英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等 - 节目列表

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】

Can weather really affect our mood? Now, beyond the obvious inconvenience of getting caught in a downpour, many people believe that bad weather directly affects their mood and health. And some people are more sensitive than others. These individuals are known as weather sensitive. How do you distinguish between weather-sensitive people and the rest of the population? Experts say that weather sensitivity refers to physical or psychological sensitivity to weather changes. For example, studies from Canada and Germany have shown that fluctuations in humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure can trigger migraines, fatigue, joint pain, dizziness, and even depression in weather-sensitive people. However, these reactions vary widely and depend on the individual. They seem to be most prominent in people with adrenal gland or thyroid fragility. Grumbling about the bad weather is a long-standing British pastime, but in reality, weather-sensitive individuals make up only a small fraction of the population, estimated between 2 and 4%. This chronic condition has well-defined symptoms and is partly explained by a decrease in the secretion of happy hormone serotonin. Are you saying that for most people the weather has no impact at all on their mood then? Despite popular belief, no study has definitively proven that weather affects our mood. The real explanation is likely a simple one. Bad weather tends to make us go out less, thereby leading to us having less social interactions and being less physically active. Staying indoors all day can lead to feelings of sadness and gloom, which can become a vicious circle and self-fulfilling prophecy. You might notice a correlation between rainy weather and feeling down and mistake it for causation. That kind of observation can easily bias our perception, causing us to ignore other positive or negative personal context which might be affecting our well-being. What's the best way to deal with feeling down in bad weather then? Ultimately, it's not the weather itself, but the light that has a direct impact on our bodies. Light regulates our biological and seasonal clocks, helping our brain adjust serotonin levels in response to changes. A lack of serotonin can lead to anxiety, mood swings, insomnia and other issues. In other words, to boost your serotonin levels, make sure to get outside and get some fresh air. Even if the weather isn't ideal, you still need to expose yourself to sunlight. It's also important to go out, see friends, exercise and generally enjoy yourself as far as possible, even when it's raining. There you have it. 词汇表 downpour [ˈdaʊnpɔː(r)] n. 倾盆大雨，暴雨 weather-sensitive people 天气敏感人群（对天气变化反应更敏感的人群） weather sensitivity [sensəˈtɪvəti] 天气敏感性（对天气变化产生的生理或心理敏感反应） fluctuation [ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn] n. 波动，起伏 atmospheric pressure [ˌætməsˈferɪk] 气压，大气压力 migraine [ˈmiːɡreɪn] n. 偏头痛 joint pain [dʒɔɪnt] 关节疼痛 dizziness [ˈdɪzinəs] n. 头晕，眩晕 prominent [ˈprɒmɪnənt] adj. 显著的，突出的 adrenal gland [əˈdriːnl ɡlænd] 肾上腺 thyroid [ˈθaɪrɔɪd] n. 甲状腺；adj. 甲状腺的 fragility [frəˈdʒɪləti] n. 脆弱，虚弱 grumble about [ˈɡrʌmbl] 抱怨，发牢骚 long-standing adj. 长期存在的，由来已久的 pastime [ˈpɑːstaɪm] n. 消遣，娱乐 a small fraction of ['frækʃ(ə)n] 一小部分的，少量的 chronic condition [ˈkrɒnɪk] 慢性病，慢性病状 well-defined [ˌwel dɪˈfaɪnd] adj. 定义明确的，清晰的 secretion [sɪˈkriːʃ(ə)n] n. 分泌；分泌物 happy hormone [ˈhɔːməʊnz] 快乐激素（指能让人产生愉悦感的激素，如多巴胺、血清素，催产素，内啡肽） serotonin [ˌserəˈtəʊnɪn] n. 血清素（一种神经递质，与情绪调节密切相关） physically active [ˈfɪzɪkli] 身体活跃的，积极运动的 gloom [ɡluːm] n. 忧郁，沮丧；昏暗 vicious circle [ˈvɪʃəs] 恶性循环 self-fulfilling prophecy [ˌself fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ ˈprɒfəsi] 自我实现的预言（个人预期引发相应行为，使预期成真的现象） correlation [ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃn] n. 相互关系，关联 causation [kɔːˈzeɪʃn] n. 