APRIL 1977 The Ideal Summer Job Parents Are People Too

JOURNAL OF BETTER LIVING A Crack in the Wedding Cake

. Art Arfons Races the Sound Barrie r ♦At every auto show where it is displayed, the Green Monster is a star attraction.

/Some 22 feet long, the Green Monster weighs nearly three tons ready to run. • The engine—an F-104 Starfighter—develops 17,500 horsepower. Racing Against the Sound Barrier Marjorie Grant Burns interviews racing driver Art Arfons

"It's hard to say. The car went out of control, flipping and rolling for over a mile. It was a rough, scary ride. It happens so fast that you just have one grinding blur of mixed-up impressions and feelings. I would have been glad to get out alive, let alone being able to walk away with no more than scratches and bruises." "Is this exotic-looking car the famous Green Monster?" "Yes! I've built about 22 of them, all the same name." "Is there a reason?" "Well, when I was 17Iwent into the service. Got out at 20 and worked for my dad. I decided dragging would be fun, so built a car and entered a race. And you can't imagine how bad it was. Terrible— Worse than being last! One of Race driver Art Arfons talks with LISTEN's interviewer Marjorie Grant the officials laughed and said, 'Art, bring that green mon- Burns. ster up here and let us have a look at it.' And, Mikki, that made me so mad! Made up my mind I'd show them. So I "YOU MIGHT get killed!" built another car, called it the Green Monster, and won a "Why don't you send a robot? Wasn't that your thinking world's record with it on the first run." two years ago?" "And you are still at those records!" "Yes. I'm not one to want to be a hero, even for science. "Yes, guess I am. I'd really like to try for the sound My first plan was to send a robot through with my car, and barrier. Bill Fredrick has built a car and will be trying for it. if we made it successfully through the sound barrier, then I And Gary Gabelich, who holds the land speed record now, would make the run. But it costs just as much to send a drove a car that could do it." robot through as for me to go, and with money the way it is, "That was the Blue Flame?" we can't really afford a robot run." "Right. Problem is, the sponsor, a natural gas company, "How much does it cost, Art, to make a test run aimed at retired the car. The company wasn't interested in going breaking the sound barrier?" faster, so will put their money into research. But science "It costs about $500,000. A number of years ago it wasn't needs to know a few more things about going faster— that hard to get the money. Companies had large advertis- through the sound barrier." ing budgets, and putting money into a pioneering venture "Are all these cars similar?" was a good way to get a product into public view. But the "No. Mine is jet, theirs are rocket." economy has sort of changed that." "Can you explain the difference to an amateur?" "So you'll forego the robot run?" "In the rocket the fuel is a unit, containing the needed "I'll go myself—if we can get a sponsor." mixing chambers. It operates as a single unit. The rocket "You crashed once at 610 miles per hour. How did you engine, using such a pack, can be much lighter. With jet, ever survive that one, Art?" the engine is heavy since it does what the fuel pack would

LISTEN • April 1977 • 3 "What if Fredrick's car is successful—before you get a try with yours?" "Well, I'll be glad for them. We've all been aiming at the sound barrier a long time. If someone else gets to it first, then I won't have to try it." "You say 'have to' like it's a must." "Well, yes. The barrier is an unknown challenge. No one knows what will happen. Planes break the barrier, but not below 4000 feet. They just have air to deal with. And sleds have broken it, but they were bolted to a track. When the detonation of a sonic boom goes off between a car and the ground .. . what's going to happen? That's scary! But we need to know." "It will be risky." "It certainly will be. But it's worth it because it's a scien- tific challenge. It's like an unclimbed mountain. It's there, and you have to do something about it." "But actually risking your life?" "The unknown has always put lives on the line. Do you know who the first speeding daredevil was? Count de Chasseloup-Laubat. In 1898 he tore through a mile in 57 seconds with his electric car. Scared himself to death at the great speed of 39 mph!" "You're kidding." "No! That's a fact. And when, after the record had climbed and climbed, Seagrave of England headed for the 200 mph barrier everyone was sure, including the experts, that no car could stand that speed—the thing would fly off into space, or the wheels would crack up, or fly off—no man could live through it. But he did." "So, you men are headed for another barrier! How much do you have invested in this car?" "About $20,000." Jet vent on the rear of the Green Monster. "That can't include the man-hours." "Well, no. Umm, I've never figured the man-hours." Art studied the floor a moment. When he finally looked do. The jet has to have an air flow. You noticed the nose up, amazement shattered his face. cone, mounted on a track. This is to control air intake." "About 2000 hours. I had no idea it was that many!" "Do you like jet better?" "What's this shiny wheel over here, separate from the "Yes. Both kinds can easily put on barrier speed. But I'm car? It's been attracting a lot of attention." acquainted with jet engines, probably like the back of my "We'll use those for the barrier run. Rubber can't take hand. The stability, once you get past 500 mph, is impor- that speed. These are forged aluminum by Alcoa. I de- tant to me." signed a machine to test wheels up to 800 mph. These can "I've been hearing that the Bonneville Salt Flats has a take it." problem developing, Art. What is it?" "Has this car been tested at Bonneville?" "We might have to move to another course. Fora couple "No, but we've run it. We blew the asphalt away at one of years the salt surface at the Flats has been track! We set the world's quarter-mile acceleration record deteriorating—no one is sure just why. Bill Fredrick finally by running 294 mph at Corpus Christi, Texas. We can got all the red tape cleared to run at Alvord Desert in actually hit barrier speed in 14 seconds!" Oregon. The run there is an old Strategic Air Command "You mean you can hit 750 mph in 14 seconds?" emergency landing field-10 miles of hard clay. By the "Yes. However, the barrier fluctuates, you know, from time this is in print, Fredrick's car may have made the try about 720 to 750 due to altitude, air density, and tempera- there. Hal Needham, the top Hollywood stuntman, will be ture." the driver. Kitty O'Neil, a Hollywood stuntwoman, has "Will weather be a big problem?" been test-running the car, and probably will be a back-up "It is at Bonneville. The season is very short. But at driver in the barrier test." Alvord the annual rainfall is about 31/2 inches. And the

