Why do we love comfort food in winter? Warning! This article could be bad for your health! As many of us endure the long, cold winter, we are tempted to tuck into some filling and fattening foods. This is sometimes because it helps us to keep warm and to give us energy, but often it's because we need something to cheer us up. And, for a short while at least, it makes us feel better – which is why we call it 'comfort food'. The type of food that makes us feel good varies from person to person – it depends on your palate and the association you have with particular tastes, textures and smells. But probably the most universally popular edible comforter is the biscuit. It's thought this go-to snack often brings back happy memories of childhood and family, as well as giving us that all-important sugary pick-me-up. Moving on from the sweet and sugary snacks, famous chef and food writer Mary Berry knows about the kind of meals that warm us up and give us comfort in the winter. She told BBC Food magazine: "I think it becomes natural to think about comfort food as soon as the weather chills and the nights become darker." She suggests soup and warming foods as feel-good winter treats. The other thing about comforting dishes like mac and cheese, noodles or pizza is they don't require culinary skills in the kitchen; they are easy to make so you can get your fix of feel-good food quickly. However, we often feel so good that we eat too much, and even though we know the ingredients are high in carbohydrates, sugar or salt, we continue to pig out. Psychologist Shira Gabriel told the BBC: "We feel guilty because we don't realise that what's happening is our minds are finding a way to trigger a really positive emotion and they're making us eat that food to do so." Maybe we should take comfort from the fact that eating certain food just makes us feel happy. But, for some people, eating any kind of food brings joy, warmth, happiness and comfort. 词汇表 endure [ɪnˈdjʊə(r)] vt. 忍受，忍耐 be tempted to [ˈtemptɪd] 禁不住，忍不住（做某事） tuck into [tʌk] 痛快地吃，尽情享用 filling [ˈfɪlɪŋ] adj. 能填饱肚子的，饱腹感强的 fattening [ˈfætnɪŋ] adj. 使人发胖的，增肥的 comfort food 慰藉食物，暖心食物，治愈系食物 palate [ˈpælət] n. 味觉，品味，品尝力 texture [ˈtekstʃə(r)] n. 口感，质地 edible comforter [ˈedəbl ˈkʌmfətə(r)] 可食用的慰藉物，慰藉食物 go-to snack [ˈɡəʊ tuː snæk] 首选零食，常备零食 all-important [ˌɔːl ɪmˈpɔːtnt] adj. 至关重要的，极重要的 pick-me-up [ˈpɪk miː ʌp] n. 令人振奋的东西，提神物（尤指食物、饮料或活动） chill [tʃɪl] v. （使）变冷，冷却 feel-good [ˈfiːl ɡʊd] adj. 令人愉悦的，使人感觉良好的 mac and cheese [ˌmæk ən ˈtʃiːz] 芝士通心粉 culinary skills [ˈkʌlɪnəri] 烹饪技巧，厨艺 get your fix 获得满足，过把瘾，解馋 carbohydrate [ˌkɑːbəˈhaɪdreɪt] n. 碳水化合物，糖类 pig out 狼吞虎咽，大吃特吃 take comfort from 从…中获得慰藉，从…中感到欣慰 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Study: Deep-sea mining cuts ocean life by 37% At the heart of the deep-sea mining controversy is a difficult problem. The world needs critical minerals to tackle climate change but extracting them from the sea floor could cause serious environmental harm. This research by the Natural History Museum and National Oceanography Centre analysed the impact of trial mining in the Pacific Ocean. It found that where the mining vehicle had harvested minerals, the number of animals living in the area was reduced by 37%. The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it harbours vital life that could be lost if mining goes ahead. The mining firm The Metals Company commissioned the research. A spokesperson said they were encouraged by findings that animals outside of the directly mined areas were not affected. 词汇表 heart n. 核心，重点，中心 deep-sea mining [ˌdiːp ˈsiː ˈmaɪnɪŋ] 深海采矿 controversy [ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi] n. 争议，争论 critical minerals [ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈmɪnərəlz] 关键矿物，重要矿产 tackle [ˈtækl] vt. 应对，处理，解决 extract [ɪkˈstrækt] vt. 提取，开采 sea floor 海底，海床 oceanography [ˌəʊʃəˈnɒɡrəfi] n. 海洋学 trial mining [ˈtraɪəl ˈmaɪnɪŋ] 试验性采矿，试采 Pacific Ocean [pəˈsɪfɪk ˈəʊʃn] 太平洋 harvest [ˈhɑːvɪst] vt. 采集，收获，收割 harbour [ˈhɑːbə(r)] vt. 蕴藏，藏有，为…提供栖息地 commission [kəˈmɪʃn] vt. 委托，委任 spokesperson [ˈspəʊkspɜːsn] n. 发言人，代言人 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

The Barnum effect: Why horoscopes feel so personal? Have you ever felt like your horoscope was written just for you? Or a fortune cookie's advice seemed incredibly relevant? You may be surprised, but it's actually not such a coincidence after all. This psychological phenomenon is known as the Barnum effect. It's a cognitive bias that occurs when people believe that generic personality descriptions and statements apply specifically to them. It may explain how practices such as astrology, fortune telling and personality tests have become relatively accepted despite lacking any basis in fact. Of course, people offering such services may not be aware of the Barnum effect label, but many understand how it works and seek to exploit it for their gain. Where does the name come from? P.T. Barnum was an American entertainer and entrepreneur who founded the Barnum Circus in 1871. According to explorepsychology.com, Barnum used the formula, always have a little something for everybody, to explain his success. But it was only in 1956 that the term Barnum Effect was coined, with psychologist Paul Meehl putting it forward in an essay to express his frustration at patients being told statements that could apply to anyone. In academic fields, the Barnum effect is more often referred to as the Forer effect, or subjective validation. In 