通勤學英語 15Mins Today

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- It's the last day of the 2024 Lunar New Year holidays and also a day celebrated in the West for lovers! Wish you a loving and memorable Valentine's Day! Today, Shimin will share an interesting song sang by the greats like Frank Sinatra and Rod Stewart. The song is called "My funny valentine". Although the lyrics seemed absurd at first, it is quite a romantic song. Check this song out and listen to what Shimin and I shared about our memorable Valentine's Day. Want a shout out? Send us your shares and comments using the comment link and we'll give you a shout out in the next episode. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K727: MrBeast's $250,000 X Experiment: Unveiling the Power of Creator Monetization Highlights 主題摘要：MrBeast's X Experiment Success: MrBeast's X video experiment demonstrated the significant earnings potential for major influencers, earning over $250,000 and showcasing the power of creator monetization.X's Monetization Challenges: Despite MrBeast's success, disparities and concerns arise within X's creator program, with varying payouts and fears of inflammatory content linked to premium subscribers.Platform-Specific Monetization: MrBeast's unique success on X is attributed to his massive following, pre-roll video ads, and Shopify's involvement, emphasizing the importance of platform-specific monetization strategies.Influencer MrBeast, known off-screen as Jimmy Donaldson, recently tested Elon Musk's theory on X, the social media platform owned by Musk. Surprisingly, MrBeast revealed that a single video he posted on X earned him over $250,000, showcasing the potential windfall for major internet personalities participating in the platform's new ad revenue sharing program. 知名網紅MrBeast，本名Jimmy Donaldson，最近在由Elon Musk擁有的社群平台X上測試了Musk的理論。令人驚訝的是，MrBeast透露，他在X上發布的一個影片讓他賺了超過25萬美元，展示了參與該平台新的廣告收益分潤計劃的主要網紅可能獲得的潛在豐厚利潤。 Elon Musk introduced this program in July, aiming to share revenue from ads displayed in response to high-performing content. The catch: creators must subscribe to X's premium service. This initiative not only aligns X with competitors like Meta, YouTube, and TikTok but also strives to boost the platform's ad business. Elon Musk於七月推出了這項計劃，目的是回饋表現成果優異的內容，並分出廣告收益。問題是：創作者必須訂閱X的高級服務。這個行動不僅使X與Meta、YouTube和TikTok等競爭對手保持一致，還努力提振了平台的廣告業務。 Despite MrBeast's initial reluctance to regularly post on X, he decided to experiment by uploading an older video about testing expensive cars. Surpassing 160 million views, the video demonstrated the potential for meaningful earnings through X's nascent ad revenue sharing program. However, MrBeast cautioned that results might not be uniform for all creators. 儘管MrBeast最初不願意定期在X上貼文，但他決定上傳一個有關測試昂貴汽車的舊影片來進行實驗。該影片的觀看次數超過了1.6億次，展示了透過X新興的廣告收益分潤計劃實現有意義收入的潛力。然而，MrBeast警告說，結果可能不能套用到所有創作者上。 MrBeast's substantial payout can be attributed to his massive X following of over 27.5 million users. The influencer's engagement likely contributed to higher revenue per view, as advertisers sought the attention his content was garnering. MrBeast巨額的收入歸功於他在X上的龐大追隨者，超過2,750萬用戶。這位網紅的參與可能有助於提高每次觀看的收入，因為廣告商們都在尋求他的內容所帶來的關注度。 While MrBeast celebrated his success, not all creators on X share the same sentiment. Conservative commentator Dan Bongino received a mere $379, sparking criticism of X's creator program. Some fear that paying X Premium subscribers, whose posts are already boosted by the algorithm, might encourage inflammatory content. 儘管MrBeast慶祝他的成功，但並非所有X上的創作者都有相同的感受。保守評論員丹·邦吉諾僅收到379美元，引發對X創作者計劃的批評。有人擔心訂閱X高級服務後，他們的貼文會立刻被演算法提升，可能會促使發表更具爭議或冒犯性的內容。 While MrBeast's experiment may bring him considerable earnings, it's essential to note that X's monetization rules count views only from Premium subscribers. This subscription-based model may limit broader creator monetization experiences on X. The platform's payout system has faced scrutiny, with disparities observed between payouts for favored accounts and other users. 雖然MrBeast的實驗可能為他帶來可觀的收益，但需要注意的是，X的盈利規則僅計算高級訂戶的觀看次數。這種基於訂閱的模式可能會限制在X平台上更廣泛的創作者盈利體驗。該平台的付款制度受到質疑，因為可以觀察到對喜愛帳戶和其他用戶之間的分潤存在差異。 In conclusion, MrBeast's $250,000 X experiment sheds light on the potential earnings for major internet personalities, but it also underscores the challenges and disparities within X's creator monetization landscape. 總之，MrBeast的25萬美元X平台實驗，顯示了重點網紅的潛在收益，但也凸顯了X的創作者盈利環境中的挑戰與差異。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Initiative (i-ni-ti-a-tive): Elon Musk introduced this initiative in July, aiming to share revenue from ads displayed in response to high-performing content.Demonstrated (de-mon-strat-ed): Surpassing 160 million views, the video demonstrated the potential for meaningful earnings through X's nascent ad revenue sharing program.Commentator (com-men-ta-tor): Conservative commentator Dan Bongino received a mere $379, sparking criticism of X's creator program.Inflammatory (in-flam-ma-to-ry): Some fear that paying X Premium subscribers might encourage inflammatory content.Monetization (mon-e-ti-za-tion): MrBeast's success on X sheds light on the potential earnings for major internet personalities and the challenges within

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: Collins Dictionary picks ‘NFT’ as word of the year Collins Dictionary has chosen the term NFT as its word of the year after surging interest in the digital tokens that can sell for millions of dollars brought it into the mainstream. 《柯林斯詞典》於近日選出「NFT」為年度詞彙！該數位貨幣交易動輒高達數百萬美元，各界對它的興趣大增，並成功打入主流市場。 NFT is short for non-fungible token. Collins defines it as “a unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.” NFT是「非同質代幣」的縮寫，《柯林斯詞典》將NFT定義為「一種基於區塊鏈的獨特數位認證，用於記錄藝術品或收藏品等資產的所有權。」 Most people didn’t know what an NFT was until this year, when sales boomed, sparked in large part by artist Beeple’s March auction of a digital collage NFT for nearly US$70 million (approximately NT$2 billion). Experts at Collins said they chose NFT because of its “meteoric rise in usage,” up 11,000 percent this year. 人們原本對NFT很陌生，但自從數位藝術家畢波今年三月以近七千萬美元（近二十億台幣）的天價，售出一件數位拼貼作品後，NFT熱潮隨即興起，人們紛紛將目光投向NFT市場。柯林斯的專家表示，NFT一詞的使用量「迅速竄升」，今年已增長一百一十倍。 “NFTs seem to be everywhere, from the arts sections to the financial pages and in galleries and auction houses and across social media platforms,” said Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins Learning. But whether NFT will have a lasting influence is yet to be determined, he added. 「柯林斯學習」的總經理比克羅夫特表示︰「NFT似乎無所不在，從藝術領域到金融版面，並且在畫廊、拍賣會還有社交平台都有它的蹤影。」他補充︰「但NFT是否會產生持久的影響，仍有待觀察。」Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/12/06/2003769067 Next Article Topic: Art Museums Are Struggling to Weed Out the Vandals From the Visitors For Hans-Peter Wipplinger, the director of Vienna’s Leopold Museum, the past few weeks have been challenging. As climate protesters across Europe stepped up their attacks against art, Wipplinger took measures to protect his storied collection, which includes famous paintings by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Bags were banned; coats, too. The museum hired extra guards to patrol its five floors. 對維也納立奧波德博物館館長維普林格來說，過去幾周充滿挑戰。隨著歐洲各地氣候抗議者加大對藝術品的攻擊力道，維普林格採取措施保護他的著名收藏，包括克林姆和席勒的名畫。禁止包包，外套也是。博物館雇用額外警衛巡視五個樓層。 It didn’t work. Last week, members of a group called Last Generation walked into the museum and threw black liquid at one of Klimt’s major works, “Death and Life.” A protester had sneaked the liquid into the museum in a hot water bottle strapped to his chest, Wipplinger said. 但沒有成功，上周一個名為「最後一代」團體的成員走進博物館，向克林姆主要作品之一《死亡與生命》潑灑黑色液體。維普林格說，一名抗議者將這種液體裝在一個熱水瓶內偷偷帶進博物館。 The Klimt, protected by glass, was unharmed. But Wipplinger said his security team could only have stopped the attack by subjecting visitors to invasive body searches, “like at the airport.” He didn’t want to even consider that prospect, he added. 受玻璃保護的克林姆作品雖毫髮無損，但維普林格說，他的保安團隊恐怕只能對訪客進行侵入式搜身 來阻止攻擊，「就像在機場一樣」。他還表示，他甚至不想考慮這一可能性。 With the attacks showing no sign of abating, museum directors across Europe are settling into a nervous new equilibrium, fearful for the works in their care but unwilling to compromise on making visitors feel welcome. So far, nothing has been permanently damaged. But many fear that an accident or an escalation in the protesters’ tactics could result in a masterpiece being destroyed. 由於攻擊沒有減弱跡象，歐洲各地博物館館長正陷入一種緊張的新平衡狀態，擔心自己照顧的作品受到損害，但又不願在讓訪客感覺賓至如歸的問題上妥協。到目前為止，還沒有任何永久性的損壞，但許多人擔心，若發生意外或抗議者升級策略，恐導致名作被毀。 The actions, which began in Britain in June, are already increasing in frequency and daring. At first, protesters glued themselves to the frames of famous paintings, but since footage of activists splattering Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” with tomato soup spread rapidly on social media in October, masterpieces have been doused in pea soup, mashed potatoes and flour. 這些行動於6月在英國開始，如今已日益頻繁，愈來愈大膽。最初，抗議者將自己黏在名畫畫框上，但自從10月活動人士向梵谷《向日葵》潑灑番茄湯影片在社群媒體上迅速傳播以來，名作陸續被潑上豌豆湯、馬鈴薯泥以及麵粉。 Those works were all protected by glass, and the protesters’ projectiles never touched an artist’s brushstroke. Yet, last month, protesters in Paris poured orange paint directly onto a silver Charles Ray sculpture outside the Bourse de Commerce contemporary art space. (A Bourse de Commerce spokesperson said the sculpture was cleaned within a few hours.) 這些作品都有玻璃保護，抗議者的投擲物從未接觸到藝術家的畫作。然而，巴黎的抗議者上月將橘色油漆直接倒在商業交易所當代藝術空間外查爾斯．雷的銀色雕像上。（法國商業交易所一名發言人說，這座雕像在數小時內就被清理乾淨了。） In a statement last month signed by the leaders of more than 90 of the world’s largest art institutions, museum administrators said they were “deeply shaken” by the protesters’ “risky endangerment” of artworks. 在全球90多間最大藝術機構負責人上月簽署的一