LISTEN is published monthly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California. Subscription price $9.00 a year, $9.50 overseas. April 1977. Art Arfons and His Green Monster Art Arfons of Akron, Ohio, is an auto designer, inventor, and race car driver. Three times he has held the world's land speed record. He holds the quarter-mile dragster acceleration record. Art's racing career began in 1954 when he built a dragsterfrom castoff aircraft parts, including an Allison P-38 engine. He was the first drag driver to break the 150 mph mark at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1956. He set the world's quarter-mile acceleration record by running 267.85 mph at Fort Stockton, Texas, January 15, 1969, with an elapsed time of 6.41 seconds. On "Do you feel drugs are less 'in' than, say, two years September 27, 1969, Arfons broke his own record when ago?" he drove the Green Monster Cyclops 294 mph in an "I think they're less. Alcohol is the destructive thing elapsed time of 5.55 at Corpus Christi, Texas. now. And it's harder to do anything about. These hazards cost me a good friend, so I feel strongly about them. "We were on the driving circuit in the South. I had Specifications of the Green Monster noticed the tires on the car my friend was driving, and they Engine: J79, 17,500 horsepower, F-104 Starfighter Length: 22 feet Width: 80 inches Height: 66 inches Tires: Aluminum wheels Record: 294 mph in quarter mile, 5.55 ET (elapse time), Corpus Christi, Texas, November, 1971 Fuel Capacity: 100 gallons in Firestone Rasafe Fuel Cell Brakes: Dual system disc Chutes: two main 16 feet, one emergency 24 feet Frame: 11/2 inch, 4130 chromemoly tubing Body: 063 Alcoa aluminum Weight to run: 5810 pounds

mountains form a windbreak. We wouldn't get a crosswind problem that we often have at Bonneville. I'd still like to try at Bonneville, but that's not final yet." Special forged aluminum wheel invented for supersonic speeds. "Art, is there any way to describe what a 600-700 mph ride is like?" "It's an odd thing, a very strange feeling. Up to 400 mph didn't look good to me. I was sort of worried about it all the ride is rough and noisy. Then it smooths out, the day, so I went to see him in his room that night. As I got in noises begin to fuse, the pitch begins to go up, sort of an the door I smelled pot and stuff, and he was not in a intense singing sound. And you listen, thinking it can't go rational mood and he thought I was pretty silly to be upset higher, but it goes right on up as you go faster and faster. about his tires. It's an unbelievable experience!" "But the next day he cornered too tight, misjudged his "I've been following your career for several years now. distance, hit the guardrail, and was killed. The tires In addition to learning about your records, I've heard weren't his problem. The problem was his head. What hurt about your life-style. I know you don't smoke, make a habit the most was that he chose to do that. of drinking, or use drugs. Why have you stuck to this?" "I'm willing to risk the sound barrier for the sake of Art sat down on the edge of the speaker's platform and science, but it will find me with the keenest edge I can crossed his ankle over his knee. Rubbing the leather of his possibly maintain. Throwing myself away by using drugs, boot with one hand, he said thoughtfully, "So many and by drinking and smoking is unthinkable!" reasons. I had a close friend, a really fine man. Married and "You sound rarin' to go, Art. What are you doing while had a baby. They didn't drink or use drugs. But one night you work on getting a sponsor for attacking the sound they tried pot, just out of curiosity. He really spun out and barrier? Are you racing?" ended up charging upstairs to throw his own baby out the "No. You'd never guess what we are into on the side." window because he was crying. "What?" "I can't see, Mikki, how anyone can play with that stuff. I "Tractor pulls. We have a jet tractor we built. Come over think too much of life and all the exciting things it has. I to Indianapolis in February and we'll show you some excit- think too much of my own mind and good health and of my ing fun." children and my wife. Sometimes I wish we could find a "I'll be there if you are, Art! But if good luck comes your safe place to move to where drinking, smoking, and drugs way, you just could be out in Oregon, stirring up the sound wouldn't be a danger to my beautiful daughter. We adults barrier with this shiny red and green car—and that I would have made a messy place for our kids to grow up in." love to see!"

LISTEN • April 1977 • 5 Although you probably won't get a THE IDEAL summer job—isn't that Through volunteer work you gain weekly paycheck, volunteering can what every teen-ager wants? opportunities to— still be— Maybe not this year. Perhaps this is . • serve others in meaningful ways. to be your last summer at camp, or your Ask those 10-H Club members in Man- family is planning that once-in-a- chester, Connecticut, how they feel lifetime vacation. Nevertheless, the about spending their Sunday after- time is not too far away when you'll be noons teaching physically handi- thinking seriously about a summer job capped and mentally retarded children and wondering what would be exactly how to swim. The Take-My-Hand pro- right for you. gram was born several years ago when Many young people declare they the parents of a blind boy asked the The have found the answer. Along with the recreation director for help. A student ideal summer job, they gained experi- swimming instructor was provided. ence that enabled them to develop as Word soon spread. Similar requests lit- individuals and opened the door to a erally poured in. The young volunteers more fulfilling future. At the same time have shown great enthusiasm and end- they had a unique opportunity to give less patience for the project. themselves in service to others. • explore a career to which you feel I'd like to show you that the ideal drawn. Mavis was determined to be- summer job often takes the form of come a nurse, although everyone dis- mmer volunteer work or community service. couraged her. Even her parents op- Su While the chances of being paid for this posed the idea. However, they agreed kind of work are rather remote, you'll to a trial period with Mavis working as a enjoy some options you could not ex- pect from a regular job. It's true. The benefits of volunteer The benefits of volunteer work Job work defy efforts to count and identify defy efforts to count and them. However, just in case you'd like to try, here are a few examples to get identify them. Gene Church Schulz you started.