1948, Bertrand Forer asked his psychology students to complete a personality test. A week later, he handed out their personalized assessments. In reality though, there was nothing personalised about them. Regardless of what they had answered, all students received the exact same 13 statements on their personality vignette. These included, you have a great need for other people to like and admire you, and, while you have some personality weaknesses, you are generally able to compensate for them. So the professor was slacking rather than the students on that occasion, then? Well, actually, Forer proceeded to ask each student to rate how well their assessment could apply to their personality. On a scale from 0 to 5, the result was an average of 4.3, meaning for the most part the students saw their vague assessments as accurate. Only afterwards did he reveal the real reason behind the test. He would go on to publish his findings in the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology under the title, The Fallacy of Personal Validation, A Classroom Demonstration of Gullibility. Forer's test was in the interest of academia, but unfortunately some people do use the Barnum effect to trick others. Like who, for example? Well, aside from the fortune tellers and astrology gurus we alluded to earlier, you've also got brands and their marketing teams who are constantly looking for ways to get their customers spending more. They want consumers to feel like they are being spoken to directly, thus creating a false sense of exclusivity. When customers are made to believe they have been selected to receive special deals or ads, they may feel that the brand resonates with them personally. This kind of supposedly personalized content may take the form of emails, recommendations, and invitations to register an account. It's definitely important to be aware that the Barnum effect exists, and that it distorts the way we perceive information. There you have it. 词汇表 horoscope [ˈhɒrəskəʊp] n. 星座运势，占星术 fortune cookie [ˈfɔːtʃuːn ˈkʊki] 幸运饼干，签饼（内含预测运气小纸条的中餐馆饼干） Barnum effect [ˈbɑːnəm ɪˈfekt] 巴纳姆效应（认为普遍适用的描述与自己特别贴切的心理现象） cognitive bias [ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈbaɪəs] 认知偏差 generic [dʒəˈnerɪk] adj. 通用的，泛泛的，普遍的 astrology [əˈstrɒlədʒi] n. 占星术，占星学 fortune telling [ˈfɔːtʃuːn ˈtelɪŋ] 算命，占卜 exploit [ɪkˈsplɔɪt] vt. 利用，开发，剥削 formula [ˈfɔːmjələ] n. 法则，公式，配方 coin [kɔɪn] vt. 创造，提出（新词） Forer effect / subjective validation [ˈfɔːrə][ˌvælɪˈdeɪʃn] 福勒效应，主观验证（巴纳姆效应的学术名称） vignette [vɪnˈjet] n. 简介，简述，简评 slack [slæk] vi. 偷懒，懈怠 proceed to [prəˈsiːd] 继续做，着手进行 vague [veɪɡ] adj. 模糊的，含糊的，不明确的 fallacy [ˈfæləsi] n. 谬误，谬论，错误见解 gullibility [ˌɡʌləˈbɪləti] n. 轻信，易受骗 academia [ˌækəˈdiːmiə] n. 学术界，学术工作 fortune teller [ˈfɔːtʃuːn ˈtelə(r)] 算命先生，占卜师 guru [ˈɡʊruː] n. 大师，专家，权威 allude to [əˈluːd] 暗指，提及，间接提到 exclusivity [ˌekskluːˈsɪvəti] n. 独有性，排他性，专属感 resonate with [ˈrezəneɪt] 与…产生共鸣，契合 supposedly [səˈpəʊzɪdli] adv. 据说，据称，所谓地 distort [dɪˈstɔːt] vt. 扭曲，歪曲，使变形 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Scared of speaking English? Pippa Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Pippa. Beth And I'm Beth. Have you ever been scared of speaking in English? In this episode, we're talking about why speaking in a foreign language can be so stressful. So, Pippa, do you ever get nervous speaking in a different language? Pippa Yes, I learnt French when I was younger and I was actually quite good at it, I think, but I was really nervous when I was speaking French. How about you? Beth Yeah, I've always felt like that with Spanish. I am scared to speak because I don't want to make mistakes, even though I know it's OK to make mistakes. Pippa Well, in this episode, we'll be hearing about how to feel less nervous when you speak English. Beth But first I have a question for you, Pippa. So, English has around one million words, but on average, how many words does a typical English speaker use in daily conversation? Is it a) between 2000 and 3000? b) between 20000 and 30000. Or c) between 200000 and 300000. Pippa I'm going to say a) 2000 to 3000. Beth OK. Well, we will find out later in the programme. Now, Pippa, you said you found it stressful speaking in French, even though you are quite good at it. Now, someone else who has had this experience is Hanan Razek. Hanan is a journalist at BBC Arabic and also host of the podcast Beating Speaking Anxiety. Here she is telling BBC Learning English presenter Georgie about speaking English. Hanan My English was actually pretty good but having conversations with people, I found it really difficult. So when I first joined the BBC, the Learning English team made an assessment of my English level, which they used to do for all new joiners to see if they need any help or courses. My results were pretty good and I was fluent. But on that very same day, leaving the building and going to get some coffee, I couldn't really understand what the barista was saying, and I felt pretty nervous to order coffee and was trying to stress every single word, hoping that my grammar is correct and I am pronouncing the words right. Georgie Yeah, I'm sure that's a situation lots of people can relate to. Pippa Hanan's results on her English assessment were pretty good, but she was still pretty nervous to speak in English, for example when ordering a coffee in English. The modifier pretty means quite or a bit. Beth Georgie says that Hanan's experience is something that lots of people can relate to. If you relate to