通勤學英語 15Mins Today

每日跟讀#692: Tricky Clicks: ‘Dark Patterns’ Flood the Web

 

When potential customers visit the online resale store ThredUp, messages on the screen regularly tell them just how much other users of the site are saving.

 

潛在客戶造訪線上二手商店ThredUp時，螢幕上訊息會不斷告訴他們，網站其他用戶省下了多少錢。

 

“Alexandra from Anaheim just saved $222 on her order” says one message next to an image of a bright, multicolored dress. It’s a common technique on shopping websites, intended to capitalize on people’s desire to fit in with others and to create a “fear of missing out.”

 

一張亮色系彩色洋裝圖片旁訊息寫著：「安納罕的亞歷山德拉剛才下訂時省下了222美元。」這是購物網站上一種常見伎倆，目的是利用人們想和他人融為一體的願望，並製造「害怕錯過機會」的恐懼。

 

But “Alexandra from Anaheim” did not buy the dress. She does not exist. Instead, the website’s code pulled combinations from a preprogrammed list of names, locations and items and presented them as actual recent purchases.

 

可是「安納罕的亞歷山德拉」沒有買衣服，她並不存在。實情是，網站的程式從預先列好的諸多名字、地點及品項湊出一些組合，當成新近真正的購買行為呈現出來。

 

The fake messages are an example of “dark patterns,” devious online techniques that manipulate users into doing things they might not otherwise choose to.

 

這類假訊息是「黑暗模式」的一個例子，黑暗模式是種狡猾的線上伎倆，操縱用戶去做原本可能不會做的事。

 

Sometimes, the methods are clearly deceptive, as with ThredUp, but often they walk a fine line between manipulation and persuasion: Think of the brightly colored button that encourages you to agree to a service, while the link to opt out is hidden in a drop-down menu.

 

這些方法有時顯屬欺騙，就像Thredup的例子，但通常游走於不易區隔的操縱和說服二者之間：請想想是不是這樣：鼓勵接受服務的按鈕顏色鮮艷亮眼，選擇退出的連結卻藏在下拉式選單中。

 

Web designers and consumers have been highlighting examples of dark patterns online since Harry Brignull, a user-experience consultant in Britain, coined the term in 2010. But interest in the tools of online influence has intensified in the past year, amid a series of high-profile revelations about Silicon Valley companies’ handling of people’s private information. An important element of that discussion is the notion of consent: what users are agreeing to do and share online, and how far businesses can go in leading them to make decisions.

 

打從英國用戶體驗諮詢師哈利·布里格納爾2010年發明黑暗模式一詞以來，網絡設計師與消費者一直大力揪出網路黑暗模式的例子，但在矽谷公司對個人隱私資訊處理方式遭一連串高調曝光之際，過去一年人們對網路影響力工具的興趣也有所增強。相關討論的一個重點是同意的概念：用戶同意在網路上做和分享的是什麼，以及企業引導他們做決定能做到什麼程度。

 

The prevalence of dark patterns across the web is unknown, but in a study released last month, researchers from Princeton University have started to quantify the phenomenon, focusing first on retail companies. The study is the first to systematically examine a large number of sites. The researchers developed software that automatically scanned more than 10,000 sites and found that more than 1,200 of them used techniques that the authors identified as dark patterns, including ThredUp’s fake notifications.

 

目前尚不清楚網路上黑暗模式有多盛行，但在上個月發表的一項研究報告中，普林斯頓大學研究人員已將這種現象開始量化，最先關注的則是零售公司。這是第一個檢查大量網站的系統性研究。研究人員開發了自動掃描1萬多個網站的軟體，發現超過1200個網站使用了報告作者認定為黑暗模式的伎倆，包括ThredUp的假訊息通知。

 

The report coincides with discussions among lawmakers about regulating technology companies, including through a bill proposed in April by Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Mark Warner, D-Va., that is meant to limit the use of dark patterns by making some of the techniques illegal and giving the Federal Trade Commission more authority to police the practice.

 

這份報告發表之際，國會議員正在討論如何監理科技公司，包括透過內布拉斯加州共和黨聯邦參議員費雪、維吉尼亞州民主黨聯邦參議員華納4月提出的一項法案。該法案旨在限制黑暗模式的使用，方法則為立法禁止部分伎倆，並賦予聯邦貿易委員會更大檢肅權。

 

Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/344431/web/

 

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每日跟讀#691: About Russia - Russia hatches plan to become top tourist draw

 

With ambitious plans to become one of the world’s top 10 travel destinations, Russia is offering tours off the beaten track to attract more visitors, with the goal of doubling tourism revenues to $25 billion by 2035.