6 • LISTEN • April 1977 candy-striper. By sheer luck Mavis was TV programs. Her glowing smile, her assigned to help the head nurse in the Whatever form of volunteer kindness, her willingness to listen, orthopedic wing. Sure enough. After work you choose, it's important made her an ideal candidate for this two years of service, Mavis's decision program. For Maria, success was virtu- went against nursing. She now plans to to treat the work as seriously as ally assured. become a physical therapist instead. you would a job for which you If you find the program you want to How else could she have made this im- are being paid. join, contact the person in charge and portant discovery? offer your help. • move toward a meaningful career Ivory began to spend more time at decision. Dr. Stella Chess, now a New the park. When he saw a fight brewing, York child psychiatrist, says her career to give, within what geographic area he tried to break it up. But setting him- grew out of her experience as a coun- you can work. If someone has to drive self up as an unofficial park patrol selor at a summer camp for under- across town three times a week to pick made the younger children resent him. privileged girls. When the youngsters you up, his effort may be nearly as great When he reminded them of the rules, confided their problems to her, she was as yours. This is the time to think care- they threatened to report him. Ivory drawn to a career helping children deal fully about how serious you are and began to feel his efforts were futile. His with problems. Her successful career what kind of commitment you're pre- visits to the park became sporadic. resulted, to a great degree, from work- pared to make. To begin, why not list It was sheer coincidence that the ing with those campers. your qualifications? park supervisor caught him helping the • help to combat the prejudice some Here's the list made by 16-year-old younger boys with batting practice. At adults feel toward teens. A state official Maria Obregon: neat handwriting, abil- that moment the idea for VIPS (Volun- observed: "Those of us who have ity to take directions, can operate cash teers in Parks) was born. Would Ivory worked with rather than just for youth register. After a short visit with the high help? in the ever-widening span of voluntary school counselor, Maria added: shy, He was more than willing. A red vest services are becoming aware of the but smile a lot, enjoy older people, like identified him as a member of the team. fact that adolescents can participate to read aloud, good with children, neat When he learned to be more diplo- intelligently and meaningfully in com- appearance. matic, the kids began to respect him. munity programs as planners and Ivory Brown couldn't think of any Today the town of Jefferson has more doers." qualifications for himself, but he knew than 30 VIPS working after school and • reap a harvest of confidence and he liked to work with his hands and on weekends. At the last city council good feelings about yourself. Earning make things. His best grades were in meeting money was allocated for a the approval of others and winning physical education. pavilion so activities can go on, rain or their esteem go a long way toward Second, enlist your parents' support. shine. overcoming lingering doubts. Found: Their approval counts a lot in whatever Like Ivory, you can make it happen. It new confidence and a new sense of you do. may be easier if you seek some form of purpose for your life. Now take a look at your community. adult approval or support before you • meet people whose background, What needs are already receiving at- start. In any community it's important culture, and experience complement tention? Are some important needs not to let others know what you want to do yours. A teen-to-teen program oper- being served? Ivory saw children play- and why. Usually approval is easy to ated by the Westchester Volunteer ing in the park after school without come by. Before you know it, you're off Bureau in New York pairs ghetto teens supervision. The problem was, he on what may be the adventure of your with more affluent peers. As a result didn't know what to do about it. Maria life. each learns to see the world with new felt that elderly people in nursing Whatever form of volunteer work you perspective. homes were isolated and lonely. But choose, it's important to treat the work Perhaps you're convinced now that she also felt helpless to correct the as seriously as you would a job for there is an ideal summer job for you. All problem. which you were being paid. Your obli- you have to do is identify the greatest The biggest decision you may have gation: Plan to get there on time; don't need, determine what is being done to to make is whether to join an existing ask for time off; don't goof off; don't improve the situation or combat the program or do your own thing. If you're shirk your responsibility. After all, you problem, and somehow involve your- not a joiner, or if none of the programs asked for the job. self in what is going on. seem to fit your own objectives, why And what's the greatest reward? The Come to think of it, that's quite an not be a catalyst? Start a program of satisfaction of knowing you're giving order! your own. the nicest gift of all—yourself. There's no clear-cut approach to in- When Maria heard about Adopt-a- volvement; however, as you plan your Grandparent, she joined at once. But strategy, some guidelines may be help- she didn't stop with one grandparent; What's the greatest reward? The ful. she adopted three! Maria is fortunate; satisfaction of knowing you're First, take stock of yourself. Decide she has plenty of love to share. When what qualifications you have, what she visits her three grandparents, their giving the nicest gift of kinds of duties you could perform ef- eyes light up. She has brought more all—yourself. fectively, how much time you're willing cheer into their lives than a thousand

LISTEN • April 1977 • 7 Plan ahead for a part-time or summer house or yard that your parents suggest—better still, that you find job. Among numerous benefits- without their suggestion—or preparing your lessons to the best of your ability. Does that sound pretty unglamor- ous? Actually many things in life are not glamorous, but you can make work a lot more pleasant by pitching in and doing your best. I was teaching in a large high school at the time of the Korean War. A few Earning Can boys took the attitude that there was no need to prepare their lessons because they were "going to get caught in the draft anyway." That was as inconsist- ent as the idea that one isn't going to study because he doesn't like the class or the teacher. Mean Learnin Regardless of what kind of job you have, motion plays an important part in promotion. In the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower, "There is virtue in hard work, in doing a job well." It may take considerable time and energy to get a job in the first place. Be sure you don't treat job-seeking as a kind of unwelcome semiholiday. Jobs, even part-time or summer ones, usually don't knock at your door. You have to go after them. As you analyze your ex- perience and ability you may find that you have underestimated your capabilities. You are not just looking for a job; you are selling your services—a certain amount of energy, time, and skill. Annie Laurie Von Tungeln It takes diligence to keep a job. Just as jobs do not come to you automati- cally, so you do not keep them automat- KARIN STALLCUP, a junior at North ing. You may want to gain experience ically. Phoenix High School in Arizona, and make contacts that will help you in Once you have sold your services, do suggested at a governor's conference the life career you have already chosen, your work in such a way that your on juvenile delinquency that state ex- or you may feel that a part-time or employer will be glad that he bought perts were making a mistake in plan- summer job can point the way to your them. Punctuality and reliability are ning more recreation centers to keep future work. prized characteristics. You need to be teen-agers out of mischief. You may also reap other dividends of alert, not just doing the least you can to She insisted that what young people which you never dreamed. Diligence get by with, but giving your services really wanted was not more fun but pays. cheerfully and willingly. jobs. She proposed setting up an Working can show you how essential As a sophomore George took a part- employment agency to serve as a an apparently unimportant job is to the time job in the high school library. All clearinghouse for after-school and smooth running of an entire business. he was hired to do was run errands and summer jobs, adding, "I bet we could It can give you some idea of the scope shelve the books that had been turned run it ourselves." Her work and en- of the world's work. Being a wage- in during the day. He did that so quickly thusiasm resulted in the organization earner can increase your self-respect and efficiently that the work was of Youth Employment Service which through the realization that you are a finished long before his time was up. became known as YES. contributing part of society. It can ad- He offered to type cards for the catalog Countless teen-agers feel much as vance your goals. Many young people and started a systematic study of the Karin did. Regardless of whether there who work part-time discover that al- Dewey decimal system. He made him- is a branch of YES in your community, though they are pleased to have jobs self so invaluable to the librarian that no doubt most of you want to work. It that bring in some extra cash, they by the time he was a senior he was has been said that there are four things don't want to spend their lives mowing given the rank of library clerk, and his a person can do with his hands: wring lawns or baby-sitting. They come to wages were raised accordingly. The them, fold them, put them in his pock- realize the necessity for further educa- head librarian recommended him for a ets, or use them for some task that tion. scholarship. He is now attending the needs to be done. Perhaps you do not need to earn college of his choice, paying his ex- Your motives for wanting to work are money or your parents think it best for penses with money provided by the doubtless varied. Most of you want to you not to have a job. That doesn't scholarship and what he earns working earn some spending money, or mean that you have nothing to do this in the college library. perhaps you are helping your family, or summer. Your most important job right Motion can pay off in your promo- starting a nest egg for further school- now may be doing the things about the tion, just as it did for George.

