Social Currency: The Evolution of Sleep from Weakness to Wealth

Nov 26, 2024

30:56

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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