A problem family — different problems, same issues

the
wrong ruler

18 problems across 16 fields · newly named in the latest release

An institution steers real decisions by a number that measurably diverges from the outcome it stands for, and that divergence is why the problem persists. Injury counts set the insurance rate of the employer doing the counting. Insulation audits could be gamed by installers. Engagement is optimized as a stand-in for value. Fire codes certify against the wrong fire. Eighteen problems across sixteen fields share the shape.

Find the number the institution acts on, and the outcome it is supposed to protect. How far apart are they, and who benefits from the gap?

Ways this family shows up

The measured party holds the number. The party being rated controls the number that rates them
A rule certifies the wrong test. A rule certifies against a test condition that does not track real conditions
A program chases its indicator. A program improves its indicator while the outcome declines

The 18 problems in this family

more recycling collected, worse material outmeasured the wrong thinghigh

sorting for the wrong brominemeasured the wrong thingneeds sourcing

the wrong ruler for concrete's lifetimemeasured the wrong thinghigh

insulation nobody checkedmeasured the wrong thinghigh

optimized for clicks, amplified to harmmeasured the wrong thinghigh

new skills, old examsmeasured the wrong thinghigh

also in the rulebook was written for a world that no longer exists

tested in tokyo, sold in lagosmeasured the wrong thingmedium

the carbon before the server turns onmeasured the wrong thinghigh

alive, uncounted, and certified safemeasured the wrong thinghigh

loans that lifted, then buriedmeasured the wrong thinghigh

nobody measures the earmeasured the wrong thinghigh

the number that rates youmeasured the wrong thinghigh

deaf below the limitmeasured the wrong thinghigh

nobody counts the whole daymeasured the wrong thinghigh

also in the regulator demands evidence that cannot exist

leak metrics that lie when taps run drymeasured the wrong thinghigh

credit where credit is due for romeasured the wrong thingmedium

the sewage that never arrivesmeasured the wrong thinghigh

fire codes that protect against the wrong firemeasured the wrong thinghigh

also in the rulebook was written for a world that no longer exists, we can see the danger but the system won’t act

Confidence: high = from a primary expert source (Tier 1) · medium = from an analyst, conference, or community source (Tier 2 or 3) · needs sourcing = flagged until we find a better source · the dot's size is its tier; a dashed dot needs sourcing

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thewrong ruler

Ways this family shows up

The 18 problems in this family

thewrong ruler

Ways this family shows up

The 18 problems in this family

the
wrong ruler

the
wrong ruler