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) -------------------------------

------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) -------------------------------

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K723: Top Diet of 2024: Mediterranean Style Reigns Again Highlights 主題摘要：Mediterranean Diet Dominance: The 2024 rankings affirm the Mediterranean diet as the ultimate choice, excelling in health benefits and overall suitability for a healthy lifestyle.Plant-Based Triumph: Plant-centric diets, including DASH and MIND, secured top positions, emphasizing the growing recognition of the health benefits of plant-focused eating.Cautions on Keto and Raw Diets: While the keto diet tops fast weight loss, concerns about long-term sustainability and safety arise. The raw food diet faces criticism for nutritional restrictions. The Mediterranean style of eating has once again secured its position as the top choice for a healthy lifestyle, as announced by the U.S. News & World Report for the seventh consecutive year. The 2024 ratings revealed the Mediterranean diet as the best overall diet, excelling in categories such as ease of adherence, family-friendliness, and benefits for diabetes, bone, joint, and heart health. Plant-based diets took the spotlight, with the DASH and MIND diets claiming second and third places respectively. 《美國新聞與世界報導》宣布，地中海風格的飲食蟬聯第七年在健康生活中的最佳選擇。2024年的評比顯示，地中海飲食被評為最佳整體飲食，在易堅持性、家庭友好性和對糖尿病、骨骼、關節和心臟健康的益處等方面表現優越。以植物為基礎的飲食受到關注，DASH和MIND飲食分別獲得第二和第三名。 In a significant move, the expert committee evaluated the vegan diet for the first time, granting it the third spot among the best plant-based diets. Additional newcomers to the 2024 list included the Dukan, Herbalife Nutrition, HMR, Profile Plan, and Plantstrong diets, each bringing their unique approach to nutrition. U.S. News emphasized their commitment to guiding users through the overwhelming world of diets by consulting medical and nutrition experts. 其他意義重大的行動包含，專家委員會首次評估了純素飲食，並將其列為最佳植物為基礎的飲食中的第三名。2024年新增的還有杜坎、賀寶芙餐飲、HMR、Profile Plan和Plantstrong等飲食，各自帶來了獨特的營養攝取法。《美國新聞》強調他們致力於通過諮詢醫學和營養專家，引導用戶通過複雜的飲食世界。 Understanding the Mediterranean Style of Eating 理解地中海風格的飲食 The Mediterranean diet, characterized more as a lifestyle than a stringent regimen, has consistently shown health benefits. Research indicates its potential to reduce the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. Emphasizing simple, plant-based cooking, the diet revolves around fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, and extra-virgin olive oil. Limited consumption of red meat, encouragement of oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and smaller portions of eggs, dairy, and poultry are key features. 地中海飲食更被視為一種生活方式，而不僅僅是一種嚴格的飲食方案，地中海飲食一直以來都顯示出健康益處。研究表明，它有助於降低糖尿病、高膽固醇、癡呆症、記憶喪失、抑鬱和乳腺癌的風險。強調簡單的植物為基礎的烹飪，飲食圍繞著水果、蔬菜、全穀物、豆類、種子和特級初榨橄欖油展開。有限的紅肉消耗，鼓勵攝入富含omega-3脂肪酸的魚和油脂，以及較少量的雞蛋、奶製品和家禽是其關鍵特點。 The social aspect of meals and regular exercise form integral parts of this eating style. Sharing meals with friends and family, savoring favorite foods mindfully, and engaging in mindful movement contribute to the holistic approach of the Mediterranean diet. 進餐的社交觀點和定期的運動是這種飲食風格的組成要素。與家人和朋友共進晚餐，對喜愛的食物進行細心品味，並參與正念運動有助於地中海飲食的整體理念。 The Raw Food Diet: A Bottom Performer 生食飲食：低居榜末 Earning the last spot on the list of 30 best overall diets is the raw food diet, advocating the consumption of uncooked, unprocessed, and pesticide-free foods. Despite apparent health benefits, experts caution against its nutritional restrictions and potential safety concerns. Dr. Vanita Rahman recommends integrating raw foods into a whole foods, plant-based diet for a safer and healthier approach. 在30種最佳整體飲食的榜單上，生食飲食獲得最後一名，倡導食用未經烹飪、未加工且無農藥殘留的食物。儘管有明顯的健康益處，專家們警告其營養限制和潛在的安全問題。Vanita Rahman博士建議將生食飲食融入整體的植物為基礎的飲食，以實現更安全和更健康的方式。 Keto Diet: A Controversial Ranking 生酮飲食：爭議性的排名 While the popular keto diet secured the top spot for fast weight loss, it landed in 25th place overall. Criticized for its extreme carbohydrate restrictions, experts argue its difficulty to sustain over the long term. Not recommended for individuals with certain health conditions, pregnant individuals, and athletes, concerns about cognitive decline, nutritional deficiencies, kidney stones, heart disease, and muscle loss have raised skepticism about the diet's long-term safety. 儘管受到歡迎的生酮飲食在快速減重方面名列前茅，但在整體排名中僅排名第25位。專家批評其極端的碳水化合物限制，並主張其難以長期維持。不建議有特定健康狀況、懷孕者和運動員進行此飲食，有關認知下降、營養缺乏、腎結石、心臟病和肌肉流失的擔憂引發對該飲食長期安全性的質疑。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Mediterranean (Med-i-ter-ra-ne-an): The Mediterranean diet, characterized more as a lifestyle than a stringent regimen, has consisten

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: Junk food habit affects sleep quality French fries and hamburgers are popular with teenagers. Everyone knows that these high-calorie foods can lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and high blood pressure, but, according to a report published by Medical Xpress, a study led by the University of Queensland in Australia has found that eating too much junk food can also have an impact on teenagers’ sleep quality. 薯條、漢堡等速食及飲料很受青少年喜愛。眾所皆知這些高熱量食物會導致慢性疾病，如心臟病和高血壓等。不過，「醫療快訊」報導，澳洲昆士蘭大學帶領的一項研究發現，吃過多的垃圾食品還會影響青少年的睡眠品質。 According to the research results, teenagers who drink more than three soft drinks per day were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who only drink one cup per day. Males who ate fast foods on more than four days per week were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who ate them only once a week, while females were 49 percent more likely to do so. 根據研究結果，每天喝三杯以上飲料的青少年自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比每天只喝一杯軟飲料的青少年高百分之五十五。每週吃四天以上速食的男性自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比那些每週只吃一次速食的男性高百分之五十五，而女性的機率高出百分之四十九。 This global study examined unhealthy diets and stress-related sleep disturbance in high school students from 64 countries. The study found that 7.5 percent of adolescents reported having stress-related sleep disturbance, which was more common among females than males and increased with more frequent consumption of carbonated soft drinks, as did the occurrence of sleep problems. Because carbonated drinks often contain caffeine and large amounts of sugar, while fast foods are high in energy but poor in nutrients, long-term consumption can cause nutritional imbalances. 這是一項針對全球不健康飲食和與壓力有關的睡眠障礙研究，涉及來自六十四個國家的高中生。研究表明，百分之七點五的青少年自稱有壓力相關的睡眠障礙，其中女性比男性更常見，且隨著碳酸飲料的頻繁飲用而增加，睡眠障礙的比率也愈高。因為碳酸飲料通常含有咖啡因和高糖分，而快餐食品高熱量但較缺乏營養，長期攝取會營養不均衡。 These data were collected from global health surveys conducted by the WHO between 2009 and 2016, which included about 170,000 students aged 12 to 15 years from 64 low, middle and high-income countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and the eastern Mediterranean. 這些數據收集自二○○九年至二○一六年世界衛生組織的全球健康調查，其中包括來自東南亞、非洲、南美部分地區和地中東海東部地區的六十四個低、中、高收入國家的約十七萬名十二至十五歲的學生。 The research team said that frequent intake of soft drinks and eating of fast foods is closely associated with sleep problems in teenagers, and that this phenomenon is particularly clear in high-income countries. The research team said that these findings are worrying because poor-quality sleep has an adverse impact on adolescent health and cognitive development. They suggested that policies should be formulated that target these unhealthy behaviors. 研究團隊表示，青少年經常喝飲料、吃速食與睡眠障礙之間關聯密切，這現象尤其在高收入國家特別明顯。研究團隊指出，這些發現令人擔憂，因為睡眠品質差會對青少年的健康和認知發展產生不利影響。他們建議應針對這些不健康的行為制定相關政策，使青少年能健康成長。 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/01/05/2003749938 Next Article Topic: Philippines store rolls out ingenious face masks for bubble tea lovers 珍珠奶茶在國際舞台上幾乎與台灣劃上等號，在台灣時常能看到人手一杯手搖飲。然而礙於疫情，戴著口罩要喝飲料變得麻煩許多，一間菲律賓飲料店為了解決這個問題，最近推出了一款讓人無需脫口罩就能吸到珍奶的超神口罩。 In recent years, bubble tea has become synonymous with Taiwan among members and friends of the foreign community, and many locals can often be seen drinking hand-shaken beverages wherever they go. With the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent requirements of wearing face masks in crowded areas, however, drinking soft drinks has become a bit of a hassle. To solve this problem, a beverage store in the Philippines recently released a new line of face masks that you won’t need to take off to enjoy a sip from your favorite drink. 此店Gallontea將口罩命名為「吸吸罩」(Sippy Mask) ，表面看起來與一般布口罩差不多，但是口罩的嘴巴邊卻有一個小開口，上面附著一個蓋子讓喜愛喝珍奶的人可以邊喝邊防疫。 The “Sippy Mask” released by Gallontea looks like an ordinary cloth face mask, but if you look closely, you’ll find that there is a small opening near the mouth, with a small-cap for bubble-tea lovers to enjoy a safe drink. 店家也特別在官網上表示，只要消費有達1,000披索（約新台幣605.56元）就會贈送此口罩。而雖然口罩預購期已於昨日截止，目前也只在菲律賓販售，然而因為銷量不賴，期望未來有機會進軍台灣；不過大家需特別注意，喝完飲料要再將開口關上，才不會白帶口罩。 On their official Instagram page, Gallontea announced that customers can receive a free face mask with a minimum purchase of 1,000 pesos (US$20.59). Although the pre-order time was only till Aug. 18 and the masks are currently only being sold in the Philippines, with the way it’s selling out, many people have expressed hope that customers will see this ingenious invention on Taiwan racks very soon. However, users of the face masks should be mindful of closing the open

