The Cult of Optimization: Why We Let AI Schedule Our Lives
jonathanmendez · x · 2026-08-04
The article explores the growing modern phenomenon of the 'cult of optimization.' With the rise of AI, people increasingly quantify every aspect of their lives—such as sleep, diet, exercise, and work—relying on algorithms to find the most efficient schedules.
The author traces the historical roots of this mindset, noting that modern optimization emerged during World War II to solve complex US military logistics problems. However, as this logic of extreme efficiency and data-driven metrics shifts from industrial machinery to personal daily routines, it prompts deep reflection on whether humanity is becoming overly dependent on algorithms and losing its autonomy.
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