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What I Do When I Can’t Sleep

every.to · 2,304 words · saved by 4 readers

This essay is brought to you by Slite, the collaborative workspace for teams looking to keep documents updated, fill the gaps in their knowledge, and find answers instantly. A few years ago, when I felt like I was grasping desperately for something in my life that I couldn’t name, I used to get up past midnight to smell spices. They would be standing like little toy army men on the gray countertop in my kitchen. A battalion of clear glass cylinders that tapered slightly at the top to meet green metal lids with ribbed edges. On the top of each lid was a label in white serif script: cinnamon, turmeric, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, bay leaf. I’d stand by the spices and close my eyes. I’d carefully rearrange the bottles into a random order with my fingertips. Then, with darkness wrapped around me like a blanket, I’d pick one up, unscrew the top, bring it to my nose, and sniff. I’d try to measure the resulting experience as carefully as a drill sergeant inspecting the posture of a ne

What I Do When I Can’t Sleep *]:block [&>*]:mt-2 [&>*]:pt-2 mt-4" > Home Newsletter Columnists Columns Podcast Products Events Guides Consulting *]:block space-y-2"> Sign in *]:block space-y-2 py-2 my-2 border-y border-dashed border-homeborder" > Search About us Careers Advertise with us The team FAQ Help center DALL-E/Every illustration. By Dan Shipper Chain of Thought Dan Shipper is the CEO and cofounder of Every. Every week he explores the frontiers of AI in his column, Chain of Thought, and on his podcast, ‘AI & I.’ Chain of Thought What I Do When I Can’t S leep AI, insomnia, and the artic

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