Can love last forever? Despite lovey-dovey representations of romance in films, a lot of people say that love doesn't last forever. Some people say it's limited to three years max, for example. So what does science have to say on the matter then? Why wouldn't love be the same three months and three years into a relationship then? Love isn't a static emotion, but a dynamic process that changes over time. According to science, there are different phases and types of love that we experience in a relationship. The first phase is often called romantic love or infatuation, which is characterized by intense attraction, passion, obsession, and euphoria. It's the phase when you feel butterflies in your stomach, can't stop thinking about your partner, and want to spend every moment with them. And it's driven by brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which make us feel happy and excited. However, this phase usually lasts for only two to three years at most. That's according to Dr. Fred Knorr, a neurologist and author of the book, True Love, How to Use Science to Understand Love. As quoted by today.com, Knorr says that after this phase, our brain chemicals change and romantic love fades. Does genetics have any role to play? Some researchers have suggested that there is a genetic basis for love, and that we're attracted to people who have compatible genes with us. For example, one study found that people tend to prefer partners who have different immune system genes to them, which may increase the chances of having healthy offspring. Another study found that people who have a certain variant of the gene DRD4, which affects dopamine receptors in the brain, are more likely to be adventurous, impulsive, and therefore prone to infidelity. These genetic factors may influence how long we stay in love with someone, or how easily we fall out of love. Is it even possible for love to last forever then? There's no simple answer to that question. While romantic love may not last forever, it can transition to a more mature and stable form of love, which is often called companionate love or attachment. This type of love is based on trust, commitment, friendship and intimacy. It's associated with the hormone oxytocin, which is released during cuddling, kissing and sex. Oxytocin helps bond couples together and creates a sense of security and comfort. This type of love can last for decades or even a lifetime if the couple works on maintaining it. Of course, it doesn't mean that the couple will never experience any problems or conflicts, it just means that they have learned to cope with them and overcome them together. There you have it. 词汇表 lovey-dovey [ˈlʌvi ˈdʌvi] adj. 浓情蜜意的，卿卿我我的 romance [rəʊˈmæns] n. 爱情，恋爱，恋情 max [mæks] adv. 最多，至多；n. 最大值 static [ˈstætɪk] adj. 静态的，静止的，不变的 infatuation [ɪnˌfætʃuˈeɪʃn] n. 迷恋，热恋 obsession [əbˈseʃn] n. 痴迷，着迷，迷恋 euphoria [juːˈfɔːriə] n. 狂喜，欣喜若狂，极度愉快 feel butterflies in your stomach 感到小鹿乱撞，心慌意乱，紧张不安 dopamine [ˈdəʊpəmiːn] n. 多巴胺（与愉悦感等相关的神经递质） serotonin [ˌserəˈtəʊnɪn] n. 血清素（与情绪调节相关的神经递质） norepinephrine [ˌnɔːrepɪˈnefrɪn] n. 去甲肾上腺素（与应激反应等相关的神经递质） neurologist [njʊəˈrɒlədʒɪst] n. 神经学家，神经病学家 genetics [dʒəˈnetɪks] n. 遗传学，遗传基因 genetic basis [dʒəˈnetɪk ˈbeɪsɪs] 遗传基础 compatible genes [kəmˈpætəbl dʒiːnz] 相容基因，匹配基因 immune system [ɪˈmjuːn] 免疫系统 offspring [ˈɒfsprɪŋ] n. 后代，子孙，子女 variant [ˈveəriənt] n. 变体，变异，变种 DRD4 n. DRD4 基因（影响多巴胺受体的基因） receptor [rɪˈseptə(r)] n. 受体，感受器 impulsive [ɪmˈpʌlsɪv] adj. 冲动的，易冲动的 be prone to [prəʊn] 易于，倾向于 infidelity [ˌɪnfɪˈdeləti] n. （伴侣间的）不忠行为，出轨 fall out of love 变心，爱意不再 companionate love [kəmˈpænjənɪt] 伴侣之爱（基于陪伴、信任的成熟爱情） attachment [əˈtætʃmənt] n. 依恋，眷恋，深厚的情感 intimacy [ˈɪntɪməsi] n. 亲密感，亲密关系 hormone [ˈhɔːməʊn] n. 激素，荷尔蒙 oxytocin [ˌɒksɪˈtəʊsɪn] 催产素（促进情感联结的激素） 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

What is your dream city soundscape? Picture your dream living room. You're sitting on the sofa with the window open. What do you hear? Is it the sound of a flowing river? The murmuring of human chatter as friends enjoy a hot drink at the neighbouring cafe? A soundscape is your aural environment – everything you can hear around you, and researchers say the soundscape where you live can influence your wellbeing. In times gone by, soundscapes would've consisted of the sounds of nature, such as birdcall and the sound of crashing waves. The reality of human life in the 21st Century means that air travel, construction and traffic noises are now in the mix, and agricultural noise means that not even rural life is safe. Noise pollution can lead to heightened stress levels, impaired cognitive function and higher risk of cardiovascular disease in humans, according to an article published by the UK Parliament called 'The effects of artificial light and noise on human health'. Not only that, it can affect the behaviour and life cycles of species which rely on sound. So, what can be done? Urban design is one trick. In Barcelona in Spain, urban planners designed 'superblocks', where traffic goes around big groups of buildings and the inner streets are pedestrianised, creating space for people and wildlife that is free from beeping horns and humming motors. In a 2025 article published in BMC Public Health, people in these areas reported an improvement in wellbeing, quality of sleep and reduction in noise. Other techniques include tree buffers, where trees are planted in urban areas to absorb sound energy. In the Netherlands, they have created earth banks next to Schiphol airport to absorb noise from the runways and protect residents in the surrounding areas. England has a vast network of hedgerows – they'd stretch around the Earth almost ten times if lined up! And it turns out they make excellent sound barriers, particularly if the hedges are large, dense and evergreen. When we think about improving our environment, it's likely your mind jumps to reducing litter and air pollution. But reducing noise pollution is also important, to create a soundscape that works for everyone – people and wildlife. 