Dangerously Sleepy

Sleep is often treated as a luxury we can’t afford, but the costs of skipping rest can be far greater than we realize.

1. Benjamin Franklin’s Evolving View on Sleep

In eighteenth-century America, Benjamin Franklin was a revered figure who influenced many societal norms, including attitudes toward sleep. Initially, Franklin advocated for proper rest as reflected in his famous saying, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” This advice encouraged people to embrace structured, restful sleep to stay productive and efficient.

Over time, however, Franklin’s sentiments shifted. By the 1740s, he began to view sleep as a thief of potential, claiming that only lazy people indulged in prolonged rest. His writings in Poor Richard’s Almanack took on a chastising tone, pressuring readers to stop wasting their lives in slumber. Franklin even stated that restful hours underground, in a coffin, were sufficient to “catch up” on sleep.

Franklin’s disdain for sleep might have been influenced by John Calvin, the Protestant reformer. Calvin famously dismissed rest as indulgence, preferring a tireless routine. When Calvin died at 55, Franklin eulogized him as someone who achieved great things because he sacrificed sleep for more meaningful work.

Examples

• Franklin’s encouraging early stance: “Early to bed, early to rise.”
• His stern later phrase: “There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”
• Admiration of John Calvin's sleepless productivity.

2. Thomas Edison Fueled a Sleep-Deprived Culture

Thomas Edison not only invented the light bulb but also set the stage for what modern Americans recognize as a culture of sleepless productivity. Edison’s light bulb enabled work to continue into the night, profoundly reshaping human behavior. Beyond his invention, he actively campaigned against what he saw as wasted time spent sleeping.

Edison boasted about his sleeplessness during public events, employing journalists to spread the idea that only the lazy needed significant rest. His commitment to minimal sleep extended into his hiring practices. Edison’s employees had to demonstrate their work endurance, often staying up for days at a time to meet deadlines.

Stories about Edison’s sleepless streaks became legend. For instance, Edison once stayed awake for 60 straight hours to perfect an electric filament. Books like Sarah Bolton’s "How Success is Won" cemented his reputation as a tireless, ideal worker, encouraging others to sacrifice sleep for success.

Examples

• Edison promoted light bulbs to enable all-night productivity.
• He hired workers based on their capacity for sleeplessness.
• His sleepless invention marathons were glorified in media.

3. Charles Lindbergh Linked Sleeplessness With Heroism

Charles Lindbergh’s record-breaking flight across the Atlantic in 1927 symbolized not only courage but also the supposed masculinity of staying awake under pressure. Piloting solo for over 33 hours, Lindbergh captured the imagination of a public that associated his feat with discipline and manly determination.

Throughout his planning and execution, Lindbergh avoided standard safety measures, such as carrying communication equipment, favoring reduced weight to make his plane airborne. Before taking off, the press lauded his meager hours of sleep as another sign of his readiness. Newspapers frequently focused on whether staying awake would prove to be his greatest challenge.

Although he appeared visibly exhausted after landing in Paris, Lindbergh fueled the myth of effortless sleeplessness by boasting to reporters about how easy it was to stay awake. His groggy state didn’t detract from the public’s admiration for his sleepless achievement as an act of ultimate human will.

Examples

• Lindbergh risked health and safety by flying 33 hours alone.
• Media emphasized sleeplessness as his primary hurdle.
• He contributed to the myth of sleepless energetic masculinity.

4. 1980s Business Leaders Embraced a Sleepless Ethic

The 1980s saw a surge in the glorification of sleeplessness in business culture. High-performing CEOs like Walmart’s Sam Walton showcased relentless schedules, treating sleep as an obstacle to success. Walton regularly started his workday at 6:00 a.m. and ended at midnight. On weekends, his staff attended demanding 7:00 a.m. meetings.

Books from this era reinforced the myth that less sleep equals greater productivity. Everett Mattlin’s "Sleep Less, Live More" and Ernest Hartmann’s research suggested that reduced sleep made individuals sharper and happier. Even diets were compared to the practice of cutting back on sleep, emphasizing long-term benefits of training oneself to rest less.

Business authors like Tom Peters idolized workaholic CEOs. His book "In Search of Excellence" praised Walton’s all-night inspections and wakefulness. Sleep was no longer seen as a biological need but rather a sign of weakness, holding ambitious workers back.

Examples

• Walton prepared for Saturday meetings starting at 2:00 a.m.
• Psychologists claimed six hours or less of sleep was optimal.
• Business books amplified sleeplessness as a workplace strength.

5. Donald Trump Cultivated the “Sleep is for Losers” Persona

Donald Trump further pushed the connection between sleep deprivation and success. Since the 1980s, he openly flaunted his four-hour sleep schedule as proof of unstoppable ambition. In books like "The Art of the Deal" and "Think Like a Billionaire," Trump advised emulating his methods, touting early mornings as a competitive advantage.

Beyond his books, Trump’s public statements reinforced the idea that successful people don’t sleep. He regularly mocked those who needed rest, calling them weak. Trump’s branding capitalized on this image, presenting himself as a tough, tireless leader who thrived on round-the-clock deal-making.

Even before his political career, his sleep-shunning persona shaped perceptions around hard work in male-dominated industries. Coupled with America’s hypermasculine culture, Trump ensured sleeplessness remained a symbol of success.

Examples

• Trump advocated for four-hour sleep schedules in his books.
• He derided rest as an indulgence for the complacent.
• His lifestyle choices influenced male executives worldwide.

6. Sports Culture Glorifies Sleepless Toughness

Professional sports have long upheld sleeplessness as a mark of dedication and endurance. NFL coaches like George Halas and George Allen set grueling examples. Halas worked 16-hour days for decades, while Allen famously slept in his office to avoid wasting time commuting.

The culture promotes a win-at-all-costs mentality that disregards personal health. Football players and staff are often celebrated for waking before sunrise and going to bed long after midnight. This ethos mirrors the sleepless American business mindset, tying restlessness with athletic excellence.

The problem is compounded by pressure on athletes and managers to perform non-stop under highly visible conditions. Meeting the demand often means sacrificing not just sleep but overall well-being, leaving long-term consequences unaddressed.

Examples

• Halas worked 16-hour days until his death.
• Allen slept in his office to maximize work hours.
• Football players undergo intense training schedules with little rest.

7. Sleep Deprivation Risks Detrimental Outcomes

While sleeplessness is often praised, its dangers are severe. Sleep-deprived decision-making can lead to errors that affect health and safety. The death of 18-year-old Libby Zion in 1984 highlighted these risks. Overworked medical staff failed to provide appropriate care, resulting in her death due to prescription errors.

The tragedy spurred action, leading to regulations aimed at reducing work hours for medical professionals. Committees introduced an 80-hour weekly limit for healthcare workers and mandated a 24-hour break to prevent exhaustion. However, comparable protections in other fields still lag.

The Libby Zion case demonstrates the broader consequences of prioritizing sleeplessness over well-being, offering a critical warning about its impact beyond professions.

Examples

• Overwork in healthcare led to Libby Zion’s preventable death.
• New York implemented 80-hour work week limits post-tragedy.
• Many other industries still lack protective regulations.

Takeaways

1. Prioritize sleep by planning your day to ensure at least seven hours of rest. Optimize productivity within waking hours instead of cutting rest.
2. Support systemic changes in industries to regulate fair working hours and promote health-conscious environments.
3. Challenge cultural norms that glorify all-nighters and sleepless lifestyles; value rest as an essential component of true productivity and creativity.