 

在立下成為全球前十大旅遊勝地的宏大願景後，俄羅斯計畫推出罕見的行程，以招徠更多觀光客，目標是觀光收入到2035年翻倍至250億美元（逾7930億台幣）。

 

Nearly 25 million tourists visited Russia last year, making it the world’s 16th most popular destination, according to the World Tourism Organization.

 

聯合國「世界旅遊組織」統計，去年有近2500萬旅客造訪俄國，使其位居全球第16大最受歡迎觀光地。

 

But the difficulty of obtaining visas, a lack of contemporary-style accommodation and transport links outside the main cities still put off many visitors.

 

然而，簽證不易取得、現代化住宿設施不足，以及主要城市以外欠缺交通網絡等問題，都讓許多旅客卻步。

 

Now the government has started to introduce electronic visas, which will come into force in October for stays of up to eight days in Saint Petersburg, though Russia has not yet said which countries’ citizens can apply.

 

現在，俄國政府已開始引進電子簽證，10月起生效，有意在聖彼得堡停留最多8天的旅客可提出申請，惟當局尚未公布放行的國家有哪些。

 

In addition to ski and trek, tour operators are seeking to launch Arctic tours featuring reindeer herders, rides in Soviet-era tanks or a night at a palace that belonged to Peter the Great.

 

除了滑雪和縱走，旅行社業者正嘗試開辦以馴鹿放牧、乘坐蘇聯時代坦克或投宿彼得大帝皇宮為特色的北極之旅。

 

Next

 

Article: Russians turn to sex coaches to overcome Soviet-era taboos 俄羅斯人求助性愛教練，以克服蘇聯時代禁忌

 

Surrounded by erotic toys, half a dozen women of all ages sit in a central Moscow basement facing a whiteboard as a sex coach trains them in speaking openly about their sexual desires.

 

數名橫跨各年齡層的女性，坐在莫斯科市中心一處地下室的白板前，身邊環繞著性愛玩具，讓性愛教練訓練她們公開談論自身性愛渴望。

 

Barely spoken about publicly in Soviet times and with the Kremlin pushing conservative values in recent years, sex, as a subject, remains an unmentionable in Russia.

 

蘇聯時代幾乎不會公開討論性愛話題，加上克里姆林宮近年推廣傳統價值，使性愛在俄國仍是難以啟齒的話題。

 

Viktoria Ekaterina Frank, a psychologist and sexologist, said that her course did not aim to teach sex techniques but rather "help women understand the psychological barriers engrained in themselves."

 

心理學家兼性學家維多利亞．艾卡特蓮娜．富蘭克說，她的課程不是要教導性愛技巧，而是「幫助女性了解自身根深蒂固的心理障礙。」

 

According to sociologists, Soviet authorities promoted the idea that "the sexual act should serve only for reproduction," and the kind of aura of taboo remains until now.

 

社會學家說，蘇聯政府宣揚「性行為僅是為了傳宗接代」的觀念，而這種禁忌氛圍持續到現在。

 

Now, with authorities increasing their control over the media and internet, often blocking content linked to the opposition, Russians found freedom of expression in talking about sex.

 

如今，隨著政府加強控制媒體和網路，經常封鎖與反對派有關的內容，俄國人反而透過談論性愛找到言論自由。

 

Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1310769 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1309161

 

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每日跟讀#690: India bans e-cigarettes

 

週三，印度聯盟理事會通過法條，禁止電子煙製造、進口、流通和販售，並且提議若違反此條例應處以罰金並求刑，這項決策引起了德里的醫生和電子煙投資人的各種反應聲浪。

 

The Union Cabinet’s move on Wednesday clearing an ordinance for banning production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes and proposing a jail term and fine for its violators evoked mixed reactions among a section of Delhi doctors and other stakeholders.

 

理事會的決定引起許多商會和電子菸產業相關的利益關係人強烈抨擊，因為他們認為政府公布的電子菸禁令非常的嚴苛，並指控禁令是為了保護那些傳統菸商的利益。另外，他們也控訴政府剝奪大家使用比較安全的抽菸方式。

 

The Centre’s decision was slammed by trade bodies and certain stakeholders related to e-cigarettes, who reportedly alleged that it was a “draconian” move taken hastily in the interest of the conventional cigarette industry. They also charged that the government was depriving people of a safer alternative to smoking.