8 • LISTEN • April 1977 What's Your Advice About Smoking? Advice—it's an easy thing to give but sometimes it's a hard thing to take. For this month's Viewpoint we asked a group of high school students in Massachusetts this question: If a younger brother or sister came to you for advice about smoking cigarettes, how would you advise them?

ROBIN SIMMONS, age 17 MARY BRASS, age 15 ANTHONY TARANTO, agel5 MIKE LAMATTINA, age 15

I smoke cigarettes, and my mother If my brother or sister came up to I'd tell them I wouldn't want them I would tell them it's a known fact caught my brother smoking recently. me and asked me if they should to smoke because of how it affects that it's dangerous to your health. I'd like to quit smoking but I can't. smoke. I'd probably first react, No, you. It's just bad. I don't smoke; The only reason that kids these days I'm studying cancer in biology and but then I'd say, It's your decision. I'd don't like it. I hang around with kids could be smoking is possibly to be now that I've found out what it does tell them the bad points about it, but that smoke. They let me in with them cool, to try to be respected, or they're to you, I'd like to quit. But what's it's their choice if they're going to and I don't smoke, but others feel forced into it by group pressure. But holding me back is I know if I quit I'll smoke. They're not going to stop be- that they have to do what the others I'd definitely tell a youngster that start eating—and overweight and all cause I say so. do to get into the gang. smoking isn't good. You're not prov- that. If my brother did come to me, I ing anything to anybody by smok- would tell him all the facts about JOHN RHATIGAN, age 16 IRENE SONYA, age 17 ing; it doesn't make you older, and smoking and what it can do to you. it's not going to help you out. And another thing, I play sports, and I can tell you right now, athletes can't PATTY McCALL, age 18 smoke. AUDREY HEADLEY, age 17

I'd tell them to stay away from it I'd tell them not to smoke because in fifth and sixth grades I because—I used to smoke and I quit. smoked myself and all it did was A friend of our family died from it. If I caught my sister Karen smok- hurt me. In sports and stuff I could and I just don't like it. ing, I would try to tell her not to. I've tell I was slowing down, so I stopped been smoking for about seven years after sixth grade. Now I feel better now, and I don't like it at all. I wish I because I quit. I'd tell them, if I saw MARIAN NEWMAN, age 17 As a matter of fact, my sister has could quit, but I can't. I'd just tell her that they really liked it. all the bad come up and asked me; and I discov- to stop. things about it and tell them to stop. ered it was because, when I was in junior high, I tried it. I felt guilty doing it, and I'd just rather that she JEAN GIRARD, age 16 not do it. It's a bad habit. ADRIAN ARSENEAU, age 16 BETH SHINNICK, age 17

There's really not much you can say because they're going to make up their own mind about it. I would probably tell them all the bad effects of smoking and let them make up I'd say, No, because at first it's a their own mind. I did smoke, but I different experience, then after that I'd tell them, It's not good for you, don't anymore. I started because you can't put the cigarettes down— you shouldn't. I quit smoking about everyone else was and I guess it was you're hooked. I know. because I've four months ago. Been smoking three the thing to do; but as you get older I don't know what I'd do. I'd proba- smoked. If people had told me that to four years. Just quit—in my health you do what you want to do instead bly tell them that I wouldn't want before, I wouldn't have started. class. of what other people want you to do. them to smoke, but it's their choice.

LISTEN • April 1977 • 9 here bits e ormed Herald A. Habenicht, MD, FAAP

HABITS are an indispensable part of Habit can be thought of as a usual generally have a negative connotation your life. About a century ago the fa- manner of behavior, an automatic in- and would imply a definite need for mous psychologist William James voluntary behavior pattern acquired outside assistance in the struggle for wrote, "Habit simplifies the move- through frequent usage or repetition. It freedom from such habits. ments required to achieve a given re- is acquired, not inborn. To addict (to acquire or cause to ac- sult, makes them more accurate and Habits can be either helpful or harm- quire an addiction) is defined by Web- diminishes fatigue. . . . Habit di- ful to the individual. We might describe ster as follows: "to apply or devote (as minishes the conscious attention with them as productive and self-enhanc- oneself or one's mind) habitually: give which our acts are performed." ing, or self-destructive and antisocial. up (oneself) or surrender (oneself) as a For our purpose we will focus on self- constant practice ... to cause or induce Dr. Habenicht is director of the Andrews University medical center and associate professor of health destructive habits and their correction. (a person) to make habitual use of a education. The terms addiction or drug addiction drug."

