[klank]

People, as a group, trust numbers. Individuals, often, do not.

Pick any industry which revolves around something, I assure you there is a child-industry dedicated to providing the technology and infrastructure to count the things.

Heck, accounting, as a general purpose, applies to every profession, profession, is at its core, focused on counting things.

Hopefully this doesn't come across as argumentative. Your comment caused me to reflect on how you're right, we trust so much when it comes to numbers people tell us. But at the same time, we don't as evidenced by the vast amount of industry we dedicate to counting all that we do, whatever it is.

[tonymet]

accounting / auditing is a good example. I review public finances. Many public agencies don't pass audits. Even those that do, wouldn't pass the smell test.

An audit just means "it looks like you are recording things" but it doesn't mean "it looks like you are spending money wisely.".

Patrons see "passed audit" and assume the agency is run well.