 

印度醫院呼吸系統科醫師Gyandeep Mangal 說道：「很慶幸理事會禁止與香菸一樣有害的電子菸。雖然電子菸不含菸草，但內含的液態狀尼古丁可能會導致癌症、肺部以及心臟疾病。」

 

Dr Gyandeep Mangal, senior consultant in Respiratory Medicine, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, said, “We are glad with the ban on e-cigarettes by Union Cabinet as these are as harmful as regular cigarettes. It is true that e-cigarette doesn’t contain tobacco but it contains liquefied nicotine which may lead to cancer, lung and heart diseases.

 

「所以吸電子煙並沒有比一般香菸安全。除了尼古丁之外，裡面含有其他同樣對人體有害的成分。」

 

Hence it is not true that e-cigarettes are safer. Apart from the nicotine, there are other additional components included which are equally harmful."

 

他補充道：「事實上那些抽香菸的人不但沒有戒菸，吸電子菸的同時也繼續抽傳統香菸。所以我們可以說電子煙和傳統香菸一樣有害。」

 

He also said, “The fact is that instead of quitting, many e-cigarette users are continuing to use e-cigarettes while still using conventional cigarettes. Hence we can conclude that e-cigarettes are as harmful as regular cigarettes.”

 

稍早，印度醫學研究理事會對電子菸的使用祭出紅牌警告，並且提出研究表示，電子菸很有可能造成人體對尼古丁成癮。

 

Earlier, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had red-flagged the use of e-cigarettes citing studies that have apparently shown that these have the potential to cause nicotine addiction.

 

印度北部醫院Paras Healthcare的醫生Dharmider Nagar說道：「最近在美國因抽電子菸而致死的案例，讓我們對電子煙可能內含的有毒化學物質打上問號。」

 

Referring to the Centre’s move to ban e-cigarettes, Dr Dharminder Nagar of Paras Healthcare said, “The recent vaping-related deaths in the US have once again put a question mark over the possible toxicity of chemicals present in e-cigarette.

 

另外，他補充道：「假電子菸可能流傳於市面上，且在這些致死案例調查還沒有一個結論之前，我們還是不能把電子煙當作戒菸的解決辦法。」

 

While investigation into those deaths have still not been conclusive and point to a possibility of spurious products, we must refrain from looking at e-cigarettes as a safe alternative.”

 

 

Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20190919-752652

 

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每日跟讀#689: The best beef noodles in Taiwan

 

其實在早期農業社會，牛肉並不是台灣民眾常食用的肉類，四零年代隨著軍隊遷台的軍人及眷屬，因為思念家鄉的味道，發揮各自的好手藝，把中國各地的特色料理，從眷村裡的小吃攤開始飄香。

 

Back in the early rural days, however, Taiwan people didn’t really use cattle for its beef. Fleeing from a tumultuous war, many soldiers and their families came to Taiwan from all corners of China, but still missed the flavors of their native towns. Therefore, many began setting up stalls in the military dependents’ villages where they resided and put their cooking skills to good use. Soon, the aroma of all these unique Chinese ingredients began to fill the air.

 

台灣的牛肉麵可謂是集結中國廣泛飲食特色為大成，無論是四川紅燒，蘭州拉麵，或是東北勁麵，在台灣都可以嘗到道地的滋味.

 

It could be said that Taiwan’s beef noodles are an amalgamation of the vast variety of China’s dishes; whether it be Szechuan braised, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, or northeastern noodles, all of these authentic dishes can be tasted in Taiwan.

 

台灣人到底有多麼愛吃牛肉麵? 台灣賣牛肉麵的餐館或小攤，數量可是所有餐飲類的第一名，為了挑選出最好吃的牛肉麵，可是連續辦了十多年的牛肉麵比賽，更把台灣牛肉麵的美味介紹到全世界，甚至於國際認定的字典也將牛肉麵的英譯正式定為「New Row Mian」。

 

So just how much does Taiwan love beef noodles? The amount of beef noodles restaurants and vendors take first place in the food industry here. In its quest to find the most delicious version, Taiwan has organized an annual beef noodle competition for more than ten years. This Taiwanese specialty has now been exported all over the world, even translating the name into “New Row Mian”.

 

在多屆牛肉麵比賽獲獎的紀錄中，其中以台北晶華酒店獲獎的紅燒牛肉麵以及冠軍清燉牛肉麵，更是代表台灣將牛肉麵的美味在國際間大放異彩，曾被 CNN 以及許多國際媒體評為台灣最好吃的牛肉麵，以及來台灣不能錯過的美食，就連米其林評鑑也肯定台灣最美味的牛肉麵，就是台北晶華酒店的這兩碗麵。

 

Throughout these yearly competitions, Regent Taipei hotel’s Classic Braised Beef Noodles and Champion Clear Broth Beef Noodles stand out locally and on the international stage. Being reported as Taiwan’s most delicious beef noodles by CNN and other international media, even Michelin agrees with its champion status, making Regent Taipei’s two noodle specialties a must when visiting Taiwan.

