As technology continues to infiltrate every aspect of our lives, it now sets its sight on a new frontier: sleep. Sleep technology, or “sleep tech,” is fast becoming a booming industry, enabling tracking, analysis, and even gamification of sleep. But, with the potential of targeted dream incubation and sleep commodification, the question arises: Will our dreams be the next product on sale?
Sleep Tech Revolution
Sleep tech has made significant strides in the recent past. These advances have allowed us to monitor and analyze sleep patterns in ways never before possible. From wearables to specialized bedding, the technology offers a plethora of tools to track our sleep, driving us towards the pursuit of the “ideal sleep.” However, this constant monitoring may lead to a condition called orthosomnia, an unhealthy obsession with achieving perfect sleep.
Dream Incubation & Commodification
As the sleep technology market grows, so does the ambitious nature of its aspirations. Futurists are now looking at the prospect of genetically modifying and controlling dreams. However, the notion of our dreams being guided or influenced raises many ethical concerns, such as the potential for subliminal advertising. If our dreams can be directed, it’s not far-fetched to think that they might be put up for sale.
Socioeconomic Disparities
While games like “Pokémon Sleep” make attempts to address sleep issues, access to and the socioeconomic implications of these technologies cannot be ignored. There’s a real risk of sleep becoming a luxury available only to those who can afford these technologies, widening the gap between socioeconomic classes.
Nature’s Perspective on Sleep
Interestingly, new studies on birds’ sleep patterns show that dreaming is a common phenomenon across different species. During REM sleep, birds’ brain regions associated with visual processing and flight movement show strong activity, suggesting that they dream of flying. This not only enhances our understanding of sleep’s role in maintaining brain health but also implies that dreaming has a long evolutionary history.
While sleep tech opens up exciting new avenues for understanding and improving sleep, it also brings with it a host of ethical and societal concerns. As we stride towards a future where dreams could potentially be manipulated, sold, or even turned into a luxury, we must tread cautiously and keep the sanctity of sleep intact.