Ok, here is one for the you.  If you are a Batesian then please don't
reply.

As noted before, my RX is:

Sph   Cyl   Axis Add
-0.50 -0.25 165  +0.75 OD
plano -0.75 040  +0.75 OS

I have not tried bifocals yet, but do have both distance and
reading glasses made from that RX.

The distance glasses are ok for computer work and even for
reading tho the reading glasses are better for both (of course).

Since a very large percentage of my normal day involves close
vision work, I was wondering how terrible it would be if I used a
single vision pair of glasses using:

Sph   Cyl   Axis
-0.25 -0.25 165
+0.25 -0.75 040

If I am understanding the optics correctly, then this would be a
slight improvement for close work and would maybe still work well
enough for general distance work.

Is this a silly idea?

Would the be likely to be dangerous for driving?

I know I would want to ask my own O.D. before trying this, but I am
asking *you* right now (if you are not a Bates follower).  Note that I
can get a pair like that for $13 to experiment with, so if this is not
silly or dangerous then it could easily be worth the cost of trying a
pair.