Insomnia is a variant of Tourette's--the waking brain races, sampling the world after the world has turned away, touching it everywhere, refusing to settle, to join the collective nod. The insomniac brain is a sort of conspiracy theorist as well, believing too much in its own paranoiac importance--as though if it were to blink, then doze, the world might be overrun by some encroaching calamity, which its obsessive musings are somehow fending off.

📖 Jonathan Lethem

🌍 American  |  👨‍💼 Writer

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Insomnia can be viewed as a form of Tourette's, where the mind remains hyperactive while the rest of the world rests. The insomniac experiences a whirlwind of thoughts and sensations, unable to settle down and connect with the ordinary life around them. Instead of joining the collective sleep, their brain remains alert, perpetually engaged in a race against time and reality.

This state of mind breeds a form of paranoia, suggesting that the insomnia-prone individual views themselves as pivotal in combating looming disasters. Each moment of awareness feels crucial, as if their constant vigilance is essential for preventing chaos. Their anxious thoughts create a sense of inflated responsibility, leading them to believe that surrendering to sleep could invite calamity.

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February 19, 2025

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