To sleep or not sleep, that is my question?

Everyone has their sleep patterns, sleep faux pas and perhaps even sleep disorders: from sleep apnea to simple restlessness and sleep-walking.

What’s yours?

From the many studies out there and the numerous conclusions by scientists of every persuasion and expertise in these fields: we need sleep. Specifically, we need a good shluf – at night preferably – with REM.

We should dream, even for but a minute or two, and we should wake up refreshed, either remembering it or not, but if we did – it might seem like we’d dreamt all night long.

(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself: phonies (jellies on the phone) and those who are wary of links – it’s just a youtube to Lionel’s Ritchie’s now classic tune: ALL NIGHT LONG – plus a dangerous virus and worm for your computer – hahahahaha – your computer is now my aquarium and I can see you!)

However and notwithstanding this, perhaps they are just wrong. Perhaps there are some people that require only 3–4 hours of sleep.

The question is: is it possible that someone might require fewer hours of sleep, yet still function well during the following day/week/year? Will there be long term damage, i.e., will he wake up one day only to discover he is irreparably damaged, f@cked up beyond repair, and in need of a god nap – but – it’s now too late?