因果关系，起因 bias one's perception [ˈbaɪəs][pəˈsepʃn] 使认知产生偏差，扭曲认知 biological clock [ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl] 生物钟，生理钟 seasonal clock [ˈsiːzənl] 季节钟（调节季节性生理变化的机制） mood swing [muːd swɪŋ] 情绪波动，情绪起伏 insomnia [ɪnˈsɒmniə] n. 失眠（症） expose oneself to [ɪkˈspəʊz] 使自己暴露于，使自己接触（光线、环境等） 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Did a civilisation exist on Earth before humans? Beth Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Beth. Phil And I'm Phil. Beth Phil, do you believe there's life on other planets? Phil Well, there's a lot of other planets, so yeah, I think there must be. Beth Yeah, I agree. Well, it's a question that interests American astrophysicist Adam Frank, who discussed it with his colleague Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Institute for Space Studies. Here, Adam recalls their conversation for BBC World Service programme CrowdScience: Adam Frank We know that there's been no other civilisation on Earth, and he stopped me and said, "How do you know that?" And my jaw just dropped down to the floor. Phil Adam's jaw dropped – an idiom for when someone looks shocked and surprised. Could there have been a technologically advanced civilisation before us, here on Earth? Beth It may sound weird but this idea has a scientific name. Here is Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC's CrowdScience, to explain: Caroline Steel The Silurian hypothesis proposes that if there was a technologically advanced civilisation hundreds of millions of years ago, we wouldn't be able to find traces of it. Phil A hypothesis is an idea which explains how something happens and can be tested to find out if it's correct. In this episode, we'll be discussing the Silurian hypothesis: the idea that a technologically advanced civilisation existed before us on Earth but vanished without leaving a trace. Beth But first, I have a question for you, Phil. Human civilisation is thousands of years old but the planet itself is much older. So, how old do scientists think the Earth is? Is it: a) 3.5 billion years, b) 4.5 billion years, or c) 5.5 billion years? Phil I'm going to guess c) 5.5 billion years. Beth OK. Well, we will find the answer out later in the programme. To believe a technologically advanced civilisation existed on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago, most people would probably want evidence. We have evidence about other species from the past, such as the dinosaurs, from fossils – the remains of prehistoric plants or animals that have been preserved in rock for a very long time. Phil But according to Adam Frank, fossils won't help prove the Silurian hypothesis, as he explains here to BBC World Service programme, CrowdScience: Adam Frank Most things are not fossilised. It's only a tiny fraction of Earth's life that has ever become fossilised. So, imagine that you have a 10,000-year-long civilisation, which is a blink of the eye for geology – that's too short to really create a lot of fossils. Beth Adam argues that only a tiny fraction – meaning a very small amount – of life on Earth has turned into fossil. Phil In geological time, even a 10,000-year-old civilisation is the blink of an eye – an idiom meaning a very short period of time. In other words, older civilisations might have existed on Earth but not for long enough to leave fossilised evidence. Beth However, not everyone is convinced by Adam's ideas. Evidence of our own civilisation, including plastics and man-made materials like concrete, is already being layered into the Earth's crust, and these are going to last a very long time. So, surely a technologically advanced civilisation from prehistory would have left similar marks. Phil Well, here's Adam Frank again, answering these objections on BBC World Service programme, CrowdScience: Adam Frank What happens is somebody else will pick up on their work, either affirming it and showing new evidence for it or