The spectrum of animal happiness
February 10, 2015 8:33 AM   Subscribe

Sarah Hird answers the question, Why do Mammals Sleep? A winner is announced in the SMBC-inspired 2014 Festival of Bad Ad Hoc Hypotheses.

BAHFest, previously here and here.
posted by fredludd (13 comments total) 29 users marked this as a favorite
 
That's hilarious--and she nails the landing, too.
posted by yoink at 8:47 AM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


I've always thought that her operating principle was self-evident and was surprised that other people didn't see it likewise: sure sleep feels nice and has all sorts of benefits, but obviously its main function is to give us some relief from the never-ending burden of existence. Being is exhausting!
posted by tempythethird at 8:50 AM on February 10, 2015


Is this why my brain treats sleep like an enemy?
posted by Flashman at 8:57 AM on February 10, 2015


I kept finding myself thinking "wait, that's not right", and then realizing "wait, it's not supposed to be right".
posted by benito.strauss at 9:06 AM on February 10, 2015 [3 favorites]


I was there! Um... that is all
posted by jcruelty at 9:10 AM on February 10, 2015


This makes sense. I sleep so I can dream about being a giraffe.
posted by mule98J at 9:12 AM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


That's where I'm a Viking, battling against the never-ending burden of existence!
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:13 AM on February 10, 2015 [1 favorite]


This explains why dolphins sleep with half their brains: they are happier.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:16 AM on February 10, 2015


This must explain why all those people who scoff and say, "well I only need 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night, max," are so smugly self-satisfied.
posted by phunniemee at 9:43 AM on February 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


Are you sure they are not just pleased at getting away with calling everyone Max?
posted by srboisvert at 9:49 AM on February 10, 2015 [9 favorites]


I knew it!
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:52 AM on February 10, 2015


This is awesome. It made me laugh, and I am totally going to believe this to be true. Don't show me any evidence that this hypothesis is wrong.
posted by dios at 2:15 PM on February 10, 2015


Most excellent!
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:28 PM on February 10, 2015


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