Larks'n owls- the owl situation
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
THE OWL SITUATION
Fine for larks, is it not? Up with the chickens and that, work when it suits them best. And, in order to get the recommended eight hours' sleep, in bed by 10- which by some good fortune is the exact time they'd nod off by choice.
Well, they've got it made.
But we nocturnal folk (as Mr. Pratchett said, wisely, not just staying up to look more interesting)...
Why should we be made to work against our natural rhythms? It's as bad as alphabetical toilet use in the mills. We should not be forced to work when tired, and have to sleep at a time not suited to our biological settings (in order to be able to get up the following day... vicious circle, see!) just because 9-5 are the favourite hours of some lark in power.
Currently I am running at 2pm-5am, with just as much sleep as anyone else. No fault of mine, it just happened. (Normally I am not quite as extreme, running more 11am-2am-ish.) And yet I get told it is 'daft' and can't be good for me. Guilt! Discrimination! Ostracisation and scorn from the pro-daytime faction.
Ideally we would select a working day appropriate to each of us- larks also, some of whom are pushed to be up beyond 9pm- and not be forced into an uncomfortable regime which leaves us knackered. Much better for all! our streets would be safe, shops would be open for those that want them, and no one would have to do shift work if it didn't suit them. (And they wouldn't have to be paid more.) Work would be done more efficiently, and all would be joyful.
So (Owls in particular since it is more difficult for us to adjust, and lack of sleep is a greater problem) unite against the tyranny of prescriptive hours! Rah!