 

榮獲第八屆台北國際牛肉麵冠軍的清燉牛肉麵，清燉湯頭將牛大骨、牛腱心塊和青蔥、薑、洋蔥分別煎炒，逼出香氣後再入鍋燉煮約 2-3 小時，為避免湯汁過度油膩，這 些食材煎炒過後還要以清水汆燙沖洗過。而清燉湯頭最重要的精隨牛大骨，更是在熬煮前先放入烤箱烤 50 分鐘，將牛油逼出烤出微焦的牛骨，如此熬煮出的湯頭更能充分顯現出牛肉湯特有的香味，湯汁卻不會太過油膩。

 

Winner of the 8th Taipei International Beef Noodle Festival, the Champion Clear Broth Beef Noodles is prepared first by cooking beef brisket with pan-fried scallions, ginger and onions, then boiled into a broth for two 2-3 hours. In order to avoid the broth getting too oily, the ingredients are thoroughly rinsed after being pan-fried.

 

喝一口看似清澈入口卻充滿濃郁牛肉香味的清燉高湯，這碗清燉牛肉麵擄獲眾多挑嘴老饕味蕾的另一個關鍵，就是這碗麵上面令人垂涎三尺，切成豪邁厚片的清燉牛肉片。選用澳洲進口的牛腱心，以清燉為基底添入蔬果調味後，加入桂皮，薑，蒜等香料，燜煮 2 小時將肉質燉得軟嫩，在舌尖味蕾間散發出高品質牛肉的鮮嫩甘甜美味。

 

The key to preparing the lines in the beef brisket, which is roasted in the oven for fifty minutes before boiling, releasing all the juices from the bones. The result is a clear broth with a marked beefy fragrance, while also reducing its oiliness. Other than the flavorful broth another element that has enticed everyone’s taste buds are the succulent, thickly cut chunks of beef. Made with h beef brisket and vegetables to heighten the broth’s flavor, cinnamon, ginger, garlic and other ingredients are added, as well. After a twohour long boil to make the meat soft and tender, it melts in the mouth, releasing a fresh, sweet taste.

 

另外一碗口味較重的紅燒牛肉麵，選用平均每頭牛只能切出 10 公斤的台灣本產牛腩 肉，靠近牛腹處的肉質富含油花且帶筋，先將肉質汆燙後淋上大量米酒，後與爆炒過 的蔥、薑、桂皮、八角，少許白胡椒等辛香料入鍋，以小火燉煮約 4 小時，尤其是已 經燉到軟嫩的牛筋，入口以舌尖抿壓，即能嘗到豐富滋味的膠質精華，富含油花的牛 腩肉經過燉煮後，稍微咀嚼在嘴裡散發的美味，只有當日新鮮的牛肉，才能夠呈現出 的鮮美滋味.

 

The Classic Braised Beef Noodles have a heavier taste. Made from 10 kg. of Taiwanese brisket, which is cut closer to belly, contains more oil and tendon. After blanching the meat, it’s drenched in strong rice wine. Then, it’s boiled in a low heated pot for four hours together with sautéed onions, ginger, cinnamon, and aniseed, along with a touch of white pepper and other spices. The resulting flavor of the tendon is particularly pungent, bringing out the taste and texture of this rich part of the meat. Just lightly chewing on this freshly prepared brisket is enough enjoy its savory juices.

 

Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20190920-754918

 

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每日跟讀#688: SpongeBob SquarePants too violent for Indonesia’s broadcasting watchdog

 

 

印尼媒體The Jakarta Post報導，印尼國家廣播委員會於九月五日寄出警告信給電視公司GTV，原因竟然是播放了電影版《海綿寶寶歷險記》。

 

 

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) sent a warning letter to television station GTV on Sept. 5 for broadcasting The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.

 

 

根據國家廣播委員會的網站，信中提到播放這部電影違反了「廣播行為守則」以及「電視節目標準」。

 

 

Posted on the KPI’s website, the letter said the airing of the movie was considered in violation of the broadcasting code of conduct (P3) and program standards (SPS).

 

 

海綿寶寶電影版於八月六日早上十一點多在GTV台的「Big Movie Family」節目播出，被指內含暴力行為，像是用板子打臉、保齡球掉下來砸頭、往臉上丟鐵槌甚至用球拍把一盆仙人掌丟躑出去。

 

 

The movie, aired on Aug. 6 at 11:14 a.m. on GTV’s “Big Movie Family” program, was said to have contained violent acts, such as hitting a face with a board, dropping a bowling ball on the head, throwing a hammer at a face and throwing a pot of cactus with the help of a racket.