a situation, you know what it feels like, usually because a similar thing has happened to you. Pippa So lots of people feel nervous speaking another language, even if they're good at it, like Hanan We can call this speaking anxiety. Anxiety means an uncomfortable feeling or worry about something that is happening or could happen in the future. Beth So why do so many people have anxiety about speaking a foreign language? Experts think it's connected to the beliefs we have about ourselves. Han Luo, professor of Chinese at Lafayette College in the United States, explains more to BBC Learning English presenter Georgie. Han Luo You know, usually the beliefs that cause anxiety, especially severe anxiety, are, we call it irrational beliefs. And also like, uh, some low self-perceptions, um, fear of negative evaluation, all those learner internal, you know, factors. Georgie And Han says that learners worry about mistakes because they're scared of negative evaluation. In other words, that people will judge them for their mistakes and think badly of them. Pippa Han argues that irrational beliefs can make us anxious. Irrational beliefs are beliefs that aren't based on things that are true. They're not logical. Beth Han says some people who have speaking anxiety have low self-perceptions. Your self-perception is what you think about yourself. Pippa Self-perception and irrational beliefs are both internal factors. They come from inside your head, not from the people around you. Beth So, for example, when you speak your first language, you might feel confident and intelligent, but when you speak in a new language, you make mistakes and feel less confident. You can't show people what you're really like, and this is frustrating. Pippa But as we tell people all the time at BBC Learning English, mistakes are normal. You have to try to speak, even though you make mistakes, and mistakes can be a good thing. They can help us learn. But Beth, I think it's time for the answer to your quiz question. Beth Yes, I asked you how many words does the average English speaker use in daily communication? The answer is 20000 to 30000. 📝 字数限制，完整文本、词汇表、翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

How does suffering teach us to appreciate small joys? There's an apparent paradox in the way that the longer we have lived, the more appreciation we tend to develop for very small and rather undramatic things: a moment in the kitchen with a square of dark chocolate, a walk to work, the first shoots in the garden in January, a weekend with no obligations, a very hot bath, conspiratorial laughter with a friend, a new book. These things matter more rather than less even as our experience of the outer world and its people and places keeps increasing. Relentless appetites for scale and outward excitement. We want to bestride the world, leave a mark and meet soulmates. We get bored in minutes in the most majestic settings. We take the greatest mysteries in our stride. We seldom stop by the side of the road to think or look. But at some point, the direction of ambition reverses – and what tends to initiate the change is pain. The more challenging existence as a whole becomes, the more we get to know about love, sickness, infighting, intransigence, career reversal and political turmoil, the more we may appreciate what remains pure and hopeful, despite its modest appearance or lack of obvious glamour. Our respect for a fig, a moment of calm and a kind but unexciting friend is underpinned by memories of nights of crying, months lost to argument and instances of untrammelled despair in the bathroom in the darkness. It is difficulty that catalyses our interest in and respect for gardening or a painting of a lake in autumn, the lifecycles of ducks or an article on the moons of Jupiter. It's people who have known far more than they ever wanted about dementia, cancer, employment law, divorce and mental institutions, who are the great appreciators of blossom, empty days, train journeys and the moon above the house on warm evenings. To a five-year-old, it's just another ice cream and another sunny day. To the grandparent sitting with them, everything is close to supernatural: the tiny fingers, the small plump body, their child who is now a parent loading up the car, the sound of a House Finch somewhere in a tree. The child – if they are fortunate – has no sense of the fragility of everything and of the cruelty waiting in the wings. Who can properly delight in another scoop of vanilla and melted chocolate until they have – at best – three summers left. The simple wonders of the world are constantly being rediscovered; those at the vanguard of doing so are those who have first had to walk the corridors of hell. 词汇表 paradox [ˈpærədɒks] n. 悖论，自相矛盾的话 undramatic [ˌʌndrəˈmætɪk] adj. 不引人注目的，平淡的 a square of 一块，一片（巧克力，纸，布等） shoot [ʃuːt] n. 嫩芽，幼苗，新枝 obligation [ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃn] n. 责任，职责；必须要做的事情 conspiratorial laughter [kənˌspɪrətɔːriəl] 会心一笑，心照不宣的笑 relentless appetites [rɪˈlentləs ˈæpətaɪts] 无尽的欲望，难以满足的渴望 bestride [bɪˈstraɪd] vt. 跨骑，驾驭；支配，主宰 majestic [məˈdʒestɪk] adj. 壮丽的，宏伟的，庄严的 take something in one's stride [straɪd] 习以为常，从容应对，泰然处之 infighting [ˈɪnfaɪtɪŋ] n. 内斗，内讧，暗斗 intransigence [ɪnˈtrænzɪdʒəns] n. 不妥协，顽固 reversal [rɪˈvɜːsl] n. 逆转，反转；挫折，失败 turmoil [ˈtɜːmɔɪl] n. 动荡，混乱，骚乱 modest [ˈmɒdɪst] adj. 朴素的，不张扬的，适度的 glamour [ˈɡlæmə(r)] n. 魅力，诱惑力，吸引力 fig [fɪɡ] n. 