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    1ShowMetheWaytoGoHome
    FirstMaggie,then20,askedStepmomandDadifshecouldstoreafewboxeswiththeminWashingtonwhileshelookedforanotherplacetolive.ThenMaggiesaidshewouldliketomoveintobewithherboxesuntilherboyfriendJoeboughtacondominium.NextMaggieaskedwhetherJoecouldmovein"temporarily"untilthecondodealwasclosed.WhenLucyandPabloSanchezreturnedhomefromvacationlastChristmas,theyfoundtheirsmalllivingroomcrammedwithhisboxesandasecondwelcomematnexttotheirownonthefrontporch.LucySanchezimmediatelydidwhatanylovingbutput-uponparentwoulddo:"Ihadamigraine,"shesays.
    SuchtalesarebecomingabundantlyfamiliarasAmericanparentsareforcedtomakeroomfortheiradultchildren."Thereisanaivenotionthatchildrengrowupandleavehomewhenthey're18,andthetruthisfarfromthat,"saysSociologistLarryBumpassoftheUniversityofWisconsininMadison.Today,accordingtotheU.S.CensusBureau,59%ofmenand47%ofwomenbetween18and24dependontheirparentsforhousing,somelivingincollegedormsbutmostathome.In1970thefigureswere54%and41%.Also,14%ofmenand8%ofwomenages25to34aredependentontheirparentsforhousing,comparedwith9.5%and6.6%in1970."Thisispartofamajorshiftinthemiddleclass,"&declaresSociologistAllanSchnaibergofNorthwesternUniversity.Heshouldknow:Schnaiberg'sstepson,19,movedbackinafteranabsenceofeightmonths.
    Analystsciteavarietyofreasonsforthisreturntothenest.Themarriageageisrising,aconditionthatmakeshomeanditsamenitiesparticularlyattractivetoyoungpeople,sayexperts.Ahighdivorcerateandadecliningremarriageratearesendingeconomicallypressedandemotionallybatteredsurvivorsbacktoparentalshelters.Forsome,theexpenseofanaway-from-homecollegeeducationhasbecomesoexorbitantthatmanystudentsnowattendlocalschools.Evenaftergraduation,youngpeoplefindtheirwingsclippedbyskyrocketinghousingcosts.NotesSociologistCarlfredBroderickoftheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniainLosAngeles,whohasason,31,andadaughter,27,inresidence:"Theyarefindingthatthegoodlifeisnotspontaneouslygeneratedoutthere."
    SallieKnighton,26,movedbacktoherparents'suburbanAtlantahometosaveenoughmoneytobuyacar.Herjobasateacherprovidedonlyenoughmoneytocovercarpaymentsandanadditionalloanshehadtakenout.Oncetheloanwaspaidoff,shedecidedtotakeacrackatamodelingcareer.Livingathome,saysKnighton,continuestogivehersecurityandmoralsupport."IfIhadlivedaway,"shesays,"Iwouldbemiserablestillteaching."Hermotherconcurs,"It'sridiculousforthekidstopayallthatmoneyforrent.Itmakessenseforkidstostayathome."BradleyKulat,25,makesabout$20,000ayearasanequipmenttechnicianinahospital.Thatisenoughtosupportamodesthousehold,buthechoosestoliveathisparents'split-levelranchhouseoutsideChicago,asdoeshissisterPamela,20,whocommutestoanearbycollege.Headmitstoexpensivetastes.Herecentlyboughtan$8,000carandalsoownsan$800stereosystem,a$300ten-speedbikeandanelegantwardrobe.SayshismotherEvelyn:"Itkeepsyouthinkingyounger,tryingtokeepupwiththem."

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    Sharingthefamilyhomerequiresadjustmentsforall.Therearethehasslesoverbathrooms,telephonesandprivacy.Somefamilies,however,managethedelicatebalancingact.At34,EstherRodriguezdreadedreturningtoherparents'Denverhomeafterthreeyearsoflawschoolforcedher$20,000intodebt."Ithoughtitwasgoingtobearestrictiononmyindependence,"sherecalls.Instead,shewastouchedwhenherfatherinstalledadeskandphoneinthebasementsoshewouldhaveaprivatestudy.TheSanchezfamilytoohasmadeasuccessofthearrangement.SaysLucySanchez:"Familyisfamily,andwebelieveandactonthat."Butforothers,thesetupprovestoodifficult.MichelleDelTurco,24,ofEnglewood,Colo.,aDenversuburb,hasbeenhomethreetimes--andleftthreetimes."WhatIconsideredasocialdrink,mydadconsideredanalcoholproblem,"sheexplains."HeneverlikedanyoneIdated,soIeitherhadtosneakaroundormeetthematfriends'houses."
    Justhowlongshouldadultchildrenlivewiththeirparentsbeforemovingon?LucilleCarliniofBrooklynreturnedhomewithhertwodaughtersafteradivorce.Thatwasalmosttwelveyearsago.Sheisnow37andherdaughters18and16.TheystilllivewithCarlini'smotherEdie,whohaswelcomedhavingthreegenerationsinthesamehouse.Still,mostpsychologistsfeellengthyhomecomingsareamistake.Offspring,strugglingtoestablishseparateidentities,canwindupwith"asenseofinadequacy,defeatandfailure,"saysKristineKratz,acounselorwiththePersonalDevelopmentInstituteinLosAngeles.Andagingparents,whoshouldbeenjoyingsomefinancialandpersonalfreedom,findthemselvesboggeddownwithresponsibilities.SaysDebraUmberson,aresearcherattheUniversityofMichigan:"Livingwithchildrenofanyageinvolvescompromiseandobligation,factorsthatcanbedetrimentaltosomeaspectsofwell-being.Allchildren,evenadultchildren,requireaccommodationandcreatestress."
    Briefvisits,however,canworkbeneficially.Fiveyearsago,EllenRancilioreturnedtotheDetroitareatolivewithherfatherafterhermarriagebrokeup.Sheonlystayedsevenmonths,but"itmadeusmuchcloser,"shesays.Indeed,theexperiencewassopositivethatshewouldnothesitatetoputoutthewelcomematwhenherownthreesonsaregrown.Declaresshe:"IftheyneededhelplikeIdid,yes."


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    2HereCometheDINKs
    Double-income,no-kidscouplesarethelatestsubset
    Themembersofthisnewlydefinedspeciescanbestbespottedafter9p.m.ingourmetgroceries,theirBurberry-clothedarmsreachingforthearugulaoraLeMenufrozenflounderdinner.Intheparkinglot,theyslideintotheirBMWsandliftcellularphonestotheirearsbeforezoomingofftotheirarchitect-designedhousesintheexurbs.AfterwarmlygreetingRover(oftenanakitaorgoldenretriever,theychecktobesurethepoochservicehasdeliveredhisnutritionallycorrectdogfood.Thentheyconsultthephone-answeringmachine,popdinnerintothemicrowaveandfinallysinkintotheirItalianleathersofatowatchavideocassetteof,say,lastweek'sL.A.LaworCheersontheirhigh-definition,large-screenstereotelevision.
    ThesespeedyhighrollersareuppercrustDINKs,double-income,no-kidscouples.Theyflourishinthepriciersuburbsaswellasingentrifiedurbanneighborhoods.Thereisnotimefordeepfreezersorstationwagonsintheirvoracious,nonstopschedules.ManyenterprisingDINKcouplesslaveforacombined100-hour-plusworkweek,apacerelievedbyexoticvacationsandexpensivehealthclubs.Theirhectic"timepoor"life-styleoftenforcesthemtoscheduledinnerswitheachother,andinsomesuperchargedcases,evensex.
    ConsiderthepaceofMicheleWard,26,andKennethHoffman,31,topexecutivesatdifferentConnecticutmanagement-consultingfirms."Theprimepurposeofouransweringmachineathomeissowecankeepintouchwitheachother,"saysKenoftheirjammedschedules.Forpleasure,theysailand"cookseriouslytogether,"whippingupvealNormandyorPersianduckinpomegranatesauce.Theysubscribetofourgourmetmagazinesandhaveacollectionof150cookbooks.Mostrecentvacation:threeweeksinTahitiandBoraBora."Partofmewouldlikechildren,but,practicallyspeaking,Idon'tseehow,"saysMichele,whoestimatestheearliestdateforchildbearingis1993.Theirranch-stylehousehasthreebedrooms:oneforthem,oneforthecomputerandonefortheirSamoyed,Dillon.
    DavidEagle,33,aHollywoodtelevisionproducer,andNancyWeingrowEagle,31,anentertainmentlawyer,alsofillouttheDINKprofile.Inordertoearntheirheftyincomes,eachoneworks50to60hoursaweek.Theyhavetwodogsandcareforthemthewaytheydecoratetheirhome--whichistosay,lavishly."Earthquake,ourLabrador-huskymix,hasbeautifulblueeyes.Ihaveblueeyes,sopeoplethinkI'mhisfather,"jokesDavid."We'regoingskiingtomorrowandtakingbothdogswithus."Inthelate1960shesupportedEugeneMcCarthyandwaslabeledahippie.Inthelate1970shebecameayuppie,andacceptsDINKasanaturalevolution.LittleDINKerbells,however,arenotyetpartoftheprogression."Wehavebigresponsibilitiesjustbeingdoubleincome-ites,"explainsDavid."Wearen'treadytogiveupthequalitytimethatisnecessarytodevotetoourcareersandtransferthattochildren."
    Theoriginoftheacronymisnotknown,butitisoftenattributedtoglibrealestateagentsortoclevermarketingM.B.A.sboredwiththetermyuppie.Whatseparates

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    DINKsfrommostotherAmericansisamuchgreaterpercentageofdiscretionaryincome."DINKsareoneofthefewgroupsthataredoingmuchbetterthanthepreviousgeneration,"saysFrankLevy,aneconomistattheUniversityofMaryland.SocialpunditswarnthatDINKdomisoftenjustatransitorystate."Itisthemomentbeforetraditionsetsin,"saysFaithPopcorn,chairmanofNewYorkCity'sBrainReserve,ahipconsultingfirm."Thereisadesireforsecurity,privacy,anest.Anythingyoucanmakethatiseasyandsecure,warmandavailable,youcanmarkettotheircocoon."PhilipKotler,professorofmarketingatNorthwestern,dividesDINKsintoupperandlowerclasses:U-DINKsandL-DINKs.Nodoubt,whiletheL-DINKsarerushingtograduatefromKmarttoMarshallField,theU-DINKswillbedesertingtheBananaRepublicforAbercrombie&Fitch.BecausebusyU-DINKstendtomissmass-mediaadvertising,upscalemagazinesanddirectmailarethemosteffectivewaytotargetthem.KotlercitestheSharperImage,atop-of-the-linetechiecatalog,asdefiningU-DINKstyle.
    ThebigDINKdilemmaiswhenorwhethertohavechildren.In1986thecostofraisingachildtoage18averagedalmost$100,000;ofcourse,thatfiguredoesnotincludefuturecollegeexpenses.LikemanyDINKs,WilliamCohen,33,anAtlantalawyer,andSusanPenny-Cohen,28,founderofaheadhuntingfirmforlawyersandparalegals,havenotyetplannedtoreproduce."Asourincome^grew,wefoundthatwehadlesstime,"saysWilliam.Northwestern'sKotlersuspectsthatthedouble-incomers'frenzyofconsumptionwillexhaustitself,andmorecoupleswillseechildrenasdesirable:"ChildrenmaybethenextpleasuresourceaftertheDINKshavetriedeverythingelse."
    Therefore,DINKswillnotbethelastofthesnappyacronyms.GetreadyfortheTIPS(tinyincome,parentssupportingandfinallyNINKs(noincome,nokids.WithreportingbyChristineGorman/NewYorkandBillJohnson/LosAngeles

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    3TrappedBehindtheWheel
    Clevercommuterslearntoliveintheslowlane
    Therearetrends,alltooeasilydiscernible,indinnerconversations.Thesagaofdomestichelpisapersistentone--prettyworkedoverbynow.Realestateisanongoingturnoff,butthenewbuzzisevenmoreboringandmoreinescapable.Itistraffic.
    InascenereplayedthousandsoftimeseacheveninginLosAngeles,NewYork,Chicagoandburgeoningsuburbsnationwide,thelastguestsfora7:30dinnerstragglein40minuteslate,mutteringtheirastonishment--butnot,significantly,theirapologies--thatittookthem90minutestodrivetenmiles.Theirwoesinevitablyinspiretheothergueststoaroundofcompetitivetraffichorrorstoriesthatcontinuewellintotheentree.
    Thereistheoneaboutthedriverswhosneakintothelanereservedforcarpoolsbyplantinginflateddummiesinthepassengerseats.Andthepregnantwomanwhosuccessfullyarguedincourtthatsheandherfetuswereentitledtousethecar-poollanebecausetheywereseparatepersons.Thentherearethedaysthatliveinlegend--likeOct.29,1986,whenasinglemidafternoonaccidentontheSanDiegoFreewayspreadgridlockalongconnectingfreewaysandsurfacestreetsfromdowntownLosAngelestotheSanFernandoValley,trappingtensofthousandsofmotoristsforeightfullhours.(SurvivorsofsuchmythicurbanstrugglesbragaboutthemlikegoodoleboysattheVFWbar.
    Therearereasonsforthequickeningnationalparalysis:moreandmorepeopleliveandworkinlocationsthatarenotlinkedtoadequatepublictransport,millionsofwomenhaveenteredtheworkforceandarenewrush-hourdrivers,ingeniousalternativesseemtogetstymiedbylackofimaginationormoneyorboth,and,aboveall,gasischeap.Inplaceswheregasisstillbelowadollar,manydrivershaverevertedtooldhabits,andinsomepartsoftheU.S.atwo-occupantcarisaboutascommonasabaldeagle.
    InCaliforniathestategovernmentestimatesthateachday300,000workhoursarelosttotrafficjamsatacostof$2million.OntheCapitalBeltwaynearWashington,gridlockcostsemployersasmuchas$120millionayearinlosttime.Butthetollontheindividualcommuter,usuallylonebuthardlyaranger,isheavierstill.Withouthopeofrelease,hesitsinhislittlecellinhalingexhaustfumesandstaringblanklyatthezincsky.
    Somedriverstrytofightthesentence.TakeJeffSeibert,anassociateprofessorofpediatricsattheUniversityofMiamiSchoolofMedicine,whofindsthathis25-minuteridetowork,whichincludestheunpredictableDolphinExpressway,canstretchintoanhourand15minutes."Whentheradiotrafficannounceradvisestostayclearofacertainarea,Idriverighttothatpoint,"hesays,figuringthatthewarninghasclearedthecongestionbydispersingmostcommutersontodifferentroutes.Others,likeKathiDouglas,arecentgraduateofSpelmanCollegeinAtlanta,undergoanattitudechange."I'mlaidbackandtalkative,yetonceIgetontheroad,Ihavenorespectforrulesandregulations,"saysDouglas."Yougettobereallyaggressive

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    becauseyouthinkit'stheonlywaytogetoutofthismadness."
    Extremefrustrationcanleadtoviolence.FourfreewayshootingshavebeenreportedintheLosAngelesareainthepastelevenmonths.OntheSantaAnaFreeway,aspeeddemonangeredbyacarthatdidnotmovefromthefastlanepulledupalongsidetheoffendingvehicleandfatallyshotapassengerinthefrontseat.
    Therearesanerapproachestohighwaystasis.KenJenson,28,aLosAngelessalesman,usedtospendmuchofhishour-longcommutesingingwiththeradio.Lastyearhestoppedthemusicandbeganstudyingtobecomeastockbroker."ImadetapesofthetextsandtooknoteswhileIlistenedonthedrivetoandfromwork,"explainsJenson,whoisnowabrokerintheWestwoodofficeofMerrillLynch."It'samazingthatIdidn'thitanyone."Usingtherear-viewmirror,manymenshavewithelectricrazorsandwomenoftenapplytheirmakeup.Somepeopleevendressbehindthewheel.JaniceConover,aHamptonJitneyCo.busdriverwhoregularlypliestheLongIslandExpressway(popularlyknownastheLongIslandParkingLot,hasseenmotoristssoengrossedinthemorningnewspaperthattheydriftfromonelanetowardanother,luckilyatminimalspeed.
    Hungrydriversgobblebreakfast,oftenanEggMcMuffin,fromStyrofoamcartonsandslurpcoffeefromno-sloshmugs.Othersbalancecheckbooks,docrosswordpuzzlesanddictatelettersandgrocerylistsintopocket-sizetaperecorders.Hotsummerweekendsofferanopportunityforpassengerstotakepartialchargeofthecar.InchingalongtotheapproachtotheGeorgeWashingtonBridgebetweenNewJerseyandManhattan,occupantsofcarswithoutairconditioningwhofacedelaysofmorethananhourholdthedoorsopenforalittlecirculation.
    Itispossibletotransformanautointoaslow-rolling"homeawayfromhome."LarrySchreiner,afree-lancereporterforaChicagoradiostationandseverallocalTVstations,oftenlivesandworksinhisMercedes560SEL."IhaveeverythingIneed,"saysSchreiner,whoselongestcontinuousstretchonwheelswas36hours.Hisofficesuppliesincludefivetwo-wayradios,twocellularphones,oneheadset(sohecantalkonradioshowswhileworkingonvideotapes,twovideocamerasandthreevideorecorders.That'snotall.InthetrunkSchreinerkeepsbatteries,lightingequipment,threestillcameras,telephonebooks,roadmapsandachangeofclothes.
    Fornest-buildingcommuters,theplacetogoisChicago'sWarshawsky&Co.,whichbillsitselfasthelargestautopartsandaccessorystoreintheworld.Itoffersin-dashtelevisions($300,compact-discadapters,orthopedicseatcushions,heatedseatsforwinter,andcomputerswithcruisecontrolandestimatedtimeofarrival(upto$149.Upscaledriversinstall$2,000carphones(althoughinLosAngeles,wherethereare65,000subscribers,airwavesarejammedinrushhours.Ordinaryfolkcanape"techie"driversbyorderinganimitationantennafromWarshawskyforamere$12.Trafficisthickenoughtodefeatjustaboutanythingexceptperhapsthematinginstinct.Infact,somehavefoundthatchokedfreewayscanenhancethepossibilitiesoffindingamate.RuthGuillou,anenterprisingHuntingtonBeach,Calif.,widow,wasidlingalongwhenshesawa"charming-lookingmaninayellowCadillac.Icouldn'tgethimoutofmymind.Thereshouldhavebeenawayformetomakecontactwithhim."ThuswasborntheFreewaySinglesClub,amail-forwardingservicewhose

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    participantspay$35foranumbereddecalthatidentifiesthemasmembers.Thegrouphasarosterof2,000inSouthernCaliforniaandhasexpandedto16states.
    AccordingtoManhattanPsychiatristT.B.Karasu,motoristscanbedividedintotwocategories:adaptives,thosewhoacceptthingsastheyareandunderstandthattheycannotbeincontrolofallsituations,andnonadaptives.Thenonadaptives,saysKarasu,"blowtheirhornsandirritateeverybodyelseaswellasthemselves.Noiseisanexternalandexcessivestimulusthatincreasesratherthandecreasestension.Whenyouyellorareyelledat,yourbodyreleasesmoreadrenaline,yourbloodvesselsconstrict,yourpressure!rises,andyougetheadaches.Youarestillwoundupthreeorfourhourslater."Karasupointsoutthatnonadaptivebehavior,ortheinabilitytocopewithfreewaystress,couldleadtoheartattacksorstrokesforsome.Headvisesmotoriststorelaxbythinkingtheyarepassengersinanairplanewithacaptainrunningthings."Listentomusic,daydream,focusonthingsyounormallydon'tfindtimetothinkabout,"saysKarasu."Aboveallelse,acceptthatyouarewhereyouare,andthereisnothingthatyoucandoaboutit."
    Anothersolutionistochangeyouraddress.TrafficjamshavediscouragedeventhePresidentandNancyReaganfromreturningtotheiroldneighborhoodofPacificPalisades,Calif.:"Wereallycan'tgooutthatfarbecausetrafficinLosAngelesisnowsobad,"saidtheFirstLadytoU.P.I."You'dbeontheroadallthetime."Ifmotorcadescan'tbeatthecrawl,thenordinarymortalshadbestsitback,turnupthestereoandwaitpatientlyfortheageofHovercraftandrocketbelts.

