Wondering how many humans have a high level of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? The kind where they are obsessed with order, maintenance, cleanliness, and doing things right (perceived notions of right anyway).
Imagine how many humans regularly clean their toasters and their bathroom mirrors. How many people do regular maintenance on their cars and other machines? How many get a chance to do this meaning how many aren’t overwhelmed with other hardships of life is an altogether different topic.
I think given that the majority of people are in dire need of necessities, let us assume the sampling data to be very small, because only fairly fortunate people are in the situation to take that much control of their lives. But even for this small percentage of people, taking charge of minute things like these might not be as easy as it seems. First, because, they can easily get by without having to take care of these highly obsessed behaviors, also a result of their privilege. As in why would one put time and energy into cleaning their toaster when they can just replace it with a new one when they want it? So it has to be a part of one’s fundamental nature to be absorbed in chasing perfection and order. So, finally, my wondering is, how many of this small subset of people who have this kind of deep OCD about things, also treat their physical health and mental health as a machine? How many of them have it so deep-rooted to look at everything in this robotic way? Treating our own physical and mental health in terms of a machine does seem quite mechanical and robotic, right?
So, I am wondering how many humans think about themselves as some kind of machines that need to be performing optimally and then take actions to do the things needed for that optimal performance. For all software developers out there, have you ever given a thought to optimizing your life the way you try to do with your code?
Could it be intellectual to look at ourselves as some machines and constantly obsess over becoming our most efficient version? Would it make total sense to take out the human aspect and just treat our mind and body as a machine that needs X, Y, and Z tasks to be carried out periodically to maintain optimum performance? Should this be taught as a subject in all stages of academic life?
Taking a break, going with the wind, and being happy-go-lucky, all sounds and seems romantic and romantic it is. It may land one in the right direction and help them make a happy and fulfilling life out of it, but let’s be real, how many of us can afford to take the route of randomness? Instead, if we learn to look at ourselves as a machine from the very start, and are taught the importance of maintaining ourselves through periodic tasks, hacks, and reviews, we might be a much more efficient race and lead crazy fulfilling lives that we daydream about! Why are we leaving this extremely important subject of dealing with life up to everyone to figure out for themselves? Why isn’t this the first and foremost thing we get to learn in our life?
