Viewing Thread:
"For anyone thinking of entering the Channel 4 wake-a-thon"

Channel 4 seem to be looking for people to stay awake for a week. In case anyone was thinking of entering (the competition, naughty) you might be interested to know that after five days of waking you start to lose a sense of who you are, you're personality appears to dissolve. And it doesn't necessarily come back. Peter Tripp, a New York radio DJ stayed awake for 8 days quite a few years ago, and afterwards his wife divorced him on the grounds that he wasn't the same person. He then argued with his boss, lost his job and became a travelling door to door salesman. Ruined his life.

On the other hand, Randy Gardner (real name) stayed awake for even longer, about 11 days, and when he'd had a bit of a kip afterwards he was back to normal. He was only 16/17, as opposed to Tripp who was in his thirties.

Moral of the story: Do what you want. In fact, I may have dreampt the whole thing, and Channel 4 may not be doing anything of the sort.

English_Bloke wrote:
> No way. I struggle to stay awake during an episode of Changing Rooms
> let alone that period of time.

That's because changing rooms is *literally* watching paint dry.

Ive gone without sleep for four days before, but I won't subject myself to a pointless tv show... tv is terrible as it is.

No way. I struggle to stay awake during an episode of Changing Rooms let alone that period of time.

Change the title of the show just a little and I would win hands down…and up…and down again…

Sounds good. I wouldn't mind doing it. Damnit, I wonder if they'll still be open to offers next month.. not 18 yet. I'd go for it. Would be.. interesting.

Insane Bartender wrote:
> Although the longest a human has remained awake was eleven days

Ah, I think I know what it is. It should say "by choice". That should clear it up.

Valentino Rossi wrote:
> 2. Can't find a link for this experiment/show on channel4.com - can
> someone post one

:)

Oh, and I think the link is: www.channel4.com/stayawake

And? Either it's wrong, or it was written a long time ago.

Blank wrote:
> I'm sorry, you're wrong on that. Ever heard of fatal familial
> insomnia? A guy called Michael Cork (possibly an E on his name, not
> sure) had this, it was only discovered a few years ago. Basically,
> it's a genetic disease that means you can't sleep. It can kick in at
> just about any time I believe, and there is no cure as yet. Cork went
> about 130 days without sleeping, because he just physically could not
> sleep. He did die, eventually, but 130 days is hardly a week.

apologies for taking quotes from the Lancet, the most prestigious medical journal in the world.

Two things

1. IB's been banned, he beat me !
2. Can't find a link for this experiment/show on channel4.com - can someone post one

Cheers