Across the globe, it is not unheard of for schools to start as early as 7:00 am. Groggy adolescents drag themselves into the classroom, barely able to keep their eyes open. The physical state that they are in makes it almost impossible to absorb information, let alone engage actively in discussions or interact with their teacher and classmates. What is more, it is almost impossible for them to participate in discussions. The early start time often leads to a classroom filled with overworked teenagers who are not operating at their full potential. 

Imagine what it would do for the future of our young adults if they were fully energised and ready to be actively engaged. Neurological research suggests that teenagers have a naturally delayed sleep pattern that causes them to feel sleepy later in the night and wake up later in the morning. This shift in their sleeping cycle means that an adolescent's biological clock makes it difficult to fall asleep early enough to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep if they have to wake up early for school. Aligning school start times with these natural sleep patterns could potentially lead to more alert students who are ready to tackle the academic challenges of the day, and this could ultimately optimise educational outcomes.

The policy of starting school early definitely has its merits given that it allows for more effective coordination with the traditional workday. For many parents, an earlier start time allows them to drop their children off before heading to work, thus fitting neatly into their own schedules and making everyday logistics more manageable. Delaying the time at which classes commence is unlikely to work for every family, at least not in the immediate term. Unable to adjust their working hours, parents would still need to wake their children up early in the morning. 

Another upside of starting school earlier in the day is the additional time it affords for after-school activities or sports. Older students in grades 11 and 12 benefit from this schedule in particular as it allows them to balance their academic responsibilities with extracurricular pursuits and develop valuable life skills. Besides that, these types of timetables have the added benefit of enhancing their college applications and resumes. The resulting effect is that students have ample room in their schedules to fit in these important activities.

Nevertheless, the current school timetables have a number of shortcomings, particularly when it comes to the physical and mental burden that is placed on teenagers. According to Dr. Carskadon’s research, the shift in circadian rhythms that teenagers experience causes them to feel sleepy later at night and consequently wake up later in the morning. This biological shift means that early school start times can result in chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep-deprived teenagers struggle with concentration and learning, especially during the waking hours of the day. Unfortunately, the vast majority of adolescents find themselves subjected to this mandatory routine and it is believed that it may severely hinder their learning.

One of the more subtle adverse effects arising from the misalignment of school schedules and teenagers’ biological needs is the increase in mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. According to Dr. Carskadon, mandating students to study early in the morning does not consider the biological needs of adolescents, and this has the unwanted effect of undermining their academic and personal well-being. When teens do not get sufficient sleep, they become more irritable and fall victim to mood swings. Their ability to regulate emotions and cope with the stress and daily demands of academic study thus diminishes. In turn, the negative impact on academic performance is likely to further exacerbate mental health effects, kickstarting a vicious style that can make school unbearable for many adolescents. 

There is now a growing body of evidence suggesting that later school start times significantly benefit student performance. By beginning the school day later, adolescents can achieve more restorative sleep, leading to better cognitive function and focus in class. The Teensleep Project by Oxford University, led by Professor Russell Foster, found that delayed start times notably enhanced students' academic performance, particularly in their GCSE results. Astonishingly, the study revealed that students who started school later had better attention levels and improved memory retention. This evidence strongly suggests that traditional school start times should be re-evaluated to better align with adolescents' biological needs to improve academic performance.

Reflecting on the long-term picture, changing school start times could drastically alter the future for teenagers. The type of policy shift that Dr. Carskadon endorses might lead to more students reaching their academic potential and improving their mental health. Another consideration is that the benefits would not just come at the individual-level, but also the societal level since higher performance among students means more skillful and responsible adults in the future. In a world that is increasingly grappling with issues like stress and isolation, there is a possibility to safeguard teenage mental health, improve academic performance and stimulate societal productivity. 

Source: This article drawing on evidence and viewpoints presented by Mary Carskadon in a PBS Interview

Lessons from the battle between two video heavyweights: Blu-ray and DVD 

A. Since the mid-20th century, there have been numerous waves in the development of video technology. It began with the advent of analog television in the 1950s where visual content was brought directly into homes for the first time. This was followed by the VHS and Betamax tapes in the late 1970s and 1980s, providing viewers with the option to record and replay video content. Then, the 1990s saw the rise of DVD and Blu-ray, which brought about greater choice and a dramatic improvement in video quality. In recent years, streaming has become dominant, with companies like Netflix delivering on-demand content directly over the internet without the need for physical media. Throughout these transitions, one of the constant trends has been the push towards higher quality video, yet other factors have arguably played a greater role in deciding the longevity of each technology. 