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    4WhenWomenViewithWomen
    Thesisterhoodfindsrivalryandenvycanbethepriceofsuccess
    LaurieBernsteinwellremembersstartingatasmallSouthernlawfirmandgettingdistinctlyicytreatmentfromtheonlyotherwomanlawyeronthestaff.WhenBernsteinwasgivenoneofherfemalecolleague'scasestohandle,resentmentturnedtospite:Bernsteindiscoveredthatshewasnotgettingthecourtdocuments,lettersandotherimportantpaperssheneededtohandlethecase.Lateoneeveningsheandaseniorpartnerfoundthemissingmaterialhiddeninthewoman'smailbox.Ms.Sabotagewasseverelyreprimanded."Ifeltterrible,"recallsBernstein,30."Ihadexpectedacamaraderietoemergebetweenthetwoofusastheonlyfemalelawyersatthefirm.Butquitetheoppositeoccurred."
    Now,holdonaminute.Thisisnotthewayitwassupposedtobe.Allofthatdemonstratingandpamphleteeringintheearly'70swassupposedtohave&helpedwomenmoveintoprofessionalandmanagerialjobswithoutresortingtodestructivebehavior.Butasmorewomenriseinthecorporatepowerstructure,theyarediscovering,muchtotheirdismay,thattheyarenotalwayssistersundertheskinafterall.Infact,manyofthemareactingsuspiciouslylike...well...men."Nowwomenareencouragedtobeasaggressiveasmenonthejob,"writePsychotherapistsLuiseEichenbaumandSusieOrbach,co-authorsofthejustpublishedbookBetweenWomen:Love,Envy,andCompetitioninWomen'sFriendships(Viking;$17.95.
    Theauthors,wholikemanyfeministshavespentyearstryingtoopencorporatedoors,aretryingtocomprehendtheworldtheyhaveentered.Femalebondsarebeingbroken,theysay,aswomendiscoverthat"thefeelingsofcompetitionandenvy,thescurryforapproval,thewishtobeacknowledgedandnoticedbyotherwomenarenowapartoftheirdailyworklives."Nordosomeyoungerwomenseemtocaremuchaboutfeministideals."Iseealotlessconcernamongyoungerwomenaboutstickingtogether,"declaresNancyFerree-Clark,associateministeratDukeUniversity."Theydon'tfeeltheallegiancetothewomen'smovementthatolderwomendo.Theysay,'Gee,that'spasse.Icanmakeitonmyown.'"
    ThingscangetprettynastybehindtheEscadasuitsandthehintofGiorgioperfume,ifAuthorJudithBrilesistobebelieved.Inherrecentlypublishedbook,WomantoWoman:FromSabotagetoSupport(NewHorizonPress;$18.95,shesetsdownnearly300pagesoftestimonialssupportingthehypothesisthatwomenareattackingwomenintheworkplacewithcarefullyveiledvenomandviciousness."Ifwomenaregoingtosabotagesomeone,it'smorelikelytobeanotherwomanthanaman,"declaresBriles,42,aformerPaloAlto,Calif.,stockbroker.
    Manywomenscoffatthisportraitofthefemalebarracudamaneuveringherwayaroundcorporatereefs."Ihavefoundatremendousamountofhelpingandgenerosityamongthewomeninmyindustry,"saysMaryMcCarthy,42,aseniorvicepresidentatMGM/UACommunicationsinBeverlyHills.LawyersReneeBerlinerRush,31,andJulieAnneBanon,32,saytheybecamebestfriendswhileworkingforaManhattanexecutive-searchfirm."Fromthedaywebeganworkingtogether,webelievedthatthewaytosucceedwastoworkwithandhelpeachother,nottoworkagainsteachother,"saysRush.Thetwowomennowruntheirownheadhuntingfirm

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    forlawyers.
    Perhapsrealityliessomewherebetweentherapierthrustandthesympatheticear.Theremaybeatendencyforwomentobemorejealousofoneanotherthanmenareoftheircolleagues,saysNilesNewton,abehavioralscientistatNorthwesternMedicalSchool.Thatstems,shethinks,"frominsecuritiesbecausetheyhaven'tbeenintheworkplaceaslongasmen."Assertivenessandrivalryalsomakemanywomenfeeluncomfortable,"anditbecomesmuchmoreaproblemintheworkplace,wheretheyareanaturaloccurrence,"saysAnneFrenkel,asocialworkerwiththeChicagoWomen'sTherapyCollective."Womenhavetounderstandthatbeingcompetitivewithsomeonedoesn'tmeanyoudon'tlikethem.Mencanbecompetitiveandstillbefriends."
    Still,friendshipsbetweenwomen--whatSimonedeBeauvoircalledthat"warmandfrivolousintimacy"--aretoooftenthecasualtiesofsuccessthesedays.Eichenbaum,35,andOrbach,41,areconcernedthat"intheworldofevery-woman-for-herself,theoldsupportsystemscanbetragicallyundermined."Thatsometimeshappenswhenwomenwinpromotionsandfindthemselvessupervisingwomenwhowereonceclosefriends."ItendnottohaverelationshipswithwomenIsupervise,"saysKathySchrier,40,aunionadministratorinManhattan."Somewomencan'tmakethatbreak,though,andithurtsthemasmanagers."
    Otherwomenhaveproblemsrelatingtotheirfemalebosses.EventhoughMGM/UA'sMcCarthyhashighpraiseforherfemalecolleagues,sheadmitsthatinthepastshehas"feltsabotaged"byexecutivesecretaries."Itwasjealousyofmypositionfromsomeoneonalowerlevel,"shesays.CorporateLawyerDeborahDugan,29,recallsthatwhenshejoinedaLosAngeleslawfirm,herassignedfemalesecretary"refusedtoworkforme.Shesaidshewouldhavetroubletakingordersfromanotherfemale."Howcanwomencopewiththeseconflicts?Chicago'sFrenkelbelievesprofessionalwomenmuststoptakinganotherwoman'ssuccessasapersonalaffront."Theyhavetoseparateoutbusinessfrompersonalissues,"shesays.Forsomewomen,that'simpossible,asLauraSrebnik,33,aManhattancomputereducator,discoveredwhenshesuddenlyfoundherselfsupervisinga"dearfriend"atapoliticallobbyinggroup.Thefriend,shesays,becamehostile,talkedaboutherbehindherbackandthenquit.Thepartingexplanation,saysSrebnik,was"thatIhadbecomeoneof'them'"--thepowerstructure.Forsomewomenintheworkplace,thatisstilltheultimateinsult.WithreportingbyAndreaSachs/NewYork,withotherbureaus

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    5"GreatHumanPowerorMagic"
    AninnovativeprogramsparksthewritingofAmerica’schildren
    AsschoolstartsthisfallinTununak,atinyEskimocommunityonthewindsweptcoastofAlaska,TeacherBenOrrisplanningtoinviteelderlystorytellersintotheclassroomsohisyoungstudentscanlearnandthenwritedowntraditionallegendsandloreoftheirvanishingculture.ForDonnaMaxim'sthird-gradersinBoothbay,Me.,writingwillbecomeatoolinscienceandsocialstudiesasstudentsrecordobservations,questionsandreactionsaboutwhattheydiscovereachday.InEagleButte,S.D.,GeriGutweinhasdesignedawritingprojectinwhichherninth-gradestudentsexchangeletterswiththird-gradersaboutstoriestheyhavereadtogether.ThisyearafewofherstudentswillsitwithCheyennewomenwhotelltalesastheyknittogether,theirheritagebecominggristfortoday'syoungwriters.
    Althoughtheseteachersareseparatedbythousandsofmiles,theirmethodsoftryingtoencouragechildrentowritespringfromacommonsource:theBreadLoafSchoolofEnglish.There,nearVermont'sMiddleburyCollege,gradeschoolandhighschoolteachersgiveuppartoftheirvacationseachsummertospendsixweeksbrainstorming,studyingandtradingexperiencesastheytrytodevisenewmethodsofgettingtheirpupilstowrite.SaysDixieGoswami,aClemsonUniversityEnglishprofessorwhoheadsBreadLoaf'sprograminwriting:"Wehavenothingagainst'skill-and-drill'writingcurricula,excepttheydon'twork."Instead,BreadLoafgraduateshavequietlycreatedoneofthenation'smostinventiveprogramstoencouragestudentwriters.
    TheBreadLoafliteratureandwritingprogrambeganin1920asasummerretreatwhereEnglishteachersstudiedforadvanceddegrees.Untilthelate1970smostwereteachersfromeliteEasternprepschools.BreadLoaf"wasfailinginitssocialresponsibility,"saysPaulCubeta,aMiddleburyhumanitiesprofessorwhohasdirectedtheprogramsince1965."SowewentlookinginruralAmericaforpotentialeducationalleaders."Foundationfundswereraisedtohelpdefraythe$2,500costfortuitionandboard.Overthepasttenyearsnearly500ruralinstructorshavestudiedintheshadowofthedistinctlyflattenedmountainthatgivestheschoolitsname.Thissummer73cametoBreadLoaffromsmalltownsin32states.
    BreadLoafersareconvincedthatchildrenareinspiredtowritewellwhentheyhaveinformationtocommunicate.InGilbert,S.C.,forinstance,studentsinterviewedold-timerstodiscoverwhatlifeintheirsmalltownswaslikemanydecadesago.Thestudents'narrativeaccounts,vividlydescribingeverythingfrombuttermakingtocourtshipandmarriage,werepublishedinamagazinetheynamedSparkleberry.ThissummeratGilbert'sFourthofJulyPeachFestival,thehomemademagazinessoldlikehotcobblers.
    ManyofthenewideasthatteacherstookawayfromBreadLoafseemedindangerofwitheringbackhome,remembersCubeta."Weneededtodeviseawayforthemtogobackwithsupportfortheirprojectsandforeachother."OneresultwasanideacalledBreadNet:bysettingupanetworkofwordprocessors,BreadLoaf-trainedteacherscouldinstantaneouslyconnecttheirclassrooms.Lastyeartheprojectliftedoffwhenacharitabletrustdonated$1.5millionforthatandotherprograms.

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    ThenewnationalhookupprovidedevidenceforanotherBreadLoafbelief:childrenwillwritefreshlywhengivenanewaudience.StudentsinthetinyranchingcommunityofWilsall,Mont.,beganwritingtochildreninPittsburghaboutfarmlifeinwinter."Cowsaren'tsmartenoughtopawthroughthesnowlikehorses,soyouhavetofeedthem,"onechildexplained.ASiouxstudentonareservationinSouthDakotawrotecandidlyaboutwhatishappeningtoonebranchofthetribe:"LifefortheLakotapeopleisgoinginadownwarddirection...Tocontrolitwouldtakegreathumanpowerormagic."
    Thisfall68teachersin33stateswillbeabletosendtheirstudents'writingelectronicallyintodistantclassrooms.Laterintheyear,thefourtheditionofVoicesAcrosstheWires,astudent-editedcollectionofBreadNetwriting,willbepublished."Havingrealsituationstowriteabouthasreallychangedtheirattitude,"saysJoanneTulonen,whoseWilsallstudentswereamongthefirsttouseBreadNet."Before,theirwritingwasartificial.Nowtheyseethemselvesaspeoplewithinformationworthsharing."

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    6FacingUptoStickerShock
    Astuitionssoaraheadofinflation,collegestrytoexplainwhy
    Thesedays,acceptancelettersfromcollegesareappearinginmailboxesallacrossthecountry.Nosooneraretheenvelopesopenedthanmanyparentsturntheirattentionfromtheirchild'sgoodfortunetoanotherkindoffortune:thesmallonethenextfouryearswillcostthem.Thepriceofadegreehasbeenclimbingthroughoutthe'80sataratedoublethatofinflation.Thefiguresateliteuniversities,particularly,areenoughtocausestickershock,eventhoughthecurrentincreasesatmanyschoolsarethelowestinadecade.Dartmouth'stuition(notcountingroomandboardwillbe$12,474nextyear,upfrom$8,190fiveyearsago;Stanford'swillbe$11,880,upfrom$8,220.SecretaryofEducationWilliamBennettchargesthatsuchincreasesresultfrommismanagementandgreed."Highereducationisunderaccountableandunderproductive,"heclaims."Noonedoubtsthatthereisalotoffatinsomeareas."Perhapsnobudgetiswithoutsomefat,butuniversityofficialsarguethattheiruniquefunctionrequiresspecialstandardsofevaluation."Oneofthepeculiaritiesofeducationisthatourcustomerisalsoourproduct,"saysUniversityofPennsylvaniaPresidentSheldonHackney."Thatconfusesmostanalogiesbetweenuniversitiesandprofit-makingenterprises."Inuniversities,notesNorthwesternPresidentArnoldWeber,allthemoneyisploughedintotheoperation:"Wedon'tdeclaredividends;wedon'tgivestockoptionstoouradministrators."Tuitionincreases,sayofficials,aredrivenbytheuniversities'costs,andevenatthat,tuitionincometypicallycoverslessthan50%ofcollegebudgets.(Endowmentsandgiftsmakeuptherest.
    Academicsalariesarethelargestbudgetitem,generallyaccountingforaround60%oftotalexpenses.Duringthe'70s,professors'salariesgrewatanoverallrateof73%,laggingfarbehindinflationat112%.Universitieshavebeenplayingcatch-upinthe'80s.Thisyear'sraisesaverage5.9%,whichis4%aboveinflationandthelargestsince1972.Yetthetypicaltenuredprofessor'ssalaryof$43,500stillrepresents10%lessbuyingpowerthantheequivalentsalaryin1970.
    Theboomintechnologyhasbeenanaddedburden,especiallyforresearchuniversitiesthathavetokeepupwiththelatestcomputerandscientifichardware,regardlessofprice.AttheUniversityofChicago,the$225,000allotmentthatcoveredequipmentforphysiologyandbiologyresearchtenyearsagohasgrownto$1.4million.Moreover,universitiesmustscrambletoreplaceoutdatedfacilities.SaysNorthwestern'sWeber:"Wehavebuildingsherethatcost$1milliontobuild80yearsago,andcost$5millionjusttorepair."Andbooksarenotanycheaper.Tomaintainitslibrary,Northwesternorders29,000periodicalsayearatacostapproaching$2million.Otheruncontrollablecostsincludeinsuranceandutilities.EmoryUniversityinAtlantaexpectsnextyear'selectricbilltorise30%.
    Thethirdmajorcostcitedbyuniversitiesisthehigherproportionofstudentaidtheyhaveundertakentoprovide,partlytooffsettheirowntuitionincreasesbutespeciallytocoverdecliningfederalassistance.AtPrinceton,theGovernment'scontributiontostudentaidhasdroppedfrom26.7%ofthetotalto12.6%insixyears.TheadditionalexpensetoPrinceton:$2.2million.SecretaryBennett,however,maintainsthatmorefederalaidwouldonlyencourageuniversitiestocountontheGovernmenttomeet

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    anyincreasestheymightimpose.
    Someobserversnotethatrelativelyfewstudentsareaffectedbyhighprice-tagtuitions.Onlyabout80institutionschargemorethan$10,000.Theaverageprivate-collegetuition,bycontrast,is$6,150.Publiccolleges,whichaccountfor80%ofthenation'senrollment,averageoutat$1,100.TerryHartleoftheAmericanEnterpriseInstitutequestionswhetherelitecollegesevenhaveanyincentivetocontroltheirprices.Theseschools,hepointsout,consistentlyhave"morequalifiedapplicantsthanplacesforthem."
    Nonetheless,somecollegesaremakingeffortstotrimbudgetsandpassalongthesavings.Pennhopestosave$12millionnextyearbyclosermanagementofemployeebenefits.Cornellisreducingoperatingexpendituresacrosstheboardby2%,allowingittoposta7%tuitionincrease,itssmallestin14years.Afewinstitutionsaredroppingsecondaryprograms.Georgetown,forexample,haseliminatedone-thirdofitsgraduateprogramsinthepastfiveyearsandrecentlydecidedtocloseitsdentalschool."Wecan'tbeallthingstoallstudents,"saysTreasurerGeorgeHouston.
    Ultimately,collegesmaybeabletodoonlysomuchtoreininrisingtuitions.Withtheircommitmenttospeculativescientificresearch,largefacultiesandout-of-favorsubjectslikeclassics,theymaybewhatUniversityofRochesterPresidentDennisO'Briencalls"inefficientinprinciple."Forstudentsintentonaname-brandsheepskin,thatprincipleislikelytoremainanexpensiveone,atleastfortheforeseeablefuture.WithreportingbyMaryCronin/PrincetonandDavidE.Thigpen/NewYork

