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About this quote

What does it mean?
Stein critiques the modern obsession with quantification as a substitute for spiritual belief.
In plain terms
People now rely on counting and data instead of faith.
What can you take from it?
Avoid reducing life to numbers.

Where it applies

  • economics
  • science
  • daily life

Putting it to work

  • Measure wisely
  • Value the intangible
  • Critique data

Questions to consider

  • What can't be counted?
  • Do you trust numbers too much?

Another view

It underestimates the power of data.

More from Gertrude Stein

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