 

 

另外，這部電影於八月二十二日播出內容也被指含有暴力行為，像是用蛋糕砸臉或是以木頭打人。

 

 

The movie, which aired again on Aug. 22 at 3:02 p.m. on GTV, reportedly contained the violent acts of throwing a cake at a face and hitting with the use of wood.

 

 

國家廣播委員會認為這部電影可能違反了十四號法條行為準則，此準則提到節目播出每個層面都必須對於孩童有正面的影響。

 

 

The KPI deemed the movie as potentially violating Article 14 of the KPI’s code of conduct, which states that a broadcasting unit must adhere to the interests of children in every aspect of broadcasting production.

 

 

廣受歡迎的美國電視動畫《海綿寶寶歷險記》，是關於主角海綿寶寶與他的朋友在虛構的比奇堡海底世界的冒險。

 

 

A wildly popular American animated television series, SpongeBob SquarePants chronicles the adventures of the title character and his friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom.

 

 

海綿寶寶卡通自1999年開始播出，2004年「海綿寶寶歷險記」被改編成同名電影，2015年則發表了第二部系列電影《海綿寶寶：海陸大出擊》。第三部電影將在2020年推出。

 

 

First airing in 1999, the series was made into a feature film, The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie in 2004. The second movie, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, came out in 2015, while the third is slated for a 2020 release.

 

 

包含GTV在內的14間電視和廣播公司都在這次收到了來自印尼國家廣播委員會的警告信。

 

The warning letter to GTV from the KPI was among others sent regarding 14 programs.

 

 

委員會的警告信指稱違規內容包括暴力、恐怖、超自然、色情對話或手勢、以及涉及隱私的爭議或騷擾。

 

 

The violations range from acts of violence, horror and supernatural scenes, sexual dialogue and gestures, private conflicts and harassment.

 

 

委員會去年12月也寄給了11間電視廣播公司警告信，因為他們播放的蝦皮電子商務平台廣告太猥褻。

 

 

The KPI has sent out similar warning letters, such as in December last year when 11 stations were warned for broadcasting a Shopee commercial deemed too salacious.

 

 

今年二月，委員會的西爪哇分會限制十七首歌曲在廣播及電視的播放時間，原因是歌曲帶有性暗示。

 

 

In February, the West Java branch of the KPI limited airtime for 17 songs and radio and television in West Java for sexual content.

 

 

今年八月，委員會制定法規以規範數位媒體，包含YouTube與Netflix。法規目的是要確保數位內容是值得觀看的，推廣有教育意義的價值觀念並讓網友能夠遠離低俗的資訊。

 

 

In August, it planned to formulate rules expected to serve as a legal umbrella for monitoring content on digital media outlets, such as YouTube and Netflix. It aims to ensure digital content is worth watching, promotes educational values and keeps netizens away from low-quality content.

 

 

Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20190917-749422

 

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Welcome to 15mins.today, the home of English Shadowing.

I'm your host Gavin and this is InTense Episode 23. And in this episode we will be looking at a small thing, which is quite useful and this is the use of “much and many.”

 

Now in English you have “much and many” and “much” we use for things you cannot count, like water and “more” for things you can count, like chairs. At the end of the day it's very confusing for non-native speakers to know sometimes which things are many as you can count them or much which means you don't count them.

 

A rule of thumb was always, you can say “two chairs three chairs” but you can’t say “2 waters 3 waters.” I don't know, it's a very difficult subject for most of my students to grasp so today's episode will just be based on this. I always tell them to change it to “a lot of” because “a lot of” is always correct “a lot of water, a lot of chairs” and that's as simple as that. So let's do some questions!

 

Drill Sentences:

 

Did Jane send a lot of emails? No, she did not send a lot of emails.

 

Did the conference use a lot of time? Yes, the conference used a lot of time.

Did the conference use a lot of time? No, the conference did not use a lot of time.

 

Did you attend a lot of meetings? Yes, I attended a lot of meetings.

Did you attend a lot of meetings? No, I did not attend a lot of meetings.

 

Did Peter complete a lot of reports? Yes, he completed a lot of reports.

Did Peter complete a lot of reports? No, he did not complete a lot of reports.

 

Did you stay at a lot of hotels? Yes, I stayed at a lot of hotels.

Did you stay at a lot of hotels? No, I did not stay at a lot of hotels.

 

Did John and Jane Book a lot of tickets? Yes, they booked a lot of tickets.

Did John and Jane Book a lot of tickets? No, they did not book a lot of tickets.