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    7WhyCan'taWomanBeMore?
    Shecan–atwomen’scolleges,whichareflourishingonceagain
    LastmonthFreshmanShannonWelcome,18,ofWoodstock,Ill.,startedclassesatSt.Mary's,asmallwomen'scollegeacrossthestreetfromNotreDameinSouthBend,Ind."Iguessyoucouldsayit'smydreamschool,"sheexclaims."IcantakeclassesatNotreDamebutstillhavetheintimacyandnurturingatmosphereofSt.Mary's."Welcomeisconsideringalawcareer,and,shesays,"Ithinkthecompetitivebenefitsofbeinginawomen'scollegewillgivemeanedge."
    MaryWadland,20,feelsmuchthesameabouthereducationatHollinsCollegeinVirginia."I'vecomeoutmuchstronger,Ithink,thanIwouldhaveifIhadattendedacoedschool,"saysWadland,whograduatedinJuneafterservingasstudent-bodypresident."Weknewweweregoingtohavetocompetewithmenallourlives,"sheobserves,"anditwasnicetobeinthatcocoonforfouryearsandthencomeoutcharging."
    Thesevotesforwomen'scollegesarejusttwoinanewlyresurgentconstituency.The1960sand'70swereleanyearsforwomen'seducation.TheopeningofsuchmalebastionsasYale,Dartmouthandtheserviceacademieshelpeddrawsomanycrackhighschoolgirlsintocoedinstitutionsthattwo-thirdsofthenation's298women'scollegeseitherwentcoedorclosedtheirdoors.Buttodaythesurviving101boastthatundergraduateenrollmentissurging,despiteadecliningpoolofhighschoolgraduates.Lastweekapreliminarysurveyof64schools,conductedbytheWomen'sCollegeCoalition,showedthatthenumberofenteringfreshmenthissemesterhasrisenanaverageof6.6%abovelastyear,withsomenotablepeaksaroundtheacademiclandscape.TheheadcountatCalifornia'sMillsCollegeisup20%;freshmanenrollmentattheCollegeofNewRochelleinNewYorkhasjumpedfrom92to144.AtBrynMawrinPennsylvania,early-admissionsapplicationsincreased50%tohelpmakethefreshmanclassof345thebiggestintheschool's102-yearhistory."Ourapplicantpoolisup,thequalityofstudentsisup,andwe'redoingquitewell,"exultsMarthaMorris,admissionsdirectoratChicago'sMundeleinCollege.
    Whythisdramaticturnaround?"We'redoingabetterjobofgettingoutthemessageonhowwellwomen'scollegestrainwomenforcareers,"assertsNicoleReindorf,theWCC'sassociatedirector.Graduatesofwomen'scolleges,shepointsout,generallyoutperformtheircoedcounterparts.Forinstance,a1985surveyof5,000women'sschoolalumnaefoundthatnearlyhalfhadearnedgraduatedegrees(vs.one-thirdforallgraduatesfromcoedinstitutions.OfwomenlistedinWho'sWhoinAmerica,women'scollegealumsoutnumbercoed-schoolgraduatesbymorethan2to1.Andthebottomlineturnsouttobethebottomline:twoyearsago,themediansalaryforgraduatesofall-femalecollegesfromtheclassesof'67and'77was$25,000,about$8,000morethanforcoed-schoolalumnae.
    Thesefigurescomeacrossloudandcleartosomeofthesharpestoftoday'scollege-boundwomen,24%ofwhomsaytheyareinterestedinpursuingabusinessmajor--twicetheproportion20yearsagoandonly2%lowerthanthemen'sfigure.Somearealsoawareofstudiessuggestingthatfemaleegostakeasubtlebutdestructivepoundingincoedclassrooms.AreportreleasedlastfallbytheCarnegie

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    Foundationfoundthat"eventhebrightestwomenstudentsoftenremainsilent"inmixedclasses."Notonlydomentalkmore,butwhattheysayoftencarriesmoreweight."Bycontrast,atwomen'scolleges,notesWellesleyPresidentNannerlKeohane,femalestudentsnotonlyenjoy"equal*opportunity,buteveryopportunity."Thispaysoff,sheinsists,whengraduatesgooutintotherealandfrequentlysexistworld:"Whentheydohittheirfirstmoundofprejudice,insteadofsaying,'I'mnotreadyforthis,'theywillsay,'IknowIcandothis.IdiditatWellesley.'"
    Theylearnleadershipbyexample:topadministratorsatwomen'scollegestendtobewomenand,onaverage,thefacultyis61%female,incontrastto27%forallhigher-edschools.Withouttheintimidatingmalepresence,notesWCC'sReindorf,studentsatall-femalecollegesaremoreapttoventureintosuchtraditionallymalefieldsasengineering,physicsandeconomics.AtBrynMawr,forexample,thepercentageofphysicsmajorsis20timesasgreatasthenationalaverageforallwomenstudents.
    Recruitersforwomen'scollegeshavebeenworkinghardtobringtheseadvantagestotheattentionofhighschoolstudents,someofwhomcontinuetoregardsingle-sexschoolsasanachronismsorevenconvents.Notallaresucceeding.AnumberofsmallisolatedRomanCatholicwomen'scollegescontinuetostruggleagainststagnantenrollments.Andoverthepasttwoyears,WheatonCollegeinMassachusettsandGoucherinMarylandhaveabandonedthebattleandgonecoed.RussellSageinNewYorkwasconsideringconversionlastspring,butaftercompletinga15-monthstudyofothercollegesthathadgonecoed,administratorsdecidednottotamperwith71yearsoftradition.
    RussellSageisamongthemostaggressiveandinnovativerecruitersoffemaleapplicants.Amongitstechniques:assigningeveryarrivingfreshmananupper-class"bigsister,"alongwithafacultymentorandastudentadviser,andweaving"old-girlnetworks"tocreatethesamekindsofcareeropportunitiesforitsgraduatesthat"oldboys"havetraditionallyheldouttoyoungmen.RussellSagealsoputsitsseniorsintouchwithalumnaeexecutiveswhoprovidecareeradviceandarrangejobcontacts.Otherwomen'scollegesoffersimilarprograms.Manypromiseapplicants"thebestofbothworlds"throughcross-registrationarrangementswithnearbycoedcolleges."Thisisnocloisteredenclave,"saysBarnardPresidentEllenFutter."OurstudentshaveanabsolutelycoeducationallifebyvirtueofourparticipationinColumbiaUniversity."Yetthebestwomen'sschoolsremainshrewdlyprotectiveofthespecialpositiontheyoccupyinthehighlycompetitivecollegemarket.Manyeducators,andsomealumnaeaswell,believethatschoolslikeSkidmoreandVassar,oncebellwetherwomen'scolleges,haveslippedinbothstatusandeducationalqualitysincetheydecidedtoadmitmen.
    "Togocoedmakesyouonemoresmall,non-name-brandliberalartscollege,"saysReindorf."Theoretically,yougettwiceasmanystudents,butyoutradeoffyourmarketniche."
    BrynMawrPresidentMaryPattersonMcPhersonbelievessingle-sexinstitutionsplayanimportantrolebycontributingtoapluralisticapproachtoeducation.ShefretsaboutthesamenessofsomanyAmericancolleges:"Therearen'tmanyinstitutions

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    anymorethathaveaveryclearimage."Futterconcurs,"Wearedealingwithanincreasinglyfranchisedcommodity.Thisisn'thamburgers;thisiseducation."Finally,educationalleadersarefarfromconvincedthatthewomen'smovementhaserasedtheprejudicesthatgaverisetowomen'scollegesinthefirstplace."Maybetherewillcomeadaywhenwomenandmenwillbeabletoworkequallyprofessionallyacrosstheboard,"saysWellesley'sKeohane."Perhapswhenthatdaycomes,ourmissionofeducatingwomenalonewillbeaccomplished.Idon'tthinkit'sgoingtohappensoon."

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    8SilverBulletsfortheNeedy
    Campusesareseeingarenewalofstudentvolunteerism
    Ah,springbreak.Thetraditionaltimetoshedcampuscaresandhaulhormonesoffforsomesunandfun.ButastherecessstartedlastweekatVanderbiltUniversity,onegroupofstudentswasoffinpursuitofmoreseriousexertions.AscorewenttoaSiouxreservationinSouthDakotatodopainting,tilingandlightcarpentryataY.M.C.A.center;adozenarrivedinJuarez,Mexico,tohelpbuilda"serviglesia,"achurchtoservethepoor;anothertwelveheadedforAppalachia's"ValleyofDespair"toplantfirtreesandworkonconstructionandfurniture-buildingprojects.SaysVanderbiltSeniorEthelJohnson,21,whostayedinNashvillewithanotherteamsowinggardens,makingcurtainsandteachingEnglishinacommunityofCambodianrefugees:"Studentsarevastlyunderestimated.Theyhavearealdesiretogetoutthereanddosomethingtotrytohelpandtohavetheireyesopened."
    Vanderbilt'sAlternativeSpringBreakissimplyonerustlingofanewspiritofvolunteerismblowingacrosscampuses.InCalifornia,40StanfordvolunteerstooktimeouttwoweekendsagotopaintanelementaryschoolgyminEastMenloPark.InBoston,WellesleyundergradstendtohomelesswomeneverynightatRosie'sPlace,alocalshelter.AtNorthwesterninEvanston,Ill.,volunteershavestartedan"adoptagrandparent"programtoaidtheelderly.StudentsattheUniversityofMichiganinAnnArborhelplow-incomepeoplewithtaxreturns.
    Noonecansayexactlyhowmanyareinvolvedoverall;thebestestimateisthat15%to25%ofcollegiansengageregularlyinsomeformofpublicservice.Manycampusvolunteeragenciesarefindingthatinterestishigherthanithasbeensincetheearly'70s.DeclaresStanfordUniversityPresidentDonaldKennedy:"Everybody'sviewofthisgenerationwasthattheywerecareerist,thattheywereyuppiesinthemaking.Ialwaysthoughtthatwasabumrap."
    Today'svolunteers,however,arenothrowbacktothe'60sactivists."It'snotenoughtosaypeace,loveandhappiness,"notesBrownSophomoreDavidGraff,whoworkedinastorefrontschoolinHarlemandisnowabigbrothertoayoungsterinProvidence."Weneedtoberealisticaboutourexpectationssowedon'tburnout."LindaChisholm,co-directorofthePartnershipforServiceLearning,anorganizationthathassentstudentstoassistschoolsinJamaicaandEcuador,explains,"Theyhaven'tdecidedwhoisrightandwhoiswrong.Andtheyaren'tsayingthatothersshouldchange.They'resaying,'I'llchange.I'lldoit.'"ThePeaceCorpsisenjoyinganincreaseinapplicantswhoarecollegegraduates,andSpokeswomanAlixeGlencharacterizesmostofthemas"realisticidealists."
    Anotherdifference:today'svolunteerismisimbuedwithan'80sentrepreneurshipandconservatismthatincludecarefullydefinedgoalsandevaluationprocedures.SchoolssuchasRiceUniversityandGeorgetownhave/hiredfull-timeservicecoordinatorstofosterstudentinvolvementandmatchvolunteerswithcommunityagenciesandprojects.Networkshavebeenestablishedtopassalonginformation.CampusCompact,startedin1985bythreeuniversitypresidents,nowcomprises259colleges.COOL,CampusOutreachOpportunityLeague,runbyaformerHarvardvolunteer,embraces250schools.Harvard'sPhillipsBrooksHouseAssociation,thenation'soldestcollege

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    community-serviceorganization,isamodelofhowunsoftheadedtheapproachnowis.Studentsmustnotonlydreamuptheprojects(whichnownumber50butwritedetailedproposalsforhowtofundandoperatethem.LastweekthecityofCambridgeawardeda$23,000contracttotheassociation,ratherthanothersocialserviceagencies,toruna20-bedshelterforthehomeless.
    Manycollegesgiveacademiccreditforpublicservice.Some,likeBrownandHarvard,providefellowships.Educatorsandpoliticianshaveproposedofferingothertangiblerewardstovolunteers,manyofwhomareaccumulatinghightuitiondebtsandfeelpressuretoearnwages.RhodeIslandDemocraticSenatorClaibornePellwillintroduceabillthismonththatwouldgiveROTC-liketuitionassistancetostudentsdoingcommunityservice.Thanks,saysome,butnothanks."Volunteerismshouldbeselfless,"explainsM.RichardRose,presidentofRochesterInstituteofTechnology."IdeallyyoushouldbeliketheLoneRanger.Youdoagooddeed,thenyouleaveasilverbulletandmoveon."
    Makingvolunteerworkmandatorysparksmorecontroversy.ProposedlegislationinCaliforniawouldrequireallfour-yearstudentsenrolledinstateschoolsorreceivingstateaidtodevotetimetocommunityprojects.But,arguesRobertPollack,deanofColumbiaCollegeinNewYorkCity,"requiredserviceisnotservice,itisservitude."Besides,sayparticipants,thespiritofgivingdoesnotneedthatgoad.Thepersonalsatisfaction,thereal-worldexposure,the"chancetogivesomethingback,"asdozensofvolunteersputit,isenough."Inclass,westudythebigquestions,"saysGeorgetownStudentElaineRankin."Atthehomelessshelterwelivethebigquestions."

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    9Tick,Buzz,It'sThatTimeAgainLocusts?
    Locusts?No,it’sthe17-yearcicada,creatingaracket
    OneofthefirsttospottheinvasionintheSouthwasretiredTextileWorkerHughSalmons,whoonMay9sawtheglisteningbodiesonthewillowoaksinhisfrontyardinElkin,N.C.Thenextmorning,JudyCarpenter,32,ofBlairsville,Ga.,wasinthebackyardplayingsoftballwithherdaughterwhenshesawtheintruder,itsredeyesglintinginthesunanditsclawedfrontfeetpullingitthroughthegrass.Within24hoursshehadcollected21oftheminajarfromtherhododendronbushinfrontofthehouse.
    Afternearlytwodecadesofasubterraneanexistence,oneofthetwolargestbroodsofthe17-yearcicadas(pronouncedsuh-kay-duhsisback.DuringthenextfewweeksandcontinuingthroughearlyJuly,theEasternU.S.fromGeorgiatoNewYorkandasfarwestasIllinoiswillbecomeinfestedwiththesemysteriousinsects,whichemergefromthegroundevery17yearstomateanddie.Thisyear,asinpreviousappearances,theirnumbersarelikelytoreachintothemillionstotheacre.ThegreatestconcentrationsareexpectedinthesuburbsofBaltimore,Washington,PhiladelphiaandCincinnati,wherethedayswillbefilledwithacacophonyofticksandbuzzesthatwillwaxandwanewiththeheatofthesun.Apopulationinfullsongcanexceed100decibels,roughlythelevelofacircularbuzzsawatfullthrottle.
    Manypeoplestillcallthecicadas"locusts,"becausethatiswhatthePilgrimsfirstcalledthem,thinkingnodoubtofthelocustplaguesdescribedintheOldTestament.Actually,thosebiblicalinsectsweremigratorygrasshoppers,whicheventodaycauseextensivecropdamageinAfrica,AsiaandSouthAmerica.Incontrast,the17-yearcicadasarereasonablyharmlessbugswhoseonlysinsaresuckingsapoutoftreesfornourishmentandkillingsmallbranchesbylayingeggsinthem.Theyalsomessuplawnswiththeir2-in.-longbodies.Vulnerablesaplingoaksandfruittreescaneasilybeprotectedwithacoveringofcheesecloth."They'remoreofanuisancethananythingelse,"saysDouglassMiller,anentomologistwiththeAgriculturalResearchServiceinBeltsville,Md."Theydolessdamagethanagoodpruning."
    Comparedwiththeaveragebug,whichgoesfrombirthtodeathinlessthanayear,the17-yearcicadaisMethuselah:ithasthelongestlifecycleofanyknowninsect.Inall,therearetwelvedistinctbroodsof17-yearcicadas,eachofwhichemergesinadifferentyear.Thisyear'sgroupisreferredtobyscientistsasBrood10.Theotherlargegroup,Brood14,isduetomakeitsnextappearancein1991.
    Whattriggerstheinsect'semergencefromthegroundexactlyoncueinthefinalmonthsofitslifecycleisoneofnature'scontinuingmysteries.Scientistsassumethathormonesplayarole.Thecreaturesalsoappearataboutthetimethesoiltemperaturereaches68degreesFto70degreesF,whichiswhytheyarefirstseenintheSouth.SaysUniversityofMichiganBiologistThomasMoore:"It'sanamazingdemonstrationofbiologicalcomplexity."
    Initslongsojournunderground,subsistingonsapintreerootlets,thecicadanymphpassesthroughfivegrowthstages,orinstars,eachofwhichendswiththeinsectthrowingoffitscarapace.Abouttwomonthsbeforeitisreadytoemerge,thenymphtunnelsitswayupward,lyingatthesurfaceandbuildingaprotectiveearthenturretif

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    thegroundistoodamp.Thisfinalreststopistrulycharacterbuilding:itapparentlyenablestheinsecttodevelopadultclawsandflightmusclestohelpitcopewithlifeaboveground."Theirbodiesundergoamajortransformation,especiallyofmusclestructure,"saysMiller.
    Asasafeguardagainstpredators,thecicadasusuallyfirstcrawloutofthegroundaftersunset.Theirmaindefense,though,maybesheernumbers:birds,raccoonsandskunkscancrunchuponlysomanyinsects.Afterclimbingthenearestverticalobject--atreeorpost,forexample--theinsectstaketheirlaststeptowardadulthood.Theyhooktheirneedle-likeclawsintothesurface,archtheirbackstobreaktheirskinandthenwigglefree.Adaylatertheyarereadytoflyaway.Allofthisismerelyapreludetocourtship,withthemalecicadasseekingtoattractmateswiththeirstaccatosirensong,producedbyvigorouslyvibratingtwodrumlikeappendagesontheabdomen.Thefinalhoursofthecicada'sthree-weeklifeabovegroundareplayedoutasthefemaledepositshundredsofeggsinaseriesofpocketscutintwigs.Nineweekslaterthemicroscopicnymphshatch,droptothegroundandburrowdownasfaras2ft.,wheretheygrow,eatandawaittheircoming-out17yearshence.Thefactthatthisbroodwillnotreappearuntil2004isonereasonscientistsarereluctanttoputtoomuchoftheirtimeintounlockingthecicada'ssecrets.AsRichardFroeschner,aresearchentomologistattheSmithsonianInstitution,pointsout,"Enthusiasmandcuriositytendtowanebetweengenerations."

