2019-09-01 Reader\'s Digest

nerve cells, which, among other

things, send and receive sensory

information—that “lights up” the fMRI

scans in bright, almost psychedelic col-

ors. In fact, there is an almost druglike

effect taking place. The brain is filled

with opioid receptors—yes, opioid, as

in the drug. Made of specialized pro-

teins, these receptors poke out of our

neurons like tiny radio antennas de-

signed to pick up passing signals. When

the right kind of molecule bumps into

a receptor—perhaps one of the body’s

naturally occurring opioids, such as

In a 1920 prototype of Reader’s Digest, film legend Charlie Chaplin shared the

surprising minimalist craft that went into his Hollywood hits. “To make an audience

roar is the ambition of many actors, but I prefer to spread the laughs out. It is much

better when there is a continual ripple of amusement, with one or two big ‘stomach

laughs,’ than when an audience ‘explodes’ every minute or two. Restraint is a great

word, not only for actors but also for everybody to remember. Restraint of tempers,

appetites, desires, bad habits, and so on, is a mighty good thing to cultivate.”

Charlie Chaplin’s Good Humor Theory

In The Champion, the

guy on the right had

the bigger weapon

and mustache,

but he was no match

for Chaplin.

58 september 2019

Reader’s Digest

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