By fifteenmins
通勤學英語Podcast， 利用每日15分鐘，不用死背單字、文法，即刻跟著節目開口提升你的英語力!
每週有三大節目可以收聽，每集15mins以內，跟讀單元附有雙語逐字稿，不論一杯咖啡的時間，通勤或塞車，都可以將幫助你創造全英語學習環境！
- 國際時事跟讀，跟著 John老師一起朗讀、跟讀時事趣聞。
- 15Mins Cafe英語咖啡館，收聽John
4.4
2222 ratings
The podcast currently has 2,695 episodes available.
想搭上AI熱潮？
掌握「研發費用」就是掌握科技股的強盛關鍵
00935獨家納入「研發費用」選股條件
帶你挖掘下一個台股潛力商機
鎖定台灣科技產業成長爆發力
00935一次打包科技台股的優質首選
了解更多00935
https://fstry.pse.is/6q8jl7
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
國際時事跟讀 Ep.K887: SpaceX Achieves Historic Milestone with Revolutionary Rocket Landing
Highlights 主題摘要：
In a groundbreaking achievement for space exploration, SpaceX successfully completed its fifth test flight of the Starship rocket system, marking a significant advancement in reusable rocket technology. The most remarkable aspect of this mission was the unprecedented capture of the Super Heavy booster, the rocket's lower section, by mechanical arms at the launch tower. This innovative landing method, attempted for the first time, demonstrates SpaceX's progress toward developing fully reusable spacecraft for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The successful capture was met with enthusiastic celebration from SpaceX engineers, who declared it "a day for the history books."
在太空探索領域中， SpaceX 成功完成了 Starship 火箭系統的第五次測試飛行，顯示出突破性成就：可重複使用火箭技術的重大進展。此次任務最引人注目的部分是首次以機械臂成功捕捉 SpaceX 超級重型推進器，也就是火箭的下半部分。這種創新的降落方式是首次嘗試，展現了 SpaceX 在開發可完全重複使用的太空船方面的進展，為未來登月及火星任務奠定基礎。SpaceX 的工程師們以熱烈的歡呼慶祝這次成功，並宣告這是「寫入歷史的一天」。
The test flight began at sunrise from SpaceX's Boca Chica facility in Texas, where the massive rocket system, consisting of two parts - the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage - lifted off as planned. After reaching an altitude of approximately 40 miles, the two sections separated perfectly. The Super Heavy booster then performed an intricate maneuver, navigating back to the launch site where it was caught by the tower's mechanical arms, nicknamed "chopsticks." This achievement was particularly impressive given the complex nature of the operation and the numerous criteria that needed to be met for the landing attempt.
測試飛行在德克薩斯州博卡奇卡設施的日出時分展開並如期升空，這個龐大的火箭系統由兩個部分組成—— SpaceX 超級重型推進器和上層的 SpaceX 星艦。在到達約 40 英里的高度後，兩個部分完美分離。隨後，SpaceX 超級重型推進器執行了一串複雜的動作，導航返回發射場，被暱稱為「筷子」的發射塔機械臂成功捕捉。考慮到操作的複雜性和需要滿足的諸多降落條件，這項成就格外令人印象深刻。
Meanwhile, the Starship upper stage continued its journey, reaching an altitude of nearly 90 miles and achieving speeds of 17,000 miles per hour before making a precise landing in the Indian Ocean. The spacecraft's re-entry was notably successful, with improved heat-shielding tiles protecting it during the descent. Although the vehicle exploded after splashdown, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the ship had landed exactly as planned, marking the completion of both major mission objectives.
與此同時，上段的 SpaceX 星艦繼續其航程，到達近 90 英里的高度，速度達到每小時 17，000 英里，最後精確地降落在印度洋。太空船重返大氣層的過程相當成功，改良後的隔熱瓦在下降過程中提供了良好的保護。儘管載具在落海後爆炸，SpaceX 執行長伊隆．馬斯克確認太空船已如期精確著陸，顯現兩大主要目標任務已完成。
This successful test flight represents a crucial step forward for both SpaceX and NASA's space exploration goals. The U.S. space agency has invested $2.8 billion in SpaceX's Starship development, aiming to use the vehicle for future lunar missions. The ability to catch and rapidly redeploy the Super Heavy booster significantly reduces the need for complex ground hardware and brings us closer to the reality of regular space travel. Former astronaut Chris Hadfield praised the achievement on social media, describing it as "an enormous step forward in human capability" and expressing excitement for humanity's collective future in space exploration.
這次成功的試飛為 SpaceX 和美國太空總署（NASA）的太空探索目標邁出了關鍵的一步。NASA 已投資 28 億美元於 SpaceX 的星艦開發計畫，期望未來能應用於月球任務。能夠捕捉並快速重新部署SpaceX 超級重型推進器的能力，大幅減少了對複雜地面硬體設施的需求，使我們更加接近實現常態化的太空旅行。前太空人克里斯．哈德菲爾德在社群媒體上讚揚這項成就，稱其為「人類能力的重大進展」，並對人類在太空探索方面的共同未來表達期待。
Keyword Drills 關鍵字：
Reference article:
1. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/13/spacex-elon-musk-launches-and-lands-starship-rocket-in-first-test-of-giant-robotic-arms
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xe7exjy1go
只要做投資就一定知道玩股網。玩股網是全台最大投資資訊&教學平台，提供最完整的客製化技術分析工具。就是愛玩股Podcast頻道，是為了讓更多投資人，可以接收到正確的投資觀念與投資技巧，一起成為市場贏家！
就是愛玩股Podcast： https://fstry.pse.is/6q2yex
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
Topic: Sellout Culture Is a Problem for Pro Golf
Even if you don’t play or follow golf — which I don’t — you’re probably aware of the controversy now engulfing the game. A number of the world’s top-ranked pro players, notably Phil Mickelson, made extremely lucrative deals to play in a new tour, the LIV Golf International Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour, which has traditionally dominated the sport, responded by suspending 17 of these players.
即便不打或不追高球新聞—我也沒追—你也可能知道現在這項運動捲入爭議。一些世界頂級職業球員，尤其是米克森，達成極其有利可圖的交易參加沙烏地阿拉伯贊助的新巡迴賽，即LIV高球國際系列賽。傳統上主導這項運動的職業高球美巡賽（PGA Tour）對此做出回應，將其中17名球員禁賽。
The Saudis are obviously engaged in reputation-laundering — greenswashing? — in an attempt to make people forget about the atrocities their regime has perpetrated. It’s less clear what motivated the PGA. Did it consider the LIV series flawed, not a proper golf tour? Was it attempting to squash competition? Or was the problem with the LIV series’ sponsors?
