Hi, I’d like to present an idea:

“Clarity can be thought of as the third derivative of a self–actualization function.”

 

Before I get any further into this idea on maths and method, I should address first an obvious flaw; Namely, that thinking humanity a concept abstract enough to qualify for the rigor demanded by the formal sciences is precisely the sort of egregious mistake that has led us in the past to conclusions such as those of Karl Pearson and his equation of inferior races[1]. It is the mistake we make when we attempt to correlate the unquantifiable with the unrelated, it’s akin to hocus-pocus of astrologists, the gobbledygook of witch-doctors, or the occasional Nobel prize awarded to an economist.[2]

Yet these unsightly follies notwithstanding, it would remiss of us to wholeheartedly ignore the considerable merit arithmetic operations can offer in other areas of our lives. The insightful words of Viktor Frankl come to mind, enriching us in his description of desperation by an equation:

“D = S – M”[3]; suffering without meaning. Or likewise, in the epic tale that gave rise to the Dark Forest theory, building upon the 2 axioms and 2 concepts of cosmic sociology.[4] In this sense such ideas are confined beyond the realm of certainty or prediction; narrowed exclusively, rather, into a line of thought—but a line nonetheless, from which one may infer a direction.

 

The individual engaged in the Comfort War is similarly confined; unable to think clearly, aware of his/herself and discontent by it but only for brief moments, consumed by their own insatiable passion, succumbing to an ever-encroaching pervasiveness of cheap comforts, spread-thin by a deafening, yet unknown challenge. He/she finds their redemption in clarity, in pursuing it—even if only for its own sake. They unleash their sense of drive and obsession by leaving it ungratified by prefabricated stimulus; by uncovering and molding their fear. They learn eventually to thrive off stress, and experience like they never have, or could ever expect before. After all, this is the crux of finding yourself in the Comfort War; the lack of clarity. And in the simple and consistent dedication to a daily reminder—lies all the potential in the world.

 

 

So, let’s go on and establish this premise—and should you accept it—the mathematical implications. First, let’s suppose an aggregated combination of all the measures an individual seeks to self-actualize, folded into a single dimension and plotted on a y-axis as it relates to time. What we have as a result is a simple motion graph; position over time.

 

This “position”, as you can imagine—your position as you relate to self-actualization—must be uniquely described. Skills, as we’re all aware, tend to have distinct limits; this is often portrayed with an S curve[5]—arching both near the upper and lower margins.

As you improve at anything, your progress is at first slow, then considerable, and finally curbed again near the boundaries of human potential. But that, of course, isn’t the end of the story—because at that lower limit, with every small improvement, you’re several multiples better than your old self, and at the very top—every bloody inch counts.

For example, ever since people have begun keeping track, a sub-4 minute mile has been broken over 6000 times by athlete runners. 3:55 has been broken roughly 1400 times. 3:50 has been broken roughly 151 times, and 3:45 has been broken 6 times by a total of 3 men[6]. One could argue whether or not a 3:40 mile is even possible, but what is undeniable is that the closer we’ve gotten to such a potential limit,