How did getting enough sleep transform from a sign of laziness to the ultimate luxury status symbol?

In this episode of Follow the Rabbit, Igor and Johannes explore how sleep has evolved from being seen as a weakness in hustle culture to becoming a luxury status symbol. Through examining historical shifts, technological innovations, and cultural changes, they reveal how proper rest became a marker of privilege and success.

The conversation traces this evolution from Matthew Walker's influential book "Why We Sleep" to Kim Kardashian's viral sleep scores, showing how scientific research and social media have transformed our relationship with rest. They discuss how this shift has spawned a billion-dollar industry of high-end mattresses, sleep tracking devices, and luxury sleep retreats, while also examining the deeper socioeconomic implications of who gets access to quality sleep.

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction & Historical Context 

02:02 The Waterbed Era & Early Sleep Luxury 

03:50 From Hustle Culture to Sleep Science 08:08 Technology's Role in Sleep Tracking 

10:31 Sleep as Social Currency 

13:24 The Luxury Sleep Industry 

17:34 Hotels & Travel: The Sleep Experience 

19:59 Class & Environmental Sleep Factors 

22:33 The Huberman Effect & Lifestyle Changes 

23:46 Orthosomnia: When Sleep Tracking Backfires 

26:51 Practical Applications & Lessons 

30:42 Closing Thoughts

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Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes Kleske

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