无花果；无价值的东西 be underpinned by [ˌʌndəˈpɪnd] 以…为基础/支撑，基于 untrammelled despair [ʌnˈtræmld dɪˈspeə(r)] 无边无际的绝望，无尽的绝望 catalyse [ˈkætəlaɪz] vt. 催化，促成，激发 moons of Jupiter [ˈdʒuːpɪtə(r)] 木星的卫星 dementia [dɪˈmenʃə] n. 痴呆症 mental institution [ˈmentl ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃn] 精神病院，精神卫生机构 appreciator [əˈpriːʃieɪtə(r)] n. 欣赏者，鉴赏者 blossom [ˈblɒsəm] n. 花，花朵；开花期 supernatural [ˌsuːpəˈnætʃrəl] adj. 超自然的，神奇的，不可思议的 plump [plʌmp] adj. 胖乎乎的，丰满的 load up the car 把东西装进车里 House Finch [fɪntʃ] （北美）家朱雀 fragility [frəˈdʒɪləti] n. 脆弱，易碎性 wait in the wings [wɪŋz] 潜伏在侧，伺机而动，准备就绪 a scoop of vanilla [skuːp vəˈnɪlə] 一勺香草（冰淇淋） vanguard [ˈvænɡɑːd] n. 先锋，先驱，前沿 corridors of hell [ˈkɒrɪdɔːz] 地狱的走廊，地狱般磨难（比喻极度痛苦、艰难的经历或环境） 🏫翻译，视频和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Can forest bathing cure modern stress? How do you relax after a stressful day in the office? There are many remedies to help you unwind, but the best solution, according to some experts, lies in the great outdoors. It takes a little effort to get there but the benefits can be a perfect tonic for our stressed-out lives. I am talking about the activity of forest bathing. The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku – or forest bathing – originates from the 1980s, when it was introduced as a national health programme by the country's government. Stressed Japanese workers are today still relaxing and reconnecting with nature. The Forest Therapy Society has certified 62 forest therapy sites in the country and the forest bathing movement is also gathering momentum in other parts of the world. It says: "Just as bathing in a hot spring helps to soak your cares away, going for a walk in the woods is said to have a soothing effect." If you're worried that bathing involves stripping off your clothes, don't be! This is about taking time to wander through woodland with no fixed plan or route and just immerse yourself in the forest atmosphere. Some health experts have said that having this exposure to nature seems to promote well-being and that's particularly good for people with mental health issues. A study conducted in 24 forests across Japan found that walking among trees lowered blood pressure, the pulse rate, and the levels of the hormone cortisol, which is released in response to stress. It also found phytoncides - chemicals emitted by trees - have an anti-microbial effect on humans, boosting our immune systems. Another study carried out a few years ago by Stanford University in the US, found similar benefits. Brain scans showed reduced activity in an area of the brain linked to the risk of mental illness in participants who took a 90-minute walk among oaks, birds and squirrels. One of the researchers, Gregory Bratman, told the BBC: "There's an increasing body of evidence showing that natural versus urban areas benefit us at least emotionally with our mood and possibly also our cognitive development too." The evidence seems clear that forest bathing is a shot in the arm for stressed-out workers, so now is the time to get out and lose yourself in the natural environment – you could even hug a tree as it could be your new best friend! 词汇表 remedy [ˈremədi] n. 治疗法，药物，解决办法 unwind [ˌʌnˈwaɪnd] vi. 放松，松弛 great outdoors 大自然，户外 tonic [ˈtɒnɪk] n. 补药，滋补品，使人振作的东西 stressed-out [ˌstrest ˈaʊt] adj. 极度紧张的，压力过大的 forest bathing [ˈfɒrɪst ˌbeɪðɪŋ] 森林浴（通过沉浸于森林环境中，与自然建立深度连接，来放松身心的活动） reconnect with [ˌriːkəˈnekt] 与…重新建立联系 certify [ˈsɜːtɪfaɪ] vt. 证明，认证，证实 gather momentum [ˈɡæðə məˈmentəm] 势头增强，发展加快 hot spring 温泉 soak one's cares away [səʊk] 洗去烦恼，借沐浴/泡澡来消除烦恼 soothing [ˈsuːðɪŋ] adj. 抚慰的，舒缓的，使人平静的 strip off [strɪp] 脱掉，剥除（衣物或外层物体） wander through 漫步于，穿梭在 woodland [ˈwʊdlənd] n. 林地，森林 immerse oneself in [ɪˈmɜːs] 沉浸于，融入，专心于 pulse rate [pʌls] 脉搏率（心脏每分钟跳动的次数） hormone cortisol [ˈhɔːməʊn ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] 皮质醇激素（压力激素） phytoncide [ˌfaɪtəʊnˈsaɪd] n. 植物杀菌素（植物释放的用于杀菌、防御的挥发性有机化合物） anti-microbial [ˌænti maɪˈkrəʊbiəl] adj. 杀菌的，抗菌的 immune system [ɪˈmjuːn] 免疫系统 oak [əʊk] n. 橡树，橡木 squirrel [ˈskwɪrəl] n. 松鼠 a body of evidence 大量证据，一系列证据 cognitive development [ˈkɒɡnətɪv] 认知发展 a shot in the arm 一剂强心针，令人振奋的事 lose oneself in 沉浸于，陶醉于 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Is social media making us less tolerant? Neil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. Beth And I'm Beth. Neil, when you're chatting with friends, do you usually have the same or different opinion on things going on in the world? Neil Ooh... well, that's interesting. I think I probably have quite similar opinions and that's, kind of, why we're friends. Beth Ah! Well, we might like to believe that we're accepting and tolerant of others' beliefs, but for many people it can be difficult to communicate with people who have very different opinions to our own. And this lack of acceptance could be increasing with our use of social media. For example, algorithms tend to show us what we already like and agree with. Neil Of course, we can't always agree with everyone else. We all have personal opinions and beliefs on topics like religion and politics. But some worry that it's becoming more and more common to react with violence when they disagree, than to solve disagreements together peacefully. Beth So, are we becoming a more divided society? Divided means in disagreement with and separated from others – to not be together. And how can we be more accepting and open to the opinions of others? That's what we'll be discussing in this programme and, as usual, we'll be learning some useful new words and phrases. Neil