In 1946 There Were 7,250 Female MD's

JAMES HAMBLIN

Time has this interesting gallery of vintage cigarette ads. "Try Camels on your T-zone," this one suggests. Okay, that sounds fun. But first, what do you mean? 

T-zone: "That's T for taste and T for throat." 

You also get full credit if you guessed tumor. If you're considering taking up smoking, talk to a physician first. I don't know a lot of doctors who smoke nowadays, but of the ones that do, almost all of them swear by Camel brand cigarettes. Their rich, nutty flavor and nuanced, sophisticated aroma speak for themselves. And yes, they all smoke 'em directly through their T-zones. 

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They Get Their Claws Into You

Everyone’s talking all the time about the new ultra-graphic cigarette warning labels coming out in September and how they may or may not actually deter people from smoking but will definitely not deter people from having goatees. Meanwhile, in Italy:

"Smoking is for people who couldn't get the duck. Don't be a loser."

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The Internet Might Restructure Your Brain

Everything changes your brain all the time, the question is really just how much. Internet addiction? Scientific American describes two studies that suggest it might be a lot. 

They talk about differences in white matter density in a few areas that might lead to "reduced inhibition of inappropriate behavior and diminished goal orientation," among other things. But then the last page says the studies had fewer than 20 subjects, so, really they don't mean much. Cool story, right.

If the internet doesn't change the structure of your brain, though, I'd be amazed. Beyond amazed. It would keep my attention for at least a few seconds. But is being manic on the internet possibly worse for your brain than letting it sit around while you watch TV or go fishing? Just letting it be all alone in there, pulsating, wandering around, scuffing it's feet on the base of your skull. That's what sleep is for, right? "I just caught a fish, but not the real kind." I don't know, what? I had to buy concealer because I looked in the mirror this morning and new parts of my brain were showing through the skin in my forehead.

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