词汇表 murmuring [ˈmɜːmərɪŋ] n. 低语声，呢喃声，咕哝 chatter [ˈtʃætə(r)] n. 闲聊，喋喋不休的谈话 soundscape [ˈsaʊndskeɪp] n. 声景，音景（特定环境中的听觉景观） aural [ˈɔːrəl] adj. 听觉的，听力的 birdcall [ˈbɜːdkɔːl] n. 鸟鸣，鸟叫声 crashing waves 拍打的海浪 in the mix 混杂其中；参与其中 rural [ˈrʊərəl] adj. 乡村的，农村的 heightened [ˈhaɪtnd] adj. 加剧的，增强的 impaired cognitive function [ɪmˈpeəd ˈkɒɡnətɪv] 认知功能受损 cardiovascular disease [ˌkɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələr] 心血管疾病 life cycle （动植物的）生命周期 Barcelona [ˌbɑːsɪˈləʊnə] n. 巴塞罗那（西班牙城市） urban planner [ˈɜːbən ˈplænə(r)] 城市规划师 superblock [ˈsuːpəblɒk] n. 超级街区（指都市内禁止车辆通行的建筑区） pedestrianise [pəˈdestriənaɪz] vt. 使成为步行区，使无车辆行驶 beeping horns [ˈbiːpɪŋ hɔːnz] 汽车鸣笛声，汽车喇叭声 humming motors [ˈhʌmɪŋ ˈməʊtəz] 发动机轰鸣，发动机嗡嗡声 tree buffer [ˈbʌfə(r)] 树木缓冲带（用于吸收噪音的树林区域） sound energy 声能（声波中存在的能量） earth bank 土堤，土坡（人工堆积的土制屏障） Schiphol airport [ˈskɪphɒl] （荷兰阿姆斯特丹）史基浦机场 runway [ˈrʌnweɪ] n. （机场的）跑道 hedgerow [ˈhedʒrəʊ] n. （乡间路边或田边的）树篱，灌木篱墙 dense [dens] adj. （植物等）茂密的，浓密的 evergreen [ˈevəɡriːn] adj. （植物）常青的，常绿的 jump to 立刻想到，立马联想到 litter [ˈlɪtə(r)] （乱扔的）垃圾，废弃物 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Do you have nomophobia? The word nomophobia means a fear of being without our smartphone, and it's affecting more and more people with each passing year. After all, we're rarely separated from our phone over the course of a day, and even use them at night time. Back in 2021, a phone addiction study by researchers from King's College London was published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry journal. It was based on a five-question survey and found that 38.9% of young people qualified as smartphone addicts. Many admitted being unable to control their usage and said that it regularly got in the way of other activities like work or studies. Furthermore, not having access to their smartphone brought on feelings of distress. It's as if our smartphones are an extension of our bodies and as if we've been amputated when they're taken away from us. Scary, isn't it? So, what can people do about it? The first tip is to ban your phone from the bedroom. So that means no bedside charging and no using it as your alarm to wake up in the morning. Gradually transitioning to sleep in the evening is important. You shouldn't really be using your phone right up to the moment you lay down to go to sleep. That's due to the blue light the screen emits, which stimulates the brain and eyes. It disturbs our brain's nighttime recovery processes and thereby reduces our mental sharpness. What about notifications? That's a good question. Smartphone notifications have turned us into Pavlov's dogs, in that we've been conditioned to respond any time a visual or audio prompt goes off. The brain activates its reward circuit and releases hormones like dopamine in particular. Simply turning those pesky notifications off is the best way to break that vicious cycle. You can create a setting for each app if you need to leave notifications on for some of them. Another tip along the same lines is to activate grayscale mode, which means removing all colour from your smartphone screen. Smartphone apps are intentionally designed with colourful logos and icons to catch our attention. Seeing row after row of them on your phone screen can make you feel like you're in a candy shop, what with all the enticing colours and shapes. The greyscale option can generally be found under display settings, but the exact pathway will vary depending on your device. If you're struggling to find it, try searching for your device name followed by greyscale setting on Google. How can I know if I'm really a smartphone addict? It's important to be conscious of your consumption habits, and of how you cope being without your phone at certain times. Smartphones have a number of built-in tools which let you see how much screen time you're getting each day, week or month, and which specific apps you're using the most. Of course, you could also take the survey used by King's College London researchers that I mentioned earlier. It's been published in a number of online news articles. There you have it. 词汇表 nomophobia [ˌnəʊməˈfəʊbiə] n. 无手机焦虑症，无手机恐惧症（指过度依赖手机，对脱离手机产生的焦虑、恐惧等心理） each passing year 每年，逐年，年复一年 Frontiers in Psychiatry [ˈfrʌntɪrz][saɪˈkaɪətri] 《精神病学前沿》（学术期刊名） addict [ædɪkt] n. 成瘾者，入迷的人 get in the way of 妨碍，阻碍 have access to [ˈækses] 有使用…的机会，能够使用 distress [dɪˈstres] n. 焦虑，忧虑，痛苦 amputate [ˈæmpjuteɪt] vt. 截肢，切除（身体部位） stimulate [ˈstɪmjuleɪt] vt. 刺激；激励，激发 mental sharpness [ˈmentl ˈʃɑːpnəs] 思维灵敏度，精神敏锐度 notification [ˌnəʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃn] n.（社交媒体等的）通知消息 Pavlov's dog [ˈpævlɒvz] 巴甫洛夫的狗（经典条件反射实验中的狗） be conditioned to [kənˈdɪʃnd] 习惯于，被训练成，条件反射地 visual / audio prompt [ˈvɪʒuəl / ˈɔːdiəʊ prɒmpt] 视觉/声音提示 go off（提示音等）响起，发出 activate [ˈæktɪveɪt] vt. 激活，启动，开启 reward circuit [ˈsɜːkɪt] n. 奖励回路（大脑中与奖励反应相关的神经通路） hormone [ˈhɔːməʊn] n. 激素，荷尔蒙 dopamine [ˈdəʊpəmiːn] n. 多巴胺（一种神经递质，与愉悦感等相关） pesky [ˈpeski] adj. 烦人的，讨厌的 vicious cycle [ˈvɪʃəs] n. 恶性循环 along the same lines 类似于，与…近似 grayscale mode [ˈɡreɪskeɪl] n. 灰度模式（手机等设备的黑白显示模式） intentionally [ɪnˈtenʃənəli] adv. 故意地，有意地 icon [ˈaɪkɒn] n. （电子屏幕上的）图标 row after row of [rəʊ] 一排排的，一行行的 enticing [ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ] adj. 诱人的，有吸引力的，迷人的 display setting [dɪˈspleɪ ˈsetɪŋ] n. （电子设备的）显示设置 pathway [ˈpɑːθweɪ] n. 路径，途径，步骤 be conscious of [ˈkɒnʃəs] 意识到，察觉到；知道 built-in tool [ˌbɪlt ˈɪn] n. 