The writer Theresia Enzensberger often sleeps badly. But is everything that deviates from the norm an illness? In the podcast she talks about how the performance-oriented society disturbs our sleep.
Sleep disorders are usually seen as a personal problem. But sleep also has a political component, says Theresia Enzensberger.
Table of Contents
- 1 Sleep disorders are usually seen as a personal problem. But sleep also has a political component, says Theresia Enzensberger.
- 2 Do we really need to optimize sleep, Theresia Enzensberger?
- 3 In this podcast episode:
- 4 Here are several PAA (People Also Ask) related questions based on the title “The Political Component of Sleep: Theresia Enzensberger Explores the Impact of Society on Our Slumber”:
- 5 Here are some People Also Ask (PAA) related questions for the title: **The Political Component of Sleep: Theresia Enzensberger Explores the Impact of Society on Our Slumber**:
Table of Contents
- 1 Sleep disorders are usually seen as a personal problem. But sleep also has a political component, says Theresia Enzensberger.
- 2 Do we really need to optimize sleep, Theresia Enzensberger?
- 3 In this podcast episode:
- 4 Here are several PAA (People Also Ask) related questions based on the title “The Political Component of Sleep: Theresia Enzensberger Explores the Impact of Society on Our Slumber”:
Photo: Christian Werner
Do we really need to optimize sleep, Theresia Enzensberger?
Meng Tian with Theresia Enzensberger 12.09.2024
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In this podcast episode:
Art has long been concerned with the universal act of sleeping. On the one hand, works of art address the “little brother of death,” while on the other hand, artists also have a special relationship with sleep. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, is said to have slept a total of just two hours a day, divided into short sleep phases of around 20 minutes each.
In the current episode of “NZZ Megahertz – Better Sleep”, the writer Theresia Enzensberger speaks with Meng Tian about her engagement with the topic of sleep: from a personal, philosophical, social and literary perspective. In the conversation, she explains which structural and systemic problems sufferers of sleep disorders often experience, why sleep should not be adapted to the performance society and why she does not want to suffer for her art.
You can find all episodes of «NZZ Megahertz» in this overview.
The Political Component of Sleep: Theresia Enzensberger Explores the Impact of Society on Our Slumber
Sleep disorders are often viewed as a personal problem, but according to writer Theresia Enzensberger, there is a political component to sleep that cannot be ignored. In a recent podcast episode, Enzensberger discussed how the performance-oriented society we live in can disturb our sleep patterns, highlighting the need to reexamine our approach to sleep and wellness.
Enzensberger, who has struggled with sleep herself, argues that sleep is not just a personal issue, but also a societal one. She believes that the pressure to perform and be productive 24/7 can lead to sleep disorders, which in turn, can have serious consequences for our physical and mental health.
In her work, Enzensberger explores the intersection of sleep, capitalism, and society. Her book, “Schlafen” (Sleeping), which builds on her own experiences with sleep problems, delves into the fantasies, fears, and contradictory demands of neoliberal society when it comes to sleep [[3]]. By examining the cultural and economic factors that shape our sleep patterns, Enzensberger sheds light on the ways in which society can both perpetuate and undermine our ability to get a good night’s sleep.
The writer’s work is not just limited to sleep, however. Her writing often touches on themes of politics, identity, and power dynamics, making her a compelling voice in contemporary literature [[2]]. Her unique perspective on sleep, which blends personal experience with sociological analysis, offers a fresh perspective on a topic that is often
The Political Component of Sleep: Theresia Enzensberger Explores the Impact of Society on Our Slumber
Sleep disorders are often viewed as a personal problem, but what if we told you that sleep also has a political component? Theresia Enzensberger, an award-winning author, thinks so. In her latest book, Schlafen, she delves into the link between sleep problems and neoliberal society’s fantasies, fears, and contradictory demands. In a recent podcast episode, Enzensberger discusses how our performance-oriented society disturbs our sleep [[1]].
Sleep as a Personal Problem vs. a Political Component
We often view sleep disorders as a personal problem, something that can be fixed with a few tweaks to our daily routine or a visit to a sleep specialist. However, Enzensberger argues that sleep is not just a personal issue, but also a political one. She believes that our societal expectations and demands on our time and energy affect our sleep patterns and overall well-being [[2]].
The Impact of Society on Our Slumber
Enzensberger’s book, Schlafen, is a thought-provoking exploration of how neoliberal society’s emphasis on performance and productivity affects our sleep. She argues that our constant connectedness, the pressure to be always-on, and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life all contribute to our sleep problems [[3]].
Do We Really Need to Optimize Sleep?
In the podcast episode, Enzensberger raises an important question: do we really need to optimize sleep? Or is this just another way for us to