10 • LISTEN • April 1977 The brainstem is composed of the (Fig.1) pons and the medulla oblongata. It BRAINS OF VERTEBRATES serves to monitor and regulate such in- drawn on the same scale voluntary essential body functions as respiration, swallowing, vomiting, heart- cgO& beat, bowel elimination, and blood •02;° .c;g?- tax welt- pressure. Shark Frog Turtle Pigeon Opossum Rabbit The cerebellum monitors body movements. Giant Purkinje cells— some with up to 200,000 synapses— constantly monitor the muscle tone and body and extremity position. The excitatory nerves of movement are counterbalanced and smoothed out by inhibitory stimuli from the Golgi cells. House cat Rhesus monkey Chimpanzee Man The cerebrum (Figure 2) can be di- vided into the cortex (gray and white matter) and the basal ganglia (gray The nervous system can be divided supply to keep it functioning. The brain matter on inside). The cortex com- into two parts—the central nervous takes priority in nutrition. Some 50 poses 80 percent of the brain volume. It system (brain and spinal cord) and the percent of the total body weight may be can be divided into a right and a left peripheral nervous system (12 cranial lost in severe food deprivation, but at hemisphere. If its intricate convolu- nerves and 30 spinal nerves). For the most only 15 percent of the brain tions and folds plicated beneath the purpose of our discussion on habit we weight may be depleted. skull were spread out flat, it would will limit our attention to the brain. The brain proper can be divided into cover almost a square meter of surface. Some comparative anatomy is neces- the cerebrum, cerebellum (little brain), The cortex can also be divided struc- sary as we begin our discussion. and the brainstem (midbrain). We will turally into gray matter and white mat- Figure 1 shows drawings of several consider these in reverse order be- ter. The gray matter contains the well-known vertebrates drawn to the cause we want to end with the cere- neuron (nerve cell) bodies, while the same scale. If we were to project a brum, or master control center, where white matter is composed of the nerve whale's brain, it would fill the entire all thought processes originate and extensions (axons). These are bundles diagram and would weigh over five habit patterns are formed. of nerve extensions going to other kilograms. Yet of all animals, only man has a brain capable of conceptual thought, cognition, creativity, self- (Fig. 2) consciousness, spoken language, and CORONAL SECTION THROUGH THE BRAIN a concern and understanding for the meaning of life. Longitudinal fissure right and left hemispheres The human brain is only now begin- ning to be understood by human corpus corpus callosum intelligence. It goes without saying that white matter no human brain could ever understand the brain completely. Eleven years ago (1966) a new scientific journal was cerebral cortex lateral ventricle published for the first time entitled gray matter Brain Research. A typical yearly issue has 11 volumes and totals over 5500 pages. Recently several similar jour- white matter gray matter of nals have started because of the need basal ganglia for greater publication space. The human brain averages 1.5 kilo- grams (3.3 pounds), about 2 percent of the adult total body weight. It takes ventricle about 20 percent of the body's blood

LISTEN • April 1977 • 11 neurons in other lower levels of control switchboard for every sensation we (RAS) is a cone-shaped area of gray and nerve activity. experience except smell. Here crude matter deep within the brain through Researchers have been able to iden- and uncritical sorting and organizing which almost all of the nerve circuits tify the sensory and motor and other take place before being relayed on to pass. This area decides which mes- areas with considerable precision. Just the appropriate portion of the cortex sages can be handled in the autonomic inside the gray matter on each side of for final refinement and action or stor- areas and which need to go to the con- the cortex is a special area of gray mat- age. scious thought areas of the cerebral ter called the hypocampus. We will be In front of the brainstem we find the cortex. returning again to this very important hypothalamus, the chief guardian of When it closes down, we sleep. If the area, for this is where long-term mem- the body's basic well-being. Here clus- smell of smoke comes while we sleep, ory and habit formation take place. ters of cells control such basic drives the RAS wakes us up to see if the house The basal ganglia consists of a sec- as hunger, thirst, and sex. Blood sugar is on fire and the individual is in danger. ond level of neuron bodies which lie as metabolism and blood anticoagulant When a person lives by an airport or a relay station in gray matter buried levels are also regulated. Fear, anxiety, some other noisy place, the noise is cut deep within the brain. The thalamus is a anger, and terror seem to be controlled out here so the individual can sleep. pair of egg-shaped masses on top of or originate in this area. The amazing, fascinating cell unit the brainstem. It is the body's central The recticular activating system which makes all body processes possi- ble is called the neuron (Figure 3). Conservative estimates from the best (Fig. 3) neurophysiologists tell us there are THE NEURON some ten billion (1 x 10 to the 10th power) of these microscopic units in (10 billion in nervous system) the human brain. During the last cen- tury the great Spanish neuroanatomist Ramon y Cajal first described these iso- lated cells. With special stains and tedious work under the microscope, he Dendrites was able to show their separate, inde- pendent existence. Cell Body The typical neuron anywhere in the nervous system has three essential components: (1) the soma, or cell body, containing the nucleus; (2) the den- drites, always multiple, which act as re- ceivers; and (3) the axon, usually a Axon collateral Nucleus single outflow tract for nerve mes- sages. At a distance and away from the soma, the axon may send off branches. Boutons Each neuron may be compared to a microelectric generator. Some are running constantly while others hire in- termittently as they receive messages from other neurons. The electric mes- sages sent by the neurons are the only language used by the brain. Each of the nerve cells produces about 20 mil- livolts of power. Information is coded by the frequency of the impulses. The location where one nerve passes its electrically coded message to Axon another is called the synapse (Figure 4). The term is derived from the Greek word synapto, meaning to clasp tightly.

