Which jobs are most under threat from Artificial Intelligence? Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, Artificial Intelligence has transformed how many workers go about their jobs on a daily basis. AI developments are certainly exciting to many people, but there's also a lot of nervousness out there due to the inevitability that AI-based automation will end up replacing some parts of human work in a lot of fields. In January 2024, the IMF issued a cautionary report titled, AI will transform the global economy. Let's make sure it benefits humanity. It suggested that 40% of jobs worldwide will be impacted by AI, a figure that could reach 60% in more advanced economies. Are some of those jobs at risk, then? Given how effective AI tools are at generating text, it's been widely suggested that jobs involving writing could be among those most at danger. So that means web writers, secretaries, translators, proofreaders and journalists, for example. Whether you're using a simple question or carefully crafted prompt, you can save significant time on tasks like research, writing and translation. Of course, that does raise concerns about how reliable AI-generated information is. AI tools don't necessarily verify information when asked a question, and are prone to occasional hallucinations, which you'll remember if you listened to our recent episode on AI Slop. What about creative fields? Well, as you may know, AI isn't limited to text generation. Tools like MidJourney, DAL-E and Adobe's Firefly can create impressively detailed images from simple descriptions. Adobe has also been integrating AI-driven updates into its professional apps like Photoshop. So graphic designers are seeing their roles shift as well, as even people without technical expertise are able to use such tools. What about jobs that require human interaction, like teaching? Well, in reality, teachers were already feeling the impact when AI first gained traction. It can be really tricky establishing whether a student has actually done their assignments on their own, or simply used AI to generate their answers. And yet, AI is becoming increasingly central to education. Pengchen Shi is an Associate Dean in the Department of Computing and Information Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology. Talking to the New York Post in January 2023, he suggested that chatbots can easily teach classes at middle school or high school level. The main issues would be occasional bugs and knowledge inaccuracies which could be easily rectified with further model training. Well, how true that is remains to be seen. If your job was mentioned in this episode, don't panic just yet. After all, these are only predictions, and AI is also likely to create a whole host of new jobs, as well as making existing ones easier. Getting back to the IMF report we talked about earlier, it signed off with this more positive outlook: The AI era is upon us, and it is still within our power to ensure it brings prosperity for all. There you have it. 词汇表 inevitability [ɪnˌevɪtəˈbɪləti] 不可避免性，必然性 AI-based automation [ˌeɪˈaɪ beɪst ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃn] 基于人工智能的自动化 IMF 国际货币基金组织（International Monetary Fund） advanced economy [ədˈvɑːnst] 发达经济体 proofreader [ˈpruːfriːdə(r)] 校对员，校对者 carefully crafted prompt [ˈkrɑːftɪd prɒmpt] 精心设计的提示语 verify [ˈverɪfaɪ] 核实，查证，确认 be prone to [prəʊn ] 易于，倾向于 hallucination [həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃn] 幻觉（这里指AI生成虚假或错误信息） AI Slop [slɒp] 人工智能错误信息（指AI生成的低质量、不准确的内容） graphic designer [ˈɡræfɪk] 平面设计师，美工 technical expertise [ˈteknɪkl ˌekspɜːˈtiːz] 技术专长，专业知识 gain traction [ˈtrækʃn] 获得关注，开始流行，逐渐被接受 bug [bʌɡ] （程序、系统等的）故障，错误 inaccuracy [ɪnˈækjərəsi] 不准确，错误 rectify [ˈrektɪfaɪ] 纠正，矫正，修正 a whole host of 大量，许多 sign off with 以…结束，以…收尾 positive outlook [ˈaʊtlʊk] 积极的展望，乐观的态度 prosperity [prɒˈsperəti] 繁荣，兴旺，成功 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Stuck at intermediate level English? Try these tips So, you've reached an intermediate level of English – congrats! You can understand most things about familiar topics and can express yourself in most situations. But maybe you've been here a while, and now you're stuck in what we call the 'intermediate plateau'. Often when we begin learning something, progress is fast and noticeable, but perhaps now it's difficult to see your improvements. Let's see if some new ideas can propel your learning forward. If your study routine mostly consists of flash cards and grammar exercises, it's time to switch it up. In an article called 'The four strands' by Paul Nation, he suggests that while such exercises are important for building a strong foundation, we should also make time for more meaning-focused learning. That means lots of reading and listening, with a focus on gaining knowledge and enjoyment from the topic itself and learning new vocabulary through context clues. That way, you immerse yourself in the language and get a feel for how it's used in the real world. But don't stop there! Next, you've got to actually produce the language in a purposeful way. According to Merrill Swain's 'Output Hypothesis', speaking helps us to notice holes in our knowledge that we can then work on. Speaking also gives us the chance to experiment with language and, following feedback, either correct or maintain it. What about fluency? Fluency is using what you already know smoothly and quickly, without focusing on learning new words. Set a timer and talk to yourself about a topic, then repeat, setting a shorter timer each time. Breaking through the intermediate plateau is tricky. But, the key is not to rely on just one type of activity. Experiment with a well-balanced approach, varied materials, and above all, enjoy yourself, and you'll start seeing incremental improvements that'll send you on your way to master English at a higher level. 