--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...defining what is important solely by…" description: "\"“...defining what is important solely by what can be measured is a bad idea - like looking for lost keys not down a dark sidewalk where they were lost,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/benjamin-r-barber-71530_bad-idea_defining-what-is-important-solely-by-wha_1936261.jpg" --- # ...defining what is important solely by what can be… ![“...defining what is important solely by what can be measured is a bad idea - like looking for lost keys not down a dark sidewalk where they were lost, but across the street under the lamppost where the light is better.” quote by Benjamin R. Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/benjamin-r-barber-71530_bad-idea_defining-what-is-important-solely-by-wha_1936261.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/benjamin-r-barber-71530_bad-idea_defining-what-is-important-solely-by-wha_1936261.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/067/benjamin-r-barber-71530_bad-idea_defining-what-is-important-solely-by-wha_1936261.jpg) > ““...defining what is important solely by what can be measured is a bad idea - like looking for lost keys not down a dark sidewalk where they were lost, but across the street under the lamppost where the light is better.”” [Benjamin R. Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-r-barber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Warns against reducing importance solely to measurable metrics, urging broader perspective beyond easy visibility **In simple terms:** Don’t rely only on easy measurements for importance Key Takeaway Look beyond obvious metrics for true value Themes critical thinking measurement philosophy Mood analytical inquisitive Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - policy analysis - research design - business strategy Key Concepts epistemology social theory decision making Questions to Reflect On - What important aspects are missed by focusing on metrics? - How can we balance measurable data with qualitative insight? A Different Perspective May lack concrete alternatives for measurement ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-idea/) [Dark side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-side/) [Defining Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defining-important-3059586/) [Important Solely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-solely-3059587/) [Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measure/) [Measured Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measured-bad-3059590/) [Solely Measured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solely-measured-3059589/) [Street Lamppost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/street-lamppost-3059588/) ## Related quotes > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. 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