Major Internet Outage Disrupts Connected Mattresses, Wakes Users

A major outage at Amazon Web Services disrupted internet-enabled beds made by Eight Sleep, causing users to experience uncomfortable temperatures and immobile bed positions, highlighting concerns about the reliance on internet connectivity for basic comfort. Social media and mobile internet, while connecting people globally, have increasingly become tools that capture and control attention, leading to diminished creativity, fragmented focus, and mental exhaustion, as platforms exploit dopamine-driven engagement through infinite scrolling and notifications. The stimulation from social media before bedtime triggers stress hormone release, such as cortisol, which disrupts the body's ability to relax and prepare for sleep, compounding sleep difficulties despite efforts to block blue light. Meanwhile, some people are attempting to improve sleep quality by taping their mouths shut to reduce snoring, a practice doctors warn against due to potential health risks and lack of scientific support; experts recommend addressing underlying causes of mouth breathing and considering safer alternatives like prescription devices or lifestyle changes. Together, these issues underscore the complex relationship between technology, mental well-being, and sleep health, emphasizing the need for mindful technology use and evidence-based sleep practices.