pushing back on it, and once you get to, like, 20, 30 or 40 papers, then you have a consensus. You're like, "OK. We've really, really looked at this and now we know." Beth Adam welcomes new evidence, even evidence which contradicts his ideas, as part of the scientific method needed to prove a hypothesis right or wrong. It's how scientists form a consensus – meaning a general agreement – about the issue. Phil Personally, I think the idea of prehistoric civilisations on Earth is so mysterious, it's OK to keep an open mind. Now, isn't it time you revealed the answer to your question, Beth? Beth I think it is. I asked you, "How old do scientists think the Earth is?" You said, "5.5 billion years," and I'm afraid you were wrong, Phil. It's 4.5 billion years. OK. Let's recap the vocabulary we've learnt, starting with the idiom my jaw dropped, which is used to say someone looks very shocked and surprised. Phil A hypothesis is a suggestion that's proposed to explain something, which can then be tested to see if it's true. Beth Fossils are the remains of prehistoric plants or animals that have been preserved in rock for a very long time. Phil A tiny fraction of something is a very small amount of it. Beth The idiom the blink of an eye means a very short period of time. Phil And finally, a consensus is a general agreement. 📝字数限制，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】

Is crying good for us? What makes you cry? Being moved by a soppy or sad movie, waving a loved one off, or getting emotional after splitting up with your partner can all cause tears to roll down our faces. We all have the power to cry, but is that a good thing? When you think about it, shedding tears from your eyes is an odd thing to do. But it seems to be an automatic reaction when we get sad, upset or even when we're very happy. What triggers this reaction differs from person to person. However, the feeling is the same – your cheeks puff up, your eyes tighten and before you know it, tears are streaming down your face. Some of us may sniffle a little while others might cry like a baby – and some people suggest that it's women who cry more than men. A study in the UK in 2017 found that women admitted that they cry 72 times a year. This was, on average, more than men. Writing for the BBC, Adam Rutherford says "according to pretty much every study done, women do cry more than men, and this result has been consistent since we've been looking." But does this mean men don't get as upset or emotional as women, or are they just more embarrassed about showing their true feelings? The debate continues. One place where we experience emotional and tearful outbursts is in the workplace. This can be somewhere where emotions run high – someone might be stressed, their workload might be too much, and, as therapist, Joanna Cross told the BBC, "crying is often a build-up of frustration and undealt-with situations and it's a bit of a final straw moment." She describes how someone might start weeping when they're just asked to make a cup of tea because, "actually that's often a backlog of situations." But crying in the office or elsewhere can be cathartic: it can actually make you feel better. Maybe it dissolves or clears the negative or sad feelings you've had. Bawling your eyes out shows others how you feel, so perhaps it's a crying shame that more of us, particularly men, don't cry more often. 词汇表 soppy [ˈsɒpi] adj. 煽情的，伤感的，催泪的 split up (with) [splɪt] 分手，断绝关系，离婚 shed tears [ʃed] 流泪，落泪 odd [ɒd] adj. 奇怪的，反常的，不寻常的 puff up [pʌf] 鼓起，膨胀 stream down your face [striːm] （泪水、汗水等）顺着脸颊流下，从脸上淌落 sniffle [ˈsnɪfl] v.（尤指哭泣或感冒时） 抽鼻子；抽泣 cry like a baby 像婴儿一样大哭，放声大哭 consistent [kənˈsɪstənt] adj. 一致的，始终如一的 tearful [ˈtɪəfl] adj. 含泪的，哭泣的，流泪的 outburst [ˈaʊtbɜːst] n. （情感的）爆发，突发 emotions run high 情绪高涨，情绪波动大 workload [ˈwɜːkləʊd] n. 工作量，工作负担 build-up [ˈbɪld ʌp] n. （问题、压力等）累积，积聚，逐渐增加 undealt-with [ˌʌnˈdelt wɪð] adj. 未处理的，未解决的 final straw [strɔː] n. 最后一根稻草，使人最终崩溃的一击 weep [wiːp] v. 哭泣，流泪 backlog [ˈbæklɒɡ] n. 积压的工作，未办的事务 cathartic [kəˈθɑːtɪk] adj. 宣泄情绪的，解压的 dissolve [dɪˈzɒlv] vt. 化解，消除（情绪等） bawl your eyes out [bɔːl] 痛哭流涕，号啕大哭 it's a crying shame 真是遗憾，太可惜了；太不像话了，真不应该 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

