Snoring developed during our species' evolution as a means of protecting people, who were exposed to wild animals, ensuring peaceful slumber.
The body developed an effortless and harmless process of creating a loud, continuous racket, which does not interfere with the sleeping of the group.
My dear wife complains and pushes me during the night.
"Stop snoring," she grumbles; ultimately, she even recorded me in the act.
This was not a pleasant experience for me.
I love her and wish for her to sleep well.
During my military service, we were some fifty males housed in a big barrack.
When I'd wake during the night to go to the outhouse, I noticed that the snoring was loud enough to raise the roof.
But I was back asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow; the noise never bothered me.
I tried to imitate the sound of the other men's snores; after four strong snorts my throat hurt me for a long period of time.
From these two facts I concluded: that we are genetically designed not to hear others snore while we sleep; and, that the sound we produce is engineered to be completely different from speech.
The development of a genetic trait is a result, as Darwin noted, of survival of the fittest or, in this case, the noisiest.
A mechanism which causes a male to deprive his mate from a good night's sleep, and invite wild predators to attack, is not a beneficial trait - and will lead to the extinction of his offspring.
But, surprisingly, most men (and even women) join the chorus of snorers at a later age.
This means that there must be some genetic advantages to snoring.
In prehistoric times, man slept in open areas or caves and was exposed to clever predators.
We were a strong species, similar to baboon or chimpanzees; but there are still a sufficient number of large animals capable of eating us.
A group of people had to sleep to gain energy to work and hunt.
(And, it's unrealistic to expect one person to guard the others all night long).
Loud snoring sounds like a threatening, angry growl of a massive animal, especially if people sleep in packs; the cacophony of noise can mimic a brawl.
Wild animals do not like risking attack or death by inciting a group of prey.
Males who snored supplied a safe shelter for their family.
They all survived and their genes became abundant in the population.
Those who did not snore were eaten, together with their spouses and children, and their genes were extinguished.
There is always the risk that-at some future date-we will have to run away and sleep in the open again; and although we have weapons, the snoring might still protect us and our family, just as it did in the past.
So work hard, grow tired enough to sleep, and let me protect you in peace, my love.