沙國顯然在清洗名聲—是在「漂白」嗎？試圖讓人們忘記他們政權所犯下的暴行。目前還不太清楚什麼原因驅使PGA這樣做。它是否認為LIV系列賽有缺陷，不是個像樣的高球巡迴賽？它會不會是在試圖壓制競爭嗎？或是LIV系列賽贊助者的問題？
PGA attendees surveyed by ProGolf weekly were in no doubt: An overwhelming majority attributed Mickelson’s exclusion to “media/cancel culture.” And I hope they’re right. I mean, if getting paid big bucks to provide favorable PR to a regime that deals with critical journalists by killing them and dismembering them with a bone saw doesn’t warrant cancellation, what does? And yet Mickelson and others were willing to provide that PR.
接受《ProGolf》周刊調查的PGA與會者均無疑問，絕大多數將米克森遭剔除歸因於「媒體/取消文化」。我希望他們是對的。我的意思是，拿大錢幫一個政權提供公關服務，而這個政權把批評他們的記者殺掉還肢解，如果這不是一個取消的正當理由，那什麼才是？而米克森和其他人卻願意提供這種公關服務。
So if you ask me, the real story here isn’t that the PGA may (or may not) have found a line it won’t cross. It is that so many members of the American elite evidently have no such lines.
所以，若你問我，情況並非PGA可能（或可能沒有）找到一條不會跨越的線，而是這個美國菁英組織許多成員明顯沒有這樣的界線。
What explains the rise of sellout culture? Tax cuts may have played a role: Selling your soul becomes more attractive when you get to keep more of the proceeds. Soaring income inequality may inspire envy, a desire to keep up with the super-elite. And there is surely a process of normalization: Everyone else is selling out, so why shouldn’t I join the party?
如何解釋出賣文化興起？減稅可能起到一定作用：當你能保留更多收益時，出賣你的靈魂就變得更有吸引力。日益嚴重的收入不平等可能會引發嫉妒，讓人渴望跟超級菁英攀比。當然，這是一個正常過程：其他人都在出賣，那我為何不入群呢？
Kids used to look up to public figures, sports stars in particular, as role models. Do they still? Can they, given what public figures will do if the checks are big enough?
以前孩子們常把受人尊敬的公眾人物作為榜樣，尤其是體育明星。他們還會嗎？考慮到支票夠大時公眾人物竟然這樣做，他們還能嗎？Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6413966
Next Article
Topic: Why Are There More Successful Older Golfers Today?
From the 18th fairway in the final group of the British Open in 2009, Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion, hit a shot that flew right at the pin. For a moment, it looked like Watson, then age 59, would win the tournament for a record sixth time and become the oldest player to win a major championship.
2009年英國公開賽最後一組第18洞的球道上，五屆冠軍華森一揮直飛旗桿。一時間，當時59歲的華森似乎將贏得創紀錄的第六座英國公開賽冠軍，並成為最年長的四大賽冠軍。
A firm bounce sent the ball off the back of the green, and Watson needed three more shots to get the ball into the hole. That dropped him into a tie for first. In the four-hole playoff, he ran out of gas and lost by six shots.
小白球強力彈跳後滾出果嶺後方，華森又花了三桿才把球送進洞裡。這使他落到並列領先。四洞延長賽，他精力耗盡，最後輸六桿。
A decade ago, the idea of an older golfer contending in, let alone winning, a major championship was something few considered. That was still the time when most golfers petered out in their mid-40s and kicked around the golf world before having a brief resurgence on the Champions Tour when they turned 50.
10年前，很少人料想得到年長的高球選手會參加四大賽，遑論拿冠軍。當時，大多數高球選手在45歲左右開始淡出，到滿50歲參加「冠軍」（譯註：長春）巡迴賽散發短暫餘暉前，其間在高球界四處晃晃。
Leading these middle-age mavericks is Phil Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in May. He beat Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who are both in their 30s.
這些不服老的中年高球選手領導人物是剛滿51歲的米克森，他在今年5月贏得PGA錦標賽冠軍。擊敗了都是30多歲的四屆四大賽冠軍得主科普卡與2010年英國公開賽冠軍歐蘇森。
“All these guys have taken a new approach,” said Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, which focuses on golf and fitness. “There’s a lot of money out there. They realize they can still compete with the younger guys, but they need to spend more time on their body and what they fuel their body with.”
高球與健身專門機構「冠軍競技表現研究所」共同創辦人戴維．菲利普斯說：「這些人都採取一種新方法。比賽獎金很高。他們意識到自己仍可跟年輕人競爭，只是需要花更多時間在身體及強化身體的物質上面。」
Phillips said what Mickelson and the others were doing provided lessons for older golfers. “It’s not strength, but the recovery and the downtime that matter,” he said. “It’s letting your body recover. Everyone wants to get fitter, stronger, faster. They’re upset when they don’t see the results. But what they’re doing is fatiguing to the body more so than a round of golf.”
菲利普斯說，米克森和其他人的作為，幫年長高球選手上了一課。「重要的不是力量，而是恢復與休息，讓你的身體恢復。每個人都想變得更健康、更強壯、更快。他們沒看到成果時會沮喪，但他們所做的事會讓身體遠比打一輪高球還累。」
Crucial for older players? Maintain leg strength, Phillips said, and that means walk, don’t ride, when you play golf.
對年長球員重要的是什麼？菲利普斯說，保持腿部力量，這意味你打高球時，要走路，不要搭球車。
It is experience, for sure, but that is a double-edged sword: With age, players are more knowledgeable about the nuances of the game and have, in theory, a better psychological understanding of what to do. But they have also failed to do that in similar moments in the past.
當然，這需要經驗，且各有利弊：隨著年紀增長，球員更了解比賽的精妙之處，理論上，他們在心理上對該做什麼有更好的了解，過去遇到類似時刻，他們就做不到。
“The reason we’re going longer is we have the financial security to go longer,” he said “We also have the sports science to reinvent ourselves.”
他說：「我們走得更久是因為我們擁有能夠走得更久的經濟保障，我們還有運動科學來改造自己。」Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5656437
Next Article
Topic: Night Golf Is Taking Over South Korea
City lights shimmer in the distance.
城市燈光在遠處閃爍。
Shadows splay in every direction on glowing green grass.
陰影在閃閃發光的綠色草地上向四面八方伸展。
It’s close to midnight, the moon hangs high in the dark night sky, and South Koreans are still outside, golfing.
現時已接近午夜，月亮高懸在漆黑夜空中，南韓民眾仍在戶外打高爾夫球。
This is “white night” golf, a nocturnal sports phenomenon in South Korea that reflects the still surging popularity of the sport there, the persistent challenges many encounter in nabbing a tee time in the country’s dense cities and the lengths to which some will nevertheless go to get one.
