You’re accusing me of saying the opposite of what you quoted me. Intelligent people understand there are many considerations that make pay percentage numbers of greater or lesser value that must all ultimately be considered. Yes, some take an overly simplistic approach to pay percentages, but talking numbers can be useful provided it’s accompanied by the understanding that they live on a sliding scale.

My frustration is that many who are advocating lower percentages are also generally advocating a lower total package. It’s not “let’s take a lower rate & make sure the total package beats them by 10%”; more like “let’s come in slightly below them on pay & try to get one or two other things”.