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 下個禮拜就要農曆新年啦！大家準備得如何呢？應該有不少通勤家族除了要準備返鄉、準備包紅包外，還要預備年夜飯吧？本週的《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》由之前和大家分享早餐英語的克寧老師來值班！ 克寧老師在本集幕後教師室的內容提到，自己對食物、烹飪的愛好可以算是家學淵源，而練習烹飪的過程，其實和學習語言有許多的共通之處。比如說面對失誤和挫敗，其實用正面的心態來看待，就能更享受在自己一點一點的進步中，而不被自己的完美主義給壓倒。而重複料理一道菜到完全掌握，也和練習發音、聽力一樣，需要透過時間累積練習，才能夠達到得心應手的程度。 最後來預告一下，下週三的《15Mins Cafe 英語咖啡館》將是克寧老師與John老師來跟大家分享過年的英語和年菜的食譜，讓通勤學英語陪你過年不打烊！ 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- Hi guys, we're back with Lydia hosting this week's 15Mins Cafe. She brought something popular and interesting this week - the MBTI personality test. The MBTI has also caught up with the e-commerce space and online retailers and financial institutions are using the tests to improve relevance in their communication with their target audience. What is your MBTI personality type? Do you know the fullname of MBTI? Send us your comments using the comment link and we'll give you a shout out in the next episode. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 以下是此單集逐字稿 (各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.K719: Transformation Strategies: How Billion-Dollar Brands Adapt to Evolving Markets Highlights 主題摘要：Consumer Shift: Iconic brands like Coors adapt to changing consumer preferences by strategically diversifying beyond traditional markets, responding to the decline in beer sales.Strategic Rebranding: In a post-pandemic era, companies invest in revitalizing brands, recognizing successful rebrands align with real improvements, balancing change with brand essence.Market Resilience: Coors navigates market challenges by tapping into new categories, leveraging historical uniqueness, and embracing strategic partnerships, ensuring adaptability for the future. In the ever-changing landscape of consumer preferences, iconic brands such as Coors and Jell-O are investing heavily in revamping their images to stay relevant and attract new audiences. Coors, a beloved beer brand with a rich history, is facing a new challenge as US consumers shift away from traditional beer consumption. Molson Coors, the multinational company behind Coors, has experienced a decline in volume, prompting the need for strategic changes. 在不斷變化的消費者偏好中，象徵性品牌如Coors和Jell-O等正在大舉投資以改頭換面，保持其相關性並吸引新受眾。Coors是一個歷史悠久深受喜愛的啤酒品牌，正面臨一個新挑戰，即美國消費者轉向非傳統的啤酒消費。作為Coors背後的跨國公司，Molson Coors的銷量出現下降，促使其需要進行戰略性調整。 Consumer behavior is evolving, with a growing preference for alternative beverages like hard seltzers and spirits, leading to a decline in beer sales. Molson Coors acknowledges these changing "lifestyle choices" and the overall softness in the beer industry. However, the company is strategically steering its product lineup towards burgeoning categories like whiskey and energy drinks to stay ahead in the market. 消費者行為正在演變，他們越來越偏好硬式汽水和烈酒等替代飲料，導致啤酒的銷售下降。Molson Coors公司承認這些關於“生活型態選擇”的變化以及啤酒行業的整體疲軟。然而，公司正在戰略性地將其產品陣容轉向威士忌和能量飲料這類不斷增長的類別，以保持市場領先地位。 In the broader context of a post-pandemic world, companies are eager to revitalize their brands to adapt to shifting consumer lifestyles and priorities. This wave of revitalization extends beyond the beverage industry, with companies like Bed, Bath & Beyond, JCPenney, Mattel, Zoom, and Pfizer undergoing expensive rebrands. Despite being a lengthy and costly process, successful rebrands can transform a declining business into a powerhouse or make an old brand resonate with a new generation. 在後疫情世界的廣泛前提下，企業急於振興其品牌，以適應不斷變化的消費者生活型態和優先次序。這股振興浪潮不僅僅局限於飲料行業，還包括Bed, Bath & Beyond、JCPenney、Mattel、Zoom和Pfizer等公司，都在進行昂貴的品牌重塑。儘管這是一個冗長且昂貴的過程，但一但成功的重塑品牌，就能將衰退中的銷售轉為強大的力量，或者使老品牌引起新一代的共鳴。 Rebranding, however, comes with risks. Companies must carefully balance the desire for change with preserving the essence of their brand. According to Rick Wise, CEO of Lippincott, a global creative consultancy, successful rebrands start with a strategic focus on areas where a brand is losing relevance. Visual changes, such as logos or campaigns, must align with real improvements in products or experiences to build, rather than erode, consumer trust. 然而，品牌重塑也伴隨著風險。企業必須仔細平衡對變革的渴望與保留品牌本質的需求。根據全球創意顧問公司Lippincott的執行長Rick Wise的說法，成功的品牌重塑始於戰略性地關注品牌失去相關性的領域。視覺上的變化，如標誌（Logo）或廣告活動，必須與產品或體驗的實際改進一致，以建立而不是消耗消費者的信任。 A case in point is Starbucks' controversial rebrand in 2011, where it dropped "Starbucks Coffee" from its logo. Despite initial criticism, the rebrand has been deemed a success, aligning with the company's international growth and expansion into new product categories. Similarly, Jell-O's recent redesign reflects a strategic effort to appeal to younger consumers with vibrant packaging and playful imagery. 一個例子是2011年星巴克爭議性的品牌重塑，其中將“星巴克咖啡”從其標誌中去掉。儘管最初受到批評，但其品牌重塑被認為是成功的，與公司的國際增長和擴展到新的產品類別相符。同樣，Jell-O最近的重新設計反映出一種戰略行動，以吸引年輕消費者，使用鮮豔的包裝和俏皮的圖像。 For Coors, tapping into new markets involves diversifying beyond beer, introducing whiskey and energy drink brands. The company also leverages its historical uniqueness, such as an anniversary campaign and partnerships, to stay connected with consumers. While rebrands are not guaranteed to win over consumers, strategic and thoughtful approaches can navigate companies through the challenges of changing consumer preferences and market dynamics, ensuring they remain resilient and adaptable for the next 150 years. 對於Coors來說，進入新市場不僅意味著在啤酒之外進行多元化，推出了威士忌和能量飲料品牌。該公司還利用其獨特的歷史性，例如週年慶活動和合作夥伴關係，以保持與消費者的聯繫。雖然品牌重塑不能保證贏得消費者的心，但戰略和深思熟慮的方法可以引導企業應對不斷變化的消費者偏好和市場動態的挑戰，確保它們在未來150年保持韌性和適應性。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Strategically (stra-te-gi-cal-ly): However, the company is stra

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: In Race for Tuition-Free College, New Mexico Stakes a Claim As universities across the United States face steep enrollment declines, New Mexico’s government is embarking on a pioneering experiment to fight that trend: tuition-free higher education for all state residents. 隨著美國各地大學入學人數急劇下滑，新墨西哥州政府正著手進行一項開創性實驗來應對這一趨勢：為全州居民提供免學費高等教育。 After President Joe Biden’s plan for universal free community college failed to gain traction in Congress, New Mexico, one of the nation’s poorest states, has emerged with perhaps the most ambitious plans as states scramble to come up with their own initiatives. 在美國總統拜登的全民免費社區大學計畫未能獲得國會支持後，美國最窮的州之一新墨西哥州提出的計畫，可能是各州爭相提出行動倡議中最具雄心的一個。 A new state law approved in a rare show of bipartisanship allocates almost 1% of the state’s budget toward covering tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, community colleges and tribal colleges. All state residents from new high school graduates to adults enrolling part-time will be eligible regardless of family income. The program is also open to immigrants regardless of their immigration status. 一項新的州法在兩黨罕見合作下通過，將州預算的1%用於支付公立大學、社區大學與部落學院的學費。所有州民，從剛畢業的高中生到參加兼職教育的成人都有資格參加，無論家庭收入。該計畫也向移民開放，無論他們的移民身分如何。 Some legislators and other critics question whether there should have been income caps and whether the state, newly flush with oil and gas revenue, can secure long-term funding to support the program beyond its first year. The legislation, which seeks to treat college as a public resource similar to primary and secondary education, takes effect in July. 一些議員和其他批評人士質疑是否應設所得限制，以及剛獲大量石油與天然氣收入的該州是否能在計畫實施第一年後，獲得長期資金支持。這項立法將於7月生效，旨在將大學視為與中小學教育類似的公共資源。 Although nearly half the states have embraced similar initiatives that seek to cover at least some tuition expenses for some students, New Mexico’s law goes further by covering tuition and fees before other scholarships and sources of financial aid are applied, enabling students to use those other funds for expenses such as lodging, food or child care. 儘管近半的州已採取類似舉措，想幫一些學生支付至少部分學費和雜費，新墨西哥州法律更進一步，在申請其他獎學金和學費補助前，先支付學雜費，讓學生能使用其他資金，支付如住宿、食物或兒童照顧等費用。 “The New Mexico program is very close to ideal,” said Michael Dannenberg, vice president of strategic initiatives and higher education policy at the nonprofit advocacy group Education Reform Now. Considering the state’s income levels and available resources, he added that New Mexico’s program is among the most generous in the country. 非營利倡議組織Education Reform Now策略倡議暨高教政策副總裁丹能貝格說：「新墨西哥的計畫非常貼近理想。」他表示，考量收入水準與可用資源，新墨西哥州的計畫是全美最慷慨的。 Dannenberg emphasized that New Mexico is going beyond what larger, more prosperous states like Washington and Tennessee have already done. Programs in other states often limit tuition assistance to community colleges, exclude some residents because of family income or impose conditions requiring students to work part time. 丹能貝格強調，新墨西哥州正超越華盛頓和田納西這些更大、更繁榮的州所做的事。其他州通常限制對社區大學的學費補助，因家庭收入排除一些州民，或要求學生兼職。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6329103 Next Article Topic: Colleges Slash Budgets in the Pandemic,With ‘Nothing Off-Limits’ Ohio Wesleyan University is eliminating 18 majors. The University of Florida’s trustees last month took the first steps toward letting the school furlough faculty. The University of California, Berkeley, has paused admissions to its doctoral programs in anthropology, sociology and art history. 美國俄亥俄衛斯理大學取消了18個科系。佛州大學董事會9月採取初步措施，目標是讓校方有權放教師無薪假。柏克萊加州大學則暫停招收人類學、社會學和藝術史的博士班學生。 As it resurges across the country, the coronavirus is forcing universities large and small to make deep and possibly lasting cuts to close widening budget shortfalls. By one estimate, the pandemic has cost colleges at least $120 billion, with even Harvard University, despite its $41.9 billion endowment, reporting a $10 million deficit that has prompted belt tightening. 由於全美各地新冠肺炎疫情再度惡化，美國各大學不論規模大小，都被迫大砍支出，以彌補逐漸擴大的預算缺口，刪減的支出可能長期都不會恢復。有人估計，疫情至少使美國各大學合計損失1200億美元，就連坐擁419億美元辦學基金的哈佛大學也出現1000萬美元預算赤字，被迫勒緊褲帶。 The persistence of the economic downturn is taking a devastating financial toll, pushing many to lay off or furlough employees, delay graduate admissions and even cut or consolidate core programs like liberal arts departments. 經濟持續疲軟造成極其嚴重的財務災情，迫使許多大學裁員或放無薪假，推遲研究所學生入學，甚至取消或合併文科等核心學程。 The University of South Florida announced last month that its College of Education would become a graduate school only, phasing out undergraduate education degrees to help close a $6.8 million bu