這就是「白夜」高球，南韓一種夜間運動現象，反映高球在南韓人氣持續攀升，許多人在人口密集城市內要預約打球遇到挑戰，不過有些人還是想辦法要打到球。
South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
南韓是世界第三大高球市場，僅次於美國和日本。
For golf fans worldwide, the game’s grip on the country is most easily observed in its surplus of elite professional players, particularly in the women’s game. As of last week, 32 of the top 100 players in the women’s world rankings, including four of the top 10, were from South Korea.
對世界各地球迷來說，高球對南韓的吸引力，從菁英職業球員充斥南韓人最容易看出，尤其女子高球界。截至上周，世界排名前100的女子高球選手有32人來自南韓，前10名就有4位。
But on the ground, golf is very much a participatory pastime, even if the popularity of the sport and the undersupply of courses in metropolitan areas make opportunities to actually play scarce and expensive. Seoul, a city of nearly 10 million people, has only one course, and it is open only to military personnel.
但在當地，高球主要是一種大家親自下場的消遣，即便這種運動太受歡迎加上都會區球場供應不足，使得打球機會很少又昂貴。擁有近1000萬人口的首爾只有一個球場，且只對軍人開放。
Some make do with screen golf, a virtual simulation game played indoors, which has become its own booming pastime in South Korea, with some facilities offering 24-hour service.
有些人只好改玩螢幕高爾夫，這是一種在室內玩的虛擬模擬遊戲，在南韓已成為蓬勃發展的娛樂，一些場所提供24小時服務。
But golfers understandably desire the real thing. So what do you do when the demand for tee times outstrips the sunlight in a given day?
但可以理解的是，打高球的人渴望真實的東西，因此當某天打球時間的需求量超過日照時間，你該怎麼辦？
According to Seo Chun-beom, president of the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, South Korea now boasts a whopping 117 golf courses of 18 holes or more that offer nighttime play for willing golfers, with tee times as late as 8 p.m. Seo said there are countless other 9-hole courses that also feature floodlights and do not close until midnight or later.
韓國休閒產業研究所所長徐千範說，南韓目前有117座18洞或以上的高球場，可讓想打球的人在夜間打球，打球時間到晚上8點。 徐俊範說，還有其他無數個9洞球場也設有探照燈，開到午夜或是更晚。
Many people from Seoul, for instance, make the trek to Sky 72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, close to the area’s main international airport, where 2,700 lights have been installed to illuminate 36 of the facility’s 72 holes.
例如，很多來自首爾的人，會長途跋涉到靠近當地主要國際機場的仁川Sky 72高球渡假村，該處設有2700盞探照燈，能照亮72個洞當中的36個。
The concept of golfing under lights exists outside South Korea, of course.
當然，在燈光下打高球的想法在南韓以外也存在。
A writer for the website GolfPass last year counted 65 courses in the United States that featured at least some amount of nighttime lighting — although all but one of them were short courses. And courses in the United States that offer late tee times still close far earlier than those in South Korea, which often remain open as late as 1 a.m.
去年，一位幫GolfPass寫文的作家統計，在美國，擁有一定數量夜間照明設備的球場至少65座，儘管除了一座以外都是球洞較少的球場。而且美國晚間打球的高球場，打烊時間仍比南韓球場早得多，後者通常營業到凌晨1點。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5574918
正官庄超強快充能量飲 活蔘28D ENERGY SHOT，高麗蔘x3倍牛磺酸，全家新上市12/10前買1送1，立馬SHOT一瓶!
https://fstry.pse.is/6pglul
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
1.Sam Walton (Walmart Founder)
Quote: "There is only one boss: the customer. And hecan fire everybody in the company from the Chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else."
Samuel Moore Walton was born in 1918 inKingfisher, Oklahoma, during the Great Depression. Before creating the world's largest retail chain, he worked multiple jobs, including waiting tables and delivering newspapers. In 1945, he borrowed $20,000 from his father-in-law to buy his first retail store, a Ben Franklin franchise in Newport, Arkansas. Walton revolutionized retail by focusing on small rural towns that other retailers ignored. He would fly his own plane to visit stores and scout locations, accumulating over 230,000 flight hours. His first Walmart opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, and he introduced innovative practices like computerized inventory systems and profit-sharing with employees. Despite becoming one of the richest people in America, Walton maintained his modest lifestyle, driving the same 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck and living in the same small house. He even continued visiting stores until shortly before his death in 1992, showing his dedication to hands-on management. Walton received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 for his contributions to American retail and job creation.
山姆·沃爾頓（沃爾瑪創辦人）
名言：「公司裡只有一個老闆：顧客。他可以用腳投票，只要把錢花在別處，就能讓從董事長以下的所有人都丟掉飯碗。」
山姆·摩爾·沃爾頓1918年生於奧克拉荷馬州金費舍，正值經濟大蕭條時期。在創立全球最大零售連鎖企業之前，他打過多份工，包括當服務生和送報員。1945年，他向岳父借了2萬美元，在阿肯色州紐波特買下第一間零售店，是一家班·富蘭克林加盟店。沃爾頓專注經營其他零售商忽視的小型鄉鎮，徹底改變了零售業。他開自己的飛機視察店面和勘查地點，累積超過23萬飛行小時。1962年，他在阿肯色州羅傑斯開設第一家沃爾瑪，並推出創新做法，如電腦化庫存系統和員工分紅制度。儘管成為美國首富之一，沃爾頓保持簡樸作風，開著同一輛1979年的福特F-150皮卡車，住在同一間小房子裡。直到1992年去世前不久，他仍堅持親自到店巡視，展現他對親力親為管理的堅持。沃爾頓因對美國零售業和就業市場的貢獻，於1992年獲頒總統自由勳章。
2. Jeff Bezos (Amazon Founder)
Quote: "I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that,but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying."
Trivia (90 seconds): Born in 1964 in Albuquerque, NewMexico, Jeff Bezos showed entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school and studied computer science at Princeton University. Before founding Amazon, he worked on Wall Street and became the youngest senior vice president at investment firm D.E. Shaw. In 1994, Bezos read that internet usage was growing by 2,300% annually, which inspired him to start an online bookstore. He wrote Amazon's business plan while driving cross-country from New York to Seattle with his wife MacKenzie.
Initially operating from his garage, Amazon sold its first book in July 1995. Bezos chose Seattle because of its large tech talent pool and proximity to a major book distributor. He based early decisions on what he called the "regret minimization framework," asking himself what he would regret
least when he was 80 years old. Despite early skepticism from investors and media (who called Amazon "Amazon.bomb" during the dot-com bust), Bezos maintained his long-term vision, famously saying Amazon would be "willing to be misunderstood for long periods of time."
