PAF 340 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Camel Hair
Document Summary
If so, how big is the problem: absolute, relative. Debates over size of problem prominent in polis. It is impossible to count without making a judgement about categorization. This is not as straightforward as we think . Drawn with a very fine camelhair brush. That from a long way off look lie flies. Select one factor as important and decide exclusion/inclusion on that factor. Can be challenged based on false inclusion or exclusion. Debates over who is included or excluded. Imply a need for change: only measure when we want to change status quo, create an action item, serve as a norm for future action. Numbers are a story of helplessness and control, are used to make both cases. Measures are double-edge swords: savings/prior waste, costs/income, efficiency/quality, averages/normalcy. The process of counting makes people notice it more. Counting can be used to stimulate public demands for change. Measuring creates alliances between the measurers and the measured.