I think that the reason those examples of purposeful inefficiency are comforting is that they subtly signal our brains that resources are relatively abundant. W

I think that the reason those examples of purposeful inefficiency are comforting is that they subtly signal our brains that resources are relatively abundant. When things are perfectly optimized and scheduled even though you rationally know that there is leeway it somehow trains your brain to feel like you are always on the edge of deprivation.