That is to say, Zero is the optimal in an imaginary system, where cows are spherical and you can make all the assumptions you want.
Once you start working with real world systems with more and complex constraints, the simple story goes away, and perfection is not possible.
The phrasing challenges the reader to question the model with which they are using to define optimal.
"Conforming or limited to the simplest, nonfigurative, or most obvious meaning of a word or words. "
"Word for word; verbatim."
Taking the sentence in question verbatim would be "some fraud is optimal". The nuanced (non-literal) interpretation is what Thomas wrote.
That is to say, Zero is the optimal in an imaginary system, where cows are spherical and you can make all the assumptions you want.
Once you start working with real world systems with more and complex constraints, the simple story goes away, and perfection is not possible.
The phrasing challenges the reader to question the model with which they are using to define optimal.