Nithin Kamath (co-founder and CEO of Zerodha) has ignited a debate on social media regarding the appropriateness of gross domestic product (GDP) as a measure of progress. He notes that GDP, developed by economist Simon Kuznets in the 1940s, was intended to reflect the state of the American economy during the Great Depression, focusing on production metrics rather than public welfare. Kamath argues that this outdated measure equates harmful activities, like environmental destruction, with economic growth. He emphasizes that GDP fails to differentiate between beneficial and detrimental economic activities, citing examples such as the economic impact of a widower marrying his housekeeper or the consequences of overfishing. Kamath's critique aligns with concerns raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who highlighted that destructive actions can inflate GDP figures. The conversation around GDP's inadequacies has led to calls for alternative measures, such as the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), which incorporates social and environmental factors. Reports from McKinsey & Co and the UN have also suggested the need for new metrics that better capture sustainable development and well-being, moving beyond a singular focus on GDP.