内置工具（设备自带的功能工具） 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Georgie Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Georgie. Phil And I'm Phil. Did you have any breakfast today, Georgie, or did you skip it? Georgie I did have some breakfast. On the way to the office, I got myself a pastry and a coffee. What about you? Phil I had a big bowl of porridge, but it was at six o'clock this morning so I'm hungry again now. And you might soon be hungry as well because we're going to talk about breakfast. How important is it? Let's start by hearing from Professor Alexandra Johnstone, a nutrition scientist who spoke to Ruth Alexander, host of BBC World Service programme The Food Chain. Professor Alexandra Johnstone I am supporting the meme 'breakfast like a king and dine like a pauper'. Ruth Alexander For you then, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Professor Alexandra Johnstone I agree. So, it's really important, particularly for people who are trying to maintain a healthy weight and people who are trying to lose weight. Phil Alexandra says that you should 'breakfast like a king and dine like a pauper'. Pauper is an old-fashioned word for a very poor person. The expression means have a big breakfast and a small dinner. Georgie We're going to find out some of the reasons that Alexandra and other experts recommend doing this. But first I have a question for you, Phil. According to a recent survey, which of the following is the most popular breakfast in the UK? Is it: a) eggs, b) toast, or c) cereal? Phil Well, I think people like to keep it simple so I'm going to say toast. Georgie OK. Well, we'll find out the answer later in the programme. Let's hear some reasons for why we should breakfast like a king or queen. Courtney Peterson, who researches eating behaviours, explains how the time of day affects how our bodies process food, on BBC World Service programme The Food Chain: Courtney Peterson And so, if you can eat a large breakfast in the morning, and/or I would even say a large lunch in the morning, your body's going to be better at metabolising that food. And what that means is your body's going to actually… your blood sugar levels won't spike as high, you might burn slightly more fat, you might burn slightly more calories from eating earlier in the day. Whereas if you had… if you eat most of your food later in the day, your metabolism is actually slower later in the day. So, for instance, if you ate the same, I don't know, bowl of ice cream in the morning, the afternoon and the evening, your blood sugar levels will spike significantly higher in the afternoon and the evening. Phil We heard the noun metabolism. This is a word that refers to the chemical processes in your body, and we most often use it to talk about those that convert food into energy. And we also heard had the verb form – metabolise. Georgie Courtney talked about blood sugar levels spiking. A spike is a sharp, pointed shape. If you see it on a line graph, it means that something has increased very rapidly. We often use the noun spike to mean a sudden increase in a value that is being measured. The verb spike means to suddenly increase. Phil We've heard that eating earlier in the day can be healthier for us. Now, people often don't eat breakfast, sometimes because they don't have time and sometimes because they are trying to save money. Let's hear again from Professor Alexandra Johnstone, talking to BBC World Service's The Food Chain. Professor Alexandra Johnstone Now, breakfast skipping is interesting because my own work would tend to suggest – and that sort of observational, large-scale, epidemiological studies would also support this – that people who have a regular breakfast are actually leaner. And my own work would tend to suggest that having your largest meal of the day in the morning period gives you a much better appetite control, which then means it's much easier to control food intake later in the day. Georgie Alexandra starts by mentioning 'breakfast skipping'. If you skip something, then you don't do it. Bad students might skip lessons – they don't go to them. If you skip a meal, it means that you don't eat it. Phil We also heard that people who have a regular breakfast are leaner. If someone is lean, then they're not fat. Georgie And one of the reasons given why people might be leaner is that they have better appetite control. Appetite control is where your brain decides how much you should eat. Phil Thanks, Georgie. Now, I think it's time that we heard the answer to your question. Georgie Yes, it is. OK. I asked, "According to a recent survey, what is the most popular breakfast in the UK?" Phil And I said, "Toast." 📝 字数限制，完整文本、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 colours affect our feelings? Take five colours: red, black, blue, green and purple. How do they make you feel? It's a question of supreme significance to designers and marketers. British fashion designer Wayne Hemingway explored this topic in a BBC radio programme about the psychology of colour. You can read a summary of his ideas below. Do you agree with him? Or do you think the meaning of colour depends on the culture you live in? Red is, of course, considered auspicious in China. But he points out that it's a powerful colour wherever you go, with some serious scientific credentials. Studies have indicated that red "raises blood pressure", and claim that it stands out from other colours thanks to its long wavelength. Hemingway says it apears to be "coming towards you", and so is useful for emergency and alarm signs, and also to for conveying "urgency" in general. That's why he thinks red sale posters seem to yell at us: "Quick, buy it now!" Black has a