But first I have a question for you, Beth. According to a recent Ipsos poll, what percentage of the British population believes society is divided? Is it: a) 20%, b) 50%, or c) 80%? Beth Ooh... I'm going to say 50%. Neil Well, we'll find out the answer later in the programme. Paul Dolan, professor of behavioural science at the London School of Economics, thinks we should learn how to control our emotions and be open to discussions when we disagree. Here, he explains more about how to do this on BBC World Service programme All in the Mind: Paul Dolan Generally, we're going to be making better decisions, and more respectfully, if we calm down. It takes 15 minutes when you're proper aroused for the amygdala to calm down, but within a few seconds it can start calming down, right? You take a deep breath and you start feeling calmer. It's not to say that always being calm is good. Anger can be motivational and positive emotions actually can be very good for us. Generally, people make better decisions and are more engaging and more open when they're happier, but much of the time it will be just a case of calming down to try and take some of the heat out of the environment. Beth Paul thinks we should take time to calm down when we feel aroused, which here means to feel anger or strong disagreement. He said it takes 15 minutes for the amygdala, the part of the brain that experiences emotions, to calm down when we're aroused. Neil While anger can be motivational – make us more determined and enthusiastic – Paul says people can speak more openly when they're happier, when heat is taken out of the environment. Heat in this context means an intense feeling like anger. Beth Now, one recent dating experiment looked into what people say they want in an ideal partner according to their dating profile. Researchers found that many single people included details on things like what they want their partner to look like, their height, the political party they vote for, but many also say they want a partner who is open-minded and tolerant of different views. If you are open-minded, you're willing to listen to and consider new ideas. Neil However, the researchers concluded that while people want a partner to be open-minded and tolerant, they don't want to be very open-minded themselves. So, how can we be more open to getting to know people that we might disagree with? Here's Paul Dolan again, talking to presenter Claudia Hammond of BBC World Service's All in the Mind. Paul Dolan So, I guess one very obvious answer is to get offline. I mean, to actually just get out more and meet people because it's what political scientists think is the silver bullet. You know, the more you're around people that are different, the more you realise that actually they're not that different, and you become more tolerant and open-minded. So, being around people that are different – I think that's probably the way that we're going to tackle that problem. Neil Paul says political scientists think the silver bullet is to get offline and meet people. A silver bullet means a simple solution to a complicated problem. By meeting people who have different opinions and beliefs to you, the more you'll realise they're not that different to you at all. Beth And that could make you more accepting and lead to a society that is less divided. And speaking of divided, isn't it time you revealed the answer to your question, Neil? Neil Yes, I asked, "What percentage of the British population believes society is divided, according to a recent poll by the organisation Ipsos?" 📝 字数限制，完整文本，词汇表，翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

How do I know when to end a friendship? Friendship is often said to be eternal, to withstand the test of time and distance. We expect friends to accept everything about us, but it's not always that simple. Just like any relationship, friendships can become complicated and sometimes toxic. Not all friendships are worth keeping, and certain signs can indicate when one is nearing its end. What does constitute a healthy friendship, then? Friendships should be a source of joy, support and personal growth. In a healthy friendship, both parties feel valued and respected. One key sign of a healthy friendship is mutual trust and honesty. Think about that friend who always has your back and who you can share your thoughts with without judgement. Someone you can call after you've had a tough day at work, who won't mind you venting. They listen without interrupting, empathise with your feelings and offer helpful advice. That's a healthy friendship in action. Are there certain criteria that give away when a friendship is dysfunctional? Indeed there are, and it's best to learn to trust your intuition in order to spot them. Red flags can include constant negativity, manipulation and a lack of reciprocity. If you find yourself always giving and receiving little in return, it might be time to re-evaluate the friendship. After all, experts say that toxic friendships can increase stress levels and negatively impact mental health. It's important to note that not every feeling of discomfort should be seen as a red flag. Sometimes those close to us make us uncomfortable because they notice things we don't even see ourselves. They may tell us some home truths in awkward situations, like when we have an abusive partner, a soul-sucking job, or have made bad decisions we just can't admit to. In other cases, the unease may stem from an imbalance