Restless Planet: Sleep Dysfunction on a Global Scale

This episode examines the transition of sleep from a **natural, segmented rhythm** to a **private, industrial resource** that is frequently neglected in the modern era. The sources highlight how **chronic sleep deprivation** destabilizes human physiology and cognitive performance, often without the individual realizing their own impairment. Special attention is given to the **vulnerability of youth** and the dangerous **institutional normalization** of exhaustion within high-stakes fields like medicine and aviation. Rather than viewing rest as a lifestyle choice, the material frames global sleep dysfunction as a **macroeconomic crisis** and a threat to social stability. Ultimately, the collection advocates for a **systemic cultural shift** that treats sleep as part of the essential biological infrastructure for human potential.