 

Did you visit a lot of museums? Yes, I visited a lot of museums.

Did you visit a lot of museums? No, I did not visit a lot of museums.

 

Did Jeff reboot a lot of computers? Yes, he rebooted a lot of computers.

Did Jeff reboot a lot of computers? No, he did not reboot a lot of computers.

 

Did Anna drink a lot of juice? Yes, she drank a lot of juice.

Did Anna drink a lot of juice? No, she did not drink a lot of juice.

 

Did you spend a lot of money? Yes, I spent a lot of money.

Did you spend a lot of money? No, I did not spend a lot of money.

 

There you are guys, so I hope that's a help for you. Just remember when you're not sure if it's “much or many” just use “a lot of” and as you can see from my examples it always works. Have a great time and catch you next time, bye-bye!

 

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Summary:

New York subway has had a high percentage of delays in the past and recently it is seeing signs of improvement. However, the train disruptions that involve homeless people is increasing. Homeless people walk on tracks, block train doors and engage in other unruly behavior that disrupts the trains. Despite the newly opened 23 new homeless shelters since 2017, Police still have to hand out civil summonses to clamp down on disruptive behavior.

 

Full article: https://www.15mins.today/blog/639-how-subway-delays-and-the-homeless-crisis-are-intertwined

 

 

 

Vocabulary and sample sentences:

 

Turnstile n. Mechanical gate with revolving horizontal arms that allows only one person to pass through.

 

It is a crime to jump over turnstiles.

 

 

You can only go through the turnstile if you have bought a ticket.

 

Crack down ph v. – dealing with bad or illegal behavior in a severe way.

 

The Police is cracking down on homeless people who are camping out in the subways.

 

China is cracking down on fake or counterfeit goods.

 

Fine n. Penalty that you pay

 

 

If you run a red light, you will get a NTD5000 fine.

 

 

I need to pay my parking fines at the 7-11.

 

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每日跟讀#687: Japan environment minister: scrap nuclear reactors

 

Japan’s environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi has called for the country’s nuclear reactors to be scrapped to prevent a repeat of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Koizumi’s comments, made on Sept. 11, hours after he became Japan’s third-youngest cabinet minister since the war, could set him on a collision course with Japan’s pro-nuclear prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

 

日本新任環境大臣小泉進次郎呼籲日本將核反應爐報廢，以防止福島核災重演。小泉進次郎為日本戰後第三年輕的內閣大臣，九月十一日甫上任數小時後即做出如上表示，小泉此番言論可能使他與擁核的首相安倍晉三發生衝突。

 

“I would like to study how we will scrap them, not how to retain them,” Koizumi, 38, said. “We will be doomed if we allow another nuclear accident to occur. We never know when we’ll have an earthquake.” Koizumi faced an immediate challenge from the new trade and industry minister, Isshu Sugawara, who said that ridding Japan of nuclear power was “unrealistic.” “There are risks and fears about nuclear power,” Sugawara told reporters. “But ‘zero-nukes’ is, at the moment and in the future, not realistic.”

 

「我想研究如何停用核反應爐，而不是如何保留它」，三十八歲的小泉說。「如果我們讓核事故再度發生，我們就註定會滅亡。我們永遠不知道什麼時候會發生地震。」小泉面臨新任經濟產業大臣菅原一秀的直接挑戰──菅原說，若要日本擺脫核電，是「不切實際的」。「核電有其風險和可怕之處」，菅原一秀告訴記者。「但是『零核電』在現今和未來都是不切實際的」。

 

Japan’s government wants nuclear power to comprise 20 percent to 22 percent of the overall energy mix by 2030, drawing criticism from campaigners who say nuclear plants will always pose a danger given the country’s vulnerability to large earthquakes and tsunamis. Abe, however, has called for reactors to be restarted, arguing that nuclear energy will help Japan achieve its carbon dioxide emissions targets and reduce its dependence on imported gas and oil.

 

日本政府計畫，到二○三○年，核電將佔整體能源結構的百分之二十至二十二。這受到活動人士的批評，說日本易發生大地震和海嘯，核電廠永遠會構成危險。然而，安倍呼籲重新啟動反應爐，認為核能將有助日本達成二氧化碳排放目標，並減少對進口天然氣和石油的依賴。

 

All of Japan’s 54 reactors were shut down after a giant tsunami caused a triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. Nuclear power accounted for about 30 percent of Japan’s energy production before the disaster. Today, just nine reactors are back in operation, having passed stringent safety checks introduced after the Fukushima meltdown. But the government is unlikely to meet its target of 30 reactor restarts by 2030 amid strong local opposition and legal challenges.