in the friendship. Have you ever been in a friendship where you're the only one making an effort to check in or plan get-togethers? Another sign of an unequal relationship is when you feel emotionally drained by your friend. Any time spent together leaves you feeling exhausted afterwards. Sometimes we need to learn to recognise when a friendship is more taxing than it is beneficial. So what should I do if I realise a friendship is complicated and leaving me drained? If it's a significant friendship, it's worth trying to talk things out. You might assume that if the relationship isn't easy, then it's not worth carrying on with. But why not at least try to resolve it first before making that call? It's crucial to communicate your feelings with your friend. Share your concerns openly and honestly, giving them a chance to understand your perspective. In some cases, it may be best to distance yourself gradually. Surround yourself with positive influences and invest in other relationships that uplift you. Remember, it's okay to prioritize your well-being. Sometimes two friends can reconcile, and other times it's best to hug each other, thank each other, and each go your own way. There you have it. 词汇表 eternal [ɪˈtɜːnl] adj. 永恒的，永久的 withstand [wɪðˈstænd] vt. 经受，承受，抵住 toxic [ˈtɒksɪk] adj. 有害的，有毒的，令人极不愉快的 constitute [ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt] vt. 是，被看作，被视为 have one's back 支持某人，为某人撑腰，站在某人这边 vent [vent] v. 发泄，表达，吐露（负面情绪） empathise with [ˈempəθaɪz] vi. 对…感同身受，产生共鸣，同情 dysfunctional [dɪsˈfʌŋkʃənl] adj. （关系或行为）不正常的，不健康的 intuition [ˌɪntjuˈɪʃn] n. 直觉 red flag 危险信号，警示标志 negativity [ˌneɡəˈtɪvəti] n. 消极态度，负面情绪 manipulation [məˌnɪpjʊˈleɪʃn] n. 操纵，控制 reciprocity [ˌresɪˈprɒsəti] n. 互惠，相互性，对等 home truth 令人不悦的事实，逆耳的忠言 abusive [əˈbjuːsɪv] adj. 虐待的，施暴的；辱骂的 soul-sucking [ˈsəʊl sʌkɪŋ] adj. 令人心力交瘁的，令人精疲力尽的 unease [ʌnˈiːz] n. 不安，忧虑，焦虑 stem from [stem] 源于，来自 check in 联系，问候，关心 get-together n. 聚会，联欢会 emotionally drained [dreɪnd] adj. 情绪耗竭的，情感疲惫的 taxing [ˈtæksɪŋ] adj. 费劲的，耗费精力的 talk things out 把话说开，沟通解决 resolve [rɪˈzɒlv] vt. 解决（问题、冲突等） make that call 做出决定，做出选择 distance yourself 与…保持距离，疏远 uplift [ʌpˈlɪft] vt. 使振作，使鼓舞 reconcile [ˈrekənsaɪl] vt. 使和解，使和好 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Individualism: Is it a good or bad thing? If someone called you an individualist, would you be flattered or insulted? An individualist might be a rugged John Wayne, a pioneer like Amy Johnson, a creative innovator like Kate Bush, or an entrepreneur like Richard Branson. People we admire for refusing to follow the crowd, for being true to themselves. But individualism is also often said to be the source of Western civilization's degeneracy — accused of leading to selfishness, shallow consumerism, the breakdown of society. Individualism is a double-edged sword. Many believe its Western roots go right back to early Christianity. Jesus taught that salvation did not depend on what tribe you belong to, but on how you chose to live your life. God had a one-to-one relationship with people, not to groups. The 16th Century Protestant Reformation took this further, taking away the need for priests to act as intermediaries between God and ordinary people. This sowed the seeds for the flowering of the modern individual in the 18th Century Enlightenment. The Prussian philosopher Kant summed up its key message in the Latin phrase Sapere Aude: dare to know, to think for yourself. Personal autonomy became the central value of Western society. We see this in the principles of one person one vote, civil liberties, and equal rights for all. But this in many ways welcome development has gone hand in hand with the decline of community. The growth of independence and autonomy leads to a decline in interdependence and solidarity. In other cultures, these communal values have traditionally taken precedence. Across East Asia, who you are cannot be separated from the groups you belong to. That does not mean you lose your identity in the crowd, you find your identity in it: as a parent, a child, a ruler, a teacher, an apprentice. When we can all be different and yet all come together, we have harmony, the highest value in Confucian philosophy. Across the world, individualism is lamented when it turns us into atomized units, cut off from each other, showing little or no interest in our fellow citizens. But if you can be yourself, while also being part of society, contributing to it, your individualism will be praised and celebrated. 词汇表 individualism [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm] n. 个人主义，我行我素 individualist [ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪst] n. 个人主义者，特立独行的人 flattered [ˈflætərd] adj. 感到荣幸的，受宠若惊的 insulted [ɪnˈsʌltɪd] adj. 受到侮辱的，被冒犯的 rugged [ˈrʌɡɪd] adj. 坚毅的，粗犷的，强健的 innovator [ˈɪnəveɪtə(r)] n. 革新者，创新者，改革者 entrepreneur [ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜː(r)] n. 企业家，创业者 degeneracy [dɪˈdʒenərəsi] n. 堕落，退化，衰退 consumerism [kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm] n. 消费主义 breakdown [ˈbreɪkdaʊn] n. 崩溃，瓦解，故障 double-edged sword [ˌdʌbl edʒd ˈsɔːd] 双刃剑（有利有弊的事物） Christianity [ˌkrɪstiˈænəti] n. 基督教，基督精神 salvation [sælˈveɪʃn] n. （基督教中）灵魂的拯救，拯救 tribe [traɪb] n. 部落，宗族 one-to-one adj. 一对一的，两人之间的 Protestant Reformation [ˌprɒtɪstənt ˌrefəˈmeɪʃn] （16世纪欧洲的）新教改革 priest [priːst] n. 牧师，神父，神职人员 intermediary [ˌɪntəˈmiːdiəri] n. 中间人，中介 sow the seeds for [ˌsəʊ ðə siːdz fɔː(r)] 为…播下种子，为…奠定基础 flowering [ˈflaʊərɪŋ] n. 