词汇表 intermediate level [ˌɪntəˈmiːdiət] 中级水平 be stuck in 陷入，被困在，卡在 intermediate plateau [ˌɪntəˈmiːdiət ˈplætəʊ] 中级瓶颈期（指学习者在达到中级水平后，进步明显放缓的阶段） noticeable [ˈnəʊtɪsəbl] 明显的，显著的 propel [prəˈpel] 推动，推进，驱使 flash card （有单词或图片的）教学卡片，闪卡 switch it up [swɪtʃ] 改变方式，换种做法 The four strands [strændz] 四大要素（指语言学习的四个方面：意义聚焦输入、意义聚焦输出、语言聚焦学习、流利性发展） strong foundation [faʊn'deɪʃ(ə)n] 坚实的基础 meaning-focused learning 意义聚焦的学习（关注语言的意义和使用，而非单纯的语言形式） context clue [ˈkɒntekst kluː] 上下文线索，语境提示 immerse yourself in [ɪˈmɜːs] 沉浸于，全身心投入 get a feel for 感受，体会，初步了解 purposeful [ˈpɜːpəsf(ə)l] 有目的的，有意识的 Output Hypothesis [ˈaʊtpʊt haɪˈpɒθəsɪs] 输出假说（指学习者通过产出，即说或写，来促进语言习得的过程） experiment with [ɪkˈsperɪment] 尝试，试验 fluency [ˈfluːənsi] 流利度，流畅性 timer [ˈtaɪmə(r)] 计时器，定时器 break through 突破，克服，打破 tricky [ˈtrɪki] 棘手的，困难的，难办的 varied [ˈveərid] 多样化的，各种各样的 incremental [ˌɪŋkrəˈment(ə)l] 递增的，渐进的，逐步的 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How can we age well? Phil Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Phil. Beth And I'm Beth. Phil Grey hairs, wrinkles, and poor eyesight are common signs that our body is growing old. Much as we'd like to, we can't avoid ageing, so it's important to stay healthy as we get older. Beth In this programme, we'll be hearing about some new research offering fresh advice on how to stay young at heart, an idiom meaning to keep a youthful outlook on life, whatever your age. And, of course, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary as well. Phil But 6 Minute English isn't just about vocabulary – we improve your listening skills as well. It could also help you answer my question. The oldest recorded person ever to have lived was a woman who was born in 1875, and lived to the ripe old age of 122. But which country was she from? Was it: a) Japan, b) France or, c) Italy? Beth I am going to say Japan. Phil OK, Beth, I'll reveal the correct answer later in the programme. Ageing is partly caused by the body's cells starting to decay, so you might think we're powerless to stop it. But listen to this good news from Professor Sarah Harper, Director of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing: Prof Sarah Harper I think the really exciting thing is that even 10 years ago we would have thought: Yes, it's all to do with our cells. Now we understand this relationship between what we call 'cell and society', and we really can make a difference! And in fact, a recent paper just came out which said that 60% of our ageing can be controlled by how we live. Beth Professor Harper says that 60% of ageing is determined by something we can influence, our lifestyle. So, what lifestyle should we choose? Here's Sarah Harper giving more details to BBC Radio 4 programme, 'Inside Health': Prof Sarah Harper You know, there's obviously things like diet, which I think we'll come to, but there's also a positive attitude, and there's been some wonderful twin studies that have been done where you've had twins and they have been able to map them across their lives, and if you're positive, you actually have far greater health in later life than if you're negative. Phil One important factor in ageing well is a positive attitude - feeling hopeful, confident, and focused on the good things in life. This conclusion was based on several twin studies, scientific research which uses twins to study the roles of genetics and environment in human development. In studies, Professor Harper found positive twins stayed healthier than negative twins as they aged. Beth Loneliness can be another problem as we get older. Here, Professor Sarah Harper explains how in countries like Spain, Italy and Greece, regular social interaction helps people age well: Prof Sarah Harper Loneliness can have the same impact as smoking in the statistics. And when we talked about the Mediterranean diet, it's also got two other sides: it's got exercise because these people tend to be outside more because they have that kind of a climate, but also they still tend to live [communal meals]… Absolutely, they have communal meals, they tend to live together more in multigenerational households, that is changing a bit, so there's a whole lifestyle around it. Phil The healthy food, such as fresh vegetables and fish, eaten by people living in countries around the Mediterranean Sea, is known as the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean cultures have other advantages too, including outdoor exercise, which is easier in warm climates, and communal meals, occasions when people sit down and share food together. Beth Mediterranean people are also more likely to live in multigenerational households, where people from two or more generations of a family live together in the same house. Not everyone can live in the Mediterranean, but it seems a positive attitude and social interaction are two things we can all do to age well. Speaking of which, what was the answer to your question, Phil? Phil OK, well, I asked you about the oldest living person ever recorded. I asked what country they came from, and you said Japan. Well, I can reveal the answer is actually France. A lady in France lived for 122 years and 164 days. OK, let's recap the new vocabulary we've learned about staying young at heart, an idiom which means to think and behave in a youthful way, in spite of growing older. Beth People with a positive attitude feel hopeful, confident, and focused on the good things in life. 📝 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】

