Wake Up, You Lazy Sleepyhead!

Posted on June 20, 2008
Filed Under Column as I See 'Em, Media | By Jessica Gross

The clash between night owls and early risers is as old as the righties-versus-lefties conflict. Morning people scorn those lazy snoozers (”Congrats on emerging from your cave,” they think. “I’ve only gone running, breakfasted and planted a garden of Alternanthera since dawn.”) Undergrads are the nightest of night owls, so they get the harshest criticism. In a Daily Mississippian column, Cameron Johnson defends their honor against attacks from (gasp!) scientists.

Johnson explains that several recent studies have linked “eveningness” with bad grades. (College students: Take note.) The column is great because it’s not just relatable and funny - it also takes on esoteric topics, like university-based research, with a light touch.

Several years ago, researchers at the University of Surrey isolated a gene associated with preferences for night and day. The gene is called Period 3. Never mind that they also concluded it’s a lifestyle thing for most people, so long as we have the benefit of the doubt. Am I right? We can now blame our parents for passing us a bad circadian clock.


Johnson moves swiftly between explaining science in an understandable way, Malcolm Gladwell-style, and human interest goodness. He also makes some astute social observations:

As if we don’t get enough bad-mouthing and knowing glares when we show-up late for everything, now the very core of our identity - that obstinate nocturnal artifact of our childhood you-can’t-make-me-go-to-bed-trauma - is under attack. We’re no longer veiled with a social mystique by virtue of the hours we keep. It’s undeniable: Something is wrong with us.

And not only is there something wrong with us, but we can supposedly do something about it. I feel like a social pariah now, like a smoker unwittingly lighting-up in a bar on the Square. Now even the most chipper, latte-toting morning type can reasonably resent our deviant ways and cast judgment on us.

It’s tough being a college student these days, when early-rising crusaders challenge the right to wake up past noon - and now can point to Science to back them up. Johnson’s a good ally to have around.

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