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    10NewLifeUndertheVolcano
    Hikersandscientistsglimpseamountainonthemend
    InthesevenyearssinceMountSt.Helensexplodedinaspumeofgas,ashandpumice,therehavebeen24additionaleruptionsatthevolatilepeakintheCascadeRange.Thelast,asmallexplosivebelchofmagmathatadded85ft.totheheightofthelavadomeinsidethecrater,occurredeightmonthsago.Asaresult,theU.S.ForestService,cautiousguardianofthe110,000-acreMountSt.HelensNationalVolcanicMonument,hasdecidedtoletthegeneralpublichaveacloserlookatapostvolcanicenvironment.SinceearlyMay,some100climbersadayhavebeenissuedpermitstoslogacrosssolidifiedmudflows,orlahars,andupthroughsnowfieldstothelipofthecrater.
    Whattheyobserveisnothinglessthanalandscapebeingreborn.Natureislaboringmightilytotransformthescouredflanksofthemountain,itsdebris-filledriversystemsandchemicallypollutedpondsandlakesintoafacsimileofthesylvansettingthatexistedbeforetheeruption.Totheuntutoredeye,theevidenceofdevastationstillseemsoverwhelming.Scientists,however,seeaglassfillingitselfupslowlybutsurely.SaysJamesMacMahon,headofthebiologydepartmentatUtahStateUniversity:"It'snotaforestyet,buttherateofprogressisamazing."
    Thatprogressencompassesbothfloraandfauna.Insidetheboundariesofthemonument,wherebylawpeoplearenotallowedtoassistregeneration,amammalianequivalentofthebulldozerhasbeenthepocketgopher.Coloniesofthesetinyindustriousburrowershavehelpedmixthenutrient-poorashandpumicewithrich,pre-eruptivesoil,creatingamorehospitableturfforwindblownseeds.Deermice,antsandbeetleshavealsoassistedintheregenerationofthesoil.Floweringlupine,withrootnodulesthatconvertnitrogenintocompoundsnecessaryforplantgrowth,hasseizedafootholdonthepumiceplain,alongwiththeubiquitousfireweedandtimothygrass.
    Fartherfromtheepicenter,inhummockyfieldsofloosevolcanicashandfinepumicepebbles,willows,redalderandanoccasionalDouglasfirhavetakenrootnearsmallponds.Atthewaters'edge,Pacifictreefrogsandsalamandersnowflourish.LargebodiesofwaterlikeSpiritLake,whichwasfilledwithorganicdebrisandrobbedofitsoxygenbyaccompanyingbacteriaduringtheeruption,havemadeevenmorerapidrecoveries.Algae,zooplanktonandfreshwatercrustaceanshaveallrecolonizedthelake,promptingauthoritiesfromthestatedepartmentofgametopushfortherestockingofsuchgamefishasrainbowandbrowntrout.
    Butothersopposetheplan,arguingthatthevolcanohasprovidedthemwithanunprecedentedopportunitytowatchunhinderedregeneration.SaysCliffDahm,abiologistattheUniversityofNewMexico:"Itwouldbefoolishtoshort-circuitnature'sexperiment."
    Outsidethemonument,wherenatureisallowedanassistfromman,recoveryhasbeenevenmorestriking.TheWeyerhaeuserCo.,whichlost60,000acresoftimberwhenMountSt.Helensblew,finishedreplantingconiferslastfall.InClearwaterCanyon,ninemilesfromthecenteroftheblast,one-acretestplotssetupin1981areflourishing.Douglas,noble,grandandPacificsilverfirsplantedbytheForestService

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    staffhaveenjoyedanalmost90%survivalrate.Somearealready12ft.tall."Thetreesaregrowingfasterthannormal,"saysEugeneSloniker,aForestServicesilviculturist.Theimpressivegrowthrateofthesespeciesispartlyattributabletothefactthattheywerethefirstonesreintroduced.ExplainsSloniker:"Theyhavehadlesscompetition."
    ThereopeningofthemountainworriesscientistsattheU.S.GeologicalSurvey.Reason:thevulnerabilityofsensitive,untendedmonitoringequipmentthatprovidesaconstantreadoutofthepeak'svitalsigns.Hikersaregivenahandoutwarningthattamperingwithseismometers,tiltmetersandotherequipmentwouldcrippletheUSGSearly-warningsystemandcouldleadtothereclosingofthemountain.AlthoughgeologistsfeelcomfortablewiththeirabilitytopredictthebehaviorofMountSt.Helensitself,theyfreelyadmitthattheinnerworkingsofthevolcanoarestillamystery.SaysResearchGeologistC.DanMiller,whoassessesvolcanohazardfortheUSGS:"Welearnaswegoalong.Thereisreallynoalternativetostudyingeachvolcano."
    GeologistswhohavebeenmonitoringMountSt.Helens'hiccupssince1980havepredictedallbutonevolcaniceventandbelievetheycancontinuetodoso.Aslongasthevolcanoremainsdormant,moreandmorepeoplearecertaintocomeandmarvelatwhatJerryFranklin,theForestService'schiefplantecologist,calls"theresilienceofnature."Sincethe$5.3millionMountSt.HelensvisitorcenteropenedinnearbySilverLakelastDecember,morethan150,000peoplehaveparadedthroughitsexhibits.Nowtheycanseethemountainforthemselves."We'vegotquiteawaytogoyet,"saysFranklin."We're10%alongtheway.Inanotherhundredyears,we'llhaveacanopiedforest."

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    11Tubers,BerriesandBugs
    Scientistsreleaseman-mademicrobesintotheenvironment
    Inadustyhalf-acrepotatopatchnearthetiny(pop.1,000farmingcommunityofTulelake,Calif.,scientistsincanaryyellowoverallsclamberedaboardatractorlastweekandbeganwhatlookedlikeaworkadayfarmyardchore.Theywereplantingordinarypotatoes,2,000tubersinall,thathadbeentreatedwithanextraordinaryadditive:ageneticallyalteredbacteriumdesignedtoinhibittheformationoffrost.Thisexperiment--andasimilaroneperformedonlyfivedaysearlier--markedaturningpointintheeffortsofscientiststoapplytheadvancesofrecombinantDNAtechnologytoagriculture:thefirstauthorizedreleaseofman-mademicrobesintotheenvironment.
    TheroutineTulelakeoperationstoodinmarkedcontrasttothemoredramaticprevioustest,350milesawayinaBrentwood,Calif.,strawberryfield.There,technicianswrappedinhead-to-foot"spacesuits"--requiredbyfederalregulationsgoverningairborneuseofpotentiallytoxicsubstances--sprayed2,400strawberryplantswithaslightlydifferentstrainofthesameice-inhibitingbacterium.Theeventdrewacrowdofreportersandgovernmentofficials,whoarrivedwithelaboratedevicestosnifftheairandtastethedirtaroundthetestsite.Thestartoftheexperimentwasdelayedforanhourbecauseofanactofsabotage:thenightbefore,vandals,apparentlyexpressingtheirdisapprovaloftheexperiment,cutthroughachain-linkfenceanduprootedsome2,000plants.
    Theuninjuredberrieswerequicklyreplanted,andtheprojectproceededwithoutfurtherincident,buttheprotestwassymptomaticofthefiercecontroversysurroundingtheopen-airtrials.Theyhavebecomethefocalpointofabitterdebateoverthecreationofneworganismsandtherisksinvolvedinreleasingthem.Mostbiologistshavearguedthattheoutdoortestsareanecessaryfirststepthatmayhelpreducethe$1.5billionlostbyU.S.farmerseachyeartofrostandmaysomedayleadtothereplacementofchemicalfertilizersandpesticideswithbiodegradable,nonpollutingmicrobes.
    Opponents,captainedbyWashington-basedActivistJeremyRifkin,haveraisedlegitimatequestionsabouthowwelltheseexperimentsareregulatedandmonitored.ButRifkinandhissupportershavealsoplayedonpublicfearsbypaintingthespecterofabiotechChernobyl--anexperimentgonehaywire,spreadingman-madegermsthatcouldruincrops,changerainpatternsandrenderlargeswatchesofCaliforniauninhabitable.
    Thecurrentexperiments,almosteveryoneagrees,donotposeanysuchthreat.TheyinvolveamodestbitofgeneticengineeringonthebacteriumPseudomonassyringae,acommonparasitethatlivesonthebarkandleavesofmanyplants.Thebacteriumproducesaproteinthatservesasaseedfortheformationoficecrystalswhenthetemperaturedropsbelow32degreesF.Bysnippingtheseed-makinggenefromtheDNAofthemicrobe,BerkeleyPlantPathologistsStevenLindowandNickolasPanopouloscreatedamutantformofP.syringaethatdoesnotpromotefrost.Theycalltheirnewmicrobe"ice-minus."Inthelaboratory,leavescoatedwiththemicrobeshavebrieflywithstoodtemperaturesaslowas23degreesF.

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    In1982LindowandPanopoulosappliedforpermissiontotreatpotatoeswithice-minus.TheyfailedtoanticipateRifkin.Aformerantiwaractivistwithafertileimaginationandaknackforusingthebureaucraticprocess,Rifkinorganizedwhatmaybethelongest-runningregulatorybattleever.Oneofhisvictories:a1984temporaryinjunctionagainstLindowandPanopoulosissuedbyFederalDistrictJudgeJohnSiricaofWatergatefame.
    Therehavebeenexcessesandlapsesonbothsides.Rifkin,whomakeshislivingspeakingagainstgeneticengineering,sowedfearanddoubtamongthepublicevenafterhissupportershadconcludedthattheexperimentsweresafe.Butthescientistshavenotbeenblameless.AdvancedGeneticSciencesInc.,theOakland-basedstart-upfirmthatconductedthestrawberrytests,managedtoalienatemostofCalifornia'sMontereyCountyin1986whenitscloselyheldplanstotestthemicrobesinthatareawereuncoveredbyalocalnewspaper.Whilethatissuewasbeingdebated,RifkinrevealedthatAGSscientistshadalreadyinjectedmutantbacteriaintofruitandnuttreesgrowingontheroofoftheirOaklandlabs--aviolationoffederalandstateregulations.AGSwasfined$13,000foritstransgression.
    AGSlearneditslesson.Thismonth'sexperimentswereprecededbyawell-orchestratedcampaignthatincludedpublicmeetings,moundsofexplanatoryliteratureandplanttoursforcountyofficials.Thefinallegalhurdlefellthedaybeforethefirsttest."Thecourtisconvinced,"saidSacramentoSuperiorCourtJudgeDarrelLewis,"that((theexperimentsarenotunleashingsomedeleteriousbacteriathataregoingtoconsumethecityofBrentwoodoranywhereelse."
    Itwasasetbackforopponentsofsuchresearch,andforRifkininparticular.Butitdoesnotmeansmoothsailingforthegeneticengineers.Strictguidelinesarenowinplace,andaslongasthereareindustrywatchdogs,everyexperimentwillbecloselychecked.Rifkinshowsnosignsofgivingup."Wewillbattleeverystepoftheway,"hepromisedlastweek."Thisprotestisnotgoingtogoaway."ForLindow,however,thelongbattlewasover.Saidhe,whenthetuberswerefinallyintheground:"It'squitearelieftofinallyseescienceprogress."

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    12ComingBackfromtheBrink
    Alligatorsandleopardsarenolongerseenasendangered
    Toanimalpreservationists,leopardcoatsandalligatorshoeshavelongrankedamongthemostflagrantsymbolsofhumanindifferencetothefateofwildanimals.Evenamongthegeneralpublic,consciousnesshasbeenraisedhighenoughsothatanyonesportingfinerymadefromtheskinsofendangeredanimalsrunstheriskofatleastverbalassault.
    Theattackersmayhavetoshiftemotionalgears,however.LastmonththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceformallyannouncedthattheAmericanalligatorisnolongeranendangeredspecies.And,atameetingthisweekinOttawa,theU.N.'sConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecieswillreleaseareporturgingnotonlythatthecommonleopardberemovedfromitslistofendangeredanimalsbutthatlegalhuntingberesumed.
    Whilethealligator'srecoveryhasbeen"phenomenal,"accordingtoDavidKlingeroftheFWS,itseemsthatthespottedfelinemayneverhavefacedacatastropheinthefirstplace.UnlikeitstrulyrarecousintheHimalayansnowleopard,thecommonleopardmadethelist,inthe1970s,largelyforemotionalreasons.Worriesaboutshrinkinghabitatsandexcessivehuntingwere"clearlyoverblown,"admitsJaquesBerney,deputysecretary-generalofCITES."Leopardsarenotlikecheetahs,"heobserves."They'rehighlyadaptableanimals."
    Thepushtorecategorizetheleopardisbasedonafive-monthstudy,conductedin23countriesbyRowanMartin,chiefecologistforZimbabwe'sdepartmentofnationalparksandwildlifemanagement,andBelgianBiologistTomdeMeulenaer.ThepairusedeyewitnessaccountsandstatisticalcomputermodelingtoestimateAfrica'sleopardpopulationatahealthy700,000to850,000.The75-to150-lb.catshaveevenbeensightedrecentlyontheoutskirtsofNairobi.Thebiologistswentsofarastorecommendtheresumptionofinternationaltradeinleopardskins.Thebestapproachtoleopardmanagement,theyargue,istolegalizealimited"harvest,"divertingrevenuesfrompoachersandprovidinganestimated$29millionto"governmentsandlaw-abidingcitizens."
    Thereclassificationofthealligator,however,isatruevictory.Twentyyearsago,thetoothyreptileshadbeensoassiduouslyhunted,saysFWSDirectorFrankDunkle,"thatmanybelievedthespecieswouldneverrecover."Skin-seekingpoachershadkilledtheanimalsbythetensofthousands.In1966CongresspassedthefirstoftheEndangeredSpeciesActs,whichbannedhuntinganyanimalatriskofeliminationoveramajorpartofitsrange.Suchlegislationwasspectacularlysuccessfulforthegators,thanksinlargeparttotheFWSagentswhoenforcedit.
    OneoftheheroeswasDavidHall,anagentwhowentundercoverfornearlytenyearsintheswampsandbayousoftheSouth.Hallwouldgettoknowthelocalsandstartbuyingalligatorhidesfromtraders;atonepoint,heoperatedatanningfactoryformorethanayear."Thebigtraderswouldbringtheirskinstomein18-wheeltrucks,"saysHall,"andwe'dbustthemonthespot.IknowtherealCrocodileDundees,andI'vearrestedabouthalfofthem."
    Alligatorpopulationsreboundedrapidly.SaysKlinger:"Allwehadtodowasstopthe

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    poachers,andthegatorsdidtherest."InAlabama,forexample,biologistsreportedatenfoldincreaseinalligatorsbetweenthemid-1970sandtheearly'80s.By1985theFWSdeclaredtheanimalnolongerendangeredinLouisiana,FloridaandTexas,where90%oftheanimalslive,andlastmonthitextendedthatdecisiontothesevenotherstateswheregatorsarefound."We'vegotmorealligatorsthanweknowwhattodowith,"exclaimsKlinger,whosaystheremaynowbeseveralmillion.
    ThealligatorisnottheonlyFWSsuccess:thebrownpelican,onceindanger,isnowoffthelistinseveralstates.Thebaldeagleisupfromits1963lowof417activenestsinthelower48statestosome2,000breedingpairsthisyear--notenoughtobedeclassifiedbutanimpressivereturnforthenationalsymbol.Unfortunatelynotallprotectedspeciescanbecoaxedintobouncingback.Despitegovernmentprotection,therearenoknownCaliforniacondorsleftinthewild;theremaining27areincaptivity.Andin70yearsoftryingtosavethewhoopingcrane,thepopulationhasgrownfromalowof15,in1941,tojust170birds.Norcandeletionsfromtheendangeredlistbegintokeeppacewiththenewadditions.Atthemoment,449animalandplantspeciesremainlistedintheU.S.;37ofthemwereaddedin1987alone.

