Perfection Is an Asymptote (published in 2021)

Perfection, like infinity, is a concept that is difficult for the human mind to grasp. What is perfection, really?

Is it God?

Is it world around us?

Is it the natural order of things?

Maybe it’s easier to view perfection as something that we can get closer to but can never fully reach, kind of like an oasis in the desert. At first, it’s easy to make strides towards it; we can become more compassionate, we can work with purpose, and we can live unselfishly. Depending on our values, we may also implement constructive habits such as learning, teaching, reading, and reflection, all to chip away at our “perfect” selves in hopes of one day unearthing it completely. Basically, it’s definitely clear to to see which actions are “more perfect” than others in the beginning.

Upon further consideration, however, you come to realize that true perfection becomes harder and harder to reach until eventually we notice that it can never be achieved, at least in the terrestrial sense. There will always be something that can be improved upon, even if by 1%. We think a pay raise of 10,000 dollars will bring us closer to the perfect vision we have of ourselves, or a few pounds off our bodies, or even just a new set of clothes. Like many other things in life, though, our visions and expectations have unstable foundations, and will inevitably collapse before the cycle restarts and perpetuates.