------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 加入VIP訂閱！更多單集、學習筆記與加值內容等著你：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday Do you feel chilled this week? 這週你有感覺放鬆嗎？或是你凍壞了呢？這禮拜碰到寒流，好多地方甚至下雪啦！但John老師卻覺得心中暖暖的。 上週三的《15Mins Cafe 英語咖啡館》John老師和詩詩老師帶來了 Vincent 這首梵谷之歌，節目上有提到樂高Lego的Starry Night，沒想到有好幾位通勤家族的好朋友傳訊息來告訴我們哪裡有特價，甚至最後這盒星夜就這樣出現在家裡啦！這似乎就是我們常聽說的吸引力法則，許願力！ “The Law of Attraction says that you will attract into your life whatever you focus on. Whatever you give your energy and attention to will come back to you.” 吸引力法則說，你把注意力放在哪，就會吸引什麼進入生活。你在哪付出精力，就會帶什麼回到你身邊。所以樂高公司快來找我們（趁機許願）。 本週的《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》還有提到社會人核心英語12月的完課榜，針對我們的VIP訂閱會員，更提供了《社會人核心英語》有聲書課程最新一波的折扣碼，訂閱戶們別錯過email的內容喔。 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 想要這集的VIP學習筆記 (內含主題討論逐字稿、常用慣用語片語及同義字、聽力小測驗)？ 更多的加值內容就成為VIP會員：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday This week we have a topic requested by one of our VIP members - Yenchen. Patrick and I look back in time and talk about the sportswear we used to love in our childhood. Many of us would get acquainted with sportswear brands in our school years and these brands become a big part of our identities. Brands are not made in a day, and most of them have stories that last forever. What's the story behind Adidas and Puma? Which brand is your favorite growing up? Write your comment down using the comment link and we'll give you a shout out in the next episode. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K715: Mayday's Political Controversy Amidst Music Storm Highlights 主題摘要：Political Maneuvering: Mayday's lip-sync investigation reflects intertwined tensions between China and Taiwan, spotlighting alleged political manipulation and challenges for artists.Cultural Bridge Strained: Once a cultural bridge, Mayday's popularity in mainland China now faces scrutiny, revealing the delicate balance between entertainment and geopolitical sensitivities.Artistic Integrity Challenge: The controversy underscores the challenges artists face navigating political pressures, exemplified by Mayday's struggle between musical authenticity and geopolitical expectations. Taiwanese pop-rock sensation Mayday finds itself entangled in controversy as the Chinese government launches an investigation into allegations of lip-syncing during their live performances. This move has not only stirred debates over artistic integrity but also led to accusations of political interference. Mayday's popularity in mainland China has made them a cultural bridge, but now their music is entwined with geopolitical tensions. 台灣流行搖滾天團五月天發現自己陷入爭議，因中國政府對其在現場演出中涉嫌對嘴進行調查。這個動作不僅引起了關於藝術誠信的爭論，還導致了政治干預的指控。五月天在中國大陸的受歡迎程度使其成為一座文化橋樑，但現在他們的音樂與地緣政治緊密相連。 The investigation stemmed from a vlogger's posts on the Chinese social media app Bilibili, claiming that Mayday's lead singer sounded too flawless during certain songs. The Chinese government, however, denies any political motivation, stating that Taiwanese politicians are equally seeking political favor. Mayday, in response, vehemently denied the lip-syncing allegations, challenging the authenticity of the claims that could lead to a hefty fine of 100,000 yuan. 該調查源於一名在中國社群媒體Bilibili上的創作者貼文，聲稱五月天的主唱在某些歌曲中聽起來過於完美無暇。然而，中國政府否認任何政治動機，聲稱台灣政客同樣在尋求政治利益。五月天則強烈否認了對嘴的指控，對這些可能導致高達100,000元人民幣罰款主張的真實性提出質疑。 The Taiwanese officials have retaliated, asserting that the investigation is retaliation for Mayday's refusal to publicly declare Taiwan's allegiance to Beijing. Tensions between China and Taiwan have escalated in recent years, with Mayday unintentionally becoming a pawn in the political chess game. Taiwan's claims of political manipulation are further echoed by internal security notes and anonymous intelligence officials, accusing the Chinese government of orchestrating discussions on social media to prompt the investigation. 台灣官方也發表了聲明回應，聲稱這次調查是對五月天拒絕公開宣布台灣效忠北京的報復。中國和台灣之間的緊張關係近年來升級，五月天無意中成為政治棋局中的一員。台灣有關政治操縱的指控進一步得到內部安全文件和匿名情報員的附和，指責中國政府在社群媒體上策劃輿論以推動調查。 As Mayday's fate hangs in the balance, the controversy sheds light on the complex intersection of entertainment, politics, and cross-strait relations. While the Chinese government insists on investigating alleged lip-syncing, Taiwan contends that this is a tactic to force Mayday into a political stance. As the investigation unfolds, the broader implications for artists caught between the demands of their craft and geopolitical tensions underscore the challenges faced by those navigating the delicate balance of cultural expression and political sensitivities. 隨著五月天的命運懸而未決，這場爭議揭示了娛樂、政治和兩岸關係交織的複雜交匯點。儘管中國政府堅持調查涉嫌的對嘴行為，台灣則認為這是迫使五月天表明政治立場的手段。隨著調查的推進，藝術家們在技術實力和地緣政治的緊張局勢之間徘徊，造成了更廣泛的影響，也凸顯了那些在文化表達和政治敏感性之間取得微妙平衡的人所面臨的挑戰。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Geopolitical (Ge-o-po-li-ti-cal): Mayday's popularity in mainland China has made them a cultural bridge, but now their music is entwined with geopolitical tensions.Vehemently (ve-he-ment-ly): Mayday, in response, vehemently denied the lip-syncing allegations, challenging the authenticity of the claims that could lead to a hefty fine.Authenticity (au-then-tic-i-ty): Mayday, in response, vehemently denied the lip-syncing allegations, challenging the authenticity of the claims that could lead to a hefty fine.Retaliation (re-ta-li-a-tion): The Taiwanese officials have retaliated, asserting that the investigation is retaliation for Mayday's refusal to publicly declare Taiwan's allegiance to Beijing.Sensitivities (sen-si-tiv-i-ties): As the investigation unfolds, the broader implications for artists caught between the demands of their craft and geopolitical sensitivities underscore the challenges faced. Reference article: 1. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-67645258 2. https://www.businessinsider.com/china-boyband-mayday-lip-syncing-taiwan-ccp-dpp-2023-12

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: The ‘Right to Repair’ Movement Gains Ground If you buy a product — a car, a smartphone, or even a tractor — and it breaks, should it be easier for you to fix it yourself? 如果你買了一個產品，例如一輛汽車、一部智慧型手機，甚至是一台拖拉機，結果它壞了，是不是應該讓你自己修理起來更容易些呢？ Manufacturers of a wide range of products have made it increasingly difficult over the years to repair things, for instance by limiting availability of parts or by putting prohibitions on who gets to tinker with them. It affects not only game consoles or farm equipment, but cellphones, military gear, refrigerators, automobiles and even hospital ventilators, the lifesaving devices that have proved crucial this year in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. 多年來，許多種產品的製造商都讓維修變得愈來愈困難，比如限制零件的取得，或對何人有權動手維修施加限制。受影響的產品不止於遊戲主機或農用機具，還有手機、軍用設備、冰箱、汽車，甚至包括今年對抗新冠病毒疫情發揮關鍵作用的救生設備—醫院裡的呼吸器。 Now, a movement known as “right to repair” is starting to make progress in pushing for laws that prohibit restrictions like these. 現在，一項名為「維修權」的運動在推動禁止此類限制的立法上，正取得進展。 In August, Democrats introduced a bill in Congress to block manufacturers’ limits on medical devices, spurred by the pandemic. In Europe, the European Commission announced plans in March for new right-to-repair rules that would cover phones, tablets and laptops by 2021. 今年8月，美國民主黨因防疫需要而在國會提出一項法案，旨在阻止製造商對醫療裝置設下限制。在歐洲，歐盟執行委員會3月宣布了新的維修權規定計畫，在2021年以前實施，涵蓋手機、平板電腦和筆記型電腦。 And in more than 20 statehouses nationwide, right-to-repair legislation has been introduced in recent years by both Republicans and Democrats. 近年來，在全美國20多個州的議會裡，共和黨和民主黨都提出了維修權法案。 Over the summer, the House advanced a funding bill that includes a requirement that the Federal Trade Commission complete a report on anti-competitive practices in the repair market and present its findings to Congress and the public. 今年夏天，眾議院推動了一項資助法案，其中責成聯邦貿易委員會做成一份關於維修市場反競爭行為的報告，並向國會和民眾提交調查結果。 The goal of right-to-repair rules, advocates say, is to require companies to make their parts, tools and information available to consumers and repair shops in order to keep devices from ending up in the scrap heap. They argue that the rules restrict people’s use of devices that they own and encourage a throwaway culture by making repairs too difficult. 倡議人士表示，維修權規定的目的是要求企業向消費者和維修商家提供零組件、工具及資訊，以免這些裝置最終被扔進垃圾堆。他們主張，目前的慣例對人們使用自己的裝置設下限制，並透過讓維修變得太過困難的方式，助長了一種用完即丟的文化。 They also argue that it’s part of a culture of planned obsolescence — the idea that products are designed to be short-lived in order to encourage people to buy more stuff. That contributes to wasted natural resources and energy use at a time when climate change requires movement in the opposite direction to rein in planet-warming emissions. 他們還認為，這是一種計畫性淘汰文化的一部分，即為了鼓勵人們購買更多東西，產品被設計成短命的。在氣候變遷需要採取反向行動來控制溫室氣體排放的此際，這助長了自然資源的浪費以及能源的使用。 Manufacturing a new device or appliance is still largely reliant on polluting sources of energy — electricity generated from burning fossil fuels, for instance — and constitutes the largest environmental impact for most products. 製造一種新設備或裝置在很大程度上，仍仰賴會造成汙染的能源，例如燃燒化石燃料產生的電力，對大多數產品而言，這正是構成最大環境影響的因素。 Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5015841 Next Article Topic: UK gamers and politicians take aim at console ’scalpers’ Furious British gamers and lawmakers are training their sights on "scalpers" who are buying up coveted PS5 and Xbox consoles and selling them online at vastly inflated prices. 氣沖沖的英國玩家和議員將焦點指向「黃牛」，這些黃牛買光搶手的PS5、Xbox電玩主機，然後在網路上以大幅灌水的價格出售。 The popular consoles have also been hard to come by in other parts of the world, but in Britain anger has boiled over to the point where some lawmakers want to ban the practice of reselling them online at higher prices. 這些熱門電玩主機在世界其他地方也一機難求，但是在英國掀起的怒火已沸騰，一些議員為此打算禁止網路高價轉售的作法。 While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-£750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll. 根據美國研究員麥可．德里斯考的說法，通常一部PS5依版本差異，售價在360英鎊到450英鎊之間，但在諸如「電子海灣」的網站上轉售價中位數為650到750英鎊不等。 Next Article Topic: Singaporean student plays Pokemon on ingenious ‘Melonboy’ 想像你搭捷運時突然有個年輕男子拿著一顆鑲有小螢幕的西瓜淡定的坐到你旁邊，開始認真的玩。 Imagine that you are on the MRT and a young man sitting next to you is playing video games on a watermelon-like console. 近期，就有新加坡民眾在捷運上目睹這奇葩的一幕。一位星國少年自製了一台「西瓜Game Boy」，上面不僅有螢幕和實體的按鈕，裡面還裝載了近期最流行的寶可夢遊戲軟體。 That’s the unusual sight some people recently experienced in Singapore when a teenager was seen playing “Pokemon Go” on a self-built console made of a watermelon, a screen and so