What are climate refugees and where do they go? The consequences of climate change are some of the primary drivers behind global human migration. According to a report by the European Commission on Migration, each year an average of 30 million people are displaced due to environmental degradation. Climate refugees, or climate migrants, are people forced away from their homes due to sudden or gradual alterations in their natural environment. We're talking about sea level rise, extreme weather events, drought and water scarcity, for example. They are also referred to as displaced people. The Horn of Africa, and in particular self-declared country Somaliland, is scourged by water scarcity and famine. And you can throw in on top a locust plague that's wiping out everything in its path, making people flee their native lands. Many have no choice but to live in refugee camps run by NGOs. Which NGOs are present in Somaliland? CARE is the main organisation operating in the country. They opened a camp in 2017, which has continued to grow ever since. It might be located in the middle of nowhere and only have basic equipment, but it nevertheless acts as a safe haven for more than 1,500 people. However, CARE itself recognises its impact in the region is insufficient alone. Its activity is merely a form of temporary support, primarily intended for country dwellers, women and children. To what extent is climate migration a global phenomenon? It affects several regions of the world, including countries like Venezuela, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Mozambique, to name but a few. Elsewhere, sea levels are rising, ice caps are receding, seasonal rainfall is becoming unpredictable, and extreme weather events are increasingly frequent and intense. Climate change is real, and human activity is the main cause. A UN report says the past six years have been the hottest on record. Greenhouse gas emissions are driving average global temperatures up faster than at any time in the history of the modern world. What happens to climate refugees when they leave their homes? Most remain in their home countries, often living in areas highly exposed to weather hazards such as floods and storms. Some of them cannot return home and are known as internally displaced people, or IDPs for short. Meanwhile, a smaller proportion seek safety in other countries and may need international protection. That seriously raises the question of our planet's sustainable habitability. We often talk about climate refugees as a risk that could arise in the distant future, but the issue seems to already be a reality. Estimates suggest that unless we devise and implement an ambitious climate action plan and a disaster risk management strategy, as many as 200 million people per year could end up needing humanitarian aid by 2050. There you have it. 词汇表 primary driver [ˈpraɪməri] 主要驱动因素 European Commission 欧盟委员会 displaced [dɪsˈpleɪst] 流离失所的，背井离乡的 environmental degradation [ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃn] 环境恶化，环境退化 climate refugee [ˌrefjuˈdʒiː] 气候难民（因环境恶化被迫离开家园寻求庇护的人） climate migrant [ˈmaɪɡrənt] 气候移民 alteration [ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃn] 改变，变更 sea level rise 海平面上升 extreme weather events 极端天气事件（如暴风雨、洪水、干旱等） drought [draʊt] 干旱，旱灾 water scarcity [ˈskeəsəti] 水资源短缺 The Horn of Africa [hɔːn] 非洲之角（非洲东北部的一个半岛） self-declared [ˌself dɪˈkleəd] 自封的，自称的 Somaliland [səˈmɑːlilænd]（东非）索马里兰 scourge [skɜːdʒ] 折磨，蹂躏；灾难，祸害 famine [ˈfæmɪn] 饥荒 locust plague [ˈləʊkəst pleɪɡ] 蝗灾 wipe out [waɪp] 消灭，彻底摧毁 flee their native lands [fliː] 逃离故土，背井离乡 refugee camp [ˌrefjuˈdʒiː kæmp] 难民营 NGO 非政府组织（Non-Governmental Organization的缩写） CARE [keə(r)] CARE国际组织（致力于消除贫困和不公的人道主义组织） haven [ˈheɪvn] 避难所， 避风港 insufficient [ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt] 不足的，不够的 be intended for [ɪnˈtendɪd] 为…而准备，针对，面向 country dweller [ˈkʌntri ˈdwelə(r)] 农村居民，乡下人 Venezuela [ˌvenəˈzweɪlə] 委内瑞拉（南美国家） Afghanistan [æfˈɡænɪstæn] 阿富汗（亚洲国家） Bangladesh [ˌbæŋɡləˈdeʃ] 孟加拉国（亚洲国家） Mozambique [ˌməʊzæmˈbiːk] 莫桑比克（非洲东南部国家） ice cap [kæp] （南北极）冰盖，冰冠 recede [rɪˈsiːd] 消退，逐渐减退 seasonal rainfall [ˈsiːzənl ˈreɪnfɔːl] 季节性降雨 unpredictable [ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl] 变幻莫测的，难以预测的 greenhouse gas emissions [ɪˈmɪʃnz] 温室气体排放 weather hazard [ˈhæzəd] 气象灾害 internally displaced people (IDPs) [ɪnˈtɜːnəli] 国内流离失所者（被迫逃离家园但仍在其母国境内的人） sustainable habitability [səˈsteɪnəbl ˌhæbɪtəˈbɪləti] 可持续宜居性 devise [dɪˈvaɪz] 设计，制定，构思 disaster risk management 灾害风险管理 humanitarian aid [hjuːˌmænɪˈteəriən] 人道主义援助 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Six ways to cultivate a growth mindset The term "growth mindset" was first coined by Dr. Carol Dwek, an American psychologist, after studying the behavior of thousands of children. When you have a growth mindset, you're more likely to try new things, explore new possibilities, and you're not afraid to fail or experience setbacks because you know that those are just a part of the process. Dr. Dwek writes of the growth mindset: "the passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives." How can we cultivate a growth mindset in ourselves? Here are a few ways you can start training your brain to think with a growth mindset instead of a fixed one: 1. Stop worrying about if you're smart enough, start worrying if you're working hard enough As Dr. Dwek explains: "genius is not enough; we need to get the job done." At the end of the day, does it really matter how intelligent you are if you get the job done? Of course not. The most important thing is whether you put in your best effort. To cultivate a growth mindset, stop judging your worth based on how smart you perceive yourself to be and start focusing on trying your best, learning along the way, and enjoying the process. 