Trap: Seeking the Wrong Goal Source (underlying principle): one of the most powerful ways to influence the behavior of a system is through its purpose or goal -- if the goal is defined badly, doesn’t measure what it’s supposed to measure, abd doesn’t reflect the real welfare of the system, then the system can’t possibly produce a desirable result. -- "Confusing efforts with result" [[Campbell's Law -- Corrupted metrics impedes the pursuit of goal]] > Seeking the wrong goal, satisfying the wrong indicator, is a system characteristic almost opposite from rule beating. In rule beating, the system is out to evade an unpopular or badly designed rule, while giving the appearance of obeying it. In seeking the wrong goal, the system obediently follows the rule and produces its specified result—which is not necessarily what anyone actually wants.