Smart people tend to rely on metrics because numbers don’t lie—they help measure, compare, and make decisions with confidence. Whether it’s science, engineering, or even personal productivity, having clear measurements lets you see what’s working and what’s not. Metrics aren’t about removing creativity—they’re about giving ideas a solid foundation.

Americans, though, have a funny way of mixing precision with independence. We may love numbers in labs and spreadsheets, but in everyday life, we often do our own thing—like sticking with miles instead of kilometers or calling “football” by the name “soccer.” It shows that we are either liars or ignorant.