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 本週的《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》要跟大家分享「如何選擇適合自己的練習文章」！ 一直以來John老師不時的會收到一些通勤家族成員來信，說因為跟讀的內容太難了，感覺很挫敗。這種時候我們只要掌握三個選文章的訣竅，就可以重新燃起你的動力啦！ 首先第一個是關聯性，在選擇練習文章的時候，我們建議可以優先考慮與你的專業強相關的文章，這樣一來不僅是你熟悉的領域，而且還可以順便學習新知或複習已掌握的知識。 第二點是興趣，在與自己關聯性較低的文章中，我們推薦你挑選自己有興趣的主題來做練習，藉由你本身對該主題的動力，讓你在練習英文的時候事半功倍。 第三點是延伸閱讀，你可以自由探索不屬於上面兩點的主題，來增加自己未知的知識，或是透過我們每一篇文章底下的參考文章前往原文做深入研究🧐 《通勤學英語》每天更新的目的絕對不是要逼大家每天都要把錄音檔學習完畢，逼得大家壓力很大。相反的，我們是希望透過多元、廣泛的練習主題，讓大家都能從中找到與自己相關，或者是有興趣熱情的文章！當然，如果你有想聽的主題，也可以透過VIP專屬回饋表單或是[email protected]信箱告訴我們喔！ PS：本集內容也有部落格文章同步刊登於官網：https://www.15mins.today/blog/how-to-select-english-practice-topics

------------------------------- 通勤學英語VIP加值內容與線上課程 ------------------------------- *明天的成功，John老師今天幫你備好！ 即日起到2/17止，VIP會員獨享優惠「社會人核心英語課程」啟動！老師想讓VIP會員在新的一年，能讓工作職涯都能更上一層樓！ VIP會員ONLY 八折折扣碼：15mins2024 ， 課程網址在這：https://www.zhizhiplus.com.tw/courses/businessenglishessentials/ 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 想要這集的VIP學習筆記 (內含主題討論逐字稿、常用慣用語片語及同義字、聽力小測驗)？ 加入VIP訂閱：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday Song and lyrics: https://youtu.be/oxHnRfhDmrk?feature=shared Hello 15Mins fam! This week we are sitting down with Shimin to go over one of her favorite songs by Don Mclean. This song is from the album "American Pie" and has accompanied us for ages! I am sure you've heard of it before. Do you remember where you've heard it? Write your comment down using the comment link and we'll give you a shout out in the next episode. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K711: Safeguarding Older Family Members: Navigating Scam Conversations Highlights 主題摘要：Multigenerational Approach: Protect older family members from scams by adopting a multigenerational approach, fostering empathy, and engaging in continuous conversations about common scams.Informative Communication: Approach scam discussions with older family members by presenting information, encouraging open dialogue, and involving them in decision-making to build a receptive environment.Empathy in Crisis: If a family member falls victim to a scam, prioritize empathy over blame, viewing scams as crimes perpetrated by organized groups, and providing emotional support and understanding. Scams targeting older adults are on the rise, with devastating consequences. As exemplified by Daniel Goldstein's mother, who fell victim to an email scam, it is crucial to address this issue. In 2022, scams led to a staggering $8.8 billion in losses, with older adults being the primary targets, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Navigating conversations about scams with older family members can be challenging, but it is essential to protect them. Experts recommend a multigenerational approach, emphasizing empathy, awareness of common scams, continuous conversations, and a supportive plan in case of encountering scammers. 針對年長者的詐騙案件日益增加，並造成了破壞性的後果。丹尼爾·戈德斯坦（Daniel Goldstein）的母親就是電子郵件詐騙的受害者，因此解決這個問題至關重要。據聯邦貿易委員會（FTC）表示，在2022年，詐騙案件導致高達88億美元的損失，並以家中長輩做為主要目標。與家中老年人談論詐騙可能具有挑戰性，但保護他們是至關重要的。專家建議以多代同堂的方式，強調同理、對常見詐騙的認識、持續對話，以及在遇到詐騙者時的支持計劃。 Understanding the prevalent scams that target older individuals is the first step in prevention. Scams like the "grandparent" scam, where impersonators request money over the phone, and romance scams, which exploit online connections, are particularly common. Recognizing these tactics enables families to be proactive in protecting their older members. Investment scams, tech support scams, and impersonation scams are also prevalent, and resources like the FTC's website provide additional information. 了解針對年長者的常見騙局是預防的第一步。像“祖父母”詐騙這樣的詐騙手法，詐騙者通過電話索取金錢，以及利用網路聯繫的浪漫騙局尤其普遍。認識這些手法使家庭能夠主動保護其年長家人。投資詐騙、技術支持詐騙和身份冒充詐騙也很普遍，聯邦貿易委員會的網站等資源提供了更多信息。 To raise awareness, families should engage in regular discussions about scams, making it a common topic in day-to-day conversations. Encouraging constant communication helps older family members stay vigilant. Genevieve Waterman from the National Council on Aging suggests incorporating younger family members into these discussions, emphasizing that scams can target individuals of any age. Highlighting the urgency that scammers create is crucial during these conversations, as it can make individuals more susceptible to falling for deceptive schemes. 為了提高警覺，家人應定期討論詐騙，使其成為日常對話的常見主題。鼓勵持續溝通有助於年長家人保持警惕。美國全國老齡化委員會的吉納維夫·沃特曼（Genevieve Waterman）建議讓年輕家庭成員參與這些討論，強調詐騙可能以任何年齡為目標。在這些對話中，強調詐騙者制造的緊急感至關重要，因為這會使人更容易上當受騙。 Approaching scam discussions with an informative rather than authoritative tone is vital. Instead of imposing ideas, present information and encourage open dialogue. By involving older family members in the conversation, recognizing their expertise in various life topics, and stressing the collective responsibility to stay vigilant, families can foster a more receptive environment. The National Council on Aging's website offers guides to help older adults avoid scams. 以提供資訊而不以權威的語氣來討論詐騙十分重要。與其把想法強加於人，不如提供信息並鼓勵公開對話。通過將年長家人納入對話，承認他們在各種生活話題上的專業知識，並強調保持警惕的共同責任，家庭可以培養一種更包容接納的環境。美國全國老齡化委員會的網站提供了幫助年長者避免詐騙的指南。 In the unfortunate event that a family member falls victim to a scam, empathy is paramount. Blaming the victim is counterproductive, and it is essential to view scams as crimes perpetrated by organized groups with considerable resources. This perspective encourages understanding and support for those who have experienced financial losses. 如果家庭成員不幸成為詐騙的受害者，同理十分重要。指責受害者只會適得其反，必須將詐騙視為由有大量資源的有組織團體實施的犯罪。這種觀點有助於理解和支持那些遭受經濟損失的人。 Additionally, families should devise a plan for potential scam encounters. Establishing communication protocols, like Goldstein had with his mother, ensures quick intervention. Recognizing that older adults may struggle with digital literacy, resources like the AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline can provide guidance and emotional support. 此外，家庭應為潛在的詐騙事件制定計劃。建立像戈德斯坦與其母親一樣的通訊協議，以確保能夠快速介入。認識到年長者可能在數位素養方面遇到困難，美國退休者協會的詐騙監察網路熱線這樣的資源可以提供指導和情感支持。 Lastly, knowing how to report a scam is crucial. The