繁荣，兴盛 Enlightenment [ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt] n. （18世纪欧洲的）启蒙运动 Prussian [ˈprʌʃən] adj. 普鲁士的，普鲁士人的 Sapere Aude [ˌsæpəreɪ ˈaʊdeɪ] 敢于求知（拉丁语） autonomy [ɔːˈtɒnəmi] n. 自主权，自治权 civil liberty [ˌsɪvl ˈlɪbəti] 公民自由 go hand in hand with 与…密切相关，与…相伴而生 interdependence [ˌɪntədɪˈpendəns] n. 相互依赖，相互依存 solidarity [ˌsɒlɪˈdærəti] n. 团结，团结一致 communal values [kəˈmjuːnl ˈvæljuːz] 集体价值观，公共价值观 take precedence [ˈpresɪdəns] 优先，占据优先地位 apprentice [əˈprentɪs] n. 学徒，徒弟 Confucian [kənˈfjuːʃən] 儒家的，孔子学说的 lament [ləˈment] v. 哀叹，惋惜，抱怨 atomized units [ˈætəmaɪzd ˈjuːnɪts] 孤立的个体 fellow citizens [ˌfeləʊ ˈsɪtɪzənz] 同胞，公民同胞 💡 视频、翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How does bad sleep affect your mental health? How much sleep do you need? Do you find that if you don't get enough shut-eye and wake up feeling dopey, you spend the rest of the day in a bad mood? I certainly need my eight hours a night and that's important according to research, because bad sleep isn't good for our health. We all need a good night's rest to recharge our batteries, but according to the Sleep Council in the UK, the average Briton gets six-and-a-half hours sleep a night, which for most people is not enough. It's tempting to cut back on the sleep we get, after all there are plenty of other more fun or useful things to be doing. Sometimes the pressure of work or a long commute means that our head hits the pillow much later than it should. But lots of studies have shown that cutting back on sleep, deliberately or otherwise, can have a serious impact on our bodies. Studies have proved that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on our bodies but it can also have an effect on our mental health. A BBC programme called Trust Me, I'm a Doctor ran an experiment with the University of Oxford and was surprised to discover how quickly the mood of the people they were testing changed when their sleep was restricted to four hours a night for just three nights. Doctoral student, Sarah Reeve, who ran the experiment, said: "There were increases in anxiety, depression and stress, also increases in paranoia and feelings of mistrust about other people". This and other research into the mental health of students, has found that the lack of sleep increases our negative emotions. I know that when I'm sleep-deprived, it is harder to feel positive about things or even think straight! Daniel Freeman, professor of clinical psychology at Oxford University, agrees that insomnia is bad for our brain. He says: "We have more negative thoughts when we're sleep-deprived and we get stuck in them". Bad sleep doesn't automatically mean you'll get mental health issues, but other studies have shown that depriving people of enough sleep for only a few nights in a row can be enough to put healthy adults into a pre-diabetic state. So with all this evidence maybe we should concentrate on sleeping well. This means going to bed at a sensible time and creating the right environment in the bedroom to relax and sleep in. There's also the modern distraction of using smartphones and tablets at bedtime, tempting us to stay awake. The blue light emitted by electronic devices makes us feel less sleepy. And using them stimulates our brain when it should be winding down. 词汇表 shut-eye [ˈʃʌt aɪ] n. 睡眠，睡觉，合眼 dopey [ˈdəʊpi] adj. 昏昏沉沉的，迟钝的，迷迷糊糊的 recharge one's batteries [ˌriːˈtʃɑːdʒ wʌnz ˈbætriɪz] 养精蓄锐，恢复精力 Briton [ˈbrɪtn] n. 英国人，不列颠人 tempting [ˈtemptɪŋ] adj. 诱人的，有吸引力的 commute [kəˈmjuːt] n. 上下班路程，通勤 head hits the pillow 头挨枕头，倒头就睡，入睡 cut back on 削减，减少，缩减 deliberately [dɪˈlɪbərətli] adv. 故意地，有意地，蓄意地 sleep deprivation [ˌdeprɪˈveɪʃn] n. 睡眠剥夺，睡眠不足 paranoia [ˌpærəˈnɔɪə] n. 偏执，多疑，妄想症 mistrust [ˌmɪsˈtrʌst] n. 不信任，怀疑 sleep-deprived [ˌsliːp dɪˈpraɪvd] adj. 睡眠不足的，剥夺了睡眠的 think straight 清晰思考，理清思路，正常思考 insomnia [ɪnˈsɒmniə] n. 失眠，失眠症 get stuck in 陷入，卡住，困在 in a row [rəʊ] 连续地，接连不断地 pre-diabetic state [ˌpriː daɪəˈbetɪk] 糖尿病前期状态 sensible [ˈsensəbl] adj. 明智的，理智的，合理的 tablet [ˈtæblət] n. 平板电脑 emit [iˈmɪt] vt. 发出，射出，散发（光、热、声等） stimulate [ˈstɪmjuleɪt] vt. 刺激，激励，使兴奋 wind down [wɪnd] 放松，平静下来 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Why is 'Are You Dead Yet?' trending in China? Host: The big fear of the famous fictional singleton Bridget Jones was dying alone with no one discovering her body for weeks. And it seems she's far from being the only one to worry about this. A new bleak sounding app called Are You Dead Yet? is proving highly popular with young people in China, millions of whom live on their own far from their families. The concept is simple. Users check in every two days, clicking a large button to confirm that they're still alive. If they don't, it gets in touch with their emergency contact to warn them that something might be amiss. Our China correspondent Stephen McDonald told us more about the app. Stephen: It was released last year without much fanfare. And for some reason, in recent weeks, it's really taken off to the extent that it's the number one app being downloaded in the country. It's designed especially for people who are living by themselves, especially young people. Maybe they've had to move away from home for study, for work, or what have you. It's playing into this idea that, well, people are afraid of, sounds a bit bleak, but dying alone, that they're in this rented place living by themselves. They might die and that nobody would realise it. But like I say, it's absolutely exploded. And that's despite the fact that some are saying it is a pretty grim idea, isn't it? I mean, let's face it. Some people have suggested possibly a more uplifting title like I'm Still Here or I'm Alive or something like that, focusing on the positive rather than Are You Dead? But the reason they've chosen this is because of how it sounds in Chinese, and it's a play on words. There is this very popular app here, a food delivery app called "Elema". "Elema" means in Chinese, "Are you hungry?" Well, "Silema" means "Are you dead?". And so "Silema" sounds like "Elema", and that's why they've done it as a sort of catchy thing. And it's part of the reason that it's taken off. And so the people who've set this up, they have received these complaints or suggestions and said that we might consider it. 