傑夫·貝佐斯（亞馬遜創辦人）
名言：「我知道失敗不會讓我後悔，但不去嘗試可能會讓我後悔。」 出處：2001年接受成就學院訪談
傑夫·貝佐斯1964年生於新墨西哥州阿爾伯克基，從小就展現企業家精神。他以高中第一名的成績畢業，進入普林斯頓大學主修電腦科學。創立亞馬遜之前，他在華爾街工作，成為投資公司D.E.Shaw最年輕的資深副總裁。1994年，貝佐斯讀到網路使用率年增2300%的報導，因此萌生創辦線上書店的想法。他在和妻子麥肯齊開車從紐約橫越美國到西雅圖的途中，擬定了亞馬遜的營運計畫。亞馬遜最初在他的車庫營運，1995年7月賣出第一本書。他選擇西雅圖是因為當地有豐富的科技人才和主要書商。他的早期決策都基於「後悔最小化原則」，問自己80歲時最不會後悔的選擇是什麼。儘管早期投資人和媒體持懷疑態度（網路泡沫時期稱亞馬遜為「炸彈」），貝佐斯堅持長遠眼光，他有句名言：「我們願意被誤解很長一段時間。」
3. IngvarKamprad (IKEA Founder)
Quote: "Making mistakes is the privilege of the active.It is always the mediocre people who are negative, who spend their time proving that they were not wrong."
Trivia (90 seconds): Ingvar Kamprad was born in 1926 inSmåland, Sweden. He began his entrepreneurial journey at age five, buying matches in bulk and reselling them to neighbors. The name IKEA combines his initials (IK) with the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and
village where he grew up. He founded IKEA in 1943 at age 17, initially selling small household items like picture frames and pencils. The company's breakthrough came in 1956 when an employee removed the legs of a table to fit it into a car, inspiring IKEA's flat-pack furniture concept. Despite his
wealth, Kamprad was known for his frugal lifestyle – he flew economy class, drove an old Volvo, and encouraged a corporate culture of cost-consciousness. He had dyslexia, which influenced IKEA's product naming system – using names instead of numbers made it easier for him to remember products. This personal challenge led to a unique IKEA naming convention: bathroom items are named
after Swedish lakes and rivers, while bedding products are named after plants and flowers.
英格瓦·坎普拉德（IKEA創辦人）
名言：「犯錯是行動者的特權。總是那些平庸的人才會持否定態度，花時間證明自己沒有錯。」
英格瓦·坎普拉德1926年生於瑞典斯莫蘭。他5歲就開始創業，大量購入火柴再轉賣給鄰居。IKEA這個名字結合了他的英文縮寫（IK）和他成長的農場Elmtaryd與村莊Agunnaryd的首字母。他17歲時於1943年創立IKEA，最初販售相框和鉛筆等小家居用品。1956年，一位員工為了把桌子裝進車子而拆下桌腳，啟發了IKEA的平面包裝家具概念。儘管身為富豪，坎普拉德以節儉著稱－搭經濟艙、開舊款富豪車，並提倡節約的企業文化。他有閱讀障礙，這影響了IKEA的產品命名系統－用名字代替數字讓他更容易記住產品。這個個人特質促成了IKEA獨特的命名慣例：浴室用品用瑞典湖泊和河流命名，床上用品則用植物和花卉命名。
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
In this episode of 15Mins Cafe, we examine the cultural significance of driving experiences, comparing our journeys to obtaining driver's licenses in South Africa and Taiwan. We discuss the unique aspects of each country's learner's license system, our personal challenges, and our excitement for upcoming car models in 2024. Patrick and I reflect on manual versus automatic transmission, modern vehicle preferences, and the rise of electric cars. Through relatable anecdotes and driving-related idioms, we explore how navigating the roads mirrors our life journeys, making for a humorous and insightful discussion.
在這一集的15Mins 英語咖啡館中，我們探討駕駛經驗的文化意義，比較在南非和台灣考取駕照的不同歷程。我們討論了兩國考照制度的獨特之處、個人在考照過程中所面臨的挑戰，以及對2024年即將推出的新車款的期待。Patrick和我分享了對手排車和自排車的看法、現代汽車的偏好，以及電動車的崛起。透過生動的軼事分享和與開車相關的俗語，我們探索了如何在人生道路上駕駛前行，帶來一場既幽默又富有洞察力的對談。
正官庄超強快充能量飲 活蔘28D ENERGY SHOT，高麗蔘x3倍牛磺酸，全家新上市12/10前買1送1，立馬SHOT一瓶!
https://fstry.pse.is/6pglul
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
國際時事跟讀 Ep.K883: Hello Kitty at 50: The Global Icon That Transcends Cultures
Highlights 主題摘要：
Hello Kitty, the beloved character created by Japanese company Sanrio, celebrates her remarkable 50th birthday this November, marking half a century of unprecedented cultural influence and commercial success. What began as a simple decoration on a coin purse in 1974 has evolved into a global phenomenon worth over $80 billion, captivating audiences across generations and continents. From humble beginnings to worldwide recognition, her journey represents one of the most successful character franchises in history.
深受喜愛的角色 Hello Kitty 由日本三麗鷗公司所創造，今年十一月迎來其意義非凡的五十歲生日，標誌著半世紀以來前所未有的文化影響力與商業成就。從 1974 年最初只是錢包上的簡單裝飾，發展至今已成為價值超過 800 億美元的全球現象，吸引著跨世代、不同大陸的觀眾。從最初簡單的開始到今天的世界知名，她的旅程代表了史上最成功的角色品牌之一。
Despite her feline appearance, Hello Kitty is officially not a cat but rather a British schoolgirl named Kitty White. Standing five apples tall and weighing three apples, she lives in London with her parents and twin sister Mimmy. Her character profile includes charming details like her love for baking cookies, playing piano, and her mother's homemade apple pie. This carefully crafted backstory has helped create a deeper connection with fans worldwide. She even has her own pets: a Persian cat named Charmmy Kitty and a white Djungarian hamster called Sugar, adding layers to her character that appeal to diverse audiences.
