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Maybe so, but it is undeniable that having better sleep, eating better, thinking better, etc are, well, better for us regardless of whether the reason is productivity or not. I'd even say that were it not the reason, I might have more incentive to simply be a slob.

I love this response. And really find it weird that the article connects sleep with dollars earned.

There's a strong mentality of "anything good for GDP is good for the country" in the U.S. The constant stream of economic reports in the news (from "markets rallied today, with the S&P..." to the latest jobs report to what the Fed is doing this year); reporting other news in terms of how it affects the economy, etc.

When a single number becomes the single most important number the country measures, everything else takes a back seat. And that doesn't mean other things don't get any attention... it's just that spending time and money on things that don't have a direct (perceived) effect on GDP doesn't much happen.

Glad somebody pointed this out. If I'm going to get better sleep it's going to be for the sake of honoring my body's needs, not for the sake of productivity.