词汇表 trending [ˈtrendɪŋ] adj. 热门的，流行的，火爆的 fictional [ˈfɪkʃənl] adj. 虚构的，小说中的 singleton [ˈsɪŋɡltən] n. 单身人士，独身之人 Bridget Jones [ˈbrɪdʒɪt dʒəʊnz] 布里奇特・琼斯（英国小说及电影《BJ 单身日记》中的女主角） bleak [bliːk] adj. 阴郁的，凄凉的，无望的 emergency contact [iˈmɜːdʒənsi ˈkɒntækt] 紧急联系人 amiss [əˈmɪs] adj. 不对劲的，出差错的，不正常的 fanfare [ˈfænfeə(r)] n. 大张旗鼓的宣传，热议 take off 突然成功，迅速流行，开始走红 play into 迎合，顺应，利用（观点或说法） rented place [ˈrentɪd] 出租屋，租房 grim [ɡrɪm] adj. 令人沮丧的，阴森的，忧愁的 uplifting [ʌpˈlɪftɪŋ] adj. 令人振奋的，积极向上的，鼓舞人心的 play on words 双关语，谐音梗，文字游戏 catchy [ˈkætʃi] adj. （曲调、名字等）朗朗上口的，容易记住的 complaint [kəmˈpleɪnt] n. 投诉，抱怨 🌟翻译，pdf及更多文本内容见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可加入【打卡交流群】

How does the butterfly effect affect our lives? The butterfly effect is the idea that a small change in one part of the world can have huge consequences in another. It is often used as a metaphor for how our actions can shape the future in unpredictable ways. Who came up with the term butterfly effect? The term was coined by American mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz, who was studying the behaviour of weather systems. He discovered that even tiny variations in initial conditions of a weather model could lead to vastly different outcomes over time. He illustrated this with the example of a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil and causing a tornado in Texas. What kind of systems exhibit the butterfly effect? The butterfly effect is part of chaos theory, which is a branch of mathematics that studies these complex systems and tries to understand their patterns and outcomes. Some examples of chaotic systems are the weather, which can change very quickly and unexpectedly, and it can affect many things such as agriculture, transportation, health and so on. Another example is the stock market, which is a chaotic system that depends on many factors such as supply and demand, news, emotions and so on. The stock market can fluctuate a lot and have a big impact on the economy and society. Other systems include the human brain and the solar system. What does the butterfly effect mean for us? The butterfly effect shows that the world is not deterministic, meaning that we cannot predict the future with certainty based on the present. There is always an element of randomness and uncertainty in the outcome of complex systems. This means that we have to be careful about the consequences of our actions as they may have unforeseen and far-reaching effects. Can you give some historical examples of the butterfly effect? Sure, here are some examples that changed the world forever. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which triggered the First World War. A Serbian nationalist shot the Archduke and his wife in Sarajevo after a series of coincidences and mistakes that put him in the right place at the right time. This event sparked a chain of alliances and conflicts that led to the outbreak of the war. The invention of penicillin revolutionised medicine and saved millions of lives. Alexander Fleming, a Scottish biologist, accidentally discovered the antibiotic properties of a mould that grew in his Petri dish. He noticed that the mould prevented the growth of bacteria around it and ultimately became the first widely used antibiotic in history. There you have it. 词汇表 butterfly effect [ˈbʌtəflaɪ ɪˈfekt] 蝴蝶效应（指微小变化可能引发巨大后果的现象） metaphor [ˈmetəfə(r)] n. 隐喻，暗喻，比喻 unpredictable [ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl] adj. 不可预测的，难以预料的 coin [kɔɪn] vt. 创造，提出，首次使用（新词或表达） mathematician [ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃn] n. 数学家 meteorologist [ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒɪst] n. 气象学家 variation [ˌveəriˈeɪʃn] n. 变化，变动，差别 vastly [ˈvɑːs(t)li] adv. 极大地，巨大地 flap its wings [flæp ɪts wɪŋz] 扇动翅膀 tornado [tɔːˈneɪdəʊ] n. 龙卷风，旋风 chaos theory [ˈkeɪɒs] 混沌理论（研究复杂系统不可预测性的数学分支） chaotic system [keɪˈɒtɪk] 混沌系统（对初始条件极度敏感的复杂系统） stock market [ˈstɒk] n. 股票市场，股市 fluctuate [ˈflʌktʃueɪt] vi. 波动，起伏不定 deterministic [dɪˌtɜːmɪˈnɪstɪk] adj. 确定性的，决定论的 randomness [ˈrændəmnəs] n. 随机性，随意性，偶然性 unforeseen [ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn] adj. 未预见到的，意料之外的 far-reaching [ˌfɑːˈriːtʃɪŋ] adj. 影响深远的，波及广泛的 assassination [əˌsæsɪˈneɪʃn] n. 暗杀，行刺 Serbian nationalist [ˈsɜːbiən ˈnæʃənəlɪst] 塞尔维亚民族主义者 Sarajevo [ˌsærəˈjeɪvəʊ] n. 萨拉热窝（波黑首都） spark [spɑːk] vt. 引发，触发，导致 a chain of alliances [əˈlaɪənsɪz] 一系列联盟 outbreak [ˈaʊtbreɪk] n.（战争、疾病等的）爆发，突然发生 penicillin [ˌpenɪˈsɪlɪn] n. 青霉素，盘尼西林 revolutionise [ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz] vt. 彻底改变，使彻底变革 Scottish biologist [ˈskɒtɪʃ baɪˈɒlədʒɪst] 苏格兰生物学家 antibiotic properties [ˌæntibaɪˈɒtɪk ˈprɒpətiz] 抗菌特性，抗生素特性 mould [məʊld] n. 霉，霉菌 Petri dish [ˈpiːtri dɪʃ] n.（用于培养细菌等的） 培养皿 antibiotic [ˌæntibaɪˈɒtɪk] n. 抗生素，抗菌素 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】