Liberals have trouble sleeping at night.

[Train]

http://www.kellybulkeley.com/dream_politices.htm

very interesting.

This study examines the dreams of American liberals and conservatives in order to highlight patterns that might correlate with their opposing political views. A total of 234 participants (134 self-described liberals, 100 self-described conservatives) completed a lengthy sleep and dream survey, and their answers revealed several notable patterns:

The liberals and conservatives in this study are not radically different species, at least when it comes to sleep and dreaming. People of both political persuasions share a common substrate of basic human sleep and dream experience.

Conservatives sleep more soundly, with fewer dreams. Liberals have more restless sleep and a more active dream life. Conservatives sleep somewhat longer, with better sleep quality; they recall fewer dreams, but report more lucid dreams (especially conservative men). Liberals (particularly liberal women) have worse sleep quality, recall a greater number and variety of dreams, and have more dreams of homosexuality.

Liberals and conservatives report a roughly equal proportion of bad dreams and nightmares. This is different from my earlier study (using dreams gathered from 1996-2000), when the conservatives had many more nightmarish dreams than the liberals. In the present study (using dreams gathered post-September 11, 2001 to the end of 2004), the conservative frequency of negative dreams is somewhat less, while the liberal frequency is much higher. It appears liberals have become more upset and troubled in their dreams, while conservatives have become less so in theirs.

The dreams of liberals are more bizarre than the dreams of conservatives. This is consistent with my earlier findings. Liberals have more dreams with unusual, distorted, fantastic elements than conservatives, whose dreams are more likely to portray normal characters, settings, and activities.


The similarities and differences identified here may be artifacts of my study?s small sample size. Only future research can determine that. In the meantime, any interpretation remains provisional. With that caution in mind, if we follow the research premise that dream content is continuous with waking life emotional concerns, the results of this study may be interpreted as follows: These dreams provide an accurate reflection of contemporary American politics. The current political weakness of liberals (especially liberal women) is reflected in their troubled sleep and varied, agitated dreaming. The current political strength of conservatives (especially conservative men) is reflected in their sounder sleep and diminished frequency and variation of dreaming.

 

[Genx87]

(using dreams gathered from 1996-2000), when the conservatives had many more nightmarish dreams than the liberals.

Heh I cant imagine why, can you?

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: Genx87

(using dreams gathered from 1996-2000), when the conservatives had many more nightmarish dreams than the liberals.

Heh I cant imagine why, can you?

heh, Actually, I might have been a tad happier back then. I was young, single, and the only politics I really cared about were wether or not my hometown could raise enough money to build a new ball park. I disliked Clinton a little bit, but not enough to lose any sleep over, I actually liked a few of the things he did. Not like the Bush Bashers of today, I kinda feel sorry for them, thier lives must be a living hell the way they view the world.

 

[homercles337]

Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D., is a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union and a faculty member of the Dream Studies Program at John F. Kennedy University.

He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1992, his M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School in 1986...

Can you say "agenda?"

Also, this is NOT from UC Berkeley. This "school" is NOT affiliated with UC Berkeley, but its in Berekeley. I used to live a few blocks from this place.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Genx87

(using dreams gathered from 1996-2000), when the conservatives had many more nightmarish dreams than the liberals.

Heh I cant imagine why, can you?

heh, Actually, I might have been a tad happier back then. I was young, single, and the only politics I really cared about were wether or not my hometown could raise enough money to build a new ball park. I disliked Clinton a little bit, but not enough to lose any sleep over, I actually liked a few of the things he did. Not like the Bush Bashers of today, I kinda feel sorry for them, thier lives must be a living hell the way they view the world.

They way they act on this forum, I don't feel sorry for them at all.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: ntdz
...They way they act on this forum, I don't feel sorry for them at all.

Where's the compassionate conservatisim???!!11!!!@!! </sarcasm>

 

[nakedfrog]

Interesting. I would describe myself as a liberal, but I recall very few dreams. An unpleasant dream is very, very rare for me, and I haven't had a dream involving homosexuality years. There are also very few fantastical elements in my dreams.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D., is a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union and a faculty member of the Dream Studies Program at John F. Kennedy University.

He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1992, his M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School in 1986...

Can you say "agenda?"