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: About space - NASA and Tide team up to do laundry in space Tide is going to outer space. The Procter & Gamble brand is partnering with NASA to keep astronauts’ spacesuits fresh, even on Mars. 汰漬正在前往外太空。這個寶鹼公司的品牌正與美國航太總署合作，維持太空人太空服的乾淨，即便是在火星。 Company and NASA scientists have created a fully degradable detergent that will clean clothes without wasting water. 該公司與NASA科學家已經創造一款完全可自然分解的洗滌劑，不用浪費水就能潔淨衣物。 Over the next decade, they’ll be testing fabric care products, including Tide pens and wipes, at the International Space Station and on missions to the moon and Mars. 在未來10年中，他們將在國際太空站與登月、登火星的任務中，測試織物照護產品，包括汰漬的筆與濕紙巾。 The months or even years that astronauts spend away from Earth means that their spacesuits and clothes can become smelly and stained. Clothes have to be reworn several times before they are ejected with other waste into the atmosphere or sent back to Earth as trash. A crew member will receive 160 pounds of clothes per year through resupply shipments. 太空人離開地球數月，甚至數年的時間，意味著他們的太空服與衣物會變臭且染色。這些衣物與其他廢物被拋入大氣層或當成垃圾送回地球前，必須重複穿著許多次。1名組員每年將透過補給，拿到160磅重的衣物。 Next Article Topic: Russia wants to return to Venus, build reusable rocket 俄羅斯希望重返金星，打造可重複使用的火箭 The head of Russia’s space agency said Friday that Roscosmos wants to return to Venus and bring back soil samples and build spacecraft that will surpass Elon Musk’s rockets. 俄羅斯太空機構負責人週五說，俄羅斯航太太空活動國有公司（Roscosmos）想重返金星 ，帶回土壤樣本，並打造超越（太空探索科技公司）創辦人穆斯克的火箭的太空船。 "We are making a methane rocket to replace the Soyuz-2," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with state news agency RIA Novosti. 「我們正在打造一種甲烷火箭取代聯合2號火箭（Soyuz-2）」，俄羅斯航太總裁羅戈辛在接受國營「俄羅斯新聞社」訪問時說。 He said it will be a reusable space complex, noting that it will be possible to use its first stage at least 100 times. 他說，新火箭將是可以重複使用的太空綜合體，並強調第一節將有望重複使用至少100次。 "Of course we are looking at what our American colleagues are doing," said Rogozin. "But our engineers are trying to take a shortcut － not to repeat what our SpaceX colleagues are doing but surpass them." 「我們當然有在關注美國同業的進展」，羅戈辛說。「但我們的工程師正試圖抄近路—不是重複SpaceX在做的事，而是超越他們。」Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1457274; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1395146 Next Article Topic: Why Tom Hanks turned down Jeff Bezos’ offer to go to space Jeff Bezos offered Tom Hanks a ride to space on his Blue Origin rocket, but it came at a price. （亞馬遜創辦人）傑夫‧貝佐斯曾邀請（好萊塢男星）湯姆‧漢克搭乘他的「藍源」火箭上太空，但要付出代價。 The actor confirmed that Bezos had asked him during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Tuesday, saying if he accepted the offer he was expected to pay. 這名男星週二現身（電視節目）「吉米金默現場秀」時證實，貝佐斯曾邀約他（上太空），並說若他接受（邀約），應該要付錢。 "Well yeah, provided I pay," Hanks said. "It costs like $28 million or something like that. And I’m doing good, Jimmy — I’m doing good — but I ain’t paying $28 million. You know what, we could simulate the experience of going to space right now." 「是啊，若我付錢（就能上太空），」漢克說。「大概要2800萬美元左右。我算是事業有成，吉米—我混得還不錯—但我才不要付2800萬。你知道嗎，我們現在就可以模擬上太空的經驗。」 Hanks, who appeared to promote his new movie "Finch," mimicked shaking in a rocket while in his chair, saying, "I don’t need to spend 28 million bucks to do that." 上節目宣傳新片「芬奇的旅程」的漢克（語畢）便在椅子上模仿搭火箭（上太空時）身體抖動的模樣，並說「我才不要花2800萬來做這種事。」 Next Article William Shatner says Prince William is ’missing the point’ of space tourism 威廉沙特納說 威廉王子沒搞懂太空旅行的真諦 William Shatner is firing a rhetorical rocket back at Prince William after the future king criticized space tourism. 在（英國）威廉王子出言批評太空觀光後，（男星）威廉‧沙特納反唇相譏，還擊這位未來國王。 Shatner, who blasted into space on one of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ rockets, said the British royal has "got the wrong idea" by saying that solving problems on Earth should be prioritized over tourist trips to space. 搭乘亞馬遜創辦人傑夫‧貝佐斯的一艘火箭上太空的沙特納說，宣稱解決地球上的問題應優先於太空旅行的這位英國王室成員，「搞錯了」。 The 90-year-old "Star Trek" actor said that a power generating base could be constructed 250 miles above the Earth and used to supply homes and businesses below. "The prince is missing the point," he added. 這位90歲「星際爭霸戰」男演員說，距離地表250英里的上空可以蓋一座發電基地，用來供應地面住家與建築（所需）。「王子沒搞懂（太空旅行的真諦），」他補充道。 Without mentioning names, William criticized billionaires focused on space tourism in an interview Thursday with the BBC, saying they should invest more time and money in saving Earth. 威廉週四接受英國廣播公司訪問時，在未指名道姓的情況下批評億萬富豪聚焦太空觀光的現象，指稱富豪們應將更多時間與金錢投資於拯救地球。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1498987 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1499857 Next Article

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 加入VIP訂閱！更多單集、學習筆記與加值內容等著你：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday 本週的《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》很高興的宣布迎來新老師，《寧可當吃貨》的克寧！在今年第一次的英語咖啡館中，大家應該已經聽到了克寧老師和醬老師帶來的早餐相關主題分享。我們在這裏也邀請各位通勤家族，可以多利用表單許願美食文化相關的內容囉！ 另外一件要跟大家分享的事情，我們在官網正式推出了全新的部落格系列《醬老師英語講堂》，時不時會更新一些英語學習的核心心法和寶貴技巧。我們也持續歡迎各位投稿你碰到的學習挑戰，讓老師們在幕後教師室或英語講堂中為你解惑，分享如何克服學習障礙。 最後要提醒大家務必仔細閱讀我們的信件，VIP會員專屬好康或是最新消息都會透過Email給大家！感謝各位對《15Mins.Today 通勤學英語》的支持，今年我們除了繼續作為學習的平台，提供有價值的英語學習內容外，同時我們也會不斷擴大內容，增加更多老師和主題，讓每位聽眾都能找到與自己強關聯的心靈共鳴文章，陪你一起累積英語實力，一同進步！ 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 想要這集的VIP學習筆記 (內含主題討論逐字稿、常用慣用語片語及同義字、聽力小測驗)？ 加入VIP訂閱：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday Reference article: https://www.thetravel.com/rude-north-america-normal-other/ Hi 15Mins fam! Angel is back in town and this week we're going to talk about etiquette differences between the West and the East. In Taiwan some general manners are tolerated, but not in western countries. What do you think they are? Have you had any etiquette conflict with others? Write your comment down using the comment link and we'll give you a shout out in the next episode. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K707: Vegan vs. Omnivore: A Twin Study Reveals Surprising Health Differences Highlights 主題摘要：Health Benefits of Vegan Diet: The study highlights a 10-15% reduction in LDL cholesterol, 25% decrease in insulin levels, and 3% weight loss among twins on a vegan diet.Plant-Based Richness: A vegan diet, excluding animal products, is noted for its higher fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, promoting cardiovascular health.Gradual Shifts for Health: Individuals need not fully embrace veganism; gradual reductions in meat consumption can still yield positive cardiovascular and weight-related outcomes. In a groundbreaking study, researchers examined the impact of a vegan diet on genetically identical twins and discovered remarkable differences in health outcomes. The study, conducted by Christopher Gardner, a research professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, compared twins who followed a vegan diet for eight weeks with those adhering to an omnivore diet of meat and vegetables. 在一項開創性的研究中，研究人員探討了純素飲食對基因相同的雙胞胎的影響，發現了在健康結果方面的顯著差異。這項研究由史丹佛預防研究中心的醫學研究教授克里斯多福·加德納（Christopher Gardner）主持，研究人員針對採用純素飲食和以肉類和蔬菜為主的雜食的雙胞胎進行比較。 The vegan group experienced a notable 10% to 15% reduction in "bad" LDL cholesterol, a 25% decrease in insulin levels, and a 3% weight loss within the short duration of the study. Gardner emphasized that these improvements were achieved solely through consuming real food without any animal products, highlighting the potential health benefits of a plant-based diet. 在短暫的研究期內，純素組經歷了明顯的「壞」低密度脂蛋白（LDL）膽固醇降低10%至15%，胰島素水平降低25%，體重減輕了3%。加德納強調，這些改善僅通過食用不含任何動物產品的真實食物實現，突顯了植物性飲食的潛在健康益處。 A vegan diet, distinct from a vegetarian one, excludes not only animal flesh but also dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients. Gardner explained that a plant-based diet tends to be higher in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients compared to other dietary patterns. 與素食不同，純素飲食不僅不食用動物肉，也不用乳製品、雞蛋和其他動物衍生原料。加德納解釋說，植物性飲食往往在纖維、維生素、礦物質和植物營養素方面比其他飲食模式更高。 The study, involving 22 pairs of genetically identical twins, aimed to control genetic and environmental factors by using the unique twin design. Although the findings may not be universally applicable, the results underscore the potential advantages of a diet rich in unsaturated fats, whole grains, fiber, and vegetables, as endorsed by current dietary guidelines to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. 這項研究共有22對基因相同的雙胞胎參與，目標通過獨特的雙胞胎設計來控制基因和環境因素。儘管研究的發現可能並不普遍適用，但結果強調了富含不飽和脂肪、全穀物、纖維和蔬菜飲食的潛在優勢，這也符合目前飲食指南所認可的減少心血管疾病風險的方法。 During the study, meals were provided to each twin for the first four weeks, emphasizing the importance of healthy vegan choices. Both groups experienced dietary improvements, with the omnivore group consuming more vegetables, whole grains, and fewer added sugars and refined grains. The subsequent four weeks required the twins to prepare their own diet-appropriate meals, leading to sustained positive changes in biological markers. 在研究期間，前四周為每對雙胞胎提供餐點，強調選擇健康素食的重要性。兩組人都經歷了飲食改善，雜食組攝取了更多的蔬菜、全穀物，減少了添加糖和精製穀物。接下來的四周要求雙胞胎準備適合自己飲食的餐點，從而對生理指標產生持續的正向改變。 While the vegan diet demonstrated quick health improvements, Gardner acknowledged the challenges of adherence due to its restrictive nature. However, he emphasized that individuals don't need to fully adopt a vegan lifestyle to benefit from healthier eating habits. Gradual reductions in meat and animal byproduct consumption can still yield positive health outcomes. 雖然純素飲食能快速的改善健康，但加德納也承認，由於其限制，堅持純素有挑戰性。然而，他強調個人無需完全採用純素生活方式，就能從更健康的飲食習慣中受益。逐步減少肉類和動物副產品的攝取量，也能夠產生正面的健康效果。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Genetically (ge-net-i-cal-ly): In a groundbreaking study, researchers examined the impact of a vegan diet on genetically identical twins and discovered remarkable differences in health outcomes.Vegetarian (veg-e-tar-i-an): A vegan diet, distinct from a vegetarian one, excludes not only animal flesh but also dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients.Phytonutrients (Phy-to-nu-tri-ents): Gardner explained that a plant-based diet tends to be higher in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients compared to other dietary patterns.Unsaturate (un-sat-u-rate): "The results underscore the potential advantages of a diet rich in unsaturated fats, whole grains, fiber, and vegetables."Cardiovascular (car-di-o-vas-cu-lar): Although the findings may not be universally applicable, the results underscore the potential advantages of a diet ri

