Could Humans Become Nocturnal?

from Flash Forward · host Rose Eveleth

Today’s episode is about a future where humans get weird with sleep. First, what if we tried to take shifts all day, every day? Second, what if we tried to become nocturnal?Guests: Dr. Matthew Wolf-Meyer, an associate professor of anthropology at Binghamton University and author of The Slumbering Masses: Sleep, Medicine, and Modern American Life. Sarah Kaplan, a science reporter at the Washington Post who’s worked the night shift. Dr. Bala Koritala, a researcher at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Alexandra Mariani, a listener who works the night shift at a hospital. Kelton Minor, a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science. Dr. Kaitlyn Gaynor, a researcher at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. Voice Actors: Aiya Islam Anjali Kunapaneni → → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ← Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky.Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // [email protected] the show: Patreon // DonorboxSubscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify Episode Sponsors: REALM: Part podcast studio, part magical refuge. One of their most recent series is Spider King. After taking the rap for a crime he didn’t commit, an incarcerated Black man makes a dangerous bargain to earn his freedom. For fans of Jordan Peele and Lovecraft Country, this poignant and intimate body-horror narrative eviscerates the prison industrial complex while exploring the traumas that arise as a result of it. Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd. Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward. Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more. Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants! \ More about ads and data privacy on Flash Forward here (scroll to the bottom).Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What this episode covers

Today’s episode is about a future where humans get weird with sleep. First, what if we tried to take shifts all day, every day? Second, what if we tried to become nocturnal? Guests: Dr. Matthew Wolf-Meyer, an associate professor of anthropology at Binghamton University and author of The Slumbering Masses: Sleep, Medicine, and Modern American Life. Sarah Kaplan, a science reporter at the Washington Post who’s worked the night shift. Dr. Bala Koritala, a researcher at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Alexandra Mariani, a listener who works the night shift at a hospital. Kelton Minor, a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen Center for Social Data Science. Dr. Kaitlyn Gaynor, a researcher at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. Voice Actors: Aiya Islam Anjali Kunapaneni → → → Further reading & resources here! ← ← ← Flash Forward is hosted by, Rose Eveleth and produced by Julia Llinas Goodman. The intro music is by Asura and the outtro music is by Hussalonia. The episode art is by Matt Lubchansky. Get in touch: Twitter // Facebook // Reddit // [email protected] Support the show: Patreon // Donorbox Subscribe: iTunes // Soundcloud // Spotify Episode Sponsors: REALM: Part podcast studio, part magical refuge. One of their most recent series is Spider King. After taking the rap for a crime he didn’t commit, an incarcerated Black man makes a dangerous bargain to earn his freedom. For fans of Jordan Peele and Lovecraft Country, this poignant and intimate body-horror narrative eviscerates the prison industrial complex while exploring the traumas that arise as a result of it. Shaker & Spoon: A subscription cocktail service that helps you learn how to make hand-crafted cocktails right at home. Get $20 off your first box at shakerandspoon.com/ffwd. Tab for a Cause: A browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing your thing online. Whenever you open a new tab, you’ll see a beautiful photo and a small ad. Part of that ad money goes toward a charity of your choice! Join team Advice For And From The future by signing up at tabforacause.org/flashforward. Tavour: Tavour is THE app for fans of beer, craft brews, and trying new and exciting labels. You sign up in the app and can choose the beers you’re interested in (including two new ones DAILY) adding to your own personalized crate. Use code: flashforward for $10 off after your first order of $25 or more. Purple Carrot: Purple Carrot is THE plant-based subscription meal kit that makes it easy to cook irresistible meals to fuel your body. Each week, choose from an expansive and delicious menu of dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and snacks! Get $30 off your first box by going to www.purplecarrot.com and entering code FLASH at checkout today! Purple Carrot, the easiest way to eat more plants! \ More about ads and data privacy on Flash Forward here (scroll to the bottom). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices