There is a way to frame category theory such that it's all just arrows -- by associating the identity arrow (which all objects have by definition) with the object itself. In a sense, the object is syntactic sugar.
That's a feature of todo lists I think. Well, perhaps not for ADHD per se, but it's a way also to offload and let go of things. At least that's what I remember the lifehack character on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy said.
Sounds to me like trolling. Pressumably they were using the map editor to make warp zones and trigger areas and discovered this impish creation by combining the two. I doubt Romero knew about this trick but I can imagine he left the question open whether ever a way could be found. Such things may not be obvious even to the programmer of the game.