2. Reframe failures as learning opportunities A hallmark of the growth mindset is a reframing of failures as learning opportunities. People with fixed mindsets often see failures as reflections of their own intelligence or skill, so they end up giving up when confronted with disappointment. But instead of seeing failure as a negative thing, reframe it as an opportunity to learn something. So it didn't work, what could you try instead? If this set of actions resulted in failure, how could you change things next time to result in success? This is a huge part of developing a growth mindset and will keep you headed forward instead of falling behind. 3. Reframe setbacks as part of the process Similarly, it's important to remember that setbacks, failures, frustrations, disappointments, etc. are 100% natural. How many times did Edison try to make a lightbulb? How many setbacks did Oprah Winfrey face on her journey to fame? How many times have you yourself experienced a setback, but continued on regardless? A setback or failure is not something to be ashamed of, but embraced. Learn from it, appreciate it, then move on. 4. Praise effort rather than outcomes In Dr. Dwek's book, she writes: "after seven experiments with hundreds of children, we had some of the clearest findings I've ever seen: Praising children's intelligence harms their motivation and it harms their performance. How can that be? Don't children love to be praised? Yes, children love praise. And they especially love to be praised for their intelligence and talent. It really does give them a boost, a special glow – but only for the moment. The minute they hit a snag, their confidence goes out the window and their motivation hits rock bottom. If success means they're smart, then failure means they're dumb. That's the fixed mindset." Praise itself is not always productive. Even if you congratulate yourself, you may end up hurting long term. It's important to remember that praising your intelligence and talent won't help you grow and learn. Instead, praising hard work and tenacity is a better way to develop the growth mindset and encourage improvement. 5. Don't be afraid to ask questions One trait that people with growth mindsets often exhibit is the ability to ask questions. Of course, we can all ask questions. But those with growth mindsets are not afraid to appear silly, strange, or unintelligent for asking them. Rather than worrying about how others will perceive your intelligence when asking a question, focus on trying your best to learn and grow. You obviously can't be expected to know everything or to do everything on your own. So reach out when you need help. Ask questions when you don't know. That is where real intelligence is formed. 6. Take on new challenges People with growth mindsets deeply believe that they can learn and become anything if they apply themselves. But if you're currently stuck in a fixed mindset, this might be hard to believe right away. So in order to start seeing it in action, take on a new challenge. Start with something small and manageable that you know you can do. When you accomplish it, move on to something a bit larger that maybe you're not so sure you can do. Over time, you'll realize that it's totally possible for you to improve your skills, abilities, and talents. You just need to put in the effort and time. So in whatever small ways you can, begin to explore what it feels like to have a growth mindset. You may just be surprised at all the amazing things you accomplish. 💡字数限制，词汇表、翻译、视频和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How do polyglots learn languages? How many languages do you speak? For most people, it can be hard learning just one foreign language. Lydia Machova, a Slovakian polyglot and language mentor, is currently fluent in seven foreign languages and says she likes to learn a new language every two years! So how do polyglots like Lydia learn multiple languages successfully, and what can we learn from their methods? Lydia wanted to find out the different techniques polyglots use, and she found a wide variety of methods. Some use language exchange apps to find native speakers so that they can start speaking from day one. Others watch series they love with subtitles, and some use techniques like 'shadowing' – listening to and repeating target language to master pronunciation. Kato Lomb was described by the linguist Krashen as "possibly the most accomplished polyglot in the world". She was a Hungarian who spoke 16 languages! Her approach to learning focussed on extensive reading and self-study. So, while there are lots of different approaches, in her 2019 TED Talk, Lydia concluded that the one thing polyglots all have in common is an interest and motivation to learn. However, some linguists argue that viral videos showing polyglots switching between languages often rely on memorised phrases rather than proving genuine conversational ability. Benny Lewis, author and creator of the website Fluent in 3 Months, thinks it's important to be open and honest about your competency in a language. He discusses having varying levels of proficiency in the languages he speaks, from basic conversation to near-native fluency. So, the professionals say enjoy yourself when learning. We recommend you try some of these suggestions, find the right method for you and stick to it! 