儘管外表像貓，Hello Kitty 官方設定其實不是貓，而是一位名叫 Kitty White 的英國女學生。她身高五個蘋果、體重三個蘋果，與父母和雙胞胎妹妹 Mimmy 一起住在倫敦。她的角色設定包含許多迷人的細節，例如喜歡烤餅乾、彈鋼琴，以及最愛媽媽做的蘋果派。這些精心設計的背景故事幫助她與全球粉絲建立更深層的連結。她還養了自己的寵物：一隻波斯貓 Charmmy Kitty 和一隻三線鼠 Sugar，為她的角色增添了更多層次，吸引不同群眾。
The secret to Hello Kitty's enduring success lies in her remarkable adaptability and the concept of "kawaii" - the Japanese word for "cute" that encompasses a broader cultural significance. Under the guidance of three successive female designers, most notably Yuko Yamaguchi since 1980, Hello Kitty has remained both timeless and contemporary. Her mouthless face allows people to project their own emotions onto her, making her relatable across different cultures and contexts. This versatility has led to countless collaborations, from luxury brands to everyday products, and even earned her roles as a UNICEF children's ambassador and Japan's tourism ambassador. The character's ability to evolve while maintaining her core appeal has been crucial to her longevity in the fast-paced world of popular culture.
Hello Kitty 經久不衰的成功秘訣在於她非凡的適應力，以及「可愛」（kawaii）這個日文概念——它不僅僅是可愛，更包含更廣泛的文化意涵。在三位女性設計師的相繼帶領下，特別是自 1980 年起的山口裕子（Yuko Yamaguchi），Hello Kitty 既保持經典又與時俱進。她沒有嘴巴的臉孔讓人們可以投射自己的情緒，使她在不同文化和情境中都能引起共鳴。這種多變性使她獲得了無數合作機會，從奢侈品牌到日常用品，甚至擔任聯合國兒童基金會（UNICEF）兒童大使和日本觀光大使。這個角色在保持核心魅力的同時能夠不斷進化，是她在瞬息萬變的流行文化中長盛不衰的關鍵。
As Hello Kitty enters her sixth decade, her influence shows no signs of diminishing. The character has embraced modern platforms, attracting millions of followers on TikTok and appearing in various digital formats. Recent celebrations of her 50th anniversary have included museum exhibitions, theme park spectacles, and special merchandise collections worldwide. Even Britain's King Charles acknowledged her cultural significance during a state banquet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito, demonstrating how this kawaii icon has become a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. Hello Kitty's journey from a simple character to a global phenomenon reflects not just successful marketing but also the power of creating a symbol that resonates with universal human emotions and experiences. Her story continues to inspire new generations, proving that some cultural icons truly are timeless.
隨著 Hello Kitty 邁入第六個十年，她的影響力絲毫未減。這個角色已經擁抱現代平台，在 TikTok 上吸引了數百萬追隨者，並以各種數位形式出現。近期為慶祝她五十週年所舉辦的活動包括博物館展覽、主題樂園表演，以及全球限定商品系列。就連英國查爾斯國王在與日本德仁天皇的國宴上都認可了她的文化重要性，展現這個可愛偶像如何成為東西方文化之間的橋樑。Hello Kitty 從單純角色到全球現象的旅程，不僅反映了成功的行銷策略，更展現了創造一個能引起普世情感共鳴符號的力量。她的故事持續啟發新一代，證明某些文化偶像確實能歷久彌新。
Keyword Drills 關鍵字：
Reference article:
1. https://apnews.com/article/hello-kitty-50-birthday-anniversary-sanrio-fb7569605d5e302ddbe92a877fd1768d
2. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/a-half-century-of-whiskers-wishes-and-worldwide-wonder-hello-kitty-turns-50
孩子的肌膚交給理膚寶水B5+全面修復霜，內含專利成分複合益生精粹+維生素原B5，能平衡肌膚微生態，強化肌膚屏障，有效舒緩、修復不適；敏感泛紅、痘疤瑕疵、醫美術後使用也OK，大人小孩都適用！快去藥局買！ https://fstry.pse.is/6p3r3a
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
Topic: Drinking any amount of alcohol causes damage to the brain
There is no such thing as a "safe" level of drinking, with increased consumption of alcohol associated with poorer brain health, according to a new study.
根據一項新研究，沒有所謂的「安全」飲酒量，飲酒量增加與大腦健康狀況較差有關。
In an observational study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, researchers from the University of Oxford studied the relationship between the self-reported alcohol intake of some 25,000 people in the UK, and their brain scans.
在一項尚未經過同行評審的觀察性研究中，牛津大學的研究人員，研究英國約2萬5000人報告的飲酒量，和與他們的大腦掃描圖像之間的關係。
The researchers noted that drinking had an effect on the brain’s gray matter － regions in the brain that make up "important bits where information is processed," according to lead author Anya Topiwala, a senior clinical researcher at Oxford.
研究人員指出，飲酒對大腦的灰質有影響，灰質是構成「重要資訊處理位元」的大腦部位，牛津大學高級臨床研究員托皮瓦拉說。
The team also investigated whether certain drinking patterns, beverage types and other health conditions made a difference to the impact of alcohol on brain health.
研究團隊還調查了特定的飲酒習慣、酒精飲料類型和其他健康狀況，是否會改變酒精對大腦健康的影響程度。
Next Article
Topic: Scientists have taught bees to smell the coronavirus 科學家教導蜜蜂嗅出冠狀病毒
Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify COVID-19 through their sense of smell, according to a press release from Wageningen University.
瓦赫寧恩大學發布新聞稿聲稱，荷蘭科學家已訓練蜜蜂透過嗅覺，識別2019冠狀病毒病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）。
The research was conducted on more than 150 bees in Wageningen University’s bio-veterinary research laboratory.
這項研究是在瓦赫寧恩大學生物獸醫研究實驗室對150多隻蜜蜂進行的。
The scientists trained the bees by giving them a treat — a sugar-water solution — every time they were exposed to the scent of a mink infected with COVID-19. Each time the bees were exposed to a non-infected sample, they wouldn’t get a reward.
科學家透過獎勵糖水溶液來訓練蜜蜂，每次蜜蜂在聞到感染COVID-19的貂身上氣味時，都會獲得獎勵。如果蜜蜂聞到的是沒被感染病毒的氣味樣本，則不會獲得獎勵。
Eventually, the bees could identify an infected sample within a few seconds — and would then stick out their tongues like clockwork to collect the sugar water.
最終，這些蜜蜂可以在幾秒鐘內識別出感染的樣本，而且牠們的舌頭會像發條一樣，伸出來吸取糖水。
Bees aren’t the first animals to detect COVID-19 by scent. Researchers have also trained dogs to distinguish between positive and negative COVID-19 samples from human saliva or sweat with fairly high levels of accuracy.
蜜蜂不是第一種透過氣味識別COVID-19的動物。研究人員也曾訓練狗區分來自人類唾液或汗液的陽性和陰性COVID-19樣本 ，準確率相當高。
Topic: Whale of a time: NYC offers walk-up vaccinations for all
Appointments are no longer mandatory at any of the coronavirus vaccination sites run by New York City, including its newest and maybe coolest location： beneath the giant blue whale at the Museum of Natural History.