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    13TheWholeWorldGoesPandas
    TwoChineseambassadorsreceivecheersintheBronx
    HehadgoodnewsforNewYorkers,MayorEdwardKochsaidlastweek:taxeswerebeingreduced,andthepolicedepartmentwasbeingenlarged."Butthesinglethingpeoplewillcareabout,"headded,"isthatthepandashavecometotown."Howrighthewas.LastThursdaymorning,asagongwassoundedandacomelyfemalenamedYongYongwaddledintoherenclosureattheBronxZoo,NewYorkCitywasgrippedwiththatwell-knownbutincurablefever:pandamania.
    WELCOMETONEWYORK,PANDAS,saidahandmadesignheldupbyoneofseveraldozenwaitingschoolchildren.HELLO,LINGLINGANDYONGYONG,saidanother.Andevenmoretothepoint:NEWYORKISTHEPANDAS!BeforeLingLing(RingingBell,themalehalfoftheteam,andYongYong(ForeverandEvergohomeattheendofOctober--theyareonloanfromthePekingZooforonlysixmonths--anestimated2millionpeople(2,000anhourwillhaveseenandnodoubtfalleninlovewiththem."There'ssomethingspecialaboutpandas,"saysKoch."Theybringpeoplebacktotheirchildhood."
    Eventhemeanestpeople,thosewhokickdogs,throwbottlesatcatsandsteponrobins'eggs,getteary-eyedandputty-leggedwhentheyseeapandarollingaroundonitsampleposterior,twistingitspuffybodyintoaseeminglyimpossibleposition,oreatinganapple--nothingmoreexoticthananapple!--withitshandlikepaw."Ican'tthinkofanyanimalthatcompares,"saysWilliamConway,directoroftheNewYorkZoologicalSociety."Peoplelovepenguins,buttheinterestinpandasisextraordinary.Thereappearstobeaninnateresponseof,'Oh,isn'titcute?'"
    AtthesevenzoosoutsideChinainwhichtheyhavetakenuppermanentresidence,pandasarealwaysthetopact.Iftheadultscauseastir,theirbabiescausechaos.WhenTokyo'sUenoZoohadablessedeventlastyear,270,000peoplesuggestednamesforthelittlecub.TongTong(Childwastheeventualchoice,and13,000stoodinlineforthefirstglimpseofthatparticularchild.Another200,000adaycalledthe"Dial-a-Panda"hotlinetohearhimsquealing.
    InWashington,theonlyU.S.citythathaspandasonpermanentexhibit,schoolchildrensendthemyearlyvalentines.Whenthefemale(alsonamedLingLingfellillin1982,shereceivedthousandsofget-wellcards;someadmirerstearfullycalledforthelatestwordonhercondition.ChinalentapairtotheLosAngelesZooinconjunctionwiththe1984Olympics;attendancemorethandoubled,andpandamaniacsenduredthree-hourwaits.SanFrancisco'szoo,wherethecouplewentnext,sawattendancejump50%.
    ButLingLing,YongYongandtheotheractorsinwhatmightbecalledChina'sTravelingPandaAct--twomorewillbelenttotheNetherlands'BeekseBergenparkthismonth--aremeanttodomorethanentertain.Pandasalsocarryamessage:theyareanendangeredspecieswithableakfuture.Onlyafew,700orso,stillroamthemountainsofcentralChina,andtherearenotenoughinzoostoensuretheirsurvival.Likemostotherendangeredspecies,thepandasareavictimofwhatConwaytermsthe"inexorableincreaseinhumanbeings."Chinesefarmershavechoppeddownmanyofthebamboostandsthatoncefedthem,andthepandashavebeenforcedto

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    everhighergroundandsmallerspaces.Butbambooisnotverynutritious(90%iswater,andpandasmusteatasmuchas40lbs.adaytomaintaintheircuddlylook.Actually,theylovemeat,butnaturehasmadethemtooslowtocatchanythingworthnibblingon.Sotheyareleftwithbamboo,whichmovesonlywiththewind.
    Thehaplessanimalsarealsobedeviledbywhatmanyotherspecies--rabbits,forinstance--wouldconsideranunhappysexlife.Solitarybynature,theyrarelyenjoyoneanother'scompany.DuringtheirstayinNewYork,forinstance,LingLing,whoat11/2istooyoungformatinganyway,willneverbeallowedoutatthesametimeasthesix-year-old,heavier(187lbs.,vs.119lbs.andpresumablymoreaggressiveYongYong.
    Oneanswertothepandas'plightisobvious:theChineseshouldgivethemmorespaceandmorebamboo.InrecentyearstheChinese,withconsiderablefinancialhelpfrompandaloversworldwide,havetriedtodothat.Theyhavesetasidetwelvereservesthathavedifferentvarietiesofbamboo;ifonekinddiesout,thepandaswillnotstarvetodeath,asatleast138didduringamajorbamboofamineinthemid-'70s.Indeed,Conway,whosezoohastakenaleadinpreservingendangeredspecies,givestheChinesehighmarks."They'respendingmoreeffortonpandasthantheU.S.isongrizzlybears,whichareevenrarerintheLower48states,"hesays."They'reanexampletous."
    Buthighmarksmaynotbegoodenough.Unlessreservesaremadelarger,hesays,andconnectedsothattheirdenizenscanmovefromonetoanother,"thedemiseofthepandaispredictable."Headds,"ThereareprobablyfewerpandasextantthanthereareRembrandts.Weoughttogivethematleastasmuchreverenceaswegivetheworksofman."ThecrowdscheeringthemonattheBronxZoolastweekseemedtobedoingjustthat.

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    14InArizona:White-KnuckleAstronomy
    MarciaRiekesitsonamoundofdirtonacoldmountaintop,nearlytwomilesupintheclearArizonasky,watchingthesungodownandworrying.Ashadowslowlycreepspasther,castbyanearbytan,four-storybuildingthatlookslikeagiganticbreadbox.InsidethebreadboxistheMultipleMirrorTelescope,theworld'sthirdmostpowerfultelescope.Itlookslikenoother.Thereisnoglisteningdome;itmightbeafour-storybarn.Butthereare800*tonsofit,anditturns.Thewholestructurecanpirouette360degrees,enormouslysimplifyingtheaimingoftheinstrument.Itisprobablytheworld'sonlybuildingwithsnowplowbladesonitscornerstoclearapathasitrotatesaboutacirculartrack.Whenitsdoorsopen,theyrevealnotasleek,tubulartelescope,butasix-eyedmonster,ahexagonalarrayofhalfadozen72-inchmirrors,thesumofwhoseimagesequalsthecapacityofasinglemirror176inchesacross.
    NoneofwhichbearsdirectlyonthereasonswhyRieke,aprofessorofastronomyattheUniversityofArizona,isworrying.She'sbeenplanningforthisnightformostofayear.Herinvitationwasanintriguingone:"Ifyouwanttoseesomerealwhite-knuckleastronomy,beouthereonthe14th."Astronomyisn'tnormallyconsideredasnerve-rackingaprofessionas,say,commoditiestradingorthehighwire.Thisisamistake.Thereisgreattension,anditcomesfromscarcity.ThemountainsaroundTucson,the"astronomycapitaloftheworld,"maybristlewithtelescopes,buttheyaremightyrareintheremainderoftheworld.Thereareabout500Americanastronomerswhopublishatleastonescholarlypaperayear;thereareonlyeighttelescopeslargeenoughtoseetheextremelyfaintandfarawayobjectsofinteresttomanyofthem.
    RiekehasdriventothemountaintopwithherhusbandGeorge,alsoaprofessorofastronomyattheUniversityofArizona.Thetwoofthemarepartofateamthatmadeheadlinesaroundtheworldthiswinterwhenitannouncedthediscoveryofwhatappearedtobenewgalaxiesfartheroutinspaceandbackintimethananyotheryetseen.TonighttheyplantousetheexperimentalRedChannelSpectrograph,which"sees"deepredlightwhenlookingatagalaxyknownasM82.Their"eyeball,"thespectrograph,issupposedtoanalyzelightthathaspassedthroughthetelescope,pickoutenergyinthedeepredfrequenciescomingfromthegalaxy,anddisplayitonatelevisionscreeninsymbolsthatmayhelptheRiekesunderstandwhatisgoingonoutthere.Deepredlightpassesthroughgalacticdustmoreeasilythanmostothercolors,andtheRiekesarehopingtousethetelescopeandthespectrographtopenetratethedustobscuringwhattheybelieveisanurseryofnewstars.ExplainsMarciaRieke:"Thisgalaxyhasmadeawholelotofnewstars,andveryrecently."Furthermore,shenotes,"thisguyisintheneighborhood,closeby,at10millionlight-years."Theedgeoftheuniverseis,bysomeestimates,15billionlight-yearsoutthere,andtheM.M.T.cancoverfour-fifthsofthedistance.
    Beforeastargazercaneventhinkaboutreachingthosedistances,itisnecessarytogettotheArizonamountaintop.That'satoughtrip,andonewithtwoparts.First,theobserver,whocanbeastronomer,physicist,mathematicianorevenchemist,applieswellaheadoftimetoascreeningcommitteeofscientists.Iftheproposalisnew,

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    interestingandmostlikelydoable,itisconsidered."Mostnightsareoversubscribedby50%,"saysRieke,"anditcanrunashighasfourtimes."Thenthereisajokerinthedeck.Ifyouasanapplicantareapprovedandgivenanightornights,thatisyourtime.Ifitrainsorcloudsover,itisneverthelessstillyournight,andtherearenosecondchances.Yougobacktotheendoftheline.OnthesemountainsMotherNaturebatslast.
    Thesecondpartofthetriptothetelescopeisequallyarduous.MarciaandGeorgeandtheircompanionhadjustspentnearlytwobone-shakinghoursinafour-wheel-drivecarryallwithalight-yearofmileageonit.ThetelescopeperchesonthesummitofthemountainonarockyoutcropthatlooksasifitwerereproducedfromaChineseprint.Theroadwouldintimidateamountaingoat.Two-thirdsofthewayupthe18kidney-crushingmilestothesummitwestartrunningintosnowontheroad,anditiscold.
    ButthencomeMarcia'sworries,andtheyaremanifold:therearevigorous-lookingcloudsabout,anditiscrypticallyannouncedthatthereare"someproblems"withtheRedChannelSpectrograph.Marciahasexpressedearlierconcernaboutthegadget,"aboutasbigasasmallouthouse,"whichcontainsamilliontransistorsandcosts$200,000.
    Awordhereabouttheprocessofastronomy:
    --Rarely,rarely,doesanyoneactuallylookwithaneyethroughoneofthesebigtelescopes.The"eye"nowmostprobablyisacharge-coupleddevice,thesameelectronic"film"thatmakeshomevideocameraswork--exceptthiselectronicfilmisofextraordinarysensitivity.
    --Nobodywearstidywhitelaboratorycoats.Itisbloodyfreezingcoldinthemountains,andtheentirecrewpadsaboutswathedinlayersofwoolandcopiousamountsofdown,likemulticoloredPillsburyDoughboys.
    "Someproblems"withtheRedChannelSpectrographhasbutasingletranslation:themiserablethingwon'twork.ItwasperformingperfectlyintheTucsonlab,butitisbeingbalkyhereatthetelescope.Theseedge-of-the-possibleelectronicdevicesresemblethelittlegirlwiththecurl:whentheywork,theycanbewondrous,openingupbothvistasandquestions;whentheyquit,theycanmakeyoucrazy.
    BecausetheRedChannelSpectrographisailingandtheRiekesaresharingthenightwithanotherastronomer,whoisgoingfirst,thereisnothingtodoforawhile.Wedriveacoupleofhundredyardsdowntothecommonroom,acomfortablebuildingthathousesakitchen,apooltable,asatellite-dishTV,chairsandcouches,andalibrary.Afteraquickmicrowavedinner,theRiekesgobacktotheM.M.T.,wherethingsarestillnotgoingwell.Glaringataspectrographthathassmearedauselessmessacrossthescreen,Georgemutters,"Thisrunisslightlysnakebit.""Snakebit?"Marciaasks."Morelikecobra-bit."It'snow8:45.Marcia'sobject,M82,isduetobecomevisibleinalittlemorethanfourhours,andstilltheredchannelisn'tworking.Marciaretreatstoacornerinoneofthelabs,producesahand-heldcalculatorandabigstackofprintouts,andproceedsto"crunchnumbers."By9:15shebecomesrestlessandwandersbackdownstairs."I'mgonnaseewhatthoseguysaredoing."Theredchannelishavingallitscircuitboardsreplacedonebyone.Thechangesdono

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    good.Nextthecablesareswitchedabout,likewisetonoavail.10:02.Marcia:"We'regettingtoatimewherewe'regoingtohavetomakeabrutaldecision."10:12.Marcia:"Thisain'tawinner.Ithoughtallwehadtoworryaboutwastheweather."10:20.Marcia:"We'redeadinthewater."TheRiekesmakeadecision:theyaregoingtogiveuptheirsectionofthenighttotheotherastronomer,who'snotusingtheredchannelofthespectrograph."Thisisthefirsttimethishashappenedtomeinalongtime,"saysMarcia."We'lljustapplyagain."Backtotheendoftheline.MarciaandGeorgegodowntothecommonroomforalittlecommiseration--andgetit.Asmall,verylate-nighttoastisoffered.Morningarrives,andaftertoofewhoursofsleepinthemountaintop'sminimotel,theequanimityofthenightbeforehasgivenwaytoalittleire."Anightlikethiscouldbecareerdamagingtoa'post-doc,'"explainsGeorge."Theyhaveonlytwoyearsand,iflucky,tenviewingnightstoprovetheirmeritasastronomers."
    GeorgeandMarciapreparetoheaddownthemountainandhome.Thedayisclearandstillcold.TheydrivebackuptotheM.M.T.togathertheirequipment.Marcia,herarmsfulloftapes,papersandacomputer,sidlesovertothespectrograph,nowcompletelysealedinitshardcase,anddeliversasmall,satisfyingkick.ThentheRiekesclimbintothetruckandtrundledownthemountain.

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    15DreamingTheImpossibleatM.I.T.
    IntheMediaLab,thegoalistoputtheaudienceincontrol
    Whatiftelevisionsetswereequippedwithknobsthatletviewerscustomizetheshowstheywatch?Iftheycouldadjustthesexcontent,forexample,orregulatetheviolence,orshiftthepoliticalorientationtotheleftorright?Whatifmotionpictureswereabletomonitortheattentionlevelofaudiencesandmodifytheircontentaccordingly,lengtheningsomesceneswhilecuttingothersshortiftheyevokeyawns.Whatifthenewspapersthatreachsubscribers'homeseverymorningcouldbeeditedwitheachparticularreaderinmind--filledwithstoriesselectedbecausetheyaffectedhisneighborhood,orhadanimpactonhispersonalbusinessinterests,ormentionedhisfriendsandassociates?
    Therearealotof"whatifs,"butnoneoftheseismerefuturisticfantasy.Allofthem,infact,arethegoalsofresearchprojectsnowunderwayattheMediaLaboratory,adazzlingnewacademicfacilityattheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology.Thelab'suniquemissionistotransformtoday'spassivemassmedia,particularlyTV,intoflexibletechnologiesthatcanrespondtoindividualtastes.Becauseofadvancesincomputers,saysNicholasNegroponte,43,theco-founderanddirector,"allmediaarepoisedforredefinition.Ourpurposeistoenhancethequalityoflifeinanelectronicage."
    Twoyearsago,whenthelabfirstopeneditsdoorsinCambridge,Mass.,theannouncedintentionof"inventingthefuture"seemedlikeanimpossiblyvagueundertaking.ButNegropontehasmadebelieversofmuchofthecorporateandacademicestablishment.Bankrolledbymorethan100businessandgovernmentsponsors,hehasfilledhis$45millionfacilitywithagroupof120giftedresearchersthatincludessomeofthebrightestandquirkiestmindsincomputerscience:MarvinMinsky,deanofartificial-intelligenceresearch;SeymourPapert,discipleofChildPsychologistJeanPiagetandaleading(advocateofcomputerizededucation;AlanKay,oneofthemostinfluentialdesignersofpersonalcomputers.
    Someoftheprojectsarestillinthevisionarystage,butseveralinvestigativeteamshavecomeupwithworkingproductsandprototypes.Inmanycases,researchrelatingtoelectronicmediahasledtospin-offsthatcouldhavewideapplicationsforbothindividualsandbusinesses.Considerthefollowing:
    --Thelab'sConversationalDesktopisavoice-controlledcomputersystemthatactslikeanautomaticreceptionist,personalsecretaryandtravelagent--screeningcalls,takingmessages,makingairlinereservations."GetmetwoseatstotheBahamas,"saysResearchScientistChrisSchmandttohiscomputer."Whendoyouwanttogo?"repliesthemachine.
    --NewsPeekisaselectiveelectronicnewspapermadeofmaterialculleddailyfromnewsservicesandtelevisionbroadcasts.Byslidingtheirfingersacrossthescreenofacomputerterminal,viewerscanasktoseelengthierversionsofparticularstories,rollselectedvideotapesorcalluprelatedarticles.Thecomputerrememberswhatithasbeenaskedtoshowandthenextdaytailorsitsnewsgatheringtosearchforsimilarstories.SaysAssociateDirectorAndrewLippman:"It'sanewspaperthatgrowstoknowyou."
    --Thelabhasdevelopedtheworld'sfirstcomputer-generatedfreestandinghologram--athree-dimensionalimageofagreenCamarosedansuspendedinmidair.Unlikemostholographicimages,whichareputontoflatphotographicplates,theCamaroisrecordedonaconcaveplateandprojectedintotheairbylaserbeams.ThehologramwasdesignedwithfundingfromGeneralMotors,whichstillpainstakinglybuildsscalemodelsofnewcardesignsoutofclay.Inthefuture,GMandotherautomakersmaybeabletousehologramstoseewhatacarwilllooklikebeforeitisactuallymanufactured.Eventually,suchimagesmaybemadebylaser-agecopyingmachinesforafewdollarsapiece.

