Depressing

A mob of students in China protesting a group of academic monitors:

"We want fairness. There is no fairness if you do not let us cheat"

These guys would fit right in at my university.  I have dealt with a few discipline cases in my brief teaching experience, and the general attitude of the students I have encountered is: We didn't bother to think it was wrong.  Who are you to stop us from using anything in our bag o' tricks to take the grade we want?

Guys, it's not about the grade.  It's about learning.  Confusing the metric with the goal is common, and sad.  If you do not know the goal behind a metric, you had better figure it out or stop using the metric.

Good examples - seeking a goal:
"We want our church to grow to 220 members" - We want to spin off a church plant.
"We want to reduce cost in the production department by 10%" - We can reduce waste and increase genuine productivity.
"I want to get an A in Thermo 2 with Miner" - Want to be a competent MechE.

Bad Examples - seeking the result
"We want our church to grow to 220 members" - Preach a little less Christ and a little more fun.
"We want to reduce cost in the production department by 10%" - Let's defer maintenance.
"I want to get an A in Thermo 2 with Miner" - I'll cheat!

Same metrics.  Different focus. 

Different focus, different methods.

Different methods, different results.

How do you change your focus?  Be diligent in examining yourself to know why you are doing something.  If it's purely to hit a metric, you're off-track.  If a metric is a useful yardstick towards a real, good, goal, go for it.