任何紐約市設立的新型冠狀病毒疫苗接種處，不再強制要求預約，包括最新設立、或許也是最酷的地點：位於自然歷史博物館巨大藍鯨下的接種處。
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday that the city will now be accepting walk-ins at all its vaccination sites. "You can just walk up and get vaccinated," he said.
市長白思豪週五宣布，該市所有接種站現在接受隨到隨登記接種，「你可以直接進來接種疫苗」。
The expansion of walk-in service comes as supplies of the vaccine have increased.
擴大實施現場登記接種，是在疫苗供應量已經增加之際推出。
Just weeks ago, most people trying to get an appointment for a vaccination in the nation’s biggest city had to game online appointment systems in which scarce slots would be snapped up in moments.
僅在數週之前，在這個全美最大城市，大多數要預約接種時間的人還得在網路預約系統上賭運氣，稀少的名額一下子就會被搶光。
Next Article
Topic: Serbian diner thanks those getting COVID shots with plates of roast meat （感謝客人打新冠疫苗 塞爾維亞餐館請吃烤肉）
Get a COVID-19 vaccine and you will be served a plate of spit-roast ox or wild game goulash for free - in the Serbian city of Kragujevac.
塞爾維亞「米盧廷圖書館」餐廳招待接種疫苗的顧客吃牛肉大餐。（路透資料照）
在塞爾維亞克拉古耶瓦茨，只要接種新冠肺炎疫苗，就能免費獲得一盤烤牛肉串或野味燉牛肉。
Restaurateur Stavro Raskovic offered the popular local dishes as his way of promoting vaccination and campaigning for the full reopening of the country’s restaurants, cafes and bars.
餐館老闆斯塔夫羅．拉斯科維奇端出這2道受歡迎的本地菜餚，作為推廣疫苗及推動該國餐廳、咖啡廳、酒吧全面重新營業的方式。
Lockdowns in 2020 and partial restrictions this year have driven Biblioteka kod Milutina (Milutin’s Library) restaurant to the brink of closure, he said.
他說，2020年的封城及今年的局部封鎖措施，讓「米盧廷圖書館」餐廳瀕臨停業。
"Our trade, catering, has been particularly hit... and if this (vaccination) is the way out, then we wanted to contribute."
「我們的生意、外燴服務尤其受到影響…若這（疫苗）是解決方法，我們想要出一份力。」
Local health authorities turned the restaurant into a vaccination point to deliver shots made by Pfizer/BioNtech, and China’s Sinopharm.
當地衛生當局把餐廳變成疫苗接種點，提供輝瑞／BNT疫苗和中國國藥集團疫苗。
"Today we have vaccines from both East and West on the menu, to everybody’s taste," said Raskovic.
拉斯科維奇說：「今天我們的菜單上有來自東方和西方的疫苗，任君挑選。」
Next Article
Topic: Dracula’s castle’ offers tourists Covid shots 「德古拉的城堡」提供觀光客武漢肺炎疫苗接種
Visitors to Romania’s forbidding Bran Castle are being jabbed with needles rather than vampiric fangs this weekend in a coronavirus vaccination drive.
造訪羅馬尼亞令人生畏的布蘭城堡的遊客，在本週末的冠狀病毒疫苗接種活動中，將會被針頭而不是吸血鬼的毒牙扎刺。
Those who take the jab are handed a certificate hailing their＂boldness and responsibility＂promising they will be welcome at the castle＂for the coming 100 years＂ － as well as offered a free tour of the＂torture chamber＂.
那些接受施打的人將拿到證書，為他們的「勇氣與責任」喝采，並承諾這座城堡在未來100年都歡迎他們，並提供一次「酷刑室」的免費導覽。
Nestled in a misty valley in the Carpathian mountains, Bran Castle is associated with the 15th-century Romanian prince Vlad Dracula.
布蘭城堡坐落於喀爾巴阡山迷霧籠罩的山谷，與15世紀羅馬尼亞王子弗拉德．德古拉有關。
Dracula author Bram Stoker is believed to have been inspired by Vlad and descriptions of Bran Castle when writing his 1897 novel that helped found the modern vampire genre.
德古拉的作者布拉姆．史托克在撰寫他的1897年的小說時，被認為受到弗拉德與布蘭城堡的描述的啟發，這本小說幫助他奠定現代吸血鬼體裁。Source article:
https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1449642;https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1449828;https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1450439
Topic: Spanking may affect brain development in children
Spanking may affect a child’s brain development in similar ways to more severe forms of violence, according to a new study led by Harvard researchers.
哈佛大學研究人員領導的一項新研究表明，打屁股對兒童大腦發育的影響，可能與更嚴重的暴力虐待造成的後果類似。
The research, published recently in the journal Child Development, builds on existing studies that show heightened activity in certain regions of the brains of children who experience abuse in response to threat cues.
這篇最近發表在《兒童發育》期刊上的研究，以現有的一些研究為基礎，這些研究發現，遭受虐待的兒童在回應威脅提示時，大腦的特定區域活動會增強。
The group found that children who had been spanked had a greater neural response in multiple regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These areas of the brain respond to cues in the environment that tend to be consequential, such as a threat, and may affect decision-making and processing of situations.
研究團隊發現，打屁股會增強兒童大腦前額葉皮層（PFC）多個區域的神經反應。大腦的這些區域會根據環境中的威脅等重要線索做出反應，並可能影響兒童的決策，以及對局勢的分析能力。
According to the study’s authors, corporal punishment has been linked to the development of mental health issues, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and substance use disorders.
研究作者指出，體罰一直和心理健康問題、焦慮、憂鬱、行為問題及藥物濫用有關。
Next Article
Topic: Coffee before exercise increases fat-burning/運動前喝咖啡增加燃脂
If you’re looking to maximize the amount of fat burned in your next workout, think about having a coffee half an hour before you get started – as a new study suggests it can make a significant difference to fat burning, especially later on in the day.
如果你希望在下次運動健身時最大程度地燃燒脂肪，不妨考慮在開始之前半小時喝咖啡—因為有新研究表明，它可以使脂肪燃燒量明顯變化，尤其是在下午。
Researchers found that 3 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight can boost the rate of fat burning during aerobic exercise, based on results gathered from 15 male volunteers.
研究人員發現，根據從15名男性志願者收集到的結果，按每公斤體重3毫克的量來攝取咖啡因，就可以提高有氧運動期間的脂肪燃燒率。
The coffee dose was shown to increase maximal fat oxidation rate（MFO, a measure of how efficiently the body burns off fat）by an average of 10.7 percent in the morning and 29 percent in the afternoon.