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: 對現狀不滿拉美從傾右變傾左 Leftists Replacing Right-Wing Leaders Across Latin America In the final weeks of 2021, Chile and Honduras voted decisively for leftist presidents to replace leaders on the right, extending a significant, multiyear shift across Latin America. 在2021年的最後幾周，智利和宏都拉斯果斷地投票支援 左翼總統取代右翼領導人，延續 了整個拉丁美洲長達數年的重大轉變。 This year, leftist politicians are the favorites to win presidential elections in Colombia and Brazil, taking over from right-wing incumbents, which would put the left and center-left in power in the six largest economies in the region, stretching from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego. 今年，左翼政客是贏得哥倫比亞和巴西總統選舉的最愛，他們接替了右翼現任者，這將使左翼和中左翼在該地區從蒂華納到火地島的六大經濟體中掌權。 Economic suffering, widening inequality, fervent anti-incumbent sentiment and mismanagement of COVID-19 have all fueled a pendulum swing away from the center-right and right-wing leaders who were dominant a few years ago. 經濟困境、不斷擴大的不平等、狂熱的反現任情緒以及對COVID-19的管理不善，都助長了幾年前佔主導地位的中右翼和右翼領導人的鐘擺擺動。 The left has promised more equitable distribution of wealth, better public services and vastly expanded social safety nets. But the region’s new leaders face serious economic constraints and legislative opposition that could restrict their ambitions — and restive voters who have been willing to punish whoever fails to deliver. 左翼承諾更公平地分配財富，提供更好的公共服務，並大大擴展社會安全網。但該地區的新領導人面臨著嚴重的經濟限制和立法反對，這可能會限制他們的野心-以及願意懲罰任何未能兌現承諾的人的不安分選民。 The left’s gains could buoy China and undermine the United States as they compete for regional influence, analysts say, with a new crop of Latin American leaders who are desperate for economic development and more open to Beijing’s global strategy of offering loans and infrastructure investment. The change could also make it harder for the United States to continue isolating authoritarian leftist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. 分析人士說，左翼的收益可能會提振中國，削弱美國，因為他們在爭奪地區影響力時，新一批拉丁美洲領導人迫切希望經濟發展，並對北京的全球戰略持更開放的態度， 提供貸款和 基礎設施投資。這一變化還可能使美國更難繼續孤立委內瑞拉、尼加拉瓜和古巴的獨裁左翼政權。 With rising inflation and stagnant economies, Latin America’s new leaders will find it hard to deliver real change on profound problems, said Pedro Mendes Loureiro, a professor of Latin American studies at the University of Cambridge. To some extent, he said, voters are “electing the left simply because it is the opposition at the moment.” 隨著通貨膨脹率上升和經濟停滯，拉丁美洲的新領導人將發現很難在深刻的問題上實現真正的變革，劍橋大學拉丁美洲研究教授佩德羅·門德斯·洛雷羅（Pedro Mendes Loureiro）說。他說，在某種程度上，選民正在"選舉左翼，僅僅是因為它目前是反對派。" Unlike the early 2000s, when leftists won critical presidencies in Latin America, the new officeholders are saddled by debt, lean budgets, scant access to credit and, in many cases, vociferous opposition. 與2000年代初不同，當時左翼分子在拉丁美洲贏得了關鍵的總統職位 ，而新的官員則背負著債務，預算緊張， 信貸匱乏以及在許多情況下大聲反對的負擔。 Eric Hershberg, director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University, said the left’s winning streak is born out of widespread indignation. 美國大學拉丁美洲和拉丁裔研究中心主任埃裡克·赫什伯格（Eric Hershberg ）表示，左翼的連勝源於 廣泛的憤怒。 “This is really about lower-middle-class and working-class sectors saying, ‘Thirty years into democracy, and we still have to ride a decrepit bus for two hours to get to a bad health clinic,’”Hershberg said. "這實際上是關於中下層階層和工人階層部門說，'民主三十年後，我們仍然必須乘坐破舊的公共汽車兩個小時才能到達一個糟糕的健康診所，'"赫什伯格說。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6092284 Next Article Topic : Venezuela, Once an Oil Giant, Reaches the End of an Era For the first time in a century, there are no rigs searching for oil in Venezuela. 百年來，委內瑞拉首次沒有鑽油平台在鑽探石油。 Wells that once tapped the world’s largest crude reserves are abandoned or left to flare toxic gases that cast an orange glow over depressed oil towns. 曾自全球最大原油礦藏採油的油井，不是廢棄，就是任由洩漏的毒性氣體逕自燃燒，使附近蕭條的石油城鎮蒙上一層橘光。 Refineries that once processed oil for export are rusting hulks, leaking crude that blackens shorelines and coats the water in an oily sheen. 先前把石油加工出口的煉油廠成了生鏽的殘骸，洩漏的原油染黑了海岸線，並在海面形成一層油光。 Fuel shortages have brought the country to a standstill. At gas stations, lines go on for miles. 燃料短缺使這個國家陷入癱瘓。在加油站，排隊加油的車輛綿延數哩。 Venezuela’s colossal oil sector, which shaped the country and the international energy market for a century, has come to a near halt, with production reduced to a trickle by years of gross mismanagement and U.S. sanctions. The collapse is leaving behind a destroyed economy and a devastated environment and, many analysts say, bringing to an end the era of Venezuela as an energy powerhouse. 委內瑞拉龐大的石油業曾形塑這個國家和國際能源市場長達百年，如今卻幾近停頓，由於多年來管理不善和遭受美國制裁，產量只剩

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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2024年第一集的 《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》，一年開始你定下新年新希望了嗎？先別緊張，新年新希望不是這樣玩的！來聽聽這集John老師和阿鍵老師的分享，等同於萬元的課程啊！！！ 《原子習慣》的作者 James Clear 提到 You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. （你不會成為你設定的目標。而是迴歸到你遵循的系統。）簡單來說光靠想要或是努力來達到目的是不可能的，養成一個可遵循的系統（習慣）才是正確的路。 那麼，我們要怎麼訂定目標呢？建議採用下面的DIP方式 1. 找出你想要抵達的目標，我們稱為終點或目的地。 (Destination) 2. 將你與目標之間的距離量化拆解，找出可以進步的項目。 (Improvement) 2-1. 將每個項目用具體的行為包裝 2-2. 把這些可幫助自己進步的行為和日常生活綁定（我們稱為儀式感） 3. 開始執行，累積執行，偶而跳過沒關係不用特別回去捕或感到壓力，畢竟身為人這很正常。 (Practice) 4. 收穫成果！ 如果你能按照上面的方式來訂下目標並且養成習慣，即使最終結算時你還沒抵達目的地，但你也已經在路上，而不是一開始的自己啦！ 你還在考慮訂新年目標嗎？或是已經定下了呢？現在就到 15Mins.Today 的FB貼文(https://www.facebook.com/15minsenglishcafe/posts/pfbid0FZNLjBB7Qq4geHHsoQfrrVybNRoZsEU1zTMFccbvTeq4jyEJitEq7ceuvJ1cnR9yl) 留下你2024想要完成的目標，讓我們一起邁步向前吧！

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- Reference article: https://tourmeaway.com/blog/food/To-Eat-Well-In-Taiwan-Dont-Miss-Breakfast We have a new 15Mins co-host today! I have received a few requests for a "food topic" co-host for the show and we finally found one. Klim and I will kickstart the year with a talk about the breakfast culture in Taiwan. Let us know, using the comment link, about the type of breakfast or breakfast stores that you like.! Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K703: Decoding the Delulu Trend: A Dive into Gen Z's Manifestation or Slang Revolution Highlights 主題摘要：Delulu's Rise as a Mindset: Delulu, born on TikTok, is more than a phrase—it's a fearless mindset challenging norms, embracing audacity, and visualizing a better reality.Delulu vs. "Fake It Till You Make It": Dubbed the new "fake it till you make it," Delulu encourages confident demeanor adoption, but caution is urged—authentic success demands genuine growth.Z Generation's Resilience and Creativity: Delulu reflects the dynamic resilience of Gen Z, blending manifestation, self-confidence, and playful escapism, showcasing creativity in navigating life's complexities. In recent times, a peculiar term, 'delulu,' has infiltrated the lexicon of the younger generation, particularly taking over the popular social media platform TikTok. Born out of the abbreviation for 'delusional,' delulu has become more than just a catchphrase; it's a mindset, a movement, or perhaps a form of slang gone too far. This article explores the origins, interpretations, and implications of the delulu trend, shedding light on its transformative power in the lives of Generation Z. 最近一個奇特的詞彙“Delulu”已滲透到年輕一代中，尤其是在流行社交媒體平台TikTok上迅速傳播。Delulu源於“delusional”（妄想的）的縮寫，他已經不僅是個口號：它是一種心態，一場運動，或可能是種走太遠的俚語。本文探討了Delulu趨勢的起源、解讀和影響，闡明了它在Z世代生活中的變革力量。 The genesis of the term remains a topic of debate, but it gained prominence when a 22-year-old British TikToker, Sabrina Bahsoon, fearlessly danced in the London Subway, proudly declaring herself a "delulu girlie." The term's subsequent viral spread inspired individuals worldwide to embrace unabashed behavior, encouraging them to defy societal norms and stop caring about others' opinions. Yet, the complexities of delulu have left many, especially older generations, perplexed. 該術語的起源仍然存在爭議性，但從一位22歲的英國TikToker Sabrina Bahsoon大膽無畏地在倫敦地鐵跳舞，自豪地宣稱自己是一個“delulu girlie”時，這個詞變得引人注目。該術語之後的病毒式傳播激發了世界各地的人們擁抱大膽的行為，鼓勵他們違抗社會規範，不去在乎他人的意見。然而，Delulu的複雜性讓許多人，尤其是年長一代，感到困惑。 Some argue that delulu embodies an audacious form of manifestation, empowering individuals to fearlessly challenge their own existence and self-belief. Others see it as a simpler and more playful manifestation technique, a mindset where individuals visualize themselves in a better reality, paving the way for improved relationships and successful careers. This fearless approach, akin to a leap of faith, becomes a coping mechanism for a generation that has witnessed various global traumas. 一些人認為Delulu具有大膽的展現形式，使個人能夠無懼地挑戰自己的存在和信念。其他人則將其視為一種更簡單且更富有趣味的展現技巧，一種心態，使個人能夠想像自己處於更好的現實中，為改善人際關係和事業成功鋪平道路。這種無懼的方式，類似於一種信仰之躍，成為一代人面對各種全球創傷的應對機制。 While delulu is compared to the concept of manifestation, some TikTokers suggest that it is a more fun and flavorful version of the same idea. It's seen as a mindset that encourages individuals to live unexpectedly, creating a world where they become the authors of their own stories. However, this simplicity comes with a warning: the line between embracing delulu and living an inauthentic life is thin. 雖然Delulu被作為“展現”的概念，一些TikTokers認為它是類似想法中更有趣和更有風味的版本。它被視為一種鼓勵人活出意外性的心態，創造一個世界，而他們則是自己故事的作者。然而，這種簡單性也帶來了一個警告：擁抱Delulu和過著不真實的生活之間的界線很薄。 Many dub delulu as the new "fake it till you make it," where adopting a confident demeanor becomes a stepping stone to enhanced self-esteem, improved performance, and greater opportunities. Yet, cautionary voices remind us that true success requires hard work, dedication, and genuine growth, and delulu should not be a substitute for these essential elements. 許多人稱Delulu為新的“fake it till you make it”（弄假直到成真），其中採取自信的態度成為提升自尊，改善表現和獲得更多機會的墊腳石。然而，警告的聲音提醒我們，真正的成功需要努力、奉獻和真正的成長，Delulu不應成為這些基本元素的替代品。 In conclusion, the delulu trend embodies a dynamic and evolving phenomenon within Generation Z, blending elements of manifestation, self-confidence, and playful escapism. Whether a manifestation technique, a mindset, or just fun slang, delulu reflects the resilience and creativity of a generation navigating a complex world. 總結來說，Delulu趨勢體現了Z世代內一種動態且不斷演變的現象，結合了展現自我、信念和愉悅逃避的元素。無論是一種展現技巧、一種心態或者僅僅是有趣的俚語，Delulu都反映了一個世代在複雜世界中航行的韌性和創造力。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Infiltrate (in-fil-trate): In recent times, a peculiar term, 'delulu,' has INFILTRATED the lexicon of the younger generation, particularly taking over the popular social media platform TikTok.Interpretation ( in-ter-pre-ta-tion): This article explores the origins, interpretations, and implications of the delulu