词汇表 Slovakian [sləˈvækiən] 斯洛伐克的；斯洛伐克人；斯洛伐克语 polyglot [ˈpɒliɡlɒt] 多语言者，通晓多种语言的人 mentor [ˈmentɔː(r)] 导师，指导者 multiple languages [ˈmʌltɪpl] 多种语言 language exchange 语言交换，语言交流，找语伴 subtitle [ˈsʌbtaɪtl] （影视节目的）字幕 shadowing [ˈʃædəʊɪŋ] 影子跟读法（语言学习技巧，指紧跟原语发音重复） target language 目标语言（指学习者想要掌握的语言） linguist [ˈlɪŋɡwɪst] 语言学家 accomplished [əˈkʌmplɪʃt] 有成就的，成功的，熟练的 Hungarian [hʌŋˈɡeəriən] 匈牙利的；匈牙利人；匈牙利语 extensive reading [ɪkˈstensɪv ˈriːdɪŋ] 泛读，广泛阅读 self-study [ˌself ˈstʌdi] 自学，自主学习 viral [ˈvaɪrəl] 快速传播的，爆火的 conversational ability [ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃənl əˈbɪləti] 会话能力，对话能力 competency [ˈkɒmpɪtənsi] 能力，本领，胜任力 proficiency [prəˈfɪʃənsi] 熟练程度，精通 near-native fluency [ˌnɪə ˈneɪtɪv ˈfluːənsi] 接近母语的流利程度 stick to it 坚持下去，不放弃 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How to greet people at work Business Bartleby To hug or not to hug? Max Flannel, our office agony uncle, answers a bulging postbag on greeting etiquette. DEAR MAX, At the start of virtual meetings, should I say hello to everyone? It seems to absorb a lot of time, but I don't want to be unfriendly. Virtual calls put the hell in hello. Every greeting prompts other participants to spend ages unmuting before saying "hello" back. Some people then ask "how is everyone?", forcing everyone to unmute again and say something wildly insightful like "fine". By the time that's over, someone else has joined the call and the whole cycle starts again. Use the rule of three. If there are three or more other people already on the line, just wave. I am a germophobe and hate shaking hands with people. I pine for the days of the pandemic, when no one touched each other at all. What do you advise? Your best bet is to wear a mask: there's no more cost-effective way to get people to keep their hands to themselves. You could also ask your employer if you could work from home, or from an iron lung. If that is a step too far, you could do that pandemic-era thing of extending the point of your elbow towards people, and hope they will reciprocate. But what made some sense then looks weird now: like you don't know what those things at the end of your arms are for, or have been in a coma for five years. I suffer from anxiety over how to greet people, particularly those I know a bit but not well. I spent some time in Japan in my youth, and to avoid deciding whether to hug someone or not, I stop before I get within touching distance and bow. It's amazing how often people will bow back. Is this a sensible strategy? It depends a bit on whether you are still in Japan. But the pre-emptive greeting is a good tactic wherever you are. Another variant of this approach is to do a lot of performative stuff as you get close to someone: saying hello loudly, waving madly and smiling like an idiot. Stop about two metres short of the other person, well out of range, and if necessary keep waving and saying hello for a bit. If you are in a meeting room, move quickly to the other side of the table as you wave. If you appear to be unhinged but extremely friendly, you will have hit the right mark. No other greeting will be needed. I don't know how to greet female colleagues I have worked with for years. I could shake hands with them, as I do with other men, but it seems a little formal. Do you have any advice? This question is one of the ones I get most often, at least from people in America and western Europe. The classic advice is to shake hands with everyone, regardless of how well you know them. It works as a greeting between men, so should work as a greeting between sexes, too. If you want to add a bit of familiarity, use both hands to project extra warmth. Imagine you are a political leader after signing a peace treaty. But there are times when handshaking feels genuinely awkward: when you see a close colleague socially, for example. My advice in these circumstances is never to be the first mover: wait and see what the other person does and match them. The risk is that you sacrifice some agency, and end up in an unwanted clinch. But at least you didn't start it. I was recently involved in an unfortunate hugging incident at work. I got my timing and targeting all wrong, and ended up with the other person's ear lobe in my mouth. Where did I go wrong, and what should I have done? If you do end up at close quarters, remember that an embrace at work is not meant to be an actual embrace, just a faint echo of one. If you are hugging someone, behave as though you are playing that children's game called "Operation". Put your arm around the other person without actually touching any part of their body. Keep your face well away from theirs: unless they have unusually big ear lobes, you should never find yourself in that kind of horrendous situation again. In a recent cheek-kissing greeting, we did not agree on the number of head movements and I ended up with the other person's nose in my mouth. What should I have done? You could count down out loud. But I notice that this comes from the same address as the lobe-eater. Since you seem unusually prone to nibbling your colleagues, please just approach everyone with your hand already fully extended for a handshake. You should look like a Dalek. Write in and let me know how you get on. I'll be back with another postbag later in the year. 🔆字数限制，词汇表、翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