different sense. In the West it's associated with death, but that hasn't stopped it becoming a prestigious and mysterious colour. Hemingway says it's the colour of luxury brands: things like "glossy black limousines" and "designer watches" are often black. He says it's "very powerful and sophisticated when used as a primary colour in branding." Blue, by contrast, is cool and tranquil. The colour is a constant presence in our lives, says Hemingway, being the colour of the sky and the sea. That gives it an air of reliability, which makes it a firm choice with "banks and corporations". Hemingway says this is also why emergency services often choose the colour. A blue uniform can, for example, indicate "the cool competence of a nurse". Green is, unsurprisingly, the colour of nature and the environment. Marketers understand that giving a product green packaging creates the impression it is environmentally friendly. But savvy customers are also aware of this – and now think twice before blindly swallowing environmental claims. Hemingway also says that green is the colour of growth and movement: it's used to indicate 'go' on traffic lights. Finally, we have purple, which is associated with valuable things. In the past, purple dye was expensive because it was very difficult to produce, and it became the colour worn by royalty in many Western countries. These days, companies still use purple to make their product seem more exclusive, whether they're selling chocolate or cigarettes. 词汇表 supreme [suːˈpriːm] adj. 极度的，至高的 marketer [ˈmɑːkɪtə(r)] n. 市场营销人员，营销者 auspicious [ɔːˈspɪʃəs] adj. 吉祥的，吉利的 credential [krəˈdenʃl] n. 凭据，依据；资格，证明 blood pressure n. 血压 stand out (from) 引人注目，显眼，突出 wavelength [ˈweɪvleŋθ] n. （光波、音波等的）波长 urgency [ˈɜːdʒənsi] n. 紧迫性，紧急，迫切 sale poster [seɪl ˈpəʊstə(r)] n. 促销海报，销售海报 yell at [jel] 对……大喊大叫；呵斥 prestigious [preˈstɪdʒəs] adj. 高贵的，尊贵的；有声望的 luxury brands [ˈlʌkʃəri brændz] n. 奢侈品牌 glossy black limousine [ˈɡlɒsi][ˈlɪməziːn] n. 光亮的黑色豪华轿车 designer watch n. 名牌手表，知名设计师设计的手表 sophisticated [səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd] adj. 精致的，有品味的，高雅的 tranquil [ˈtræŋkwɪl] adj. 平静的，宁静的，安静的 firm choice n. 首选，第一选择 cool competence [ˈkɒmpɪtəns] n. 从容的专业素养 packaging [ˈpækɪdʒɪŋ] n. 包装材料，包装 savvy [ˈsævi] adj. 精明的，有见识的 swallow [ˈswɒləʊ] vt. 轻信，全盘接受 dye [daɪ] n. 染料，染色剂 royalty [ˈrɔɪəlti] n. 皇室，王族 exclusive [ɪkˈskluːsɪv] adj. 豪华的，高档奢华的 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How can we train our brain like a muscle? The human brain isn't actually a muscle, as a lot of people think, but nevertheless we still need to give it exercise to keep it healthy. While you can go to the gym to work out the muscles in your body, the equivalent for the brain is training and stimulating something called brain plasticity. Verywellmind.com says that plasticity refers to the brain's malleability or ability to change. And it's definitely worth working to improve it too, as it can give cognitive performance a real boost. Are you saying improving brain plasticity makes you smarter? Essentially, when we learn something new, the brain forges new connections between its neurons. With repeated practice, those connections grow stronger and faster, making our brain more efficient and boosting our performance. But still, it's not quite as simple as saying that it will make you smarter. Even with real dedication, you won't suddenly become the next Einstein. It's really more about enhancing cognitive abilities like memory, language skills, or emotional intelligence. What kind of exercises can I do to improve those then? Well, a study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience in 2023 suggested that learning a new language can lead to positive changes in the brain. That's because it increases the density of grey matter in certain regions, which in turn improves performance in tasks like problem solving and decision making. In the same way, learning music has been linked to better verbal memory, pronunciation skills in a new language, reading ability, and executive functions. If diving into languages or music isn't your thing, research has shown that regular sudoku puzzles can also sharpen cognitive functions, especially for people aged between 50 and 93. Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to keeping your brain in top shape, too. How so? Well, regular listeners may remember that we talked about how certain foods can improve brain performance in a previous episode of Do You Really Know? Experts say that diet plays a crucial role in brain health. Certain foods help protect against age-related cognitive decline. These include seafood, certain dairy products, and fruit, which are rich in nutrients like zinc, selenium and magnesium, or potassium and copper. And you need to keep your sugar consumption under control too. Too much sugar can lead to brain inflammation in the long run, making you more easily irritated due to reactive hypoglycemia. In short, steer clear of non-nutritious foods that leave your brain feeling foggy and low on energy. There you have it. 词汇表 equivalent [ɪˈkwɪvələnt] n. 对应物，对等物 stimulate [ˈstɪmjuleɪt] vt. 刺激，激励；促进 brain plasticity [plæsˈtɪsəti] 大脑可塑性（大脑对新事物做出反应时，形成新连接和重组的能力） malleability [ˌmæliəˈbɪləti] n. 可塑性，延展性 cognitive performance [ˈkɒɡnətɪv] 认知表现 forge [fɔːdʒ] vt. 形成，建立（联系等）；锻造 neuron [ˈnjʊərɒn] n. 神经元，神经细胞 dedication [ˌdedɪˈkeɪʃn] n. 投入，奉献，致力 emotional intelligence 情商，情绪智力 frontier [ˈfrʌntɪə(r)] n. （知识的）前沿，新领域 density of grey matter [ˈdensəti] 灰质密度（大脑中神经元胞体集中区域的密度） verbal memory [ˈvɜːbl] 语言记忆，言语记忆 executive function [ɪɡˈzekjətɪv] 执行功能（指大脑规划、组织、解决问题等高级认知能力） sudoku puzzle [suˈdəʊkuː] 数独游戏（一种填数字的逻辑推理游戏） in top shape 处于最佳状态，状态极佳 cognitive decline [ˈkɒɡnətɪv dɪˈklaɪn] 认知能力下降，认知衰退 zinc [zɪŋk] n. 