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The concept of assigning numerical values to intangible entities poses a significant challenge, as many things cannot be quantified as a collection of discrete units or points in an infinite line, area, volume, or non-Euclidean space. This problem is further compounded by the fact that there is no limit to the number of things that might exist, and everything can be divided, at least conceptually. Even a point, which is defined as being infinitely small, can be divided into directions that radiate from its given location, albeit so minuscule that it exists only in our imaginations. This conundrum has perplexed mathematically inclined philosophers for two millennia, dating back to Euclid’s fifth proposition.
However, delving too deeply into such relationships without sufficient knowledge can lead to erroneous conclusions. Nonetheless, the inability to quantify certain abstract concepts, such as happiness, which has infinite potential dimensions, remains a perplexing issue. In an attempt to address this, I have created a chart called the Happiness Scale, which assigns numbers to various levels of happiness and its antithesis, unhappiness. The scale also incorporates several other related concepts within the numbered system.
The impetus for this new project stems from Morgan Housel’s book, “Same as Ever – Timeless Lessons on Risk, Opportunity, and Living a Good Life.” While the book is undoubtedly insightful and worth reading, Housel’s writing technique of overstating his thoughts provoked me to compile a list of words he claimed were unmeasurable. On page 178, he asserts, “We can see and measure just about everything in the world except people’s moods, fears, hopes, grudges, goals, triggers, and expectations. That’s partly why history is such a continuous chain of baffling events, and always will be.” Housel’s claim that terms like happiness cannot be measured is debatable, as I have already created tools like the Happiness Scale, and the English-speaking world commonly employs scalar values in everyday conversations. The ubiquitous phrase “Don’t judge me!” underscores the prevalence of this practice.
Motivated by these observations, I have embarked on a series of posts to create a first draft of the long list of words that Housel suggested were unmeasurable. Through this endeavor, I aim to explore the possibility of quantifying and measuring seemingly intangible concepts, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Probaway - Life Hacks 