The relationship between a self balancing system and a paradox

So let's say somebody wants to optimize. They spend days recording all their actions, thoughts, outputs, expectations... however they have too much fun spending all their time tracking their actions, and actually get nothing done. Eventually they are just tracking their tracking, except for the occasional bathroom break and meal. That's so meta

SO there is clearly some balance to be found within optimizing. Spend 0 time optimizing, and have some output, spend all your time optimizing, and have not so much output. There's a goldilocks point

But what does this have to do with a paradox?

I find that a paradox is the point where I can usually allow an argument to remain, content to its futility beyond that point.

Here's a paradox: somebody wants to go on a date, but when somebody takes them up on it, it turns out they didn't want it; the paradox of wanting. Of course you can't necessarily want what you already have. Maybe you can want more of it...

There's some cool connection to be made between a dampening system like friction.

And how games are good when there's some sort of reduction; if you started moving faster and faster you'd lose control, but if you slide to a stop, it's a good mechanic