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    --Inthefieldoffinearts,theworld-classmusicresearchcenterinthelabhasalreadyproducedtheSyntheticPerformer,acomputerizedpiano-playingaccompanist.Thesystemnotonlyplaysalongwithsoloistsbutalsoadaptstochangesintheirtempoandcadencewithoutlosingabeat.Theprojectispartofanongoingefforttoexplorethemysteriesofharmonyandcompositionbyteachingmusicappreciationtocomputers.
    NegropontebeganraisingfundsfortheMediaLabin1980withthehelpofJeromeWiesner,formerM.I.T.president.Thetwomensoughtoutpublishers,broadcastersandelectronicsmanufacturerswhosebusinesseswerebeingtransformedbytheadventofVCRs,cabletelevisionandpersonalcomputers.ThentheyhintedbroadlythatthefacultyatM.I.T.knewpreciselywhereallthiswasheaded.MoneycameinfromsuchleadingsponsorsasIBM,CBS,WarnerCommunications,20thCenturyFox,Mitsubishi,TimeInc.andtheWashingtonPost.SponsorscansendscientistsandotherobserverstotheMediaLabandmakecommercialuseofanyofthefacility'sresearch.Thoughmanyoftheprojectsmayneveryieldcommercialoreducationalapplications,onlyonecompany,Toshiba,hasfailedtorenewitsfunding.
    Visitorstothelab,asleekfour-storymazeofgadget-filledworkareas,areassaultedbystrangesights.Ina64-ft.-highatrium,7-ft.-longcomputer-controlledblimpsmaybeflyingoverhead--partofaprojecttodevelopstimulatingscienceactivitiesforelementaryandhighschools.Inanotherareavisitorsencountercomputersthatcanreadlips.AfterspendingthreemonthsatM.I.T.lastyear,StewartBrand,thecountercultureguruwhooriginatedtheWholeEarthCatalog,wasimpressedenoughtowriteaflatteringbooktitledTheMediaLab,whichwillbepublishednextmonthbyVikingPress.
    Butthelab'shigh-techrazzle-dazzlemasksplentyofseriousbusiness.Investigatorsareexperimentingwithnewformsofteleconferencing.Oneideainvolvedprojectingvideoimagesofindividualsontoplastercastsoftheirfaces.Theresulting"talkingheads"weresolifelikethatpeopleusingthesystemfelttheywere"meeting"withcolleagueswhowereactuallyinanothercity.Amajoreffortisalsobeingmadetoenhancecomputeranimation.AssistantProfessorDavidZeltzer,buildingonresearchhestartedatOhioState,isdevelopingnewwaysofsimulatinghumanfiguresandmovement.Oneapplicationwouldallowplaywrightstoseejusthowsceneswouldlookwithouthavingtohireliveactorstotrythemout.
    WithintheMediaLabthereisalurkingfearthattheresearchmightprovetoosuccessful.Someofthescientists,whopointtoTV'smesmerizingimpact,worryaboutcreatingnewmediasopowerfullyseductivethattheymightkeepmanyviewersfromventuringintotherealworld.Minsky,forone,hasgiventhatalotofthought."ImaginewhatitwouldbelikeifTVactuallyweregood,"hetoldBrand."Itwouldbetheendofeverythingweknow."Yetheandhisgroundbreakingcolleaguesseemmorethanwillingtotakethatrisk.

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    16RedForLaGuardia,BrownforJ.F.K.
    Anintricatesystemaugursaneweraforair-trafficcontrol
    Atfirstglance,theimagethatflashedonthe19-inchcomputerscreenlookedlikeanordinaryroadmap.ThenJohnRichardson,actingmanageroftheFederalAviationAdministration'sCentralFlowControlFacilityinWashington,begantappingathiskeyboard.WithonestrokehezoomedintoanaerialviewoftheNewYorkmetropolitanarea,dividednotalongtownorcountylinesbutalongsectorsofairspace.Withanotherkeystrokeheeliminatedhundredsoftinyblackdotsshowingthelocationoflow-flyingaircraftandprivatejets.Whatremainedonthescreenwerelarger,wingedsymbolsrepresentingcommercialairliners.Withafewmorekeytapshecolor-codedthejetlinersaccordingtotheirairportdestination:redforLaGuardia,greenforNewark,brownforJohnF.Kennedy.
    TocomputerbuffsateasewiththegraphicvirtuosityofMaxHeadroom,theFAAdemonstrationmightseemprimitive.Buttoair-trafficprofessionalsgatheredintheagency'ssixth-floor"warroom,"itrepresentedatechnologicalbreakthrough.Priortolastweek,FAAradardatashowingthelocationofplanesflyingovertheU.S.couldbeshownonlypiecemealoncomputerscreensatoneormoreoftheaviationagency's20regionalcontrolcenters.Now,allthatinformationhasbeenmergedanddisplayedonasinglecathode-rayscreen,givingthenation'sair-trafficcontrollersanunprecedentedviewofoverheadtrafficpatternsastheyunfoldfromcoasttocoast.ExclaimedtheFAA'sRichardson,withpardonablepride:"It'sunbelievable!"
    Well,atleastimpressivelyintricate.Lastweek'sdisplay--moreevolutionarythanrevolutionary--involvedthefunnelingofdataonaircraftposition,altitude,speedandidentificationfromeachoftheregionalair-trafficcontrolcenterstotheFAA'sWashingtonheadquarters.TheretheinformationismergedintoamanageablewholebyanassemblyofApolloworkstationsanddisplayedviacustom-designedsoftwareonasmanyasthreedozenscreens.Theobjectiveofthesystemistoprovidecentralizedmanagementoftrafficproblemsastheymaybuildupatanyofthecountry's12,500airports.Costofthenewcomputeroperationsofar:about$2million.TheFAA'sultimategoal,though,isamultibillion-dollarair-trafficcontrolsystemsohighlyautomatedthatitcanmonitorflightsanddirectpilotswithlittleornohumanintervention.
    Suchasystemisfarinthefuture,butthenewlinkupmayhavearrivedjustintime.AbadlyoverburdenedU.S.air-trafficsystemhaspushedcontroltowererrorsandairbornenearmissestorecordlevels.Inthefirstthreemonthsof1987,midairclosecallsincreased13%,toabout215,whileerrorsbyovertaxedaircontrollersjumped18%.TheloomingsafetycrisispromptedJamesBarnett,chairmanoftheNationalTransportationSafetyBoard,torecommendearlierthismonththattheFAAtake"immediateaction"toreduceairtrafficatkeyairportsbeforetheanticipatedsummerair-travelcrush.
    FAAofficialssaythatwiththeirnewcontrolsystemtheywillbeabletomeetthoserecommendationswithoutreducingthenumberofflightsenteringorleavingthecriticalchokepoints.Usingthenewcomputers,supervisorscanmonitorwithgreaterprecisionspecificsectionsofairspacethatarebecomingdangerouslyovercrowded.

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    Trafficjamscanthenbealleviatedorpreventedbyshiftingthealtitudeofsomeflightsorreroutingotherssothattheybypasscongestedareas.Bythisfall,whenmorecomplexcomputerprogramsshouldbeinplace,controllershopetobeabletopredictatleasttwohoursinadvancewhenanairspacesectorisabouttobecomesaturated,andthuspreventdelays.SaysJackRyan,directoroftheFAA'sAirTrafficOperationsService:"Wewillbereadytoheadoffproblemsbeforetheyoccur."
    TheFAA'sglowingnewcapabilityisattractingcuriosityfromotherfederalagencies.TheDefenseDepartment,whichmustmonitortheflowofaircraftintotheU.S.'sairdefenseidentificationzone,issaidtobefascinatedbythenewsystem.SoistheDrugEnforcementAdministration,whichdesperatelyseekstoknowtheidentityofeveryaircraftenteringU.S.airspace,especiallythosefromthesouth.TheyareparticularlyimpressedwithanFAAfeaturethatallowscontrollerstoplaceanelectroniccursoroveranindividualblip,pressakeyandseealltheavailableaircraftdatadisplayedonthescreen.AnyblipthatfailstoprovideinformationhasnotregisteredaflightplanwiththeFAAandmaybefairgameforinterception.

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    17ExaminingTheLimitsofLife
    Amedicalphilosopherarguesthatlongerisnotalwaysbetter
    Americanshavean"insatiableappetiteforalongerlife,"complainsDanielCallahan,57.Theyshouldbe"creativelyandhonorablyacceptingaginganddeath,notstrugglingtoovercomethem."Medicine,Callahanchides,oughtto"giveupitsrelentlessdrivetoextendthelifeoftheaged,"whoinanyeventareoften"beingsavedfromdeathforchronicillness,withAlzheimer'sasatragicexample."Itistimetohonora"naturallife-span"thatnormallywindsdowninthelate70stomid-80s,hesays."Howmanyyearsdoweneedtohaveareasonablydecentlife,toraiseafamily,towork,tolove?"
    Aprovocativeargument:longerisnotbetter.ButAmericanshaveshiedofffromsimilarpointsmadeinrecentyears.WhenformerColoradoGovernorRichardLammspokeoutin1984abouttheterminallyill's"dutytodie,"hisforthrightnessseemedeccentric.Inhiswriting,thelateDr.ReneDubosurgedmoreemphasisonthequalityratherthanthelengthoflife,buthiseloquencefailedtogeneratesustaineddebate.Callahan,arguablythenation'sleadingmedicalethicist,meanstomakediscussionofthesubjectinescapable.For18years,asdirectoroftheHastingsCenterinBriarcliffManor,N.Y.,hehasgrappledwiththetideofproblemsarisingfrombiomedicaladvances.InanewbookcalledSettingLimits(Simon&Schuster;$18.95,hemakeshishardcasewithacarethatisfeelingbutunflinching.
    ThefastestgrowingagegroupintheU.S.proportionatelyistheover-85s,hereports,andchildrenbornthisyearcanexpecttolive16yearslongerthantheirgrandparentsbornin1930.Suchstatisticspromptvisionsofalife-spanbeyond100years,aprospectCallahanfindsalarming.Inthepasttwodecades,theamountofthefederalbudgetspentonthoseover65leapedfrom15%to28%;andthe$80billionspentinhealthcarefortheoldin1981isexpectedtopass$200billionbytheyear2000.Theresultisaseriousthreattotheeconomicsofhealthcare.
    Callahan'slong-termlimits--medical,economicandsocial--willseemharshtomany.HewouldhaveCongressrestrictMedicarepaymentsforsuch!proceduresasorgantransplants,heartbypassesandkidneydialysisfortheaged.Statesshouldgivelegalstatusto"livingwills,"allowingindividualstodemandthattheynotbekeptaliveartificially.Respiratorswouldnotbeusedfortheterminallyill.Ontheemotionalissueofextendinglifebyuseoffeedingtubes,hereasonsthatasexternallifeextendersinsomecases,theyalsoshouldbetreatedasartificialintrusions.Hislogicmovesinexorablyontothewithholdingofcostlyantibiotics.
    Theauthorfirmlyopposeseuthanasia,however,whichinvolvesactivestepstowarddirectkilling.Andhewouldhavedoctorsprovidetheelderlywithgreaterreliefoftheirsufferingandmorehomecareandsupport.Hewouldalsoincreasemedicalresourcesdevotedtodefectivenewborns,thenowhopelessvictimsofAIDSoranynonagedpatientwithslimchancesofrecovery."A35-year-oldhasnothadachancetoliveoutafulllife-span,"hesays."Someresearchmaycomealongintimetosavethem--wedon'tknowthattheyareallgoingtodie."Callahancarefullyavoidssettingaflatcutoffage,preferringtolettheconditionofthepatient,thejudgmentofthedoctorandthewishesoftheindividualinteract.

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    Partofhisargumentrestsonadeepconcernabout"intergenerationalequity."Thereare"betterwaystospendmoneythanindefinitelyextendinglife,"hecharges.Longtreatmentoftheelderlydrainsfundsfromthehealthneedsofothergroupsandfromurgentsocialproblems.Healsohaswitheringviewsaboutmanyofthenon-illelderly:the"young-old"whodenyageandindulgean"it's-my-turn"attitude.Theirlives,saysCallahancrustily,wouldgainmeaning"ifinsteadoftakingacruise,theyworkforacause."
    Heknowsthatrationinghealthresourcesonthebasisofageisan"austerethesis,"buthetakestotheintellectualbattlementswillingly.ThinkingthroughthefundamentalmoralandpracticalproblemsoflifeistheuniqueconcernoftheHastingsCenter,whichheco-foundedwithPsychiatristWillardGaylinin1969.RearedinacomfortableRomanCatholicfamilyinWashington,CallahanearnedaPh.D.inphilosophyfromHarvardin1965.BythenhewasaleaderintheefforttoliberalizeCatholicthoughtasaneditoroftheCatholicweeklyCommonweal.Butabout1968"IstartedfadingfromCatholicism,"hesayswithoutelaboration."Iceasedbeingabeliever."HiswifeSidney,apsychologyprofessorandwriteronreligionandfeminism,convertedtothechurchandremainsactiveinit;theyhavesixchildren.Writingabookin1968onthemoralityofabortion--hedescribeshisstanceas"conservativepro-choice"--Callahanhitontheideaforathinktankonbiomedicalethics.Atthestart,CallahanandGaylinwonderediftherewouldbeenoughmoralissuestokeepthembusy.Butsinceaninitialprojectonthedefinitionofdeath,Hastingsresearchershavedealtwithorgantransplants,artificialreproduction,surrogatemotherhood(Callahanopposesit;someofhiscolleaguesapprove,AIDStestingandprivacy,geneticengineering--anever-endinglist.
    Thecenter,whichnowhastwelveprofessionalsandasupportstaffof15,ishousedinastuccomansiononthePaceUniversitycampusandrunsonanannualbudgetof$1.6million,metlargelythroughfoundationgrantsandcontributionsfromits11,000members.Inadditiontopublishingregularly,theHastingsethicistsdevelopmodellegislation,drawupguidelinesforpublicpolicy,consultinsuchtorturedcasesasKarenAnneQuinlan'sfateandassistuniversitiesinsettingupethicsdepartments."Peopleusedtothinkofmedicalethicsasbetweendoctorandpatientatthebedside,"saysCallahan."Weconsiderwiderpublicpolicy,howGovernmentspendsitsmoney,issuesthataffectmillionsoflives,aswellastheexoticissueswherethenumberissmall."
    Heputsartificialreproductionandgeneticsatthetopofhislistofemergingconcerns.Thepossibilityofselectingachild'ssex,hecontends,has"profoundsocialimplications."Advancesingeneticscreeningthatidentifieswhethertheunbornindividualwillbesubjecttoheartdiseaseorcancerorschizophreniaraiseanewroundofissues.Wouldalteringthedefectivegenesinuterobeethicallypermissible,giventheriskofunforeseenresultsforfuturegenerations?Themoraldilemmasspawnedbythehigh-techworldofbiomedicine--closertosalvationorPandora'sbox?--aresufficienttokeepCallahanandhisHastingsassociatesbusyforalifetime.Anaturallife-span,ofcourse.

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    18InCaseYouTunedInLate
    TV’sflashynewfeaturesarejustapreviewofcomingattractions
    StevenMinskoff,28,aManhattanrealestateexecutiveandacard-carryingmemberoftheTVgeneration,thoughthehadseenandhearditall,fromMoonlightingona35-in.screentoMTVinsurround-soundstereo.ThenhesawastoredemonstrationofPanasonic'snew"pictureinpicture"VCRsystem,whichletsviewerswatchtwoormoreprogramsonthesameTVscreen.Asasalesmantappedonaremotecontrol,newstationsbeganappearing,oneatatime,untilthescreenwasfilledwithnineequal-sizepanels,eachshowingadifferentchannel."Mymouthdropped,"saysMinskoff."Ittotallyblewmeaway."
    Minskoffisnotalone.AnyonewhohasshoppedforaTVorVCRthisseasonknowsthattelevisionisgoingthroughsomedramaticchanges.Theimmediateeffectisafloodofmodelsendowedwithhigh-techconveniences,enormousscreensanddazzlingspecialeffects.WaitinginthewingsisanewgenerationofTVsetsthatareready,onceeconomicandpoliticalhurdleshavebeensurmounted,todeliverimagescomparableinqualitytothoseofawide-screenmotionpicture.SaysWilliamGlenn,directorofvideoresearchattheNewYorkInstituteofTechnology:"ThisisthemostexcitingperiodintelevisionhistorysincetheinventionofcolorTV."
    AttheheartofthenewfeaturesarecomputercircuitsthatchangestandardanalogTVsignals,whicharebroadcastasaseriesofundulatingwaves,intodigitalimpulses--stringsof0sand1s.Thedigitalsignalscanthenbetransformedbymicroprocessors--tinycomputersonsiliconchips--toachieveavarietyofexoticeffects.Whentheprocessingiscomplete,thesignalsarechangedbacktoanalogfordisplayonanordinaryTVpicturetube.
    Whenvideosignalstakenumericalform,allsortsofmanipulationsbecomepossible.Inadditiontodisplayingmultiplechannels,thecircuitscanfreezeframesorzoominforclose-ups.DigitalVCRscanrepeatsequencesinslowmotionorfast-forwardwithoutthedistortionthatmarsconventionalmachines.Standardbroadcastimagescanalsobeimproved,uptoapoint.OnevideorecordermadebyNECreducesinterferencebyusingmicroprocessorstocomparesuccessiveimageframes.Bysubtractingrandomelementsthatappearononeframebutnottheother,thecircuitryremovessnowbeforeitshowsuponthescreen.
    Noneofthiscomeswithoutcost.VCRswithdigitalfeaturessellfor$700to$1,400,upto$1,000morethanconventionalmodels.DigitalTVsrunfrom$1,500to$3,000,incontrastto$1,800foratop-of-the-linenondigitalset.Giventheseprices,saleshavebeenunderstandablysluggish.DigitalVCRswillaccountforlessthan3%ofthe15millionvideocassetterecorderssoldthisyear,andthehigh-techTVsarenotexpectedtofaremuchbetter.ObservesDavidLachenbruch,editorialdirectorofTVDigest:"Consumersarenotpreparedtopaytwiceasmuchforonesetwithtwopictures.Theywouldratherbuytwosetswithonepictureeach."Thatcouldchangequickly,ofcourse,asthecostoftheelectroniccomponentsfalls."Inthefuture,"saysShinichiMakino,anexecutiveatToshiba,"digitalwillbemainstream."
    OnthehorizonaremoreradicalimprovementsinTVimagequalitythatwillcomefromattackingtheproblematitssource:thebroadcastsignal.Americantelevisionis

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    transmittedasasuccessionofimages,eachcontaining525horizontallines,thatfollowoneanotherat30framesasecond.Japan'spublicbroadcastingsystem,NHK,hasdevelopedanewstandardcalledhigh-definitiontelevision,whichwidensthescreenandmorethandoublesthenumberoflines,to1,125.Theresultisapictureofextraordinaryclaritythatcomparesfavorablywith35-mmfilm.
    TheproblemwithHDTVisthatitssignalcannotbesqueezedintothenarrowspaceallocatedeachchannelintheTVbroadcastspectrum.FortheU.S.to;switchtothenewsystem,everytelevisionstationwouldhavetoreplaceitsequipment,andthecountry's140millionTVsetswouldhavetobescrapped,anunlikelyprospectatpresent.
    Nonetheless,severalU.S.productioncompanieshaveboughtJapanese-madeHDTVequipmentforshootingmovies,commercialsandmusicvideos.Reason:videotapeiseasierandcheapertoeditthanfilm.CrackintheMirror,anewactionmoviestarringRobbyBenson,wasshotentirelyonHDTVvideotape,andwillbetransferredto35-mmfilmfortheatricalreleaseearlynextyear.ReboHigh-DefinitionStudioinNewYorkCity,whichproducedthefeature,estimatesthatitscostswere30%lowerthanifithadshotandeditedthemovieonfilm.
    VariousschemeshavebeenputforthtomakeHDTVmorewidelyavailable.OneproposalisforcableTVoperatorstoprovidethehigher-qualityimagesasanaddedservicefortheirsubscribers.AnotheristodistributeHDTVprogrammingonhigh-capacityvideodisks,muchasvideotapesaredistributedtoday.AthirdapproachinvolvessplittingtheHDTVsignalintotwopartsandtransmittingitovertwoseparatebroadcastchannels.OldTVsetscouldutilizeenoughofthesignaltoprovideastandard-qualitypicture,whileanHDTVreceivercoulddisplaythehigher-resolutionimage.
    AsU.S.broadcastersponderwhattodo,theJapanesearemakingHDTVavailableonanexperimentalbasis.NextyeartheywillbeginspecialcoverageoftheSeoulOlympics,whichcanbeviewedinJapanonlyonHDTVsets.In1990JapanwilllaunchacommunicationssatellitedesignedtocarryHDTVsignals,capableoftransmittingthemanywhereintheworld.Butexpertspredictthatitcouldbefiveyearsormorebeforetheslow-movingU.S.networksbegintoofferHDTVbroadcastsoftheirown.