The healing power of reading For many of us, there's nothing better than burying our head in a good book. Whether it's a gripping crime story or a biography of someone's amazing life, it's good to read a book to switch off from the distractions of everyday life and help us relax. Maybe that's why some of them are actually being prescribed as a remedy to sickness. It may seem obvious that reading is good for us. It can be educational, and, as some say, it can 'broaden the mind'. A good novel can make us happy or sad, or make us cry as we empathise with characters. The power of books was recognised a few years ago by the British charity Reading Agency, who published a list of books that doctors could offer to patients, tackling topics from depression to dementia to chronic pain. It called this 'bibliotherapy' and it's become so successful that it's about to be extended to children as well. Professor Philip Davis studies the effects of literature at Liverpool University and is author of a book called Reading for Life. He studies people in reading groups and found that it's reading literature – written work thought to have artistic merit, that has the best effect. He told the BBC that when reading something for pleasure, "…the brain begins to work from different parts, from a different hemisphere and it gets excited, it gets pre-emotional – and you can see the brain coming to life." Of course, it's easy in our smartphone generation to ditch a good book and fiddle with our phones instead. But opening up a paperback could be a simple way to help boost or maintain our mental health. It's thought they can help you set targets and find focus. And they may allow you to see that awkward situation you've been anxious about for weeks from someone else's perspective. If you're not an avid reader it can be hard to know where to begin. If the Reading Agency book list doesn't appeal, you could read book reviews, visit a library or bookshop or ask a friend. Once you've found the right text, you'll be hooked! And if you still love your technology, you could always use an e-reader. 词汇表 bury one's head in 埋头于，专注于（尤指阅读） gripping [ˈɡrɪpɪŋ] （故事等）扣人心弦的，引人入胜的 crime story [kraɪm] 犯罪故事 biography [baɪˈɒɡrəfi] 传记，传记作品 switch off from 从…中抽离出来，摆脱，解脱 prescribe [prɪˈskraɪb] 开处方，嘱咐，推荐 remedy [ˈremədi] 疗法，药物；解决办法 broaden the mind 拓宽视野，开阔思路 empathise with [ˈempəθaɪz] 与…产生共鸣，对…感同身受 Reading Agency [ˈeɪdʒənsi] 阅读协会（英国慈善机构） dementia [dɪˈmenʃə] 痴呆症 chronic pain [ˈkrɒnɪk] 慢性疼痛 bibliotherapy [ˌbɪbliəʊˈθerəpi] 阅读疗法（通过阅读特定书籍来帮助人们解决心理或情绪问题的疗法） artistic merit [ɑːˈtɪstɪk ˈmerɪt] 艺术价值 hemisphere [ˈhemɪsfɪə(r)] 半球， pre-emotional [priː ɪˈməʊʃənl] 预情绪的（指情绪产生前的状态） ditch [dɪtʃ] 抛弃，丢弃，摆脱 fiddle with [ˈfɪdl] 摆弄，玩弄 paperback [ˈpeɪpəbæk] 平装书，简装书 awkward situation [ˈɔːkwəd] 尴尬的局面，棘手的情况 avid reader [ˈævɪd] 狂热读者，热心读者，书迷 hooked [hʊkt] 着迷的，入迷的，上瘾的 e-reader [ˈiː riːdə(r)] 电子阅读器 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Are you flourishing? Phil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Phil. Georgie And I'm Georgie. Now, you probably know the word 'wellbeing' – it's a general feeling of health and happiness. But have you ever heard of 'flourishing'? It's an idea which Claudia Hammond has been investigating for BBC Radio 4 programme, All in the Mind. Claudia Hammond I wonder if you all feel that you are 'flourishing' in life. This is another psychological buzzword with added evidence. Now, if you've not heard that term before, it's not just about wellbeing – it's about your whole life being good. Phil 'Flourishing' is a psychological buzzword – a word or phrase that has become fashionable and is being used a lot, especially on television and in newspapers. People who are flourishing feel good about all aspects of their life, including happiness, health, relationships and financial security. Do you feel you're flourishing, Georgie? Georgie Yeah, I think I'm quite lucky, actually. I really like my job. I have a good family and friends. Erm… yeah, everything's going well! What about you, Phil? Phil I think the same. I think I'm happy and I've got everything I need. Georgie Lovely. Phil In this episode, we'll hear about the Global Flourishing Study – a new survey into the lives of over 200,000 people in 22 countries. We'll learn some useful new words and phrases. Georgie Yes, but first, Phil, I have a question for you about the Global Flourishing Study. In terms of overall flourishing, which country do you think came out on top? Was it: a) Indonesia, b) Denmark, or c) Brazil? Phil Ooh, I'm going to guess b) Denmark, I think. Georgie OK Phil. Well, we'll find out the correct answer later in the programme. Now, the study investigated six areas of life, including health, finances, social relationships and religion. Let's listen as Claudia Hammond discusses some of the findings with psychologist Dr Peter Olusoga for BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind. Claudia Hammond What were the most interesting nuggets there? You've been diving into it. Dr Peter Olusoga Some of the, sort of, headlines were: high-income countries – so Sweden, the USA, for example – scored higher on some of the more material aspects of flourishing, so things like finance. Middle-income countries – so Mexico, for example – scored more highly on things like meaning of relationships and kindness and social cohesion. Phil Claudia asks about the study's most interesting nuggets. A nugget means a small piece of something good, like wisdom, or precious, like a nugget of gold. Georgie While richer countries scored higher on material happiness, middle-income countries did better in terms of kindness and social connection. There were interesting differences between men and women. For example, in Japan women flourished more than men, while in Brazil the opposite was true. And across all countries, flourishing increased after the age of 50. Phil So, does flourishing depend on your nationality, or are there things anyone can do to feel happier wherever they live? Let's find out, as Claudia Hammond talks more with Peter Olusoga for BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind. Claudia Hammond So, what can any of us do to help ourselves to flourish? That's the big question. Dr Peter Olusoga Well, there's a few things that we can do, and they are supported by research as well. So, things that are as simple as just practising gratitude, right? Being thankful for what