OpenAI launches AI-powered browser, in challenge to Google Host: The tech company OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Atlas, a new artificial intelligence-powered web browser that promises to use the internet for you. The company said Atlas will look and feel like an existing browser, but is built around a chatbot. So how will it work? Earlier, I spoke to our technology correspondent, Lily Jamali. Lily Jamali: Well, for one thing, Atlas does away with the way most of us use browsers and search bars. It does away with the traditional bar that you see, that address bar. So when you open up a new tab in this browser that they're releasing, it takes you straight to ChatGPT and you can start engaging with the chatbot there. You also would type web addresses that you're looking to visit in this chat, you know, this ongoing chat with the chatbot. The agent feature, this thing called agent mode, actually does the searching for you on its own, basing what it does on context that it's gathered about, what you might want or need from various services. And OpenAI has already been trying to insinuate itself into our everyday lives, into our shopping habits, I've noticed, especially these last few weeks, we saw an announcement about this at its developer day earlier this month. They are trying not just to make revenue, but to turn a profit, which they never have. So presumably, they're hoping Atlas will kill not just the browser, but the search engine as we know it. Host: I was going to say, because a lot of people will be wedded to Google Chrome. That's the most popular browser. And ChatGPT are going to be wanting to compete with that. Lily Jamali: Yeah. And I asked analyst Patrick Moorhead about this. He said he thinks that users are actually going to be pretty interested in playing with Atlas and trying it out. But he's not so sure that users will stick with it. And I think that's an important distinction. Old habits die hard, as you just sort of alluded to there, for people who came up Googling everything or maybe they're using Microsoft Edge or Apple Safari now, they might still prefer those more traditional methods of searching the internet. And he says there are some functionalities that ChatGPT is offering here that you can kind of get on some of those competitors already. Host: And I guess it's a trust thing as well about AI and it can get things wrong, can't it? Lily Jamali: It can get things wrong. And I have to say, just stepping back for a moment, one of the criticisms of OpenAI and some of these other AI developers is that they just throw these tools out at all of us and then say, "use them and tell us how it goes, what are you interested in." And that can be very innovative and fun and create new, maybe use cases that they hadn't thought of internally. But on the other hand, we saw what happened with social media, right? And already chatbots have found themselves at the center of this conversation about mental health, about how children should and shouldn't use them. And I'm not saying that will be a huge issue with this particular product, but more because there's just this known unknown out there. OpenAI is very comfortable throwing these things out to us and seeing what they do. Sometimes it goes well, others not so much. 词汇表 ChatGPT Atlas [æt ləs] OpenAI 推出的AI驱动网络浏览器 atlas ['ætləs] n. 地图集，地图册 web browser [web ˈbraʊzə(r)] n. 网络浏览器，网页浏览器 chatbot [ˈtʃætbɒt] n. 聊天机器人 do away with 摒弃，摆脱，抛弃 search bar [bɑː(r)] n. 搜索栏，搜索框 agent mode [ˈeɪdʒənt məʊd] n. 代理模式（文中指AI自主执行任务的功能） insinuate oneself into [ɪnˈsɪnjueɪt] 渗透，潜入，打入（某个群体） developer day [dɪˈveləpə(r)] n. （科技公司的）开发者日，开发者大会 revenue [ˈrevənjuː] n. 收入，收益 presumably [prɪˈzjuːməbli] adv. 大概，很可能，想必是 be wedded to [ˈwedɪd] 执着于，习惯于，忠于 Google Chrome [ˈɡuːɡl krəʊm] 谷歌浏览器 stick with 继续做，坚持 die hard （旧习惯等）难以改掉，顽固存在 allude (to) [əˈluːd (tu)] vi. 暗指，影射，间接提到 Microsoft Edge [ˈmaɪkrəsɒft edʒ] 微软Edge浏览器 Apple Safari [səˈfɑːri] 苹果Safari浏览器 functionality [ˌfʌŋkʃəˈnæləti] n. 功能性，功能，机能 step back 退一步（考虑问题） use case n. （某个产品或服务的）用例，应用场景 internally [ɪnˈtɜːnəli] adv. 内部地，在内部 known unknown [nəʊn ˌʌnˈnəʊn] n. 已知的未知，已知的不确定性因素 🌟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】