锌（化学元素） selenium [səˈliːniəm] n. 硒（化学元素） magnesium [mæɡˈniːziəm] n. 镁（化学元素） potassium [pəˈtæsiəm] n. 钾（化学元素） copper [ˈkɒpə(r)] n. 铜（化学元素） brain inflammation [ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃn] 大脑炎症 irritated [ˈɪrɪteɪtɪd] adj. 恼火的，被激怒的 reactive hypoglycemia [ˌhaɪpəʊɡlaɪˈsiːmiə] 反应性低血糖（指进食后血糖快速下降引发的症状） steer clear of [stɪə(r)] 避开，远离，绕开 non-nutritious [ˌnɒn njuˈtrɪʃəs] adj. 缺乏营养的，无营养的 foggy [ˈfɒɡi] adj. （大脑）昏沉的，模糊的 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Why some people believe AI is human After MIT Professor Joseph Weizenbaum created the chatbot Eliza, he became concerned that people who had used the programme started to act as if it was human. This might sound like a modern problem, but Eliza was created in 1966. If a programme from the 1960s was capable of tricking people into thinking it was human, what effect could the large-language-model-based chatbots of the 2020s have? Modern philosophers and technology experts have discussed whether AI could develop consciousness. Sentience is difficult to define, but the fact that large language models respond by mathematically calculating the probability of certain patterns appearing suggests that it would be hard to consider them to be alive. However, in terms of our responses to them, what matters is not whether they are sentient, but whether they appear to be so. Large language models are made up of genuine human interactions. While their tendency to hallucinate means that chatbots are not able to provide reliable factual information, they are able to effectively replicate the language used in human communication. Psychologists report that people tend to have a cognitive bias towards forming attachment and trust. Even sceptical technology writers report feeling some emotion towards AI chatbots. Some users have even reported grief when one model has been replaced by a newer one. This combination of believable human language together with the inability to reliably assess facts can be dangerous. Cases have been reported where people have been encouraged by chatbots to do dangerous or illegal things. The chatbots were able to use language to encourage and persuade, but not identify or evaluate risks. Trust becomes dangerous when it is not accompanied by reason. Also, if people form relationships with AI, then they may spend less time and effort trying to cultivate genuine human relationships. Could the chatbot revolution lead to a world where we struggle to relate to each other? 词汇表 chatbot [ˈtʃætbɒt] n. 聊天机器人 trick someone into 哄骗某人做某事，诱使某人做某事 consciousness [ˈkɒnʃəsnəs] n. 意识，知觉，感觉 sentience [ˈsenʃiəns] n. 感知能力，感觉性，知觉 mathematically [ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəli] adv. 从数学上，数学地 probability [ˌprɒbəˈbɪləti] n. 概率，可能性 sentient [ˈsenʃiənt] adj. 有感知能力的，有知觉的 large language model 大型语言模型 hallucinate [həˈluːsɪneɪt] vi. 产生幻觉（指AI输出虚假或无依据信息） factual [ˈfæktʃuəl] adj. 事实的，真实的 replicate [ˈreplɪkeɪt] vt. 复制，复刻，重现 cognitive bias [ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈbaɪəs] 认知偏见，认知偏差 attachment [əˈtætʃmənt] n. 依恋，眷恋 sceptical [ˈskeptɪkl] adj. 怀疑的，持怀疑态度的 grief [ɡriːf] n. 悲伤，悲痛，失落感 believable [bɪˈliːvəbl] adj. 可信的，逼真的 reason [ˈriːzn] n. 理性，理智，判断力 relate to 与…建立联结，与…产生联系 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Why relationships require self-Love No animal, perhaps, can hate itself except – of course – a human being: it's one of the strangest, and most regrettable, flaws in our condition. This tendency to self-hatred is not only destructive of our spirit, it constantly undermines our efforts to establish workable relationships, for it is logically impossible to allow anyone else to love us insofar as we remain obsessed by the thought of our own loathsome natures. Why let another think better of us than we think of ourselves? If anyone did step forward and tried to be kind to us, we would have to despise them with the intensity owed to all false flatterers. It therefore turns out that one of the central requirements of a good relationship is – surprisingly – a degree of affection for our own natures, built up over the years, largely in childhood. We need a legacy of feeling very deserving of love in order not to respond obtusely and erratically to the affections granted to us by adult partners. Without a decent amount of self-love, the love of another person will always be prone to feel sickening and misguided – and we will self-destructively – though unconsciously – set out to repel or disappoint it. It is simply more normal and bearable to be rejected. Our underlying disgust at our own being would only create a harrowing conflict. We would recognise that another was offering us their deep affection but, in the secret folds of our souls, we could only be certain of a mistake or delusion. We would have to reject, recoil, not follow up, push away and in a thousand small and large moves, ensure that a lover would eventually have to align their view of us with our view of ourselves. To begin to counterbalance the hatred, we have to learn to extend compassion to ourselves for our self-lacerating impulses; and remember that how we feel about ourselves is – we can be certain – a bitter legacy of how other people, at a formative age, viewed and treated us. The adult process of recovery involves gasping that we have indeed absorbed unduly harsh ideas about who we are, but that it is entirely in our power to begin to counteract them by imagining how a better care giver might have supported us in the past – and how a kind lover might help us in the future. An ideal, compassionate figure at the start would have known never to equate lovability with perfection, they could have cared for us despite out coming last in the race, our missteps and our confusions. The phrase 'self-love' misleads us when we imagine that searching for it would mean striving to acquire a conceited, pompous view of ourselves. True release from self-loathing tends to be a great deal more modest: we are only after a sane, fair and more accurate perspective on our ordinary earthly nature. Self-love shouldn't be predicated on the competitive idea that we must pull off extraordinary feats of courage or intelligence. True love is only ever the compassion of the fallen for the fallen; it's the search by one radically imperfect being to express their tenderness at the sight of the struggles and pains of another. We should – henceforth – allow ourselves enough self-love to be able to endure a little kindness. 