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    19Oh,Wow,WaterBedsAreBack
    Asymbolofhippiedomisreincarnatedinsuburbia
    Quiztime.BesidesJaneFonda,whatsexsymbolofthe'60shasbecomeahealthemblemofthe'80s?Stumped?Trythewaterbed.Yes,thatinfamousfixtureofhippiepadshasbeentransformedinjusttwodecadesintoanincreasinglypopularmiddle-classtherapeuticaid.KathleenHetlandandherhusbandDarwinofOsakis,Minn.,both56andarthritissufferers,sleepblissfullyonawatermattressthattheirchildrensentthemasagift.Saysshe:"Iabsolutelyloveit,andIwouldn'tknowwhattodowithoutit."
    Todaythewater-bedindustryisnotonlya$2billionbusiness(comparedwithabout$13millionin1971,butitisalsothefastest-growingsegmentofthebeddingmarket,accountingfor21%ofallmattresssales.Lastyear4millionwaterbedsweresold(price:$100to$600,nearlythree-quartersofthemtobuyersoverage30.Aboutone-fourthofpurchasersnowcitehealthreasonsforchoosingawaterbed.Themostcommoncomplaintsarebackpain,arthritisandinsomnia.
    Themostpopularwaterbedisstilltheoriginalwater-filledvinylbagsetwithinaplasticorwoodenframe.Fastgaininginappeal,however,isthesoft-sidedbedmadeofvinylwithfoambaffles,cellsorcylindersinsidethatreducewavemotion.Watertemperaturecanbevariedbyathermostat-controlledheatermatthatplugsintoawallsocket.
    Theliquidsystemprovidesmoreevensupportthanconventionalbedding,sayenthusiasts,contouringtobodyshapeandthuseasingstressonthebuttocks,shoulders,elbows,hips,calvesandheels."It'sjustmoresupportintherightplaceswithoutexertingpressureonthewrongplaces,"explainsStacyJames,headofadvertisingforLandandSky,aLincoln,Neb.,water-bedmanufacturer.Sloshycushions,sayadvocates,keepthespineinproperalignmentand,alongwiththeheat,helpbloodcirculation.Adsnowtoutwaterbedsasgoodforthewholefamily,fromchildrentotheelderly.
    Asyet,though,scientificproofforsuchclaimsisscanty.Waterbedsarehelpfulinthepreventionofbedsores,aproblemthatafflictsupto30%ofpatientsinchronic-carefacilities;somehospitalsalsoendorsetheuseofflotationmattressestohelpprematureinfantsbreathemorenormally.Opinionismixed,however,onwhetherwaterbedsaregoodforbackpain.OrthopedistStevenGarfinoftheUniversityofCaliforniaatSanDiegogivescautiousapproval."Patientstendtodoalittlebetterintermsofrangeofmotionandcomfortonthewaterbedthanconventionalbedding,"hesays.ButDr.ReneCaillet,arehabilitationspecialistatSantaMonicaHospitalMedicalCenter,isunconvinced."Ifyoulieonyourstomach,thewaterbedallowsyoutoincreasetheswayorthesagoftheback,"henotes.
    Nonetheless,satisfiedusersabound.NancyWallrich,56,ahomemakerinSantaFeSprings,Calif.,whohashadrheumatoidarthritisfor30years,saysherwaterbedhasbroughtheruninterruptedsleep.Ithasalsoimprovedhersexlife."Forme,manypositionsandmovementshadbecomedifficult,"sheobserves."NowIamabletomovearoundmore."Thatsoundsalotlikewhatwaterbedswerefamousforwaybackwhen.

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    19StepsTowardaBraveNewWorld
    Therushisontotreatneuraldisorderswithbrainimplants
    Formorethanayear,TessFollensbeehadfounditeasiertostartmovingherrigidmusclesifshewalkedbackward,sopronouncedwasherParkinson'sdisease.InMay,allthatchanged.The39-year-oldmotheroffourwasoneofthefirsthalfadozenAmericanstoundergoexperimentalbrainsurgeryforParkinson'satVanderbiltUniversityMedicalCenterinNashville.Lastweeksome500medicalresearchers,gatheredatasymposiumsponsoredbytheUniversityofRochesterinNewYork,watchedavideotapeofFollensbeeinawedsilenceasshetriumphantly,iftentatively,propelledherselfforward.Saysthepatient,whostillsuffersfromslighttremors:"Ihavehopewheretherewasnohopebefore."
    ThesurgerythatprecededFollensbee'spartialrecovery--thetransplantingoftissuefromoneofheradrenalglandstoherbrain--maybeonlyapreludetoevenmoreremarkabledevelopments.SeveralscientistsattheRochestermeeting,citingpromisingresearchonanimals,predictedthathumanfetaltissuewouldeventuallybeimplantedinbrainsnotonlytotreatParkinson'sbutHuntington'sandAlzheimer'sdiseasesaswellasotherbraindisorders.Giventherapidsurgicaladvancesrecently,thereisnoquestionthattherushisontotryadrenal-cellimplantstocorrectParkinson's,aneuraldisorderthatafflictsanestimated1millionAmericans.AttheRochesterconference,doctorsfromChinatoMexicoreportedsuccessesindozensofadrenalimplants.AtleastfourU.S.medicalcenters,includingNewYorkUniversityinManhattanandRush-Presbyterian-St.Luke'sinChicago,areplanningtoperformtheoperationonatleast30Parkinson'svictimsinthenextsixmonths.
    Parkinson'sdisease,whichcausestremblingandmuscularrigidity,stemsfromthestillunexplainedgradualdeathofmostofthecellsinatiny,darklypigmentedareaofthebraincalledthesubstantianigra.Thecellsproducedopamine,achemicalthathelpstransmitimpulsesfromthebrainthroughthenervoussystemtothemuscles.TheVanderbiltoperations,adaptingatechniquethatwasdevelopedinSwedenandfirstusedsuccessfullyinMexicolastyear,involvetransplantingdopamine-producingtissuefromoneofthepatient'stwoadrenalglands(locatedatopthekidneysintothebrain.Sincethecellsarethepatient'sown,thereisnodangerofrejectionbytheimmunesystem.Theyareacceptedbythebrainandbeginproducingtheneededdopamine.
    DespitethehearteningParkinson'sresultsreportedinRochester,doctorsatthesymposiumwerecautious."Inmymind,thereisnoquestionthatthepatientsgetbetter,"saidDr.ReneDrucker-Colin,aleaderofthetransplantteamatUniversidadNacionalAutonomadeMexico,inMexicoCity."Therealquestionis:Forhowlongwilltheygetbetter?Obviously,iftheanswerissixmonths,itwouldbelessimportanttodothisoperation."AdmittedDr.GeorgeAllen,chairmanofthedepartmentofneurosurgeryatVanderbilt,wheretwelvemoreoperationsareplannedlaterthisyear:"Thisisstillverymuchanexperimentalprocedure.Itistooearlytotelliftheimprovementisduetotheoperation."

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    20Snip,Suction,StretchandTruss
    America’sMegenerationsignsupforcosmeticsurgery
    Aniphere,atuckthere,andthefaceyouhaveat40isnolongerthefaceyoudeservebutthefaceyoucanafford.Inthepastfiveyears,thankstonewsurgicalwizardry,mediahypeandthelawsofgravityexertingtheirinevitableeffectonbabyboomers,cosmeticsurgeryhassoaredinpopularity.LastyearsomehalfamillionAmericansweresnipped,suctioned,stretchedandtrussed,comparedwith300,000in1981.Oncetheprovinceofagingscreenstarsandwealthymatrons,cosmeticsurgerynowattractsmiddle-classofficeworkers,manyintheir30sand40s,andmanyofthemmen.LosAngelesPlasticSurgeonRichardGrossmandescribesthephenomenonas"anothertransition"fortherestlessMegeneration:"Theyprotestedagainstthewars,andnowthey'reprotestingagainstthemirrors."
    Moreoftenthannot,today'sface-liftclientsarefitnessbuffswhoviewalittlesurgicalcorrectionasthefinishingtouchtotheireffortsatthehealthclub."Thesepeopleareingreatshapeandawareoftheirdiet,yettheirfaceslookolderbecauseofsunexposure,"observesDr.StephenKurtin,aNewYorkCitydermatologist.Michael,46,aleanManhattanexecutivetypifiesthetrend.Overthepastsixmonthshehasundergoneagrand-slamrehab:eyelift,face-liftandcollagenshotstoplumpouthisfacialwrinkles."IhadabodybyMichelangeloandfacebyGoya,"hesays."NomatterhowmuchexerciseIdid,thefacedidn'trespond."
    AccordingtotheAmericanSocietyofPlasticandReconstructiveSurgeons,thenumberofmenseekingcosmeticcorrectionhasincreased35%inthepasttwoyears.Theyoftenciteprofessionalimageandjobmarketabilityasthereasonsforsmoothingcreasesortrimmingjowls.ExplainsDr.MelvynDinner,directoroftheCenterforPlasticSurgeryinCleveland:"The40-year-oldwhohaslosthisjobiscompetingwithayounghotshot.It'sthecompetitivedemandtolookyouthful."
    Improvingone'slookssurgicallyhasneverbeeneasier.Anumberofquickprocedurescanbedoneonanoutpatientbasisandrequireashortrecoveryperiod.Topsonthelist,forwomen,issuctionlipectomy,anoperationdevelopedinFranceandintroducedintheU.S.in1982.Alsocalledliposuction,itentailstheinsertionundertheskinofahollow,blunt-endedtubethatisattachedtoahigh-poweredsuctionmachinethatvacuumsoutthefat.Theprocedurecantake30minutestothreehours,dependingonhowmanyproblemareasareworkedon.Removalofsaddlebagthighsrunsabout$2,000;lovehandles,$1,500;saggyjowls,$1,300;andbaggyknees,$1,200.ObservesDr.JackD.Norman,aMiamiplasticsurgeon:"Twentyyearsago,itwasthenosejob.Inthe1970s,itwassiliconeimplants.Nowtherageislipectomy."
    Anevennewertrick,calledlipofilling,makesuseofthefatremovedbyliposuctiontobuildupotherareas,suchasfillingoutcheeksonthefaceorredefiningajawline.Theinspirationfortheideacamefrompatients,saysBeverlyHillsPlasticSurgeonIanBrown."Theykeptcominginandmoaning,'Whycan'tyoujusttakesomefromhereandputitinthere?'"herecalls."Nowwearedoingjustthat."StevenSoll,38,aLosAngelesfinancialplanner,islookingforwardtohavingfatsuctionedfromunderhisdoublechinandreinsertedtostrengthenhisjawline."Icouldgooutandspend$20,000onacartomakemyselffeelbetter,"heexplains,"orIcouldspend$3,000to

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    changesomethingthathasalwaysbotheredme."Anolder,simplermethodtosmooththeskininvolvestheinjectionofproteincollagenintoscarsandwrinkles.Thisprocedureusuallyrequiresseveraltreatmentsplusanannualbooster.Cost:$750to$1,000.
    Suchreadilyavailablequickfixesforcosmeticproblemshavefosteredaremarkablycasualattitudetowardplasticsurgery."Iseeitasalittleinvestmentinhealth,likeowninganelectrictoothbrush,"saysJoyceNesbit,32,aLosAngelespsychologistwhohasenthusiasticallyundergoneseveralprocedures.ButcosmeticrepairhasgreaterrisksthanadayatElizabethArden.Collagenshotsarepainful;theycancausetwelveto18hoursofswellingandsometimesprovokeallergicreactions.Afterliposuction,bruisesanddiscomfortcanlastforweeks.Moreover,thereareriskswithanyoperation.LastMarch,PatsyHowell,39,aTexasmotheroftwo,diedofasevereinfectionthreedaysafterundergoinglipectomy.Atleasttwootherdeathsfrominfectionshavebeenreported.
    Thebestprotectionagainstdisasterischoosingtherightdoctor.Despiteanabundanceofqualifiedplasticsurgeons,the$250million-a-yearindustryhasattractednumerouscharlatansandquacksworkingin"chopshops."Doctorsadviseprospectivepatientstoseekboard-certifiedsurgeonswhohaveadmittingprivilegesatreputablehospitals.SaysDr.CarlKorn,assistantprofessorofdermatologyattheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia:"Choosingasurgeonistricky,tricky,tricky.Walkintotheofficeandlookaroundattheotherstherewhohavehadworkdone,andthenonlygoinyourselfifyoulikewhatyousee."
    Doctorsdebatewhetherornotpublicenthusiasmhasgonetoofar.AtJohnsHopkins,Dr.JohnHoopesturnedawaya23-year-oldwoman"whofeltshewouldfeelbetterifshehadaneyelift."Hoopesestimatesthatheandhiscolleaguesrejectabout25%ofthoseseekingcosmeticsurgery,oftenbecausetheyaretooyoung.ButNewYorkPlasticSurgeonGeraldImberencouragespreventivesurgeryforclientsintheir30sand40s:"Theresultsarebetterwhentherawmaterialsarefresher."Indeed,somanyeagercandidatesareintentonpreservingtheiryouthfullooksthatcrow's-feetandturkeygulletsmaysoonbecomeendangeredspecies.
    WithreportingbyJenniferHull/NewYorkandNancySeufert/LosAngeles

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    21StealthyEpidemicofExhaustion
    Doctorsareperplexedbythemysterious“yuppiedisease”
    GeraldKennedy,ahighschoolteacherinTruckee,Calif.,firstattributedhisflaggingenergiestotheextrastressattheendoftheschoolyear.Thenhedevelopedmoreseveresymptoms,includingblindingheadachesandpainfulsensitivitytolight.Hefounditincreasinglydifficulttostayawake.SaysKennedy:"ItwasallIcoulddotogetuptogotothebathroom."Hewasnotalone.InthenearbyLakeTahoearea,about150othersreportedsimilarcomplaints.TwoyearslaterKennedyhasyettoreturntowork.Sayshe:"Ifyoupushyourself,youpayforit."
    LikeKennedy,thousandsofAmericansbelievetheyarevictimsofastealthyepidemicthatisdrainingtheirphysicalstrengthandmentalenergy.Initially,physiciansattributedthemysteriousaffliction,whichoftenstrikesclustersofpeople,toamixtureofdepression,hypochondriaandmasshysteria.Ithasbeencalledtheyuppiedisease--becauseadisproportionatenumberofitsvictimshavebeenyoung,whiteprofessionals--chronicmononucleosisor,simply,fatiguesyndrome.Hollywoodisrumoredtobeplaguedbythedisease.FilmDirectorBlakeEdwardsstruggledwithitforthreeyears."Yourbodystartstocollapse,"hesays."Itwasamatterofhelleveryday."
    Decadesafteritwasfirstreported,fatiguesyndromestilllacksaformalname,acauseoracure.Itsapsbothphysicalandintellectualreserves,producingsymptomsthatincludeswollenglandsandfever.Itsmostdevastatingphysicaleffectisextremeexhaustion.Peopleusesimilarwordstodescribetheweakness("It'shardtoliftmycoffeecup,""It'slikeananvilonmychest".Manysufferersreportsuicidaldepressionandmentalimpairments,suchasflawedmemoryandinabilitytoread.Medicalresearchersremainpuzzledbythesyndrome.SaysEpidemiologistJonathanKaplanoftheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDCinAtlanta,whoinvestigatedthe1985LakeTahoeoutbreak:"Wedon'tknowwhatcausesit,andwehaveahardtimediagnosingit."Still,notesStephenStraus,avirologistattheNationalInstitutesofHealth(NIH,whohasinterviewedsufferers,"youhavetostartbelievingwhatthey'redescribing."
    Thesymptomsandgroupingofvictimsremindssomevirologistsofepidemicneuromyasthenia,apolio-likesyndromethatoccurredinclustersfromCaliforniatoIcelandbetween1934and1960.Somevictimssufferedtirednessforyears.Noorganiccausewaseverdiscovered.Thelatestmedicalresearchhasfocusedonseveralvirusesactiveinfatigue-syndromesufferers.OnefrequentlycitedsuspectisEpstein-Barrvirus,amemberoftheherpesfamilythatiscarriedbyanestimated90%ofAmericanadults.Researchersspeculatethatstress,animmune-systemdeficiencyorevenenvironmentaltoxinscouldactivateEBV,whichisknowntocausemostcasesofinfectiousmononucleosisandhasbeenlinkedtoBurkitt'slymphoma.
    ButtheyareunsurewhetherEBVcausesfatiguesyndromeorwhetheritspresencemerelyreflectsanimmunesystemsoweakenedbyanotherorganismthatitnolongerkeepsthevirusincheck.TworecentreportsintheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociationfailedtolinkEBVtofatiguesyndrome.HarvardResearcherAnthonyKomaroff,anauthorofonestudy,suspectsthatanothervirus,perhapsan"EBV

