Targeting an Observational Statistic Changes Its Nature

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"Goodheart's law... holds that 'when a measure becomes a target it ceases to be a good measure.' And Matthew Light clarifies: 'An authority sets some quantitative standard to measure a particular achievement; those responsible for meeting that standard do so, but not in the way which was intended.'" --James C. Scott, Two Cheers for Anrachism, p. 115

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