3 ms·
It is, I think, often more enlightening to ask the question "why do we awaken"? I wonder if, a long time ago, some animal evolved the ability to enter brief pe
by wyager 11y ago
It is, I think, often more enlightening to ask the question "why do we awaken"?
I wonder if, a long time ago, some animal evolved the ability to enter brief periods of elevated activity. This was obviously highly advantageous for e.g. escaping predators, so over time this animal evolved to sustain this temporary boost for longer periods. Today, animals can sustain this boosted state for the majority of their lifetime. It is merely a matter of perspective that leads us to consider wakefulness to be "normal" and sleep to be something out of the ordinary.
- jacquesm 11y agoYou already answered the question: if you keep on sleeping you're vulnerable and being vulnerable over a longer period of time equates to certain death. So we awaken to stay alive when the cover of night disappears.
- sudoherethere 11y agoSo plants are just sleeping animals, sort of. I kind of like this.
- dharma1 11y agoSome animals sleep the majority of their lives - some bats for instance http://chartsbin.com/view/1923 http://chartsbin.com/view/1923