Letters: Jan. 17, 2005

We live in a shortsighted society that sees sleep as an obstacle to productivity [Dec. 20]. But the truth is quite the opposite. A nightly investment in eight hours of rest may lead to even greater accomplishments. The greatest and most imaginative members of society, our children, sleep 10 to 12 hours a night. We should follow their lead. And we certainly shouldn't buy into romanticized notions of how much work we can do without sleep.

LEWIS J. KASS, M.D., DIRECTOR PEDIATRIC SLEEP LABORATORY THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT MONTEFIORE New York City

Going without rest is a disturbing American trend, like overachieving. But sleep deprivation will catch up with us in the end. Falling asleep at the wheel because of lack of sleep has killed innocent drivers. Why do we feel the need to be constantly doing something? To pump up our self-esteem? I'm with William Shakespeare, who referred to "sleep that knits up the raveled sleeve of care."

ROBIN FRANCIS Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.

The new research on the benefits of sleep was fascinating, but I wish there had been some information for the benefit of millions of insomniacs like me, whose only desire is to drop off.

JIM HOLIK Denver

You reported that scientists have found that going without sleep for more than 20 hours significantly impairs a person's cognitive abilities and reaction time, producing a functional level as bad as if he had a blood-alcohol reading of 0.08. Perhaps these scientists should talk to their colleagues who run medical-residency programs that require 24-to-36-hour shifts. Sleep deprivation might contribute to medical mistakes, leading to malpractice lawsuits and higher malpractice insurance costs, which drive some doctors to stop practicing.

JONG-ON HAHM Potomac, Md.

Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams.

RICHARD GREENE San Rafael, Calif.

The Army We Have

TIME said a reporter helped Army Specialist Thomas Wilson craft the question he asked Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about U.S. troops having inadequately armored vehicles [Dec. 20]. That should in no way detract from the seriousness of the shortages and the problems that our troops are facing in combat in Iraq. It does not make Rumsfeld's answer--"You go to war with the Army you have"--less callous or arrogant. And it certainly does not make the deaths and horrific injuries suffered by our troops less real or less painful to bear because they lack such protection.

DORIAN DE WIND MAJOR, U.S.A.F. (RET.) Austin, Texas