I don't think it's particularly helpful to think of them in those terms. We usually keep our important buffs up most of the time if we're any good at our jobs, so we experience the buff's effects relative to what buffs we'll have before and after. We are encouraged to eyeball mob HP bars and percentages rather than do mental arithmetic; after all, the official UI does not show mob HP values. I think this is the more helpful way for DPS to understand their pacing and throughput in this game. i push the buttons and the mans fall down

I actually get a poor impression of players who think how much damage they just crit for is interesting or has anything to do with DPS skill. It was predestined by the gear you brought to raid, pal! Damage is only half the equation. For the other half... that's you.