 

二○一一年三月的一場大海嘯，造成福島第一核電廠一至三號機的反應爐心皆熔毀，日本隨即將國內五十四座反應爐全部關閉。福島核災發生之前，核電約佔日本能源產量的百分之三十。現今只有九座反應爐通過福島核災後制定的嚴格安全檢查而重啟。但由於當地強烈的反對和法律的挑戰，日本政府不太可能在二○三○年前實現重啟三十個反應爐的目標。

 

Although he faces potential opposition from inside the cabinet, Koizumi should at least receive the backing of his father, Junichiro Koizumi, a former prime minister who has emerged as a vocal opponent of nuclear power.

While Japan debates the future of nuclear energy, the younger Koizumi, who has been tipped as a future prime minister, is now at the center of a controversy over the future of more than a million metric tonnes of radioactive contaminated water stored at Fukushima Daiichi.

 

雖然小泉進次郎可能會面臨來自內閣的反對，但他起碼會得到其父小泉純一郎的支持；小泉純一郎曾任日本首相，現已是大力反對核電的要角。日本正爭辯核能該何去何從，但對於福島第一核電廠所儲存的一百多萬噸受輻射污染的水該何去何從，此刻卻讓未來首相熱門人選小泉進次郎身處爭議的中心。

 

On September10, the previous environment minister, Yoshiaki Harada, said the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power, had no choice but to dilute the water and release it into the Pacific Ocean rather than store it indefinitely.

The prospect of dumping the water into the sea has angered local fishermen and drawn protests from neighboring South Korea.

 

九月十日，時任環境大臣的原田義昭表示，福島核電廠的營運商東京電力公司別無選擇，只能把這些輻射汙染水稀釋、倒進太平洋，而不是無限期貯存起來。這些輻射水可能會倒入海中的消息激怒了當地漁民，並引起了鄰國南韓的抗議。

 

Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2019/09/17/2003722392/2

 

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每日跟讀#686: Study: Three weeks for night owls to change their routines

 

Many people have irregular daily routines, or are night owls who go to bed late and get up late, causing them to perform poorly at work or in class during the daytime. According to a study published in Sleep Medicine Research last month, the use of interventions to adjust people’s sleep routines and correct their displaced sleep schedule required a period of three weeks.

 

許多人日夜作息不規律、或是夜貓子晚睡晚起，導致白天工作、課業表現不好；《睡眠醫學期刊》上月刊登研究指出，用調整睡眠作息的干預措施來改善日夜顛倒，需要三週的時間。

 

The study included 22 young people aged between 18 and 24 years old, the participants being “night owls” that would usually go to sleep around 02:30am and get up at around 10:30am.

 

這項研究對象包括二十二名十八歲到二十四歲青少年，受試者是「夜貓族」，平均入睡時間為凌晨兩點三十分，起床時間為十點十五分。

 

The participants were randomly divided into a test group and a control group. For three weeks, those in the test group were asked to modify their routines, including the time they got up and went to bed, their diet and their exercise. This included waking up two or three hours earlier than they would normally do, exercising outdoors in plenty of sunshine as much as possible, eating breakfast as soon as they got up and eating meals at regular times. It also meant not drinking caffeinated drinks after 3pm, eating their evening meal before 7pm and, for those who did exercise, to shift their exercise time to the morning. They were also asked to go to bed two to three hours earlier than they were used to and to reduce their exposure to light in the evening.

 

研究對象隨機分為實驗組及控制組，在三週內，實驗組的參與者被要求改變生活習慣，包括起床時間、上床時間、飲食、運動等面向，包括比平常早兩到三小時醒來，並盡可能去戶外曬充足的陽光、起床後盡快吃早餐，且定時用餐、下午三點後不喝任何含咖啡因的飲料、七點前吃晚餐、有運動習慣者改成早上時間運動、比習慣入睡的時間提早兩到三小時上床、並在晚上限制光照時間。

 

The only stipulation placed on those in the control group was that they eat lunch at set times every day.

The findings showed that establishing simple routines could help night owls adjust their biological clock and improve their overall physical and mental health. They also experienced reduced levels of depression and stress and would feel less drowsy during the day.

 

控制組的參與者僅被要求每天在固定時間吃午餐。結果顯示，建立簡單常規方式可以幫助夜貓子調整其生理時鐘、改善整體身心健康，且憂鬱和壓力的感覺以及白天嗜睡感都有所降低。

 

The study findings were consistent with past research, that sleep in humans was affected by the biological clock, and that the biological clock was tied to sunlight.

