Thread: Why do we find comfort in light?

I think this thread wins the award of "most obvious". Derp.

I HIGHLY doubt that the almost universal feeling of unease in the dark is due to any conscious thoughts about real dangers in the immediate surroundings, as some of you suggest. I also doubt that culture has much to do with it. People tell me all the time about things that are "dangerous", but it doesn't scare me.

This is obviously just a survival instinct from before we humans lived indoors. All other theories are quite ridiculous.

Originally Posted by cmind

All other theories are quite ridiculous.

Well you've obviously never jammed your pinky toe into the corner of the kitchen door way on a midnight chocolate run.

My kitchen does not have a doorway.

The mind can easily work itself up into all kinds of terror in the dark if you let it. I'm a very rational person, not given to irrational fears, and I haven't been afraid of the dark in my house since I was a kid - EXCEPT after I just watched a scary movie!! Sometimes that does make me a bit jumpy and I want to turn on the lights. Well, and then there's also the fact that I might step on my dog, but that's more common sense than fear.

But let me tell you... avoiding the dark outside isn't just an unnecessary, leftover trace from our ancestors! Depending on where you live anyway... there are predators out there, and they don't walk on 4 legs!!

Originally Posted by greenhavoc

Well you've obviously never jammed your pinky toe into the corner of the kitchen door way on a midnight chocolate run.

HAHAHAHA. This made me smile.

"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." ♥♥♥♥♥

I normally find more comfort in darkness and always have

That was predictable.

Well, the easy answer is simply because we are diurnal. In the same vein, Nocturnal animals are uncomfortable in the light.

And now a little rant.

It also depends on your childhood/lifestyle. For example, me and my friends loved going for night hikes. We loved playing hide and seek at night. Basically, me and my friends loved playing after dark. Even as I got older, me and my step-brothers would pull all nighters and drive up to Othello tunnels and spend the night wandering through the old train tunnels in near, if not, complete darkness. And now, I find that not only do I completely lack any "fear of the dark"... but I do on occasion find it comforting or familiar. Now, don't misinterpret this as me being "emo" or a nightdweller or anything. I work 8 - 5. I'm as diurnal as anyone. But I'm just saying that I when I find myself in Darkness I'm never uncomfortable.

Some parents aren't as 'lenient' as mine. They'll never let there children out after dark. They give them big bright nightlights. So if you're raised in the light, you'll be more likely do be 'afraid' of or uncomfortable in the dark.

oh god i hate night lights

It feels creepy because you are defenseless, for not having the sense of sight.