Designing Light Switches for Dreams

Light switches are often used in reality tests to tell if you're actually dreaming, because light levels tend to not be adjusted much in dreams.

Since studying ergonomics, I have wondered whether there is a design fault in dream light switches.

Light switches in the UK are usually pressed down for on, where as in the US, they are pressed up for on, so perhaps in dreams we press the light switches in the wrong direction? A solution for this could be to use a different kind of switch or perhaps one switch for on and one for off, but then they would need to be labelled, and reading can prove difficult in dreams.

One problem that I suspect hinders the functionality of dream light switches is insufficient mapping. Perhaps we are unable to mentally connect the light switch with the light in our dreams. A light-emitting source, such as a bulb you put in, that lights up immediately, when it is in the bendable lamp-post might help. Lamp-posts are quite dreamy. Is electricity the problem? Do candles work better in dreams? Fire causing light might seem more tangible than electricity in dreams.

Imagining a room getting brighter might seem problematic, so maybe you could use green bulbs and blue bulbs and bulbs that make stars float out from a lampshade, like fireflies. Or you could just go and catch the sun to light up your imaginary room.

Next time you attempt to light up your dreams, perhaps you will have designed the light switches better, so that your dream self can actually use them, but then how will you tell whether you are dreaming or not?

Enchanted Woodland

Anyone fancy going to the Enchanted Woodland at Syon House, Brentford? Perhaps on Monday or Tuesday night?