12 • LISTEN • April 1977 drites of the next cell. In the inhibitor (Fig. 4) boutons the vesicles are eliptical, fewer THE SYNAPSE in number, and usually on the cell body or axon of the adjacent neuron. Brain neurons can fire as fast as Bouton 500-1000 times per second, but aver- age speed or frequency of firing is 100 times per second. The bouton, with in- creasing stimulation, grows in size and develops more vesicles. The boutons Synaptic vesicles also are known to grow in number. In extreme cases, as many as 80,000 Presynaptic membrane boutons have been counted coming of bouton onto a single neuron. In the process of habit formation, as in long-term mem- 200 A r ory, these boutons are formed and their Synaptic cleft circuit pathways established with great t permanency. Postsynaptic membrane When cells of the hippocampus (on dendrite or cell body) (where memory and habit formation are thought to occur) are stimulated at frequent intervals, there is a measura- There is no actual electrical connec- mately 10,000 molecules of acetyl- ble increase of the transmitter sub- tion and no passage of electric current choline. When the nerve impulse stance released, which means more between one neuron and the next. The reaches the bouton, some of the vesi- vesicles and larger boutons. There is axon of the nerve, whether single or cles rupture, releasing their acetyl- also a branching of spines on the den- branched, ends in a little knob. These choline into the synaptic cleft, where it drites, which is thought to give the knobs have several other names: activates the ion pump, which starts great endurance to the learned or habit synaptic knobs, axon terminals, axonal the electric current in the postsynaptic process. enlargements, beaded axons, and membrane. The name engram is given to the boutons. South American Indians discovered specific set of neurons in habit or We will use this last term, boutons. that curare could be used as a nerve memory chains that replay the same The bouton comes into very close prox- poison for animals and man. Much picture or movement with stimulation imity with the dendrites, cell body, or later science was to discover that cu- or association. The brain is filled with even upper axon of the next neuron. rare would prevent the release of immense numbers of engrams ready The actual distance between the pre- acetylcholine. Botulism is a poisoning for instant recall. synaptic membrane of the bouton and by a toxin from spoiled food which also Dr. William Sadler has said: "Our es- the next postsynaptic membrane of the prevents acetylcholine from being re- tablished habits make little pathways next neuron is called the synaptic cleft. leased from the bouton. Myasthenia through the nervous system. Frequent The narrow space is only 2/100,000ths gravis is a medical condition of ex- repetition of the same thought, feeling of a millimeter wide. treme muscle weakness from lack of or action wears a deeper groove, just as The actual transmission of the nerve nerve transmission. Alcohol also de- repeated walking over a lawn will wear message across the synapse is a chem- creases the release of acetylcholine. a deeper path in the sod." ical reaction. Each bouton is filled with Using the electron microscope, sci- little saclike structures called vesicles. entists have been able to distinguish Depending on where in the brain and between stimulator and inhibitor whether the nerve is a stimulating boutons by the shape of the storage nerve or an inhibitory nerve, the vesi- vesicles and the bouton's position on Next month Listen will feature the sec- cles will be filled with molecule bun- the next neuron. The stimulator ond of two articles on habits and habit dles of one of several chemicals. boutons containing acetylcholine or formation. This article, entitled "What Let us examine a bouton whose vesi- glutamate have round vesicles. The to Do With Habit-- will tell how to cles contain the chemical acetyl- vesicles are more numerous and the change undesirable habits into better choline. Each vesicle has approxi- bouton is usually located on the den- ones.

LISTEN • April 1977 • 13 Parents Are People Too Tam Westover WADE SAT on the floor in the far corner of the cell with his head on his knees. His jeans were torn, his shirt was splattered with blood, and his hair was matted in a clump around a gash on his forehead. He didn't remember the fight; he didn't want to. All he wanted was to get out of this cell and into his familiar bed. He was far from sober, but sober enough that his body was beginning to ache, and sober enough to be worried that someone might check his file. He was wanted for violating parole from the county detention home. "Wade Gray?" Wade looked up at the policeman. "When's my ma coming?" "She's not, Wade. She told us about your record. We're holding you for the juvenile authorities." Wade closed his eyes but the room kept spinning. His mother had turned him in. He'd always known she didn't care about him. She'd never under- stood. She was always yelling at him. It was her fault he drank. She was a lousy mother.

Wade's mother was thinking many of the same things as her son as she hung up the phone. She didn't understand why he drank. Maybe it was true what people said—that bad kids come from bad homes. She did yell a lot, but not because she didn't care. What else could she do? She felt helpless. Out of desperation Wade's mother had started attending the weekly meet- ings of the local chapter of Families Anonymous (FA) more than a year ago.

14 • LISTEN • April 1977 FA is a self-help organization for the Trudy's mother and father were at a to let their sons get themselves out of parents of chemically-dependent chil- loss about what to do. When they tried jams of their own making. dren (alcoholics, drug abusers). For- to talk to Trudy to find out why she was Steve and Bill were informed that no mally established in 1971, FA currently acting so strangely, she became defen- more drugs would be allowed in the has 82 chapters in 25 states. The vari- sive. house. They would be asked to leave if ous groups range in size from six to 50 "Why do you always have to check they broke this rule. Their parents, regularly attending members. The av- up on me!" she shouted. "Can't you however, would be more than willing to erage group size is about 20. just leave me alonel- help them should they ever seek The primary goal of FA is to help Trudy's parents had always trusted therapy or treatment. families troubled by a child's use of her. They had always respected her pri- Lisa had never been in serious trou- mind-altering substances, or to help in vacy. But after several months of ble or broken the law, but she'd been problems of runaways, truancy, or Trudy's strange behavior, they were kicked out of two high schools. She other situations which so often go desperate. They thought maybe they drank heavily and smoked grass. Sev- hand-in-hand with drugs or alcohol. could find a clue to their daughter's eral times she had run away from The members of FA (who use only first behavior in her diary. home. names) discuss among themselves the "I couldn't believe the vile and dis- "I did everything I could to make sure problems of dealing with a chemically- gusting things I read," her father told Lisa didn't skip school," her father dependent child. the FA meeting. "She outlined in every said. "I'd drive her to school every These meetings are not mere gossip detail the things she had done while morning and wait until she was in the sessions or exchanges of mutual pity. high on drugs. If it hadn't been in her building before I drove away. As soon Literature provided by FA emphasizes own handwriting, I wouldn't have be- as I was around the corner, she was out that the parents should concentrate on lieved it.- the door and off to meet her friends." themselves, their own reactions, rather After attending FA for some time, "When school called," her mother than merely on the child. Trudy's parents decided to let her face told the FA members, "I'd lie for her. I'd The paradox of drug abuse is that the the consequences of her own actions. say she had the flu or something." parent often is so anxious to "help" his If she wasn't home by 10 pm, she'd find "We were really dumb," Lisa's father child that he assumes the blame for his the doors locked. If she didn't do her said. "As soon as we made the decision child's behavior. The parent then be- chores around the house, her allow- to let Lisa take responsibility for her gins to protect the child, lying to school ance was withheld. If she got into any own actions, she started shaping up. authorities, failing to confront the child kind of trouble, her parents wouldn't Why should we blame ourselves? After with the consequences of his actions, bail her out. all, we weren't the ones skipping or hiding the child's problem from his "We're going .to stand by her," her school or smoking pot." spouse. father told the group, "but we're not "I'm a person too," Wade's mother FA attempts to change this over- going to stand up for her." told the FA members at the next meet- protective attitude of the parent, and as "Everywhere we went, we heard the ing. She had recently found out that a result children of parents who join FA same thing,- the mother of two teen- Wade had been sent to a correctional often can be helped. The program age sons told the group, "bad kids institution. It might be months, or teaches parents to release with love come from bad homes. I believed that. I perhaps years, before she would see and understanding the child with a didn't know why both Steve and Bill him again. chemical dependency. This forces the were junkies, but I assumed it had to be "I had second thoughts about telling child to make his own decisions and be my fault." the police about Wade's parole viola- responsible for his own actions. "We tried to protect our boys," said tion," she said. "It really cuts a piece A California judge speaking of FA their father. "We had always told them out of you when you know your son says, "In my experience, where families not to associate with so-and-so be- hates you. But I just couldn't sit by attend this program the rate of recov- cause he was a bad kid. It's shattering anymore and bail him out so he could ery in the user is about doubled. The to find out that other parents are saying get beat up again." anonymity, the first-name basis, the the same thing about your kid." She looked around the group. "I just warm, comfortable feeling in discuss- Steve and Bill's parents began drift- can't be responsible for Wade's actions ing mutual family problems of drug ing apart. When the boys' mother any longer. I've made my decision; now abuse lends strength to families. They found drugs in their room, she would Wade is going to have to make his. are not alone with their problems of hide them and not tell her husband. "If he learns that I'm not going to drugs." When he found them, he wouldn't tell cover for him anymore, maybe, just When Wade's mother first began at- her. maybe, he'll learn to depend on him- tending FA, she didn't think anyone They dropped out of their outside ac- self." could understand the way she was tivities, and stayed home and waited for feeling—the hurt and the shame. In the the phone to ring—thankful each time beginning she sat quietly in the meet- it wasn't the hospital or the police. They ings, listening as other parents with avoided their neighbors, fearing their experiences similar to hers related how sons or daughters had been sold drugs they had found some answers. She by Steve or Bill. (FAMILIES ANONYMOUS groups are read the literature, hesitantly began to "We tried to be good parents," located throughout the United States talk with some of the other members, pleaded the boys' mother, "but we just and Canada. For information about and tried putting into practice some of couldn't figure out what we had done groups in your area or how a group may the steps of the program. Gradually she wrong. It was tearing us apart." be started in your community, write: came to realize that parents are people When they realized their lives had Families Anonymous; PO Box 344; too. become unmanageable, they decided Torrance, CA 90501.)

