Your comment is so true. I currently live in Japan and I see all the sleep deprived Japanese going about their jobs in the laboratory, sleeping in the desk or dozing off while trying to work.

I had a talk with them trying to ask them if they realize that better sleep would make them more productive and also improve their overall health but their belief seems to be as you say. They think it's heroic to stay up late working and as a consequence be a zombie next day.

And once you start this it's a vicious cycle that is pretty hard to stop. Nothing can increase productivity and mental stability like a good night's sleep.