For many people precise instructions imply that you need to be precise when executing them, i.e. if you deviate you ruined it. Most recipes however are not like that and the tolerances are actually huge.

>On the contrary, it’s easier than trying to guess what the author had in mind when they wrote “a pinch” or “a handful”.

Again, I think you're missing the fact that whatever the author had in mind isn't "right". Do whatever feels right to you and as long as your senses are calibrated (there'll be a short period of adjustment while you learn how ingredients work) it'll come out better than if you'd measured and you'll enjoy it more too.