we have is a way of increasing the amount of flourishing that we have in our lives. Showing kindness, which helps us to develop connection with other people. And just celebrating our own accomplishments – I think we've spoken on the programme before about savouring. Claudia Hammond Oh yeah, we have. Yes, savouring those good moments. Dr Peter Olusoga Exactly. Just taking the time to really appreciate some of those small wins. Georgie Claudia asks the big question – in other words, the thing everyone would like to know: how do people flourish? Phil There are simple things anyone can do, starting with gratitude – feeling thankful and appreciative for what you have. Being kind and connecting with others are also indicators of flourishing. Georgie The study also recommends savouring life. To savour means to fully enjoy something by experiencing it slowly and mindfully. It involves taking time out to enjoy good moments – to 'stop and smell the roses', as we say. Phil This links to the phrase small wins – minor achievements or successes which bring you a little closer to your long-term goals in life. There's an old saying – 'a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step' – and savouring each small win along the way is vital to flourishing. Flourishing seems to be a big new idea, in some countries at least, which reminds me of your question, Georgie. 📝 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】

Could slow living make us happier? The societies we live in these days, and especially in cities, allow us to order food to be delivered to our homes in 20 minutes, access an endless selection of films and series from the comfort of our couches, and communicate with people on the other side of the world. Despite all that convenience, we sometimes feel exhausted, anxious, depressed and lonely in this ultra-productive life. What's more, the constant fast pace can lead to memory and concentration problems. If you're struggling to keep up, the slow living philosophy could be for you. What does it consist of? The basic idea is to do less in order to enjoy more, instead of wanting to have multiple experiences that we only half enjoy. Slow living encourages us to simplify our lives and savour the present moment. It's related to concepts of mindfulness and being fully present. Slow living can be interpreted in different ways, but the common thread is the idea of intentionality in what we do. Canadian writer Carl Honoré released a book called In Praise of Slow in 2004, which would go on to be an international bestseller. He explained how the cult of speed was becoming the societal standard, and put forward slowness as a healthier alternative. Let's listen to Honoré talking to a TED Talk event in 2005. "That's kind of the world that we live in now, a world stuck in fast forward, a world obsessed with speed, with doing everything faster, with cramming more and more into less and less time. Every moment of the day feels like a race against the clock." When did the slow movement start? It actually stems from the slow food movement and a protest against the opening of a McDonald's fast food restaurant in Rome's famous Piazza di Spagna in 1986. Italian activist Carlo Petrini started that campaign, which would lead to the slow food movement. It advocated for local food, small businesses and cooking with raw ingredients. The slow food movement then expanded to other areas, giving rise to concepts like slow fashion in opposition to fast fashion, slow cities, and an overall slow movement that stands against the ultra-efficiency and speed of globalization and capitalism. But slow living is also rooted in older philosophies, from the likes of ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, or 19th century American writer Thoreau. Isn't it difficult to live a slow life in a city? Indeed, modern urban lifestyles aren't conducive to slow living. Work demands that we do things quickly. However, slow living is more of a mindset than anything else. You could start by focusing on what you're doing in the present moment. Determine what your priority is at any given time. If it's eating, for example, and you only have a 20-minute lunch break, At least make sure you savour every bite. It's also about knowing when to use technology and its benefits, and when to set it aside. If you're watching a film, turn off your phone. The same goes for having dinner with friends or family. Don't multitask, and don't plan a thousand things for every weekend. There you have it. 词汇表 slow living 慢生活（一种强调简化生活、品味当下、有意识地做事的生活理念） access [ˈækses] 获取，访问，使用 ultra-productive [ˌʌltrə prəˈdʌktɪv] 超高效率的 savour [ˈseɪvə(r)] 品味，品尝，尽情享受 mindfulness [ˈmaɪndf(ə)lnəs] 正念 being fully present 完全活在当下，专注当下 common thread [θred] 相同思路，共同点 intentionality [ɪnˌtenʃəˈnæləti] 意向性，目的性 bestseller [ˌbestˈselə(r)] 畅销书 cult [kʌlt] 崇拜，时尚，流行 societal standard [səˈsaɪət(ə)l] 社会标准 fast forward 快进 be obsessed with [əbˈsest] 痴迷于，沉迷于 cram into [kræm] 填满，勉强塞入 race against the clock 与时间赛跑，争分夺秒 stem from [stem] 源于，来自 Piazza di Spagna [piˈætsə di ˈspænjə] 西班牙广场（罗马著名广场） raw ingredient [rɔː ɪnˈɡriːdiənt] 原材料，原生食材 give rise to 引起，导致，催生 slow fashion [sləʊ ˈfæʃ(ə)n] 慢时尚（强调可持续、高品质、经典设计的时尚理念） fast fashion [fɑːst ˈfæʃ(ə)n] 快时尚（指快速响应潮流、低成本、更新快的服装时尚模式） stand against 反对，抵抗 ultra-efficiency [ˌʌltrə ɪˈfɪʃ(ə)nsi] 超高效率 capitalism [ˈkæpɪt(ə)lɪz(ə)m] 资本主义 Epicurus [ˌepɪˈkjʊərəs] 伊壁鸠鲁（古希腊哲学家，主张追求适度的快乐和内心的平静） Thoreau ['θɔ:rəu] 梭罗（19世纪美国作家、哲学家，倡导简朴生活和亲近自然） at any given time 在任何特定时刻 set aside 留出，拨出；放在一边，暂不考虑 multitask [ˌmʌltiˈtɑːsk] 一心多用，同时做多件事情 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Is minimalism just about owning less? For some people, minimalism just means not owning any stuff, it's a