词汇表 regrettable [rɪˈɡretəbl] adj. 令人遗憾的，可惜的 self-hatred [ˌself ˈheɪtrɪd] n. 自我憎恨，自我厌恶 undermine [ˌʌndəˈmaɪn] vt. 逐渐削弱，暗中破坏 workable [ˈwɜːkəbl] adj. 行得通的，切实可行的 insofar as [ˌɪnsəˈfɑː(r)] 只要，在……范围内 loathsome [ˈləʊðsəm] adj. 令人厌恶的，可憎的 despise [dɪˈspaɪz] vt. 鄙视，蔑视 be owed to [əʊd] 应归于，由于 flatterer [ˈflætərə(r)] n. 奉承者，谄媚者 legacy [ˈleɡəsi] n. 遗留物，遗留问题；后遗症 obtusely [əbˈtjuːsli] adv. 迟钝地，愚钝地 erratically [ɪˈrætɪkli] adv. 反常地，不规律地，不定地 be prone to [prəʊn] 易于，倾向于 sickening [ˈsɪkənɪŋ] adj. 令人难受的，令人厌恶的 misguided [ˌmɪsˈɡaɪdɪd] adj. 误入歧途的，搞错的 repel [rɪˈpel] vt. 排斥，抵制 underlying [ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ] adj. 潜在的，暗含的 harrowing [ˈhærəʊɪŋ] adj. 痛苦的，悲惨的 secret folds 隐秘的角落，隐秘之处 delusion [dɪˈluːʒn] n. 错觉，妄想，幻想 recoil [rɪˈkɔɪl] vi. 退缩，畏缩 align with [əˈlaɪn] 与…一致，使契合 counterbalance [ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns] vt. 抵消，弥补，平衡 compassion [kəmˈpæʃn] n. 同情，怜悯 self-lacerating [ˌself ˈlæsəreɪtɪŋ] adj. 自我折磨的，自我伤害的 formative age [ˈfɔːmətɪv] 成长关键期，形成期 unduly harsh [ˌʌnˈdjuːli hɑːʃ] 过于苛刻的，过分严厉的 counteract [ˌkaʊntəˈrækt] vt. 对抗，抵消 compassionate [kəmˈpæʃənət] adj. 富有同情心的，怜悯的 equate with [ɪˈkweɪt] 把…等同于，看作相同 lovability [ˌlʌvəˈbɪləti] n. 可爱之处，可爱，讨人喜欢 misstep [ˈmɪsstep] n. 失误，错误 conceited [kənˈsiːtɪd] adj. 自负的，自高自大的 pompous [ˈpɒmpəs] adj. 浮夸的，自大的，傲慢的 self-loathing [ˌself ˈləʊðɪŋ] n. 自我厌恶，憎恨自己 sane [seɪn] adj. 理智的，清醒的 earthly [ˈɜːθli] adj. 人间的，尘世的，世俗的 be predicated on [ˈpredɪkeɪtɪd] 以…为基础，基于 feat [fiːt] n. 功绩，壮举，英勇事迹 the fallen 失意者，落魄之人 radically [ˈrædɪkəli] adv. 彻底地，极度地，完全地 tenderness [ˈtendənəs] n. 温柔，温情，柔情 henceforth [ˌhensˈfɔːθ] adv. 从今往后，自此以后 endure [ɪnˈdjʊə(r)] vt. 承受，容忍，忍耐 🏫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】

How cold affects the body When we think of low temperature as a danger, we often imagine people working outside in polar regions in the depths of winter or in cold storage facilities, layered in thermal clothing to help them deal with freezing temperatures. But do we also need to protect ourselves when it's just a bit chilly as well as in arctic conditions? As mammals, our bodies have to maintain an internal temperature in a narrow range. If that temperature drops, the effects can be serious. Below 35C, people can develop hypothermia, with symptoms such as shivering, confusion, and slurred speech. If body temperature drops below 29C, it can lead to loss of consciousness. Fortunately our bodies can regulate their internal temperature, but there are some negative side effects which come with this process. Ten degrees Celsius is hardly biting cold, but that's the temperature that BBC journalist James Gallagher was made to endure in an experiment at the University of South Wales. As the test room was cooled from 21 degrees, his blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate all increased, while the flow of blood to his brain decreased by 20%. What are the consequences of this? Immediately, it meant that Gallagher took longer to solve some simple puzzles. As a longer-term risk, Professor Damian Bailey points out that increased blood pressure puts us at greater risk of stroke and heart attacks. Professor Bailey suggests that in the cold, people should wear clothing that provides good insulation, eat more carbohydrates, and be more active. Another approach is suggested by Professor Christopher Minson. He believes that people are too reliant on being able to control the temperature around them, and that we can gradually train ourselves to cope with a lack of warmth and be comfortable at lower temperatures. So, while moderately low temperatures can have an effect on us, there are steps we can take to cope with them. 词汇表 polar [ˈpəʊlə(r)] adj. 极地的，近极地的 in the depths of winter [depθs] 在隆冬时节，深冬 cold storage facility [ˈstɔːrɪdʒ fəˈsɪləti] 冷藏设施，冷库 be layered in [ˈleɪəd] 穿着多层，层层叠加（衣物） thermal clothing [ˈθɜːml ˈkləʊðɪŋ] 保暖衣物，防寒服 freezing [ˈfriːzɪŋ] adj. 极冷的，冰冻的 chilly [ˈtʃɪli] adj. 寒冷的，凉飕飕的 arctic conditions [ˈɑːktɪk] 极寒环境，北极般的环境 internal temperature 体温，体内温度 hypothermia [ˌhaɪpəˈθɜːmiə] n. （因持续寒冷而）体温过低，低体温症 shivering [ˈʃɪvərɪŋ] n. （因寒冷）颤抖，发抖 confusion [kənˈfjuːʒn] n. 意识模糊，思维混乱 slurred speech [slɜːd] 口齿不清，说话含糊不清 loss of consciousness [ˈkɒnʃəsnəs] 失去意识，不省人事 side effect 副作用，意外后果 biting cold [ˈbaɪtɪŋ] 刺骨的寒冷，严寒 endure [ɪnˈdjʊə(r)] vt. 忍受，承受 puzzle [ˈpʌzl] n. 谜题，智力游戏 stroke [strəʊk] n. 中风 heart attack 心脏病发作 insulation [ˌɪnsjuˈleɪʃn] n. 保温，隔热，御寒 carbohydrate [ˌkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪt] n. 