I repeat that wisdom about performance optimization more frequently than my coworkers probably like, but it can still be taken too far. If you have two approaches that are equally clear and equally easy, take the one that you expect to be more performant.
In this case, we have two lubricants that are apparently interchangeable. One we know has potential downsides (petroleum based oils are known to be harmful to the ground when spilled; this is part of why we have laws against doing so); one does not. Pick the one that doesn't, since all else is effectively equal.
Even in that situation it is still worth asking what order of magnitude the performance difference will be. If a junior engineer codes up the slower one, should they rewrite it or is it not worth the time?
I just don’t understand why environmentalists sometimes get so indignant when asked about the effect size of the interventions they call for. There’s a million low effort lifestyle chances that would be better for the environment, it is a totally fair question to ask if we want to maximize impact
In this case, we have two lubricants that are apparently interchangeable. One we know has potential downsides (petroleum based oils are known to be harmful to the ground when spilled; this is part of why we have laws against doing so); one does not. Pick the one that doesn't, since all else is effectively equal.