    44


    mutant,"willeventuallyprovetobethecause.
    Of500BostonpatientsstudiedbyKomaroff'steam,21%claimedtohavesufferedextremeexhaustionforatleastsixmonths.Nonehadpre-existingorganicillnessesthatcouldaccountfortheirsymptoms.ThesecondJ.A.M.A.paper,byKaplan'sCDCteam,revealedthatonly15of134patientsstudiedintheLakeTahoeoutbreakhad"severe,persistentfatigue"ofundeterminedcause.Theremaindereitherhadsymptomsthatquicklydisappeared,missedlittleornoworkbecauseofillness,orhadotherconditionsthatcouldhavebroughtonfatigue.
    "Therecertainlyarepeoplewhoareillandwhocanbedisabledbythis,"saystheNIH'sStraus."Butthepercentageisrelativelysmallcomparedtotheclaims."Unfortunatelyforthevictims,doctorshavefewtreatmentstooffer.Stressreductionorsleepingpillsmayprovidesomerelief.Fornow,saysGidgetFaubion,whorunsa9,000-membersupportgroupfortheafflictedthatisbasedinPortland,Ore.,mostsufferersmustlearntoaccepttheseverityoftheircondition.Saysshe:"Ifyoudon'tchangeyourattitude,you'regoingtomakeasuicidecalltomewithinsixmonths."WithreportingbyScottBrown/LosAngelesandStevenHolmes/Washington

    45


    22MassageComesOutoftheParlor
    Atairports,officesandshoppingcenters,therubthatrefreshes
    SusanGilbertBryanwas25andastrugglingpublicrelationsassistantwhen,assortofalark,shetriedoneforthefirsttime.Shequicklyfoundshehadtohaveifiteverymonth.AdecadelaterBryan,nowtheownerofanadvertisingagencyinCoralGables,Fla.,findssherequiresittwiceaweek–andinsistsonhavingitathome.HusbandJimhasalsobeensnared,aswellastheirtwo-year-olddaughterVanessa,whocooswhenshegetsit.AdmitsBryanwithoutablush:“Icangowithoutexercisesometimes,butIcan’tlivewithoutmymassages.”
    Massage?Isn’tthatjustahigh-pricedkneadingfordoughydowagersor,heh,heh,somethingofferedtomenbyscantilycladmasseusesasapreludetosex?Notanymore.Inthepastfewyears,massagehasbeenmovingoutofbothkindsofparlorsandintothemainstream.Nolongeranembarrassingreminderofthosetouchy-feelyhumanpotentialmovementsofthe’70s,massageisfastemergingasAmericans’favoriteantidotetothatcurrentculturalGrinch:stress.Nothingkinky,justawaytogetoutthekinks.“It’stheidealtherapyforthe’80s,”declaresRobertKing,presidentoftheChicago-basedAmericanMassageTherapyAssociation.“InsteadofhavinganextramartiniorgulpingValium,peopleoughttoconsideraprofessionalmassage.”Itisanincreasinglypopularprescription,onethatiseagerlybeingfilledbythenation’s50,000massagetherapists(masseurandmasseuseareoutré.Andtheydeliver.Ifhealthclubappointmentsandat-homevisitsareinconvenient,don’tworry.Therapistswillcometotheoffice.Notimeorinclinationforafull-hourfull-undressmanipulation?Thenhowaboutaminimassage?Itisbrief(tento15minutes,thoroughlyproper(clothesstayonandcheap(atune-upcosts$10to$15,whileacompleteoverhaulcanrun$80.
    Frazzledurbanprofessionalslovethem.OnceaweekJoeMeissner,39,whorunsanexecutiveplacementserviceinSanFrancisco,rerouteshiscalls,takesoffhisvest,loosenshistieandturnshimselfovertoCorporateStressbusters.Theybringtheequipment:astool,a3-in.–thickblackcushionandapairofhands.“Stressgoesrightintomyshoulders,”sighsMeissner.“Theykneaditalloutofme.”Portlane,Ore.,andLosAngelesboastsimilarservices.InNewYorkCity,AttorneyPeterKupersmithcallsthequarter-hoursessionsdevotedtohisneckandshoulders“miraculousandacrucialpartofmyweeklyregimen.”Muscletensionunderthebluecollarisgettingattentiontoo.TherapistPatMalonecountsamonghisclientsfactoryworkersoutsideChicago,who,inadditiontocoffeebreaks,sometimesscheduleatactiletime-out.Someorganizationshaveevenbeguntooffermassageasapaidemployeeperk-up.AtVanderbiltUniversityinNashville,addledworkerscangeton-sitesoothing.AtMerrillLynch’sManhattanheadquarters,atherapistisonstaff.SteveHerfield,presidentofManhattanTemporaries,paysforuptotwominimassagesaweekforeachofhistwelveemployees.“Somewereskepticalatfirst,”herecalls.“Nowthey’dlikeiteveryday.It’sarealbreakandareallift.”Notalways,however.Sometherapistsreportthatstaffersoccasionallyareleftsorelaxedthattheynodoffattheirdesks.
    Practitionersaresuccessfullydigginginatmalls.BobWattopenedMassageWorks

    46


    justsixmonthsagoinaplazainPlantation,Fla.,nearFortLauderdale.NestledbetweenaVCRrepairstoreandarestaurant,theshopissobusyWatthashadtohirethreemoretherapists.Airportsareanothernewarena.AtthePhoenixandDallas-FortWorthterminals,tensetravelerscandropintotheAirVitahealthclubandgetarelaxingmassage.Onesatisfiedcustomer,Dr.StevenJacobsonofMadison,Wis.,saysmassagecouldfigureinhisfutureflightplans:“Itmightbeareasontohaveasix-hourlayoverinsteadofanhourone.”
    Suchenthusiasmgratifiestherapists,whofiveyearsagoweremumblingtheanswerwhenaskedwhattheydidforaliving.Attitudesbeganshiftingwiththefitnessboomandwithgrowingrecognitionoftheimportanceofmassageinhigh-calibersports.Professionalathletes,aswellasdancers,havelongswornbyitsrevitalizingeffects.ShortlyafterNewYorkGiantRunningBackJoeMorrisbegangettingregularmassagesthisseasontorelievehyperventilation,hestartedtocutlooseonhiswaytoarecordyear.Bystimulatingbloodcirculationandoxygenflowthroughthemuscles,therapistsexplain,massagehelpslowerbloodpressure,speeduphealingofinjuredtissueandaidinkeepingmusclessupple.But,theycaution,itisnotapanacea,anditisnotrecommendedforthosewithcirculatoryailments.Onethingmassagewillnotdo,mythstothecontrary,isrubawayexcessweight.
    Differentfolkscanchoosedifferentstrokesoracombination.Swedishmassage,themostfamiliartechnique,usesoilstoreducefrictionandemployslongfullstrokes,alongwithkneadingandpoundingmotions.InnewlypopularJapaneseShiatsuandChineseacupressure,fingersarepressedalongdefinedpathsonthebodyinordertoreleasechi,ortrappedenergy.Othertechniquesincludedeep-tissueorstructuralmassage,andreflexology,whichfocusesonthefootandhand.
    Withthestigmaliftinganddemandgrowing,massagetherapyhasbecomeanentrepreneur’sdream.Schoolsareproliferating;therearenowabout300.Manytherapistsareconcerned,however,aboutthelackofuniformtrainingstandards:theAmericanMassageTherapyAssociationhasapprovedonly51schools.Moreover,thefieldispoorlyregulatedbyoutsideauthorities.Just13stateshavelicensingrequirements.Just13stateshavelicensingrequirement,andtheircriteriavarywidely.Florida,forexample,requirestherapiststocomplete500hoursoftraining,whileOhiocallsforhalfthat.
    Bettercredentialswouldcertainlyaddtightertone.Still,thereisnodoubtthatmassagehassheditsshadyimage,evendeepintheBibleBeltSouth.Fiveyearsage,whenTherapistMicheleMarieBallietarrivedinMurfreesboro,Tenn.,“theypicturedtheplacesbesideI-40thatsayMASSAGE,”sherecalls.Today,though,itseemsasifthewholetownisbeatingapathtohertable.Notjustthedoctors,lawyersandbankers,butthefactoryworkers,farmersandhandicrafters.Balliettakescashforherservicesbutoccasionallyacceptsotherdown-homeformsofpayment:sixdozeneggs,handwovenbaskets,clothing.“Massage,”shesays,“hasbecomeanecessarypartoftheirlives.”

    47


    23TotalCareattheMs.MayoClinics
    Women’shealthcentersareone-stopbodyshops
    Ontheooh-and-aahscale,itratesanicelycurved9.Paintedfauxarchesonpastel-tintedwalls.Plushmauvecarpeting.BathroomspaperedwithMarimekkodesigns.Dressingroomswithspaciouslockers.Cheerful,friendlystaff.Andonthewayout,visitorsreceiveasinglecarnation."It'snicetobetreatedlikeawoman,"sighsSusanArcidiaconowithpleasure.Aritzyhealthclub?Aneleganthairsalon?Notatall.TheswankysuburbanSanDiegosetupbelongstoWomen'sHealthCentersofAmericaandisamodelofahot'80shealth-carefashion:thewomen'sclinic.
    About20centersnowdotthenation,andexpertspredictthenumberwillsoarintothehundredsbytheendoftheyear.Manyareestablishedbyhospitals,eitherinhouseorassatellites;othersarefreestandingclinicsorpartsofentrepreneurialchains.Frequentlytheyaresimplyoverdressedgynecologypracticesthatdifferlittlefromthepastsegmentedservice.But,saysDr.LindaLeskyofWomen'sHealthGroupinBoston,"thereisnoanatomicreasonwhywomenshouldbedividedatthewaist."Drawingonfeministinsights,thebestofthenewclinicsseektoprovidetotalbasiccare.Theyareakindofone-stopbodyshopwherewomencanreceiveagynecologicalexamormammogram;treatmentforpremenstrualsyndromeorosteoporosis;adviceonnutrition,weightlossandcosmeticsurgery;evencounselingforpsychologicalproblems."Wehavehead-to-toehealthcare,"exultsPennyWiseBudoff,afamilypractitioner(andthebest-sellingauthorofNoMoreHotFlashesandOtherGoodNews.HerclinicinBethpage,N.Y.,aformerHowardJohnson'srestaurantpaintedlilacwithyellowcolumns,hasastaffof13doctorswithafullrangeofspecialties."We'relikeamini-MayoClinic,"shesays.OraMs.MayoClinic.Theboomisfueledbyfinancialpracticalitiesaswellasfeministprinciples.AccordingtotheAmericanHospitalAssociation,womenvisitdoctors25%moreoftenthanmendoandaccountfor63%ofallsurgery.Elevenofthe20mostfrequentsurgicalprocedures(notablytuballigationsandbreastbiopsiesareperformedonlyonwomen.Moreover,womengenerallychoosethefamilydoctorandhealth-insurancepackage.Suchmedicalrealitieshaveledtofierceandunapologeticwooing.Women'sHealthCareandWellnessCenterinOakPark,Ill.,signedupDorothyHamill,AnnJillianandRitaMorenotopromoteitsopeninglastNovember.IntermountainHealthCarehasspent$800,000inthepasttwoyearstoadvertiseitstencentersintheSaltLakeCityarea.SaysWomen'sServicesDirectorMartaClark:"Wecopyretailers,departmentstoresandhotelsinmarketingourservices."
    Thecentersalsousetheluresofconvenienceandcomfort.Clinicsremainopenintheeveningsandonweekends;checkupsareoftenbookedforanhourinsteadoftheusual30minutes."Doctorsshouldn'tbeabletopatthemselvesonthebackfordoingaPapsmearinsevenminutes,"saysDr.JanetSchwartzofWomen'sHealthCenters.ThethreeW.H.C.clinicsinCaliforniatakepainstoamelioratethetwobanesofthegynecologicalexam:icystirrupsontheexaminingtablearecoveredbyfootwarmersandvaginalspeculaarewarmed.TheclinicatGeorgiaBaptistMedicalCenterinAtlantaevenoffersasmallgymandTupperware-likehealthpartiesatwhichwomengettothrowquestionsataphysician.Aboveall,thecentersclaimthattheirlargely

    48


    femalestaffsareabletotreatwomenwithouttheimpersonalityandcondescensionoftraditionalpractices.
    Criticswonderwhetherthenewclinicsareofferingbettercareormerelyfancywrapping.Somequestiontheautomaticfaithinfemalestaffs."I'mskeptical,"saysFeministJudyNorsigian,co-authorofTheNewOurBodies,Ourselves,whonotesthatbecausemaleandfemalephysiciansreceiveidenticaleducations,"thewomenoftencomeoutthesame."Otherspointoutthatthenewcentersaregearedtoaffluentwomen,neglectingtheoldandthepoor.Andthereisconcernaboutwhethertheclinicsareoverlyaccommodating.LeahDills,32,whohasvisitedWoman'sCareCenterinSanFranciscoatleasteighttimesinthepastsixmonths,saystheclinicseemsa"littletesthappy,"adding"there'salittlebitofafast-foodkindoffeelabouttheplace."
    Still,manywomenhavefoundmoresubstantialbenefitsatwomen'scenters.LongIslandInteriorDesignerGloriaLevinecreditsDr.BudoffwithsavingherfromamastectomyafterLevinediscoveredalumpinonebreast:"ShetoldmehowtoaskmyoncologisttofindoutifIwasacandidateforalumpectomy."Anotherclinicpatient,DeloresBurton,reportsthatafterapainfulprocedure,shewasofferedtea."Nodoctorevergavemeacupofteabefore.It'sadifferentkindofcare."Thatcombinationofserviceandsolicitude,notesDr.Budoff,hasearnedtheultimateaccolade."Wedon'tencourageit,"shesays,"butalotofourpatientsbringtheirhusbandsherebecausetheywantthemtogetthesamekindofcompletecare."

    49


    24HandsUpandButtsOut!
    BeverlyHillsoutlawssmokinginrestaurants
    "It'sliketheOldWest.Whoeverdrawshisgunfirstwins.Someonelightsacigarette,andanotherpersonsays,'Youcan'tsmokehere.'Thenthefirstsays,'Idareyoutodosomethingaboutit.'Andtheregoesthepeaceandtranquillityofaneveningmeal."--JoePatti,ownerofLaFamigliarestaurant
    OnApril3anewerabeganinBeverlyHills:smokingwasbannedinrestaurantsandretailstores.Threeweekslatermanycigarettesremainunlitbutscorchedtempersareflaring.Incafesandrestaurantsthroughoutthisclean,orderlycity,knownforitspercapitawealthandcelebrityresidents,vociferoussmokersareshriekingthatthenewordinanceisfascist,Communistandtyrannical."It'sthePeople'sRepublicofBeverlyHills,"fumesIreneRobbins,abookkeeperfortheMandarin,aChineserestaurantoneblockfromRodeoDrive."Thesmogistentimesworsethananythingyou'regoingtobreathesittingthroughdinnerwithasmoker,"insistsRonnieFondell,puffingawayatanoutdoortableatCaffeRoma,alivelybistrowheresleekEuropeanscometomeetandgawk."Whynottakecarsoffthestreet,boozeoffthebarandprohibitanythingelseanyoneeversaidwasbadforyou,"grumblesapatronattheGrill,popularwiththebusiness-lunchcrowd.
    Morerebelliouscustomershavetakenaction.AtLarryParker'spricey24-HourDineronerecentafternoon,anannoyedpatronyankedawoman'shairashewalkedoutbecausesherefusedtoputouthercigarette.AtCafeBeverlyHills,anupscalecoffeeshop,anelderlymanpunchedhisfemalecompanionwhenshetoldhimhemustsnuffhiscigar."I'vebeensmokingfor92years,"saidthepatron."NooneisgoingtotellmewhereIcansmoke."
    ButsuchcelebritydinersasActorCarrollO'Connor,ownerandoccasionalpianoplayerattheGingerMan,andcigar-puffingGeorgeBurnsarewillingtoconform."I'lldowhateverthecitywants,"saysO'Connorstoically.DebbieParker,abansupporterwhohasawaterpistolemblazonedwiththewordsSTOPORI'LLSHOOT,says,"Smokershavehadalackofconsiderationforothersforalongtime.Nowthetablesareturned."TheBeverlyHillspolice--famedfortheirvigilanceincrackingdownonjaywalking,illegalparkingandattemptedburglary--aresofargoingslowly.Theyhavemadenoarrestsandansweredonlytwocalls;onewasasmokingcomplaint,andtheotherinvolvedanicotineloverwhowentberserkabouttheordinance.
    TheBeverlyHillsbanispartofapulmonaryconsciousnesssweepingtheland,fueledbySurgeonGeneralC.EverettKoop'sreportthatsecondhand,or"sidestream,"smokecanhaveanegativeeffectonthehealthofnonsmokers.TwoyearsagoAspen,Colo.,passedthefirstlawtoprohibitsmokinginmostdiningrooms.OnMay7NewYorkStatewilljointhetrend,restrictingsmokersinrestaurantswith51ormoreseatstodesignatedareas.TheBeverlyHillsordinance,passedunanimouslybythecitycouncil,penalizesdisobedientsmokers--andrestaurantsthatfailtodisplayno-smokingsigns--withfinesofupto$500.MayorCharlotteSpadaro,whosemailisrunning2to1infavoroftheban,viewsitassimilartolaws"againstpollutionandtoxicwaste,designedtomaketheenvironmentsafeforeveryone."
    Becausethelawisdirectedatresidents,notvisitors,hoteldiningroomsareexempt;

    50

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