碳水化合物，糖类 be reliant on [rɪˈlaɪənt] 依赖，依靠 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How can I cope with post-holiday blues? We've all been there, haven't we? That moment when a holiday comes to a close and the reality of everyday life sets back in. The post-holiday blues, that feeling of melancholy after returning from a relaxing escape, can cast a shadow on our moods. According to a 2017 article from mirror.co.uk, 57% of Brits are affected. Many of you may be experiencing these blues right now, so today we're exploring just how to beat the slump. Post-holiday blues might be an unwelcome visitor, but they don't have to overstay their welcome. By understanding their roots, applying some practical strategies, and looking forward to new experiences, you can successfully navigate this transition. What actually causes post-holiday blues? The abrupt shift from leisure to responsibility can trigger this emotional response. Research indicates that the anticipation and excitement leading up to a vacation, followed by its sudden end, can lead to a drop in mood. And it's understandable, really. After all, for most people, normal life is pretty repetitive. Our daily routine simply can't compare to the excitement and adventure of being on holiday. Our brains struggle to shift gears from relaxation to routine. Generally speaking, the longer a holiday is, the harder it is to readjust to a normal routine afterwards. What can I do to get through this transition more easily? While post-holiday blues are common, there are ways to help ease the transition. One approach is to gradually reintegrate into your routine. Consider giving yourself a buffer day between your return and resuming work or other commitments. Engaging in stress-reducing activities like meditation or exercise can assist in mitigating the blues. Maintaining a positive outlook by reminiscing about the enjoyable moments of your holiday can also be helpful. Think of it as carrying a piece of that relaxation into your daily life. Similarly, you could recreate your favourite meal from the trip, as recommended by Octavia Lillywhite writing for mirror.co.uk. Do you have any other tips? Absolutely. One effective way to combat the post-holiday blues is to plan something else to look forward to. It could be a small weekend getaway, a fun event, or even setting new life goals. This helps redirect your focus from what's ended to what's ahead. Connecting with friends or loved ones and sharing your holiday experiences can also be therapeutic. Don't hesitate to express your feelings. You might well find others who share your sentiments. Remember it's important to be patient with yourself during this transition. It's natural to feel a bit down after leaving behind a great time. So give yourself permission to feel those emotions while actively working on transitioning back to your regular routine. There you have it. 词汇表 post-holiday blues n. 节后综合征（假期结束后出现的忧郁情绪） set back in 重新袭来，再次降临 melancholy [ˈmelənkəli] n. 忧郁，忧伤 cast a shadow on 给…蒙上阴影，对…产生负面影响 slump [slʌmp] n. 情绪低谷，消沉，萎靡 overstay one's welcome [ˌəʊvəˈsteɪ] （客人）逗留过久使人生厌，赖着不走 navigate [ˈnævɪɡeɪt] vt. 顺利度过，应对 shift gears [ʃɪft ɡɪəz] 改变方式，换挡 reintegrate [ˌriːˈɪntɪɡreɪt] vt. 重新融入，重新整合 buffer day [ˈbʌfə] n. 缓冲日（假期结束后、返工前的调整日） resume work [rɪˈzjuːm wɜːk] 恢复工作，重新开始工作 mitigate [ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt] vt. 减轻，缓解（痛苦、问题等） positive outlook ['aʊtlʊk] 积极的心态，乐观的看法 reminisce (about) [ˌremɪˈnɪs] vi. 回忆，追忆，缅怀 weekend getaway [ˈɡetəweɪ] 周末短途旅行，周末出游 therapeutic [ˌθerəˈpjuːtɪk] adj. 有疗效的，起疗愈作用的 sentiment [ˈsentɪmənt] n. 情绪，感受；看法，观点 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

The dangers of cyberloafing Time to own up. When you're sitting at your computer, do you work solidly all day? Or do you allow yourself to become distracted now and again… to open a few extra tabs, check social media, read a spot of news, browse the latest fashion trends, maybe catch up on some celebrity gossip, and look at some… Stop! You're 'cyberloafing'. The unwieldy word is a combination of 'cyber', which means 'related to computers', and 'loafing', which means 'relaxing in a lazy way'. We do it, and we do it a lot. A study from the University of Texas suggests we are guilty of this form of procrastination for 14% of our working day. On a Friday afternoon, I expect it's more than that. I'll admit to indulging in the odd bout of cyberloafing myself. In fact I've already done it in the course of writing this story. OK, more than once. But it's a slippery slope. It can damage your productivity and even your career. Because according to the Univeristy of Texas research, each time a worker gets sidetracked by the internet it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back to work. More than that, cyberloafing has a dark side, according to a report published in The Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace. It argues that cyberloafing is connected to several negative personality traits. People who cyberloaf are more likely to be manipulative, self-interested and narcissistic. Furthermore, people with these traits are less likely to feel remorse about avoiding work, and less concerned about getting caught. Why do we do it? For some, it's undoubtedly an escape from the drudgery of what they're supposed to be doing. Or a way of avoiding tackling that ever growing in-tray. Some might get a feeling of satisfaction, get a buzz from finding a great deal online. But overall, it's something that takes you away from what you're actually being paid to do, or paying to do: if you're a student. When you have the whole world of the internet at your fingertips, it's hard to resist. How do we nip it in the bud? If you can truly ask yourself why you are cyberloafing, then that can help identify the base problem. And if that sounds like too much hard work, you could just switch off the internet for a couple of hours! So in the meantime, let me just close those extra tabs… 词汇表 own up (to) vi. 坦白，承认（错误或责任） solidly [ˈsɒlɪdli] adv. 连续地，稳定地，扎实地 now and again adv. 偶尔，时不时 tab [tæb] n. （浏览器）标签页 a spot of 少量，一点儿，一些 celebrity gossip [səˈlebrəti ˈɡɒsɪp] n. 明星八卦，名人绯闻 cyberloafing [ˈsaɪbələʊfɪŋ] n. 网络摸鱼（工作或学习时上网做无关事情） unwieldy [ʌnˈwiːldi] adj. 拗口的，难使用的，笨重的 cyber [ˈsaɪbə(r)] adj. 网络的，电脑的 loafing [ˈləʊfɪŋ] n. 闲混，游荡，无所事事 procrastination [prəˌkræstɪˈneɪʃn] n. 拖延，耽搁 indulge in [ɪnˈdʌldʒ] 沉迷于，沉溺于 odd bout of [ɒd baʊt] 偶尔的一阵，偶尔的一次 slippery slope [ˈslɪpəri sləʊp] n. 滑坡效应，一发不可收拾的局面 get sidetracked [ˈsaɪdtræktɪd] 分心，走神，偏离正题 dark side [dɑːk saɪd] n. 阴暗面，黑暗面，负面 psychosocial [ˌsaɪkəʊˈsəʊʃl] adj. 社会心理的，心理社会学的 cyberspace [ˈsaɪbəspeɪs] n. 网络空间，虚拟空间 manipulative [məˈnɪpjələtɪv] adj. 操纵他人的，控制欲强的 self-interested [ˌself ˈɪntrəstɪd] adj. 自私的，利己的 narcissistic [ˌnɑːsɪˈsɪstɪk] adj. 自恋的，自我陶醉的 remorse [rɪˈmɔːs] n. 自责，懊悔，悔恨 drudgery [ˈdrʌdʒəri] n. 枯燥乏味的工作，苦差事 ever growing [ˈevə ˈɡrəʊɪŋ] adj. 不断增长的，日益增加的 in-tray [ˈɪn treɪ] n. （办公室的）收文篮，待处理文件盒 buzz [bʌz] n. 兴奋，快乐，愉悦感 at your fingertips adv. 触手可及，近在手边 nip it in the bud 扼杀在萌芽状态，防患于未然 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