Also, this is NOT from UC Berkeley. This "school" is NOT affiliated with UC Berkeley, but its in Berekeley. I used to live a few blocks from this place.

He's a self described Democrat. And if you note his first two studies had the opposite results (in the 1990's)

 

[desy]

So Liberals have trouble sleeping for the crimes they commit and the conservatives can sleep with the crimes they do ?

 

[EatSpam]

Hmmm... I'm fairly liberal. I don't get a lot of sleep because of my 1 year old. I don't remember 99.9% of my dreams. I have never had a gay dream.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Interesting. I would describe myself as a liberal, but I recall very few dreams. An unpleasant dream is very, very rare for me, and I haven't had a dream involving homosexuality years. There are also very few fantastical elements in my dreams.

I've never had a dream about homosexuality, thank god. I will admit, tho, I've had some really strange dreams lately. It's ok though, sometimes strange dreams are fun to have

 

[imported_tss4]

Originally posted by: ntdz

They way they act on this forum, I don't feel sorry for them at all.

Both sides have their fare share of poor behavior.

But very interesting study. I would never have thought that the political state of the US would have a measurable affect on people sleep patterns. I'd actaully be interested to see how self described moderates faired in these studies too.

 

[Moonbeam]

I have been electrofied for weeks by a dream of the back of a naked woman.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Genx87

(using dreams gathered from 1996-2000), when the conservatives had many more nightmarish dreams than the liberals.

Heh I cant imagine why, can you?

heh, Actually, I might have been a tad happier back then. I was young, single, and the only politics I really cared about were wether or not my hometown could raise enough money to build a new ball park. I disliked Clinton a little bit, but not enough to lose any sleep over, I actually liked a few of the things he did. Not like the Bush Bashers of today, I kinda feel sorry for them, thier lives must be a living hell the way they view the world.

That is true for me aswell. I find it funny conservatives had nightmares when Clinton was president and now liberals are having nightmares with Bush president.

As for the Bush Bashers, these guys are over the top funny. I remember bashing Clinton enough but the level of pure hatred is unparallel.

 

[Proletariat]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
I have been electrofied for weeks by a dream of the back of a naked woman.

fvck.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: homercles337

Kelly Bulkeley, Ph.D., is a Visiting Scholar at the Graduate Theological Union and a faculty member of the Dream Studies Program at John F. Kennedy University.

He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School in 1992, his M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School in 1986...

Can you say "agenda?"

Also, this is NOT from UC Berkeley. This "school" is NOT affiliated with UC Berkeley, but its in Berekeley. I used to live a few blocks from this place.

He's a self described Democrat. And if you note his first two studies had the opposite results (in the 1990's)

Dems can be as stupid as repugs when they have an agenda.

And if you note his first two studies had the opposite results (in the 1990's)

Yea, bad science is bad science is produced by bad scientists. Your point?

 

[BushBasha]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Dems can be as stupid as repugs when they have an agenda.

...and even more so in the absence of one.

 

[BDawg]

I sleep very well. My wife, on the other hand, has experienced trouble sleeping ever since she voted for Dubbya in 2000.

 

[azazyel]

will joining the Rep party get rid of my sleep apnea?

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: Train
Conservatives sleep more soundly, with fewer dreams. Liberals have more restless sleep and a more active dream life.

Conservatives have less brain activity? :laugh:

 

[Stunt]

PS. Interesting article, I imagined as much...I don't dream all that often.

I am more analytical than creative.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Now an interesting tidbit. There is a group of people who are quite comfortable with themselves. They sleep well as a whole, and are quite self assured in what they do. No regrets for them.

They are serial killers. Their conscience doens't bother them any more than conservatives. Seems that killing Iraqis doesn't bother them either. No differece except neocons do it by proxy.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: Train
Conservatives sleep more soundly, with fewer dreams. Liberals have more restless sleep and a more active dream life.

Conservatives have less brain activity? :laugh:

:laugh:

 

[BBond]

Conservatives have less brain activity during waking hours. It's no surprise that this carries over to sleep.

 

[5LiterMustang]

Originally posted by: BBond
Conservatives have less brain activity during waking hours. It's no surprise that this carries over to sleep.

rofl...lol somehow I knew you'd say something like that rofl

I'd have to say that we (conservatives) have less stress because we're not trying to think of ways to ruin this country and to start a socialist regime in america