I'm sorry, but you haven't provided the specific article in question. However, I can provide some context on Randy Gardner. He is best known for his 1965 sleep deprivation experiment during which he, as a high school student, stayed awake for 264.4 hours (11 days 24 minutes) without using any stimulants.
In many discussions, Randy Gardner's experience is used to illustrate the effects of sleep deprivation on the human body and mind. His physical and cognitive functions were monitored during the experiment, and it was observed that he experienced mood swings, memory lapses, hallucinations, and other cognitive impairments as the days went on.
Without the specific article you're referencing, I can't give a precise answer on how the anecdote about Randy Gardner supports its central idea. If you provide more details about the article, I'd be happy to help further.