Comments on: The final word on context and measurement. (For now.) http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Pedro Daltro http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-787 Pedro Daltro Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:37:51 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-787 Adrian, you have to write more big posts, with many parts like this. Your thoughts deserves more than a few lines. By the way: Helge, 180360720 is a bless. Adrian, you have to write more big posts, with many parts like this. Your thoughts deserves more than a few lines.

By the way: Helge, 180360720 is a bless.

]]> By: The return of context and measurement. | From The Head Of Zeus Jones http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-786 The return of context and measurement. | From The Head Of Zeus Jones Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:18:03 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-786 [...] know it feels like this subject just won’t die, but unfortunately for you, Jeff made a great comment on my last post that sparked another conversation with my wife that brought up yet another facet to this [...] [...] know it feels like this subject just won’t die, but unfortunately for you, Jeff made a great comment on my last post that sparked another conversation with my wife that brought up yet another facet to this [...]

]]> By: Adrian Ho http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-785 Adrian Ho Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:59:46 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-785 @Jeff thanks, you've helped clarify the point I was trying to make. When engines were invented, horsepower was the important measurement because engines were looking to replace horses. But today, horses aren't in the consideration set and so the measure has really lost relevance. I think that's true of a lot of the measurements we use - actually have another post coming on that. @Jeff thanks, you’ve helped clarify the point I was trying to make. When engines were invented, horsepower was the important measurement because engines were looking to replace horses. But today, horses aren’t in the consideration set and so the measure has really lost relevance. I think that’s true of a lot of the measurements we use – actually have another post coming on that.

]]> By: Charles http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-784 Charles Sun, 29 Mar 2009 05:14:50 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-784 Great post Adrian. It's a little like my research brief axiom that we only know what to ask when we've done some asking. Which is why it's just good to think it through a bit first. Great post Adrian. It’s a little like my research brief axiom that we only know what to ask when we’ve done some asking. Which is why it’s just good to think it through a bit first.

]]> By: Helge Tennø http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-783 Helge Tennø Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:52:09 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-783 Hi Adrian, excellent stuff. Personally I feel this really carries the thoughts presented by John Steel at last summers Planning Begins at 40 event one step further. Steel said something in the lines of: "We are starting to build stuff based on what's easy to measure, not what's really important". And also appreciate the comment from Jeff, good thoughts on measurment and value. VVI = Very Valuable Ideas. best Helge Hi Adrian, excellent stuff.
Personally I feel this really carries the thoughts presented by John Steel at last summers Planning Begins at 40 event one step further.

Steel said something in the lines of:
“We are starting to build stuff based on what’s easy to measure, not what’s really important”.

And also appreciate the comment from Jeff, good thoughts on measurment and value.

VVI = Very Valuable Ideas.

best
Helge

]]> By: Jeff http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/2009/the-final-word-on-context-and-measurement-for-now/#comment-782 Jeff Sat, 28 Mar 2009 02:40:16 +0000 http://www.zeusjones.com/blog/?p=1023#comment-782 It seems to me that your first question wasn't that far off base. We originally measured raw power because that was what was important. That was what we valued. We didn't value horses for their ability to keep from tipping over; we valued them for their speed and power. The measurements came later. The concept of horsepower dates from the earliest steam engines, when there were no attributes worth measuring other than how well the engine could turn a mill wheel. That's why we built it. When automobiles came around, I'd imagine that people valued them for the same reasons they valued horses originally. Speed and power. Most adults don't need mechanical help to keep from tipping over, so we don't particularly value that ability. It's hygienic. We don't have to measure cars and horses to know that they're faster and more powerful. Or to recognize the value in those enhanced abilities. Once that value is established, it's only necessary to measure it for direct comparisons. Ranking. You could probably make the same argument for something like candlepower. We measure lamps and flashlights against their ability to illuminate. But we don't have to measure to recognize inherent value in illumination. Measurements can lead us to value things we might not have considered before (efficiency for example), but I'd argue that they aren't a universal requirement for recognizing value. Anyway, that's my two cents. It seems to me that your first question wasn’t that far off base. We originally measured raw power because that was what was important. That was what we valued. We didn’t value horses for their ability to keep from tipping over; we valued them for their speed and power. The measurements came later.

The concept of horsepower dates from the earliest steam engines, when there were no attributes worth measuring other than how well the engine could turn a mill wheel. That’s why we built it. When automobiles came around, I’d imagine that people valued them for the same reasons they valued horses originally. Speed and power. Most adults don’t need mechanical help to keep from tipping over, so we don’t particularly value that ability. It’s hygienic.

We don’t have to measure cars and horses to know that they’re faster and more powerful. Or to recognize the value in those enhanced abilities. Once that value is established, it’s only necessary to measure it for direct comparisons. Ranking.

You could probably make the same argument for something like candlepower. We measure lamps and flashlights against their ability to illuminate. But we don’t have to measure to recognize inherent value in illumination.

Measurements can lead us to value things we might not have considered before (efficiency for example), but I’d argue that they aren’t a universal requirement for recognizing value.

Anyway, that’s my two cents.

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