研究表明，這個咖啡攝取量可以增加最大脂肪氧化率（MFO，衡量人體燃燒脂肪效率的指標），上午平均增加10.7%，下午增加29%。
This is a study with a fairly small sample of participants, so it’s important not to jump to too broad a conclusion, but the results are clear enough to suggest that there is some kind of association there.
由於該研究的參與者樣本數很少，因此重要的是不要過於廣泛下結論，但結果足夠清楚，表明存在某種關聯。
Next
Topic: Study Shows Baldness Can Be a Business Advantage 研究：光頭可成職場優勢
Men with shaved heads are perceived to be more masculine, dominant and, in some cases, to have greater leadership potential than those with longer locks or with thinning hair, according to a recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
賓州大學華頓商學院最近的一項研究顯示，剃光頭的男人讓人覺得更有男人味和支配地位，在某些情況下，他們比頭髮較長或者頭髮稀疏的男人看起來更具領導潛力。
Some executives say the style makes them appear younger—or at least, makes their age less evident—and gives them more confidence than a comb-over or monk-like pate.
一些主管認為，光頭的髮型讓他們看起來更年輕，至少沒那麼顯老，而且相較於將頭髮梳向一邊或像修道士一樣的腦袋瓜，這種髮型能讓他們感到更自信。
The study found that men with thinning hair were viewed as the least attractive and powerful of the bunch, a finding that tracks with other studies showing that people perceive men with typical male-pattern baldness as older and less attractive. For those men, the solution could be as cheap and simple as a shave.
該研究發現，頭髮稀疏的男人被認為最沒有魅力、最沒有力量的一群人。這一結果也與其他研究相符，這些研究表明，人們認為典型的雄性禿頭讓男人看上去更老，更缺乏魅力。對於這些男人來說，既便宜又簡單的解決辦法就是剃個頭。
【本集節目由NordVPN 贊助播出】
NordVPN 獨家優惠 ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fifteenminutes
使用專屬折扣碼 【 fifteenminutes 】購買優惠方案即加贈 4 個月
並享有 30 天試用期，可隨時取消，完全零風險！
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
VIP會員文章主題許願表單：https://forms.gle/xyHoPydBr6LLFL9q8
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》！本週的值班老師是 John 老師和阿鍵老師。你有出差經驗嗎？或是你經常需要出差呢？今天讓我們來聊聊 Business Trip 這個主題！
本集節目中，阿鍵老師分享了在中亞地區的出差經驗。從極度現代化的杜拜，到保有傳統文化的亞美尼亞，兩個截然不同的國家令人印象十分深刻。另外提到商務差旅，上網和資安需求也是不可或缺。阿鍵老師也說，要是當時能認識 NordVPN 這類工具就好了，它內建的加密功能和雲端空間能讓商務差旅過程更安心！
聽完本集歡迎到FB/IG私訊或留言分享心得。別忘了，想要獲得更多精彩內容，歡迎訂閱我們的 VIP 會員，還能享有主題許願喔！
https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
正官庄超強快充能量飲 活蔘28D ENERGY SHOT，高麗蔘x3倍牛磺酸，全家新上市12/10前買1送1，立馬SHOT一瓶!
https://fstry.pse.is/6pglul
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
台北嘿掰講Episode 15 - Luxury toilet paper a hit in Taiwan
每週更新的播客，來聽聽Gavin跟John這禮拜討論台灣高級衛生紙
#Taipeibanter＃台北嘿掰講
In Taiwan, which variety of toilet paper currently sells the best? The answer may not be the one you were expecting. Household sanitary paper manufacturers have this year discovered that 3-ply toilet tissue has emerged as a force to be reckoned with within the market, with sales volumes jumping 20 percent. Toilet tissue impregnated with balsam and forest-friendly, recycled alternatives have all exhibited strong sales performance. The industry is speculating that Taiwan is gradually moving toward becoming an M-shaped society, as consumer purchasing power becomes more polarized.
在台灣，現在哪一種衛生紙最好賣？答案可能跌破不少人眼鏡。家用紙業者發現，今年以來價格較高的三層衛生紙異軍突起，銷售量大增二成；添加乳霜的衛生紙、不砍樹的再生紙衛生紙，也都有不錯的銷售成績。業者推測，應與台灣走向Ｍ型社會，消費力逐漸兩極化有關。
Household sanitary paper manufacturers have discovered that 3-ply loo paper is selling like hot cakes. For example, for US wholesaler Costco, in addition to its own-brand Kirkland toilet paper, other 3-ply offerings from Kleenex and established brand May Flower, have all been selling well. According to papermaking conglomerate YFY, although 2-ply toilet paper still constitutes the bulk of the market, sales volumes of 3-ply have been gradually increasing, with some lines becoming best-sellers. Papermakers are now rushing to ramp up production and supply of 3-ply.
家紙業者發現，「三層衛生紙超好賣」，以美式賣場好市多為例，除了自有品牌Kirkland外，目前銷售的舒潔以及先前銷售的五月花都相當受歡迎，這些都是「三層衛生紙」。永豐餘控股指出，雖然目前二層衛生紙仍是市場主流，但三層衛生紙的銷售額逐年成長，部分通路甚至是「三層衛生紙最好賣」，因此紙廠會儘可能將產能供應三層衛生紙。
According to YFY, in 2016 sales revenue for 3-ply toilet paper totalled NT$870 million but broke the NT$1billion mark last year: a year-on-year increase of nearly 19 percent and 16 percent market share.
永豐餘指出，二○一六年台灣市場三層衛生紙銷售金額僅八．七億元，二○一七年已突破十億元，年增近百分之十九，且在衛生紙產品的占比提升至百分之十六。
This year, YFY launched a premium 3-ply version of its flagship May Flower toilet paper to appeal to consumers who demand a superior quality feel and softness. Cheng Loong Corp, which markets a top-of-the-range 3-ply extra-thick, 50-percent-more-absorbent toilet paper under the Andante brand, has seen a 20 percent increase in sales of the product since the beginning of this year.
永豐餘今年就主打旗下「五月花」三層衛生紙，訴求高質感、柔軟的特性。正隆的「春風」三層衛生紙，則主打「三層厚手、吸水力提升百分之五十」，今年以來銷售量大增二成。
As for the cause of mushrooming sales of 3-ply toilet paper, the industry believes Taiwan’s consumer market is becoming “M-shaped.” Although many Taiwanese consumers still count every penny, consumers on the right lobe of the “M” curve attach a greater degree of importance to quality, the environment and functionality, and are willing to fork out more cash to buy products perceived to be of a higher quality.