Therefore, if you want to get your routine back into order you should start with your exposure to sunlight: try going to bed an hour earlier, go out and eat breakfast in the morning, avoid lying down on the bed during the daytime, and exercise more outdoors in the sunshine. If you really feel the need to sleep, do your best to restrict it to a half hour lunchtime nap, and don’t eat too much for dinner. If you continue in this way for 3 to 5 days according to your requirements, your body clock will gradually return to a more normal routine.

 

這項研究與過去相關研究結果一致，人體睡眠受生理時鐘影響，而生理時鐘則與光線有關。

因此要調整紊亂的生活作息可先從光線著手：睡覺的時間可提早一小時入睡，早上出門吃個早餐，白天盡量不要躺床，多往外動一動曬太陽，如真的想睡，最多只能睡半小時的午覺，晚餐不要吃太多，維持這模式持續三到五天，後續依照需要調回的時間差，慢慢將生理時鐘調回正常的作息。

 

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每日跟讀#685: From India, now the world is in craze about vegetarian burger

 

於2009年創立由比爾蓋茲投資的「未來漢堡肉」（Beyond Meat）公司近來席捲素食圈，就連許多名人像是影星李奧納多與推特創辦人畢茲史東都有投資。在素食人口較多的南亞及東南亞國家，許多速食店也能吃到素漢堡。近期「未來肉」風潮也吹到了台灣，速食連鎖業者開始推出素漢堡以搭上這波素食風潮。

 

Meat alternative has become popular around the world in recent years. For instance, Beyond Meat ventured by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, actor Leonardo Dicaprio and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has taken the globe by storm. In South Asia and Southeast Asia where many people are vegetarian or vegan, a lot of fast-food chain restaurants have vegetarian burgers on their menu. The sensation of alternative meat in fast-food restaurants has taken Taiwan as well.

 

肯德基在美國亞特蘭大一間門市販售全素炸雞，不到五小時就搶購一空。來到越南，在肯德基也能吃到由植物肉打造的「素漢堡」，至於台灣肯德基則尚未推出任何素食產品。

 

Although KFC in Taiwan hasn’t launched any vegetarian menu, an Atlanta outlet in the United States launched vegan fried chicken in late August this year. The chicken made by Beyond Meat was sold out in just five hours. Besides Atlanta, KFC in Vietnam also has burgers made by plant-based meat.

 

麥當勞在挪威已開始販售「素食雞塊」，在英國也已經推出「全素食」套餐，然而，在台灣的麥當勞分店並未提供任何素食餐點，僅有沙拉與薯條為素食。

 

While the other giant chain fast-food restaurant, McDonald’s, started to sell vegan chicken nuggets in Norway, and also launched a wholly vegetarian menu in the United Kingdom. In Taiwan, McDonald’s has vegetarian salad and French fries.

 

讓人驚訝的是，世界最夯素漢堡始祖其實是在素食人口大國印度。早在麥當勞進入印度時就推出許多素產品，包括素漢堡（Mc Aloo Tikki）、素派（VEG Pizza McPUFF）、美國起司素堡（American Cheese Supreme Veg Burger），成為家喻戶曉的純素美食，吃素也能享受速食的美味。

 

In fact, the trending vegetarian burger first appeared in India, where a huge population in India are either vegetarian or vegan. When the McDonald’s entered India, the restaurants launched various options of vegetarian menu, such as Mc Aloo Tikki, Veg Pizza PcPUFF, American Cheese Supreme Veg Berger. Going on vegan is not in conflict with having fast-food.

 

在台灣，知名速食連鎖品牌摩斯漢堡今年六月推出了使用未來肉的「摩力蔬食堡」，以豌豆、甜菜根、椰子油，100％植物製造，一份180元台幣，限台北五家門市販售。九月更開始擴大全台32間門市販售，再加碼推出「摘鮮綠摩力堡」，由新鮮萵苣代替麵包，嚐起來更鮮甜酥脆無負擔。

 

The popular fast-food restaurant chain Mos Burger has launched “MOS Burger with Beyond Meat,” consisted of peas, beets, coconut oil. The burger is only available in five outlets in Taipei at first and expanding to 32 outlets starting from September. This month, the franchise also launched “Mos Natsumi with Beyond Burger,” by replacing the burger bun which lettuce, Mos Burger is creating a fresh taste and healthy burger.

 

「未來漢堡肉」公司自創立以來，打著「未來肉」的招牌，期望降低能源消耗。台灣速食業者也將漸漸趕上這波「未來肉」風潮。

 

Since Beyond Meat had been founded in 2009, the company aims to reduce energy consumption by alternative meat. This concept is also taken by Taiwanese restaurants more in recent years.

 

Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20190918-751014

 

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