done.
我们专注于长时间工作,而不是完成有意义的工作。
activity[ækˈtɪvəti]
活动;行动
Ex: Add satisfaction to the activity.
例句翻译:给这项活动增加满足感。 分析:指具体做的事情。
journal[ˈdʒɜːrnəl]
日志;日记
Ex: She kept a food journal.
例句翻译:她记录饮食日志。 分析:journal 常指用于记录的本子或文档。
We care more about getting ten thousand steps than we do about being healthy.
我们更关心走一万步,而不是健康。
workout[ˈwɜːrkaʊt]
锻炼;训练
Ex: A workout log records your exercise.
例句翻译:训练日志记录你的锻炼。 分析:workout 是名词,表示一次训练。
loyalty[ˈlɔɪəlti]
忠诚;忠诚度
Ex: The shop gave customers loyalty cards.
例句翻译:商店给顾客发会员积分卡。 分析:loyalty punch card 指集点卡。
We teach for standardized tests instead of emphasizing learning, curiosity, and critical thinking.
我们教授标准化考试,而不是强调学习、好奇心和批判性思维。
critical thinking[ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
批判性思维
Ex: Education should develop critical thinking.
例句翻译:教育应该培养批判性思维。 分析:指分析、判断和独立思考能力。
standardized[ˈstændərdaɪzd]
标准化的
Ex: Schools often teach for standardized tests.
例句翻译:学校常常为了标准化考试而教学。 分析:来自 standard。
curiosity[ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti]
好奇心
Ex: Learning needs curiosity.
例句翻译:学习需要好奇心。 分析:来自 curious。
In short, we optimize for what we measure.
简而言之,我们针对我们所衡量的内容进行优化。
optimize[ˈɑːptɪmaɪz]
优化;使最有效
Ex: We optimize for what we measure.
例句翻译:我们会优化被衡量的东西。 分析:常用于商业、技术、效率语境。
measure[ˈmeʒər]
衡量;测量
Ex: You can measure a habit with a tracker.
例句翻译:你可以用追踪器衡量一个习惯。 分析:既可作动词,也可作名词。
When we choose the wrong measurement, we get the wrong behavior.
当我们选择错误的衡量标准时,我们就会得到错误的行为。
behavior[bɪˈheɪvjər]
行为
Ex: Tracking changes your behavior.
例句翻译:追踪会改变你的行为。 分析:常用于习惯、心理学和管理语境。
habit tracker[ˈhæbɪt ˈtrækər]
习惯追踪器
Ex: A habit tracker shows whether you acted.
例句翻译:习惯追踪器显示你是否行动了。 分析:tracker 表示追踪工具。
This is sometimes referred to as Goodhart's Law.
这有时被称为古德哈特定律。
routine[ruːˈtiːn]
惯例;日常安排
Ex: He sticks with his morning routine.
例句翻译:他坚持早晨日程。 分析:routine 强调重复的固定流程。
meditate[ˈmedɪteɪt]
冥想
Ex: I meditate every morning.
例句翻译:我每天早上冥想。 分析:常用于健康和专注训练语境。
Named after the economist Charles Goodhart, the principle states, " When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." Measurement is only useful when it guides you and adds context to a larger picture, not when it consumes you.