對於三層衛生紙銷售成長的主因，業者認為，台灣的消費市場出現Ｍ型化趨勢，雖然有不少消費者仍對價格錙銖必較，但在Ｍ型右方的消費者更重視品質、環保、功能等，願意花較多的錢買品質更好的產品。
Taipei Banter, where John and Gavin talk about the interesting things around the world.
Article referred in the podcast:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2018/09/04/2003699732
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
最近的新聞充滿各種「演唱會」，從周杰倫、劉德華到十一月開搶的YOASOBI。這週的《英語咖啡館》John老師和 Angel 老師要來談各自參加演唱會的經驗，同時聊聊台灣的各個演出場地！
從新落成的台北大巨蛋，到老字號的小巨蛋，還有在高雄的高雄國家體育場，你去過幾個呢？另外還有很多比較小規模的場地像是TICC, 比較新的北流或是Zepp New Taipei, 越來越多國際表演者前來台灣演出。你知道其中誰最讓我們難忘且回味嗎？
來信跟我們分享你最難忘的演唱會與場地喔～
想了解AI卻不知從何開始？《數創實驗室》Podcast頻道幫你解惑！
我是Vincent，擁有十年以上AI與大數據經驗，將以淺顯方式分享AI應用、技術與社會影響。訂閱《數創實驗室》，一起在AI時代學習！
https://fstry.pse.is/6pa3zj
—— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 ——
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程
-------------------------------
通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday
VIP訂閱FAQ: https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb
社會人核心英語有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm
-------------------------------
15Mins.Today 相關連結
-------------------------------
歡迎留言你對這集的想法： 留言連結
官方網站：www.15mins.today
Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k
訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy
商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]
意見回覆 : [email protected]
-------------------------------
以下是此單集逐字稿 (播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網)
-------------------------------
國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K879:
Microsoft Transforms Copilot into a Digital Companion
Highlights 主題摘要：
Microsoft has unveiled a major update to its AI chatbot, Copilot, aiming to create a more personalized and user-friendly experience. This redesign marks a significant step towards developing an "AI companion" that goes beyond being just a productivity tool. The update comes at a time when many people still struggle to trust AI tools and haven't fully integrated them into their daily lives.
微軟最近公布了其 AI 聊天機器人 Copilot 的重大更新，旨在創造更個人化、更友善的使用體驗。這次的重新設計標誌著朝向開發「人工智慧伴侶」的重要一步，超越了單純的生產力工具。這項更新恰逢許多人仍在努力信任 AI 工具，尚未將其完全融入日常生活之際。
The new Copilot comes with enhanced capabilities, including real-time voice interactions and the ability to interpret images and text on users' screens. Microsoft claims it's one of the fastest AI models available. However, the most notable innovation is the chatbot's new personality. Copilot now interacts with users in a warmer tone, offering not only information but also encouragement, feedback, and advice for everyday challenges. This approach helps Copilot stand out in the growing field of general-purpose AI chatbots.
新版 Copilot 具備更強的功能，包括即時語音互動以及解讀使用者螢幕上圖像和文字的能力。微軟聲稱這是市面上最快速的人工智慧模型之一。然而，最引人注目的創新是聊天機器人的全新個性。Copilot 現在以更溫暖的語調與使用者互動，不僅提供資訊，還能在日常生活的挑戰中給予鼓勵、回饋和建議。這種方法幫助 Copilot 在日益增長的通用 AI 聊天機器人領域中脫穎而出。
These changes reflect Microsoft's vision for the future of AI in people's daily lives. Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI CEO, believes that AI will become more than just a tool; it will be a digital friend that users turn to for various tasks and support. The company has invested in developing Copilot's personality, employing a team of creative directors, language specialists, and psychologists to refine the AI's conversational abilities. This effort aims to create a balance between making Copilot feel familiar and friendly while still maintaining appropriate boundaries.
這些變化反映了微軟對 AI 在人們日常生活中的未來願景。微軟人工智慧執行長 Mustafa Suleyman 認為， AI 將不僅僅是一個工具，它將成為一個數位朋友，使用者可以向它尋求各種任務和支持。公司投入資源開發 Copilot 的個性，聘請了一個由創意總監、語言專家和心理學家組成的團隊來精進 AI 的對話能力。這項努力希望在讓 Copilot 感覺親切友好的同時，仍保持適當的界限之間取得平衡。
The updated Copilot introduces several new features. Users can now have voice conversations with the AI, choosing from four different voice options designed to sound natural without imitating specific individuals. A "daily" feature provides weather and news updates, sourced from partnerships with reputable news outlets. Integration with Microsoft Edge allows for quick access to Copilot's assistance directly from the browser's address bar. For more adventurous users, "Copilot Labs" offers experimental features like "Think Deeper" for complex reasoning and "Copilot Vision" for visual analysis. Microsoft emphasizes that these new capabilities, especially those involving screen viewing, are designed with user privacy in mind. All Copilot Vision sessions are opt-in, and the content it sees is not stored or used for training.
更新後的 Copilot 引入了幾項新功能。使用者現在可以與 AI 進行語音對話，從四種不同的語音選項中選擇，這些語音選項設計得自然，而不模仿特定個人。「每日」功能提供天氣和新聞更新，這些資訊來自與知名新聞媒體的合作。與微軟 Edge 瀏覽器的整合允許直接從瀏覽器的網址列快速存取 Copilot 的協助。對於更愛冒險的使用者，「Copilot Labs」提供實驗性功能，如用於複雜推理的「Think Deeper」和用於視覺分析的「Copilot Vision」。微軟強調，這些新功能，特別是那些涉及螢幕查看的功能，設計時考慮到了使用者隱私。所有 Copilot Vision 行程都是自訂加入，並且看到的內容不會被儲存或用於訓練。
As AI technology continues to evolve, Microsoft's approach with Copilot showcases a shift towards creating more personalized and emotionally intelligent AI assistants. The company's focus on developing an AI companion that can provide both practical help and emotional support signals a new direction in how we might interact with AI in the future.
隨著 AI 技術持續發展，微軟對 Copilot 的做法展示了朝向創造更個人化、情感智能 AI 助理的轉變。公司專注於開發能夠提供實際幫助和情感支援的人工智慧伴侶，這也預示著我們未來與 AI 互動方式的新方向。
Keyword Drills 關鍵字：
Reference article:
1. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/01/tech/microsoft-copilot-ai-chatbot-update-friendly/index.html
2. https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/1/24259187/microsoft-copilot-redesign-vision-voice-features-inflection-ai
The podcast currently has 2,695 episodes available.
83 Listeners
21 Listeners
3 Listeners
4 Listeners
11 Listeners
3 Listeners
5 Listeners
10 Listeners
16 Listeners
166 Listeners
44 Listeners
40 Listeners
7 Listeners
5 Listeners
4 Listeners