Sleeping our way to a better future

Ever since entering into the Faculty of Environmental design I have been grappling with meeting deadlines and functioning off little sleep. The question that often pops into my head after a 16 hour school day is WHY? Why do we need to do so much in so little time? This question doesn't only apply to this faculty, but in all different professions, life styles and cultures throughout developed worlds. Just looking in the past 100 hundred years we see such an explosive rate of technological advancements and change. Twenty years ago most people didn't even have a cell phone, now most people don't keep the same phone for more than one year. I'm not suggesting that human development is something that is negative, but perhaps the rate that we are developing at is just too fast. The rest of planet earth is struggling to keep up with our needs and demands. Ground water aquifers are been pumped so fast they can't be replenished, soil erosion is happening at a rate where nutrients in the soil can't restore itself, forests, wetlands aren't given enough time to regenerate leaving many species of animals homeless and vulnerable to extinction. Is it absolutely necessary to have twelve hour plus work days? 

Reflecting on our own North American culture, why are we so keen on having everything as fast as possible and why have we built a consumer culture that only wants to consume more? This 'have it now' mentality resonates throughout a variety of aspects in our culture. From our food sector with fast food restaurants where a full meal is ready under one minute, to electronics where after a year a technology is considered 'outdated'. With all the gizmos, gadgets, toys, and things to do in this day and age, we feel like there's so much that needs to be done and so little time to do it. This way of living isn't good for our health or our mental state. What I would like to really know is does it have to be this way (I'm open to anything)? I've been dabbling with the idea that if everyone got more sleep, it would be better for the environment and the overall health of people in general. When we sleep we use minimal amounts of energy compared to when we are awake. No lights, t.v.s, laptops, Blackberrys, etc. are in use consuming energy. With more sleep, people would feel healthier, more alert, and probably more productive. I understand that the production and flow of goods might be slower if we all slept a bit more and worked less, but the slower rate of production could mean a slower rate of consumption. With happier, healthier workers the quality and life span of products would be higher. 

 

I know this more sleeping solution is unrealistic to many people, but I think we do need to start asking more questions about why the way things are and ask if they can be changed to create a better functioning society? When creating new technologies and products we should keep in mind if the product will take time away from the consumer or will it make their lives easier? And there is a difference between a product that is an unnecessary distraction and products that are designed for the health and well being of people. For example, instead of creating more fast food joints, why not have more locally produced food markets so it's more accessible and affordable to cook you own meals? We shouldn't be afraid to question anything and everything. If more questions are being asked, more answers will be produced. Being complacent is no longer an option for the challenges we must face in the years to come. 

In relation to our last lecture about colour, I cam across another blog which touches on the subject of colour and sleep. The blog describes the different effects different colours have on the body. They also give examples of architecture specifically designed for sleep and napping rooms running at $12 for a 20 min nap.