Does true love always conquer all? We tend to assume that anyone who tells us that they love us – but simultaneously insists that they don't believe we should be together – is lying. If love is sincere, of course it won't stop at any obstacles, however large. You either love a person and then will fight till the end to be with them or don't love them and will walk away. There isn't, there can't be, any third category that isn't just a deceit. Underneath this uncompromising stance lies an ideology of Romanticism that insists that true love has nothing to do with practicalities. The romantic novelist D. H. Lawrence captured this absolutist view when he wrote: 'A man in love will sleep for the rest of his life on a park bench for a woman he loves.' And so by extension, if there are children from another relationship, if there is no money, if one of the parties lives abroad, if someone has a mental illness, if there are cultural differences, if long-term goals point in contrasting directions, there will always be a way for love to succeed. But there is another philosophy at large, more restrained and less esteemed, that balances a respect for emotions with an equal respect for the practical dimensions of life. This philosophy knows that however tender and sympathetic our feelings may be, they cannot entirely mitigate or erase the impact of social ostracism, opposed friendship groups, clashing values, ongoing distance, incongruous life stages, continuous alarm – or park benches. If we understand love as ultimately focused on the care and nurture of another person, should we continue to label as loving a relationship that necessarily mires our partner in a succession of avoidable miseries? Are we so uniquely fitted to be with them as to justify the suffering our presence entails? Might our so-called love for them not in the end have more to do with our satisfaction than their fulfilment? There are of course liars who will dress up their escapes as acts of generosity, but there are as many true lovers who quietly sacrifice themselves on unheralded altars of resignation. It is hugely honourable – and very moving – to do one's utmost to be with someone. But it may be greater love still to adore a person – and then, before wasting any more of their time, to leave them well alone. 词汇表 deceit [dɪˈsiːt] n. 欺骗，欺诈，谎言 uncompromising stance [ʌnˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ stæns] 不妥协的立场，强硬的立场 ideology [ˌaɪdiˈɒlədʒi] n. 意识形态，思想体系，观念 Romanticism [rəʊˈmæntɪsɪzəm] n. 浪漫主义（18世纪末至19世纪初的艺术、文学和音乐运动） absolutist [ˌæbsəˈluːtɪst] adj. 绝对主义的；n. 绝对论者 practicality [ˌpræktɪˈkæləti] n. 实际情况，现实考量 by extension [ɪkˈstenʃn] 由此类推，进而 contrasting [kənˈtrɑːstɪŋ] adj. 对比鲜明的，截然不同的 philosophy [fəˈlɒsəfi] n. 哲学；理念，人生观 restrained [rɪˈstreɪnd] adj. 克制的，内敛的 esteemed [ɪˈstiːmd] adj. 受人尊敬的，令人敬重的 mitigate [ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt] vt. 减轻，缓解（危害、痛苦等） social ostracism [ˈɒstrəsɪzəm] 社会排斥，被社会孤立 clashing values 价值观冲突 incongruous [ɪnˈkɒŋɡruəs] adj. 不协调的，不一致的，错位的 alarm [əˈlɑːm] n. 惊恐，不安，担忧 mire [maɪə(r)] vt. 使陷入困境，使陷入泥潭 a succession of [səkˈseʃn] 一连串的，一系列的 entail [ɪnˈteɪl] vt. 牵涉，导致；使必要，需要 unheralded [ʌnˈherəldɪd] adj. 不为人知的，默默无闻的，未宣布的 altar [ˈɔːltə(r)] n. 祭坛，圣坛 resignation [ˌrezɪɡˈneɪʃn] n. 放弃，退出；顺从，无奈接受 honourable [ˈɒnərəbl] adj. 可敬的，高尚的 adore [əˈdɔː(r)] vt. 爱慕，崇拜；喜爱，热爱 🏫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】