LISTEN • April 1977 • 15

"It was all right when the man from the bakery put it What are the really important things in there." life? "That may be, but it's not all right now." The father of the bride shrugged his shoulders and left the room. The mother of the bride was upset. And rightfully so. The True values are explored in this sym- wedding cake had cost fantastically, and now it had a bolic story. crack running down the side of it. How could this possibly happen and at the eleventh hour? Everyone's nerves were bad enough. There was no time to call the bakery back, and it was time to dress for the wedding. "What's up?" asked the brother of the bride. He had been looking for someone to tie his black bow tie. "The cake!" Mother pointed to the satin-covered table. "Holy cow! There's a crack in it. Sis will blow her stack. You'd better patch it up before she sees it." So the mother of the bride went to search for a box of frosting she thought she had seen. A Crack "Hold on!" said the father of the bride, who had not been able to stay away from the scene. "That box you're • holding says CHOCOLATE." "What will I do?" wailed the distressed mother. "That wedding cake is all the child has talked about for months and months. She has gone to the bakery dozens of times to make certain it would be just right—and now this. It will break her heart." in the "Turn the cake around," offered Brother, delighted with himself for coming around with such a bright idea. "Then the crack won't show." "That won't help. It's a round table and people will see all sides of it." The bride's mother fingered the greenery that twisted around the bottom of the cake. "Push the table into the corner," suggested Father. "Then they can't walk around it." Wedding "Push what into the corner?" asked the sister of the bride, who was searching for someone to hook the back of her dress. "The cake!" answered Brother. "Why would you want to do that?" "There's a crack in it, and we don't want the crack to show." "You're kidding? A crack in the wedding cake?" Cake "See for yourself." Brother was smug about having something on Sister. Taffy Jones "Why don't you patch it with some white frosting?" Sister asked. "I have only chocolate frosting, and there's no time to go to the store," answered Mother. "THERE'S A CRACK in the wedding cake!" exclaimed "Wow!" shouted Sister. "You'll have to tell Sis about it." the father of the bride. So there was. A long, ugly line ran "She'll cry up a scene." Brother snitched a swipe of from the top of the white-iced cake to the last fluted tier. frosting from the base of the cake. "Better call my wife." "Stop that!" snapped Mother. "You'll spoil the cake." "How did that happen?" exclaimed the mother of the "I thought it was spoiled already. A little more spoiled bride, casting an accusing glance at her husband. won't hurt it," Brother replied. "How should I know?" "You're right. We will have to tell her," decided Mother.