What makes a good citizen? Neil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. Georgie And I'm Georgie. Neil Georgie, what do you think makes a good citizen? Georgie Ooh, interesting question. I think a good citizen is someone who doesn't break the law and is generally kind to other people. What about you? Any ideas? Neil Yeah, I agree. But also maybe people who volunteer – so, people who run clubs for children and that kind of thing. I think they're good citizens. Now, being a citizen, a member of society who enjoys certain rights in return for having certain responsibilities, is an old idea that's been in the news a lot recently. It's something that interests Myra Anubi, presenter of BBC World Service programme People Fixing the World. Myra Anubi What do you think makes a good citizen? Is it someone who follows the laws of the land and pays their taxes? Well, some people might say it should go beyond that, and a good citizen is one who tries to improve the place where they live. Georgie A good citizen obeys the law of the land – a term for the set of rules and laws that exists in a country. But should there be more to it than that? Neil Around the world, young people today are less likely to vote, and many people aged 18 to 30 say they feel ignored by politicians. So, in this programme, we'll be hearing about MyPolis, an exciting project helping young people in Portugal re-engage with their citizenship. Georgie But before that, I have a question for you, Neil. The project's name, MyPolis, comes from the ancient Greek states, such as Athens and Sparta, where the idea of citizenship was born. So, what is the meaning of the Ancient Greek word 'polis'? Is it: a) vote, b) people, or c) city? Neil Hmm, that's a good question. I'm going to guess b) people. Georgie OK. Well, I'll reveal the correct answer later in the programme. MyPolis runs council assemblies where children can propose improvements to their local school community – anything from fixing broken water fountains to changing the curriculum. Local politicians also attend, listening to the children's ideas and responding by giving their support or explaining why not. Neil The project was started by founder Bernardo Goncalves when he was in his 20s, because he was disappointed by interactions between political parties and young people. Here's Bernardo telling more to BBC World Service programme People Fixing the World: Bernardo Goncalves We have seen a quick erosion in the trust of the population in the democratic institutions, such as the National Parliament, such as the government in office. We need to find new ways to connect children and young citizens to democratic institutions, otherwise the gap will get bigger and bigger. This is very dangerous for democracy. Georgie Bernardo thinks Portugal has seen an erosion of trust – a term for the gradual weakening of people's confidence in political and economic institutions, and the government in office. A government in office means the government in power at the present time. Neil MyPolis mirrors the political activities that children will need as adult citizens – things like voting and holding politicians accountable. Reporter Alison Roberts visited schools around the Portuguese capital Lisbon and was impressed by what she saw, as she explains here to Myra Anubi, presenter of BBC World Service's People Fixing the World: Alison Roberts Another benefit is MyPolis has designed the programme so it can be included as part of the national curriculum, rather than as an add-on. Myra Anubi Mmm. Well, it's good to know that this is happening in other places, but the thing that also really strikes me here is that politicians are actually listening to these kids and taking them seriously, giving them answers, because politicians, as we know, can be hard to pin down. Georgie The MyPolis programme is designed as part of the whole school curriculum and not just an add-on, meaning something extra that is added later, instead of being planned in from the start. Neil Myra was impressed that local politicians take the school children seriously. If you take someone or something seriously, youthink it's important and deserves attention. And that's good because, as everyone knows, politicians can be hard to pin down. To pin someone down means to force them to explain their plans and intentions in detail. Georgie It sounds like the programme is really developing active citizens of the future in Portugal. In fact, it's been so successful that similar programmes have been started in Italy, Hungary and Mozambique. OK. Neil, I think I should reveal the answer to my question. I asked you, "What is the meaning of the Ancient Greek word 'polis'?" And you said, "People," which was the wrong answer, I'm afraid. The right answer was c) city. 📝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】