B. In the early 2000s a battle raged on between two companies, Sony and Toshiba, who were vying to establish their video formats and claim industry dominance. Sony sought control of the market through their product Blu-ray, a technology that was built to store a greater amount of information than DVD discs, while Toshiba desperately held onto its original DVD format. A major challenge was the struggle to agree upon a common format and this delayed widespread adoption of both of their technologies, confusing consumers and dividing the market. Eventually, Sony's Blu-ray emerged victorious, bolstered by support from major film studios like Warner Bros. and the inclusion of a Blu-ray player in the PlayStation 3 console. It was the acceptance from other major media companies that established Blu-ray's position as the standard for HD video, while Toshiba's HD DVD format rapidly declined in popularity and eventually became obsolete. 

C. Blu-ray emerged as the leader in physical media and enjoys continued relevance today. It is especially popular among viewers who seek a higher level of audio-visual quality. Having said that, widespread access to the internet, ever-increasing broadband speeds and the convenience of streaming services have significantly reduced the appeal of physical media. In the long-run, experts predict that Blu-ray’s victory may prove short-lived. What’s more, they argue that the battle between Blu-ray and DVD will turn out to be a "no-win" situation for both technologies given that the appeal of Blu-ray is unlikely to counter the considerable consumer shift towards digital media. While Blu-ray is still valued for high-quality content, its future struggles against the growing preference for instant, on-demand access, signifies an uphill battle to stay relevant in an increasingly digital world.

D. In today’s digital age, streaming has become the clear leader in video content thanks to its unmatched convenience. Companies like Netflix allow users to watch high-quality content directly over the internet for a subscription fee without the need for physical media. Video content is delivered on demand and consumers can use internet bandwidth to stream movies and TV shows to various devices, from smart TVs to smartphones. Unlike traditional methods that required schedules or physical discs, streaming services offer viewers unparalleled convenience as they can access vast libraries anytime from anywhere. Consumers can now quickly choose what to watch based on recommendations, an important feature in a world that is increasingly constrained by time pressures.

E. While convenience was a major reason for streaming’s rise, it had so much more to offer. Platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ also attracted consumers by offering vast libraries with thousands of movies and shows on-demand, giving audiences far greater choice than physical media. On top of that, streaming freed viewers from fixed broadcast schedules and storage needs, letting them watch anytime, anywhere. Netflix even pioneered the “all-episode dump” release, which encouraged the now-common culture of binge-watching. Thanks to this model, many viewers can finish an entire 10-episode season in just one night, instead of waiting months for a single episode to drop every Sunday.

F. So far, it seems that companies have learned from past industry lessons, such as the HD format war, by prioritising cooperation with media companies, cross-platform compatibility, and focusing on the consumer. Unlike the divisive battle between DVD-HD and Blu-ray, streaming giants ensure that their services are accessible across multiple devices and operating systems. This setup leads to much lower tension for the consumer. Additionally, streaming companies have more skillfully considered their place in the market by aggregating content under single subscriptions and forming partnerships with other media companies. By focusing on user experience and cross-industry cooperation, streaming services have positioned themselves as leading players in the digital landscape. 

G. One main challenge streaming providers face today is that there are now so many players in the market, each offering exclusive content, that it puts pressure on consumers. As a result, content is spread across multiple platforms, forcing people to subscribe to numerous services to access all the shows and movies they want. Despite these challenges, streaming technology is riding high on the latest wave in video technology, driven by greater individual access to one of civilization’s greatest achievements, the internet. Undoubtedly, the future of video consumption will need to continue placing an emphasis on the latest developments such as artificial intelligence and immersive experiences like virtual reality. But it is attention to the consumer and the ability of the industry to forge partnerships that will determine whether the latest video technology can stand the test of time.

Source: This text was built on some ideas from the Freakonomics Quorum titled, ‘What Are the Lessons of the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Battle?’