lifestyle choice. It means owning few possessions, living in largely empty space, and even eating minimalist food. No chips for the minimalists. They own shiny white tablets, shop at little grey stores, and don't have enough black plastic chairs. For some, it's to do with architecture, and for others, it's a musical movement. In fact, minimalism is a philosophy with roots and branches in many places. The word minimalism first turns up in 1965, in an article by British philosopher, Richard Wollheim, who wrote about artists with minimal art content. This negative description was turned into a positive by minimalist artists. They saw minimalism as a kind of pure art. To quote the minimalist painter Frank Stella, "What you see is what you see." This isn't art that copies something real — a person's face, a nice horse or tries to depict a feeling. A minimalist art object is itself, and nothing else. All minimalism is, in part, a reaction. In the case of minimalist architecture, it's a reaction to decoration, to ornament, and to fuss. Minimalist buildings are simple, and minimalist architects like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Maya Lin create structures full of light and space. Their work can be summed up in Van der Rohe's famous statement that, "Less is more." Minimalist gurus, like Marie Kondo, believe in decluttering, but say, "It's not about knowing what to throw out, it's knowing what to keep." A lot of minimalism can appear harsh and inhuman, the exception is minimalistic music. Pioneered by composers like Philip Glass, minimalist music features repetition, simple patterns, and phase shifting — the movement of a repeating item to create an arresting effect. Despite the often austere simplicity of the music, or because of it, many minimalistic pieces of music are profoundly moving and deeply emotional. Minimalism is, in part, a reaction to the increasingly busy and loud world around us. Artists and consumers alike have reacted against the clutter and chaos of life and art, and created many disparate forms of minimalism. Sometimes minimalism can seem confusing, as in Carl Andre's famous brick sculpture. Sometimes it can be stark, like a Mise van der Rohe office block. But sometimes, as in the field of minimalist music, minimalism can be beautiful. 词汇表 minimalism [ˈmɪnɪməlɪzəm] 极简主义 minimalist [ˈmɪnɪməlɪst] 极简主义者；极简主义的 tablet [ˈtæblət] 平板电脑 depict [dɪˈpɪkt] 描绘，描述 reaction [riˈækʃn] （对旧观念等的）反抗，抗拒 ornament [ˈɔːnəmənt] 装饰，点缀，摆设 fuss [fʌs] 繁琐，麻烦，多余之事 guru [ˈɡʊruː] 专家，权威，大师 decluttering [diːˈklʌtərɪŋ] 清理，整理，断舍离 harsh [hɑːʃ] 严酷的，刺耳的 inhuman [ɪnˈhjuːmən] 残酷的，无人情味的 composer [kəmˈpəʊzə(r)] 作曲家 phase shifting [feɪz ˈʃɪftɪŋ] 相位移动，相移 arresting [əˈrestɪŋ] 引人注目的，有吸引力的 austere [ɒˈstɪə(r)] 简朴的，朴素的，不加修饰的 clutter [ˈklʌtə(r)] 杂乱，混乱 chaos [ˈkeɪɒs] 混乱，无秩序 disparate [ˈdɪspərət] 截然不同的，不相干的 brick sculpture [brɪk] 砖块雕塑，砖雕 stark [stɑːk] 毫无修饰的，粗陋的，简单的 office block 办公大楼，写字楼 💡 翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Why We Love Disaster News In another incident today, ten people died in a terrible automobile crash. There was a huge fireball... After days of torrential rain the landslide completely buried the house killing the inhabitants, the 32-year-old ... Shortly after take-off the plane's left-handed jet blew up, passengers reported hearing a bang before... When the giant crocodile rushed to him and ate his leg in one bite... We all love watching news of disasters. It's embarrassing, but true. We like hearing about car crashes, we really love plane crashes. We're fascinated by landslides. We quite enjoy train dropping incidents. We're fascinated by deadly scorpions that bite holiday-makers, and we're really pretty gripped by crocodiles. It all looks like the lowest distraction. What monsters we are: rubber-necking the scenes of tragedy on the worst day of other people's lives. But it isn't all trivial. We're trying to get at something important by looking at tragedy. We're trying, somehow, to keep in mind that life is fragile for all of us. It might not be a plane crash that finishes us off, or a fierce crocodile. It might just be a slow cancer or the gradual wearing away of time, but it will happen. And yet our lives go wrong because we don't keep death in mind enough. Death is the most terrible thing, but we can evoke the thought of death to evoke what life should be about. It's this powerful fact that may be at the back of our minds when we rush to check up on the latest disaster. We're not being ghoulish. We're simply searching for the meaning of life. We're reminding ourselves to do our hopes and talents justice in the time that remains. The thought of death has the power not only to stir our fears, but also to strengthen our resolve to appreciate more fully and use more wisely the present moment. To reform our priorities and to be kind, grateful, and serious. In case tomorrow never comes. 词汇表 automobile [ˈɔːtəməbiːl] 汽车，机动车 fireball [ˈfaɪəbɔːl] （猛烈爆炸产生的）火球 torrential rain [təˈrenʃl] 暴雨，倾盆大雨 landslide [ˈlændslaɪd] 山体滑坡，塌方 inhabitant [ɪnˈhæbɪtənt] 居民，居住者 take-off（飞机的）起飞 left-handed jet [dʒet] 左侧喷气发动机 blow up 爆炸，炸毁 crocodile [ˈkrɒkədaɪl] 鳄鱼 train dropping incident 火车脱轨事故，火车掉落事件 scorpion [ˈskɔːpiən] 蝎子，蝎类动物 holiday-maker 度假者，游客 be gripped by [ɡrɪpt] 被…深深吸引，被…迷住 rubber-neck [ˈrʌbə] 伸长脖子看，围观（事故等） trivial [ˈtrɪviəl] 无足轻重的，微不足道的 fragile [ˈfrædʒaɪl] 脆弱的，易碎的 finish us off 终结我们的生命，毁灭我们 fierce [fɪəs] 凶猛的，猛烈的 wear away（时间等）逐渐消逝，磨损 evoke [ɪˈvəʊk] 唤起，引起（情感、记忆等） check up on 检查，查看，了解情况 ghoulish [ˈɡuːlɪʃ] 残忍的，病态趣味的（对他人痛苦、死亡有异常兴趣的） do something justice 充分发挥价值；公正对待，合理处理 stir [stɜː(r)] 唤起，激起 resolve [rɪˈzɒlv] 决心，坚定的信念 reform priorities [rɪˈfɔːm][praɪˈɒrətiz] 重新调整优先事项 🏫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】