I Can't Think of a Title

Awhile back I decided that I would rather wear-out than rust-out, like an old car.  And I am getting my wish, sort of.  I am wearing out with great alacrity (I’m not sure if that’s the word I’m looking for, but I like the way it sounds).  The meat suit itself is well worn, and the various parts, systems, and accessories are wearing out independently, and at varying rates.

At first it all went pretty well.  Normal, everyday activities seemed to activate the wearing-out processes.  I didn’t even have to think about it.  I just went about my daily business, wearing out as I went.  But there came a day when I had no choice but to think about it.

The wearing-out processes require increasing amounts of energy, with necessary periods of idleness to restore depleted energy.  As the process goes on energy is used up faster and faster, and the recharging takes longer and longer.  This presents two problems, first, the idleness causes lethargy, and it’s hard to get back to wearing-out things after sitting around too long.  The second problem, related to the first but more important, is that as soon as idleness relaxes the wear-out mechanisms, the rust-out processes set in.  The more I’m idle, the rustier I get.  Like when I get up after 4 or 5 hours of binge watching old TV shows, every joint in my body feels like a hinge of a rusty gate.  Self-medication helps pass the time, but it also increases lethargy.

It doesn't make much difference in the long run.  So wear-out when you can, rust-out when you must.  It's two ways of achieving the same result.