The Metric Society

On the Quantification of the Social

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book The Metric Society by Steffen Mau, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Steffen Mau ISBN: 9781509530434
Publisher: Wiley Publication: February 25, 2019
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Steffen Mau
ISBN: 9781509530434
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: February 25, 2019
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

In today’s world, numbers are in the ascendancy. Societies dominated by star ratings, scores, likes and lists are rapidly emerging, as data are collected on virtually every aspect of our lives. From annual university rankings, ratings agencies and fitness tracking technologies to our credit score and health status, everything and everybody is measured and evaluated.

In this important new book, Steffen Mau offers a critical analysis of this increasingly pervasive phenomenon. While the original intention behind the drive to quantify may have been to build trust and transparency, Mau shows how metrics have in fact become a form of social conditioning. The ubiquitous language of ranking and scoring has changed profoundly our perception of value and status. What is more, through quantification, our capacity for competition and comparison has expanded significantly – we can now measure ourselves against others in practically every area. The rise of quantification has created and strengthened social hierarchies, transforming qualitative differences into quantitative inequalities that play a decisive role in shaping the life chances of individuals.

This timely analysis of the pernicious impact of quantification will appeal to students and scholars across the social sciences, as well as anyone concerned by the cult of numbers and its impact on our lives and societies today.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In today’s world, numbers are in the ascendancy. Societies dominated by star ratings, scores, likes and lists are rapidly emerging, as data are collected on virtually every aspect of our lives. From annual university rankings, ratings agencies and fitness tracking technologies to our credit score and health status, everything and everybody is measured and evaluated.

In this important new book, Steffen Mau offers a critical analysis of this increasingly pervasive phenomenon. While the original intention behind the drive to quantify may have been to build trust and transparency, Mau shows how metrics have in fact become a form of social conditioning. The ubiquitous language of ranking and scoring has changed profoundly our perception of value and status. What is more, through quantification, our capacity for competition and comparison has expanded significantly – we can now measure ourselves against others in practically every area. The rise of quantification has created and strengthened social hierarchies, transforming qualitative differences into quantitative inequalities that play a decisive role in shaping the life chances of individuals.

This timely analysis of the pernicious impact of quantification will appeal to students and scholars across the social sciences, as well as anyone concerned by the cult of numbers and its impact on our lives and societies today.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Investments by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Aperture 3 Portable Genius by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Salivary Gland Pathology by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Steven Spielberg's America by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Symptoms in the Pharmacy by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book The JCT Minor Works Building Contracts 2016 by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Semantics by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book The Dragons' Den Guide to Assessing Your Business Concept by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Enterprising Nature by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Canon EOS 80D For Dummies by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book War Crimes, Atrocity and Justice by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book The Agility Advantage by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Joint Ventures Involving Tax-Exempt Organizations by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book The Seventeenth - Century Literature Handbook by Steffen Mau
Cover of the book Handbook of Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology by Steffen Mau
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy