Let us take an example to illustrate the mindset of optimization: The Microsoft Windows 10 Operating system. It is an unusual O.S., different from all earlier ones starting from Windows 98. It stayed strongly present on the market for many years, unlike any other Windows OS. However, it is filled with a lot of unnecessary options and services that make the computer slower and consume a lot more energy and time than it should be. The processors need more time and energy, the RAM needs are increased, the hard drive writing cycles are multiplied, the monitor needs more power, and the battery depletes quickly. All of this is in exchange for having Windows 10 ready to use for most people with minimum intervention from the user.
We can argue that this is useful either for a lazy user or a busy user who has the money and does not mind paying a lot more. Other than that, the majority want to save money, especially when it is paid for things that they don’t need and will almost never use. If they ever need these options, they can download and activate them if they know how. So, it’s a matter of Knowledge now. People who have Knowledge or Know others who have it, can save money, keep their normal laptops working at their best, and don’t need to buy a new one which will run useless “stuff” again anyway.
Psychologically, we can make the hypothesis that the developers and managers behind Windows 10 were scared of the competition of the Smartphones that rose exponentially in sales [1] [2] [3] and started to be used massively[4] [5] [6] [7].
The smartphone OS is not Microsoft’s design but Google’s and Apple’s. Windows 10 strategy for Laptops succeeded but they have almost no control over the smartphone market. Microsoft tried to make Windows extremely easy to use, user-friendly, maintain, and update itself. However, the new Laptop prices equipped with Windows 10 were relatively high compared to the cost of manufacturing a laptop and electronic equipment in general which is becoming cheaper and available over time, not the opposite.
Optimizing is a matter of perspective and mindsets: Do I want to spend some time or money to make what I Have, or what is accessible, suitable for me? Do I prefer to let the designers make decisions for me, and prepare everything for me even if they impose on me a lot that I don’t need and will always bother me, and then ask me to pay a lot more for it?!
Indeed, The Widows Case is an illustration of a mindset and a lifestyle. Am I busy or lazy? If I’m none of them, it means I’m isolated and don’t participate in Society. If I’m one of the two, then I’m involved either as a producer or as a consumer. If I’m mostly busy producing and don’t have time to optimize, it means I will have to keep buying new services and items over and over again. Am I OK with this Lifestyle? Since I am producing and being rewarded for my production, I have the capacity to invest. Since I need novelty, anyway, optimizing doesn’t ‘suit’ my psychology and the lifestyle that I want. Good to have things cleared out. The person who is talking right now is more likely an ESTP, ESFP, ENTP, or ENFP.
Moving to another category of people: I’m busy with both consuming and producing. Consuming costs me money, time, and energy. Can’t produce more to earn more, so I need to limit my consumption and optimize. I like to optimize for myself but feel lazy optimizing for others. I’m more likely an ISTJ, ISFJ, INFJ, or INTJ.
Let’s see now in case I’m busy managing. By default, I like optimizing for others, but not for myself. I feel too lazy to optimize for myself. I’m more likely an ESTJ, ENTJ, ESFJ, or ENFJ.
Lastly, If I was determined about what I want and need, I should allocate all my resources to that. However, I desire new things or experiences that I didn’t want, need, or thought about before. Need to find a psychological balance between my determination and these new desires. Optimize from one side but spend on the other side. I’m more likely an ISFP, ISTP, INFP, or INTP.
Therefore, you are one of these 4 types of people. Try to identify yourself with one of them. If you can’t, you need more introspection or help from a mentor. These are broad categories but precise enough to give you a glimpse of your “optimization style”.
Now do you feel or think you should Optimize Windows 10?! Haha. Hope you have the answer by now!
[1] “Global Smartphone Market Share: Quarterly – Counterpoint.” Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/insights/global-smartphone-share/
[2] “Smartphones sales are finally booming, and Apple is all set to win big, say researchers | ZDNET.” Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.zdnet.com/article/smartphones-sales-are-finally-booming-and-apple-is-all-set-to-win-big-say-researchers/
[3] S. M. published, “Apple and Samsung success sees huge rise in global smartphone sales,” TechRadar. Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.techradar.com/news/apple-and-samsung-success-sees-huge-rise-in-global-smartphone-sales
[4] “Smartphone Vs Laptop: Which Should You Get? 2023 | MedCPU.” Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://medcpu.com/smartphone-vs-laptop/
[5] “How does smartphone shopping differ from laptop shopping? – RetailWire.” Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://retailwire.com/discussion/how-does-smartphone-shopping-differ-from-laptop-shopping/
[6] “Time spent on average on a smartphone in the U.S. 2021,” Statista. Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1224510/time-spent-per-day-on-smartphone-us/
[7] “Computer vs. Smartphone.” Accessed: Jan. 08, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001398.htm
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