Posted: October 24th, 2022

Envisioning a world without sleep

Envisioning a world without sleep
It would be interesting to envision a world without sleep. A world where sleep does not exist and whereby human beings don’t have the urge to sleep. It would mean that human beings would have 24 hours all to themselves. Consequently, they would have more time to work, socialise and explore other aspects of life. There are certain effects that would arise from such a world. This review looks into some of the effects of living in such a world.
Physical effects
Living in a world where there is no sleep would mean people would have more time to engage in all these activities that they love and probably take up a hobby. Individuals would not have an excuse that they have no time tone their bodies. Which is an excuse currently. People say that they are too busy to engage in physical activities. Human beings would have more time to join a gym, join a club or do yoga. Consequently, we would have less and less individuals fighting obesity and high blood pressure.
Furthermore, human beings would have the advantage of time on their side hence they would plan activities ahead. As a result of this, it would be more viable to take a walk to work due to the advantage of time rather than using transport. The move would go a long way in improving the physical health of human beings.
Behavioural effects
Human expectations would change. Without sleep you would be required to handle issues or concerns as soon as you receive them. For instance, your boss would now be justified to ask you to answer to his or her concerns promptly and at odd hours beyond working hours. Furthermore, your bosses would place more pressure on their work force to work longer hours and longer shifts. Such a move would be against labour laws. The behavioural effect of this that employees would experience burn out. Working for long hours especially in repetitive jobs would mean that they would be less enthusiastic to handle their jobs. Consequently, there would be several behavioural side effects. For example there would be reduction in concentration in handling tasks, reduction in creativity and innovation.
Human behaviour such as buying homes would change. People would be less interested in home. Why would you need a house anyway? This is because a home is viewed as where you can retire after a long day for a much needed rest. Now without the need to sleep, a house would be unnecessary. You could have a shower or change of clothes at your workplace or in public restrooms and store your stuff in store or in the trunk of your car.
Social effects
Human beings would be more extroverts. People would have more time to spend with their loved ones. They would also have more time to do activities that they love doing as a family or friends. It would lead to an increase in social activities and events. Family bonds and relationships would also be strengthened since people have time for each other.
Crime would reduce. Crime motivating factors such as deserted streets and low activity would no longer be guaranteed. Streets would more lit up with people as they carry on with their daily activities. With this extra time, people would also be dying to be entertained. Consequently, there would be an increase in drug usage and industries centred on sexuality would also boom.
There would be a different approach to Media. Songs about sleeping and dreams would no longer exist. All this extra time would mean that there would be demand for artists to keep people entertained. Furthermore, the artists would have more time to perfect their art. Coupled with the likelihood of more artists entering the scene means that human beings would be more entertained. The demand would create pressure on the industry to diversify and produce quality content.
An increase in time for socialising would however have a downside. Increase in social activities would mean not having a down time. A time when you can sit back and just relax. People would get more and more worn out when they are always around their loved ones, an important aspect of life that is brought by sleep. It would also lead to lose of interactions that are built around sleeping. Such as bed time stories for kids.
Economic effects
The world would evolve into a fully 24 hour economy. People could now take up more than one job. Hence their economic strength would increase. Furthermore, people would be more willing to spend money because a world full of activities needs more resources to keep it moving. For example, individuals would consume more meals.
Despite the economic gains, certain aspects of the economy would be affected. For instance, technology would be adversely affected. Lack of sleep means also losing the ability to dream. Most of the technological advancements, are inspired by dreams for example Google, Einstein’s theory of Relativity and the Periodic table. The entertainment industry would also be affected. Various movies, pieces of literature and various forms of art are inspired by dreams. The hospitality business would also be affected. This is because less and less people would require to spend time in a hotel.
Living in a world without sleep would introducing interest aspects of human life. Such as increasing human interactions, increase in people taking up hobbies, improving the economy and reduction in crime. On the flip side, it would lead to reduction in technological advancement, increase in work pressure and less enthusiasm at work places.