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The Quantification Trap

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A computational paradox of the postmodern condition.

The Quantification Trap A computational paradox of the postmodern condition. Ben Recht May 11, 2026 72 21 3 Share If we want to make decisions in a complex society, we need a shared language. Experts on the ground must summarize complex situations in their communication with decision makers decoupled from the field. They need to make their experiences legible to those they report to. The easiest way to make situations legible is to quantify them. To count things, record figures in tables, compute statistics, and make charts. Quantification sorts complexity into simple bins, simplifying communi

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