Weekly Program - Sleep, Memory and Dreams
Dr. Stickgold studies the role of sleep and dreaming in learning and memory processes. He has studied how dreams change in response to mental challenges, ranging from computer games to living in a zero gravity environment on the International Space Station. This Tedx RiverCity Talk was uploaded on July 16, 2010.
About our speaker: Bob Stickgold is a native of Chicago. He attended college at Harvard University, and received his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is currently an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and serves as the Director of Harvard's Center for Sleep and Cognition. He is the author of numerous scientific articles, as well as two science fiction novels, and his work is frequently cited in both leading scientific journals and the popular press.
Many of us across the United States viewed a television spot about the safety of driving while sleep deprived. What AAA had to share was somewhat startling as their auto towing service yielded data with huge numbers of accidents related to folks falling asleep at the wheel. While professional drivers have regulations about how long they may drive commercially before they have to rest, the general public has no such requirement. We often tend to push ourselves to the limit and maybe even exceed our personal limits at times. The ABC reporter: "One startling statistic to remember, two hours of sleep missing in one night can cut your reaction time, decision-making by 20 to 50%." David kerly, ABC news, Washington. The news report also told of new technology which can be installed in cars to cause the seat to vibrate, attempting to alert the driver, when the car's data indicates weaving or drifting.
Rotarians tend to be busy people with calendars full of activities balanced with family, work, and volunteering through Rotary and/or religious affiliations and perhaps additional community involvements, e.g. Scout leaders, water board for the neighborhood, etc. We may often feel somewhat sleep-deprived due to our busy schedules. This week's theme on the importance of sleep reminds us that we should take care of ourselves to not only re-energize our physical self, but to also promote creativity for our service to others.