Randa Abdel-Fattah

But even after Freud published his book, it's not like everything instantly changed. Dreams were still mostly dismissed in the scientific community.

But even after Freud published his book, it's not like everything instantly changed. Dreams were still mostly dismissed in the scientific community.

But even after Freud published his book, it's not like everything instantly changed. Dreams were still mostly dismissed in the scientific community.

It would take eight years to sell the first 600 copies of The Interpretation of Dreams. And for the first year and a half, no scientific journal reviewed it besides some psychological ones where Freud's book received negative reviews.

It would take eight years to sell the first 600 copies of The Interpretation of Dreams. And for the first year and a half, no scientific journal reviewed it besides some psychological ones where Freud's book received negative reviews.

It would take eight years to sell the first 600 copies of The Interpretation of Dreams. And for the first year and a half, no scientific journal reviewed it besides some psychological ones where Freud's book received negative reviews.

One prominent psychologist warned that, quote, uncritical minds would be delighted to join in this play with ideas and would end up in complete mysticism and chaotic arbitrariness.

One prominent psychologist warned that, quote, uncritical minds would be delighted to join in this play with ideas and would end up in complete mysticism and chaotic arbitrariness.

One prominent psychologist warned that, quote, uncritical minds would be delighted to join in this play with ideas and would end up in complete mysticism and chaotic arbitrariness.

This idea that people dream for a reason, that it's a way to cope with problems the conscious mind can't do while it's awake, was radical. That by reflecting on your dreams, you were confronting something deep inside of you that followed like a shadow you didn't know was there.

This idea that people dream for a reason, that it's a way to cope with problems the conscious mind can't do while it's awake, was radical. That by reflecting on your dreams, you were confronting something deep inside of you that followed like a shadow you didn't know was there.

This idea that people dream for a reason, that it's a way to cope with problems the conscious mind can't do while it's awake, was radical. That by reflecting on your dreams, you were confronting something deep inside of you that followed like a shadow you didn't know was there.

As all of this was playing out in the scientific world, the human experience was changing. Freud grew up during a time before electricity was widely available, when the sun and moon dictated sleeping patterns, when daily life revolved around the seasons.

As all of this was playing out in the scientific world, the human experience was changing. Freud grew up during a time before electricity was widely available, when the sun and moon dictated sleeping patterns, when daily life revolved around the seasons.

As all of this was playing out in the scientific world, the human experience was changing. Freud grew up during a time before electricity was widely available, when the sun and moon dictated sleeping patterns, when daily life revolved around the seasons.

In today's world, where sleep is being cut short, caffeinated drinks are keeping us awake, and screens vie for our attention, it's become harder and harder to dream.

In today's world, where sleep is being cut short, caffeinated drinks are keeping us awake, and screens vie for our attention, it's become harder and harder to dream.

In today's world, where sleep is being cut short, caffeinated drinks are keeping us awake, and screens vie for our attention, it's become harder and harder to dream.

I'm Randa Abdelfattah. And you've been listening to ThruLine from NPR.

I'm Randa Abdelfattah. And you've been listening to ThruLine from NPR.