jueves, 25 de septiembre de 2008

Most people sleep themselves stupid

The Project Gutenberg is a project of inestimable value. What you can read for free is beyond imagination. In one of the works that can be found online, Arnold Bennett paraphrases his doctor who claims that most people sleep themselves stupid.

In his work "How to Live on 24 Hours a Day" (for free available on Project Gutenberg) Bennett addresses himself to the white collar workers. The work, if transposed to modern times, could easily be a manual to self-improvement even today.

One of his (outdated) remedies against the stupidity caused by sleeping too much is:

"Rise an hour, an hour and a half, or even two hours
earlier; and--if you must--retire earlier when you can.
In the matter of exceeding programmes, you will
accomplish as much in one morning hour as in two
evening hours. "But," you say, "I couldn't begin without
some food, and servants." Surely, my dear sir, in an
age when an excellent spirit-lamp (including a saucepan)
can be bought for less than a shilling, you are not going
to allow your highest welfare to depend upon the
precarious immediate co-operation of a fellow creature!
Instruct the fellow creature, whoever she may be, at
night. Tell her to put a tray in a suitable position
over night.
On that tray two biscuits, a cup and saucer, a box of
matches and a spirit-lamp; on the lamp, the saucepan;
on the saucepan, the lid--but turned the wrong way up;
on the reversed lid, the small teapot, containing a minute
quantity of tea leaves. You will then have to strike a
match--that is all. In three minutes the water boils, and
you pour it into the teapot (which is already warm).
In three more minutes the tea is infused. You can begin
your day while drinking it. These details may seem trivial
to the foolish, but to the thoughtful they will not seem
trivial. The proper, wise balancing of one's whole life
may depend upon the feasibility of a cup of tea at an
unusual hour."


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