LISTEN • April 1977 • 17 "You tell her," said Father as he disappeared. "Can't it be patched?" The groom ran his index finger "She won't be happy," sang Brother. over the white icing. And the bride was not happy. She was not happy at all. "Quit messing with the cake, and no, it can't be Never in her worst nightmares had she dreamed that an patched!" cried the bride, whose lovely face had gone ugly crack could ever appear in her glorious wedding sour. cake. First she stared at the crack in the cake. Then she The groom was silent as he studied the cracked cake. At gasped. She screamed. Tears followed the scream, which last he said, "Do you love me?" ended in uncontrollable sobs. All the weeks of hectic prep- "What a stupid question. You know I do." aration descended on her like bushels of stinging rice. "Then that's all that matters," declared the groom. Right before everyone's eyes the sweet little bride "That cake is my cake also, so I have a cracked wedding exploded. cake too. Together we can handle any old cracked wed- "I'm not going to be married with a cracked wedding ding cake, can't we?" cake," she announced. The bride burst into understanding tears and rushed "You're not going to what?" roared Father, who had into the groom's arms. The others sighed, the tension been only a step away. letting go, and went back to their wedding duties. "I'm not going to be married with any old cracked wed- Grandma was the first guest to arrive. "Mercy!" she ding cake." exclaimed, when she saw the deep crack in the wedding "Lucky for the groom that he's not cracked," teased cake. "This will never do." She hurried into the kitchen Brother. and took a knife from the drawer. She filled a glass with "Let's not add to it," instructed Mother. warm water and dashed (this grandma could dash) back to "Young lady, you most certainly are going to be mar- the cake table. She dipped the knife into the warm water ried," announced Father, "cracked wedding cake or not. and touched the hardened frosting with it. The icing The guests will be arriving soon, and your mother isn't melted under her touch. even dressed in her million-dollar outfit. As for you, my "I'll have this fixed in no time. No one will ever know daughter, I have waited a long time to have the honor of there was a crack in this lovely wedding cake." The melted walking you down the aisle." frosting began to cover the dark line. "What's up?" asked the groom. Are you hurt?" he What a lovely wedding it turned out to be! The bride was asked his bride tenderly. "I heard you screaming." He had a beautiful princess in ivory satin, Belgium lace, and seed the harrassed look of a bridegroom about to be married. pearls, the groom a handsome prince standing at her side. "My cake! My cake!" sobbed the pretty bride. "Beautiful wedding," said Grandma to the father of the "What's wrong with it? It looks all right to me." bride. "It has a crack in it." "Indeed it is! And our girl—isn't she something?- "Where?" "Indeed she is. And such a lovely cake," Grandma "Are you blind? There!" added. The groom stepped closer to the cake. "You mean "Oh, the cake," moaned Father. "Everything is perfect this?" except the cake. It has a crack in it." "Yes, I mean that." The bride began to sob again. "I don't see any crack." "You'll mess up your mascara," whispered Sister. "How can you miss it? It's— It's gone!" "The crack isn't all that bad," soothed the groom. "It "Upon my soul," smiled Grandma. won't change the taste." "I don't know how you did it," laughed the father of the "It's so ugly," sobbed the bride, her nose beginning to bride. "But I should have known. Won't the bride and redden. "And I wanted everything to be so perfect." Under groom be happy?" the smooth white frosting was a moist chocolate cake. The And the bride and groom were happy. They were so bride had chosen chocolate because it was the groom's happy that they never even thought about the crack in the favorite cake, and that was why the crack looked so dark wedding cake, and they never even knew that it had been and ugly next to the white icing. fixed.

18 • LISTEN • April 1977 How long an engagement period do you recommend?

There is really no set formula on which to business of placing the whole experience in base an answer to the question. Generally perspective. One of the hardest things for speaking, it takes between one and three me to face was not only my own disap- Jeff Mitchell Q/ years for two individuals to get to know each pointment that my expectations had not other really well and to establish an effective been fulfilled, but the fact that I was angry at communication system. Some couples can the girl for walking out of my life. I found it lifetime, but that same person may love a establish an effective communication sys- hard to be angry with someone I thought I variety of different people at the same time. tem in less than a year, but I would say they loved. Of course when a person loves many dif- are the rare exception and not the rule. Once I was able honestly to express my ferent people at the same time, the love is There's a lot of work for the couple to do anger, then I entered a period in which I somewhat different for each person. The in building their relationship during the en- grieved for the lost relationship. Experienc- love will be much closer with some. Rela- gagement period. Good marriages don't ing genuine grief was the first positive step tionships usually operate on a variety of dif- just happen. They have to be built carefully. back toward feeling OK. Once I accepted ferent levels. The work of building a marriage goes far that grief as a part of me and realized that I Each time we love someone, regardless of beyond the setting of the wedding day had. a right to feel it, then I was gradually whether that love builds toward marriage or plans, picking a gown, a reception hall, a able to absorb the whole experience and some other lifelong relationship or stops photographer, and a place to go on the hon- grow from it. growing after some time and fades away, we eymoon. Those things are only incidentals. It became apparent to me that the only experience a special depth of our own spirit. The real work is done by the couple and no reason I could feel so deeply hurt about That experience of being in love helps us to one else. another person is the fact that I had loved grow. It makes us warmer, stronger, and Both people need time to discover each deeply. And love is a positive building force more mature. Loving builds us up as human other and to see each other operating in a in our lives. Even when the love we give beings. Refusing to take the risks involved vast variety of situations and cir- doesn't turn out as we would like, it still in loving makes us weaker. cumstances. They need to share their builds us into better human beings. Each time we start loving a new person, dreams, expectations, joys, pains, hopes, The hurt of a broken relationship may stay we should be building that love on the foun- and fears. The partners need to develop a with us for a lifetime. A person who was dation of all our other loves. The love ex- deep trust of each other. Increasing knowl- important to us becomes a part of our total periences we have had in the past should edge of each other should help them to es- life's experience. No one can simply ignore help us to make each new love the best of tablish a gentle respect for one another. En- those memories as if they had not occurred. our lives. gaged couples should spend many hours That person does exist and was, at one time, Outside of the actual physical realities, learning how to listen intently to each other playing an important role in our lives. It the only limitations to our capabilities to and should practice those listening skills hurts us when they stop playing that role. love others are the limitations we place on frequently. Before the wedding day, couples We have a right to feel that hurt, that pain. ourselves. If we believe—after we have been should learn how to make decisions as a We have a perfect right to grieve over the hurt in a love relationship—that we will couple, giving each person equal rights. In loss we feel. We even have the right to ex- never fall in love again, then that may actu- addition, it is important that couples know press appropriate anger. Accepting our true ally happen. If we want to love again and how to fight fairly and to heal each other feelings and going through the entire pro- make it a stronger, better, and more mature when they have hurt one another. cess is the only thing which will help us to love, we will. All we have to do is believe that These are only a few of the many things absorb the experience and make it a part of it is possible and build our new love on the couples need to work on during the en- ourselves. It is the only way we can grow. foundations we have laid by loving before. gagement period. Any couple who thinks Some may not be able to stop loving O these things will come automatically on another person. The ability to stop loving their wedding day is living under a danger- someone is not the most important thing. ous fantasy. There is no way to build these What is important is that we use the good of things into a marriage without a major in- the relationship in a way that will help us vestment of time and energy. grow stronger. Whate