If humans needed to hibernate, how would civilisation have developed?
Hillary Shaw
Newport, Shropshire, UK
Cues to hibernate often include colder temperatures, but such biological signals are imprecise, so some individuals would go to sleep and, crucially, awaken before others. Humans are greedy and exploitative. Those in the tropics would probably not need to hibernate, so they and early spring risers in the temperate zones would have a ready source of slave labour: just kidnap and shackle those still asleep.
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In keeping with this, civilisation might have developed more slowly in Mediterranean zones and more quickly in the tropics compared with our history. There would also have been very strong incentives to invent medication to reduce the need for hibernation, and this might have led to earlier advancements in pharmacology.
Alternatively, temperate hibernators might have tried to avoid the cold by constructing underground cities, so there could have been a boost to building techniques and artificial lighting.
Human hibernators in temperate zones might have tried to avoid the cold by constructing underground cities
These developments would spin off into other fields, including weaponry and transport, perhaps leading to an economy much like ours. But our winter flu jabs might also include anti-hibernatory drugs. Today, some might choose to hibernate instead.
Pat French
Longdon Upon Tern, Shropshire, UK
Sooner or later, people who could hibernate would have discovered fire. This would have given them warmth and light, and so extended their day and year. This would then eliminate the need to hibernate, enabling the development of civilisation much as we know it.
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