would maximizing for that lead to a better life?
Possibly only from the perspective of the falling guy. It's a bit like becoming an astronaut because it's what your five year old self wanted.
I "look down" several times a day and enjoy letting the falling guy rule my life. He's so simple; "all I have are these few seconds, what did you do with all yours?" The only answer he's satisfied by is "everything I could that I wanted as best I can."