1. The article describing the close genetic link between humans and chimps encouraged me to think about how flimsy our identification with our species is. Elsewhere, I have read that humans share 35% of our DNA with daffodils. I think these statistics point, in a roundabout way, to our interconnectivity with all of existence. It is equally humbling and amazing to think about how closely we are related to other primates. That our DNA is so "primitive" but humans have accomplished so much is pretty incredible, despite how unfortunate some of the results have been.
2. The articles on sleep were really fascinating! I had no idea that deep sleep was the only time your body stopped producing noradrenalin and that scientist consider this time to be for relaxation and integrating memories. I have been reflecting on the Chinese Medicine perspective on sleep, considering that many sleep disorders are caused by Heart Organ patterns. There seems to be a strong connection between trauma, emotional distress, and sleep habits. Furthermore, considering that the Moon is so influential on our sleep, I consider the stressful effects of modernity on the psyche and how our cultural habits around sleep are negatively affecting us on a physiological level. I wonder if the Moon would be even more influential on our sleep if we weren't affected by competing lights. All of this insight into the importance of good sleep inspires me to study Chinese Medicine even more, because of how effective in can be in alleviating stress and sleep issues.
I think you make a great point about our "primitive" DNA. It's curious that many humans refuse to acknowledge a kinship with our primate cousins even when the evidence is overwhelming.
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