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: The ‘Right to Repair’ Movement Gains Ground If you buy a product — a car, a smartphone, or even a tractor — and it breaks, should it be easier for you to fix it yourself? 如果你買了一個產品，例如一輛汽車、一部智慧型手機，甚至是一台拖拉機，結果它壞了，是不是應該讓你自己修理起來更容易些呢？ Manufacturers of a wide range of products have made it increasingly difficult over the years to repair things, for instance by limiting availability of parts or by putting prohibitions on who gets to tinker with them. It affects not only game consoles or farm equipment, but cellphones, military gear, refrigerators, automobiles and even hospital ventilators, the lifesaving devices that have proved crucial this year in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. 多年來，許多種產品的製造商都讓維修變得愈來愈困難，比如限制零件的取得，或對何人有權動手維修施加限制。受影響的產品不止於遊戲主機或農用機具，還有手機、軍用設備、冰箱、汽車，甚至包括今年對抗新冠病毒疫情發揮關鍵作用的救生設備—醫院裡的呼吸器。 Now, a movement known as “right to repair” is starting to make progress in pushing for laws that prohibit restrictions like these. 現在，一項名為「維修權」的運動在推動禁止此類限制的立法上，正取得進展。 In August, Democrats introduced a bill in Congress to block manufacturers’ limits on medical devices, spurred by the pandemic. In Europe, the European Commission announced plans in March for new right-to-repair rules that would cover phones, tablets and laptops by 2021. 今年8月，美國民主黨因防疫需要而在國會提出一項法案，旨在阻止製造商對醫療裝置設下限制。在歐洲，歐盟執行委員會3月宣布了新的維修權規定計畫，在2021年以前實施，涵蓋手機、平板電腦和筆記型電腦。 And in more than 20 statehouses nationwide, right-to-repair legislation has been introduced in recent years by both Republicans and Democrats. 近年來，在全美國20多個州的議會裡，共和黨和民主黨都提出了維修權法案。 Over the summer, the House advanced a funding bill that includes a requirement that the Federal Trade Commission complete a report on anti-competitive practices in the repair market and present its findings to Congress and the public. 今年夏天，眾議院推動了一項資助法案，其中責成聯邦貿易委員會做成一份關於維修市場反競爭行為的報告，並向國會和民眾提交調查結果。 The goal of right-to-repair rules, advocates say, is to require companies to make their parts, tools and information available to consumers and repair shops in order to keep devices from ending up in the scrap heap. They argue that the rules restrict people’s use of devices that they own and encourage a throwaway culture by making repairs too difficult. 倡議人士表示，維修權規定的目的是要求企業向消費者和維修商家提供零組件、工具及資訊，以免這些裝置最終被扔進垃圾堆。他們主張，目前的慣例對人們使用自己的裝置設下限制，並透過讓維修變得太過困難的方式，助長了一種用完即丟的文化。 They also argue that it’s part of a culture of planned obsolescence — the idea that products are designed to be short-lived in order to encourage people to buy more stuff. That contributes to wasted natural resources and energy use at a time when climate change requires movement in the opposite direction to rein in planet-warming emissions. 他們還認為，這是一種計畫性淘汰文化的一部分，即為了鼓勵人們購買更多東西，產品被設計成短命的。在氣候變遷需要採取反向行動來控制溫室氣體排放的此際，這助長了自然資源的浪費以及能源的使用。 Manufacturing a new device or appliance is still largely reliant on polluting sources of energy — electricity generated from burning fossil fuels, for instance — and constitutes the largest environmental impact for most products. 製造一種新設備或裝置在很大程度上，仍仰賴會造成汙染的能源，例如燃燒化石燃料產生的電力，對大多數產品而言，這正是構成最大環境影響的因素。 Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5015841 Next Article Topic: UK gamers and politicians take aim at console ’scalpers’ Furious British gamers and lawmakers are training their sights on "scalpers" who are buying up coveted PS5 and Xbox consoles and selling them online at vastly inflated prices. 氣沖沖的英國玩家和議員將焦點指向「黃牛」，這些黃牛買光搶手的PS5、Xbox電玩主機，然後在網路上以大幅灌水的價格出售。 The popular consoles have also been hard to come by in other parts of the world, but in Britain anger has boiled over to the point where some lawmakers want to ban the practice of reselling them online at higher prices. 這些熱門電玩主機在世界其他地方也一機難求，但是在英國掀起的怒火已沸騰，一些議員為此打算禁止網路高價轉售的作法。 While a PS5 normally costs between £360 and £450 depending on the model, its median resale price on sites like eBay is £650-£750, according to US researcher Michael Driscoll. 根據美國研究員麥可．德里斯考的說法，通常一部PS5依版本差異，售價在360英鎊到450英鎊之間，但在諸如「電子海灣」的網站上轉售價中位數為650到750英鎊不等。 Next Article Topic: Singaporean student plays Pokemon on ingenious ‘Melonboy’ 想像你搭捷運時突然有個年輕男子拿著一顆鑲有小螢幕的西瓜淡定的坐到你旁邊，開始認真的玩。 Imagine that you are on the MRT and a young man sitting next to you is playing video games on a watermelon-like console. 近期，就有新加坡民眾在捷運上目睹這奇葩的一幕。一位星國少年自製了一台「西瓜Game Boy」，上面不僅有螢幕和實體的按鈕，裡面還裝載了近期最流行的寶可夢遊戲軟體。 That’s the unusual sight some people recently experienced in Singapore when a teenager was seen playing “Pokemon Go” on a self-built console made of a watermelon, a screen and so

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 加入VIP訂閱！更多單集、學習筆記與加值內容等著你：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday 今年通勤學英語跨出了一大步，除了更親近我們通勤家族，也挑戰我們內容製作能力來製作出「社會人核心英語」與「通勤學英語VIP訂閱加值內容」。謝謝一路持續耕耘英語力的你，也謝謝一路以來支持我們的理念，利用零碎時間，用最自然的方式學習英語，進而打造無限可能雙語人生的你！ 在這集AMA Ask Me Anything是回應我們通勤家族平常來私訊的問題，也想透過此機會，拋磚引玉，希望未來通勤家族有什麼生活、學習上的疑難雜症都可以來詢問。我們會盡所有能力與經驗來分享，跟我們通勤家族一同成長。 祝你新年快樂，2024年一同跟我們一起用英語連結世界！

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- Reference: https://www.engadget.com/threads-may-finally-launch-in-europe-in-december-124054154.html This year Meta launched Threads to counter Twitter in its dwindling state. It came on strong and fast, but also lost steam fast. Lydia and I discusses our opinions on some of the factors that may relate to fall of Threads, and also would like your comment on your experience with Threads. Let us know using the comment link! Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多15Mins Cafe節目: www.15mins.today/15mins-cafe 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K699: Americans Turn to 'Doom Spending' Amid Economic Worries Highlights 主題摘要：Rise of "Doom Spending": A significant 27% of Americans resort to "doom spending" amid economic worries, contributing to increased debt and declining savings rates.Youth Financial Concerns: Younger generations, especially Gen Z and millennials, express heightened anxiety about future job prospects, wages, and overall economic stability.Pessimism and Financial Strain: The study reveals a pervasive financial anxiety, with 96% of Americans worried about the economy, leading to increased spending, rising debt, and declining optimism about the future. In the face of mounting economic concern, a staggering 96% of Americans find themselves anxious about the current state of the economy. This collective worry has not only permeated their financial outlook but has also given rise to a coping mechanism known as "doom spending." According to a study conducted by Qualtrics on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma, more than a quarter (27%) of Americans resort to this form of spending to alleviate stress, while nearly one third (32%) have accumulated more debt in the past six months, exacerbating their financial strain. 面對不斷升溫的經濟問題，高達96%的美國人發現自己對當前的經濟狀態感到焦慮。這種共同的擔憂不僅滲透了他們的財務前景，還催生了一種被稱為「末日消費」的應對機制。根據Qualtrics體驗管理公司代表Intuit Credit Karma財務顧問公司進行的一項用戶研究，超過四分之一（27%）的美國人採取末日消費的形式來緩解壓力，而近三分之一（32%）在過去六個月中積累了更多債務，加劇了他們的財務壓力。 The study reveals that top economic concerns include inflation (56%), rising living costs (50%), and the challenge of unaffordable housing (23%). For 48% of respondents, the fear of not having enough money for necessities like food, clothing, and rent is the most worrisome aspect of a struggling economy. Furthermore, younger generations, particularly Gen Z, express concerns about future job prospects, with 23% fearing a lack of high-paying jobs and 21% worrying about decreasing wages. 該研究顯示，美國人最關心的經濟問題包括通貨膨漲（56%）、生活費用上升（50%）和無法負擔的住房難題（23%）。對於48%的受訪者來說，擔心沒有足夠的錢支付食物、衣物和房租等生活必需品是經濟困境最令人擔憂的方面。此外，年輕一代，特別是Z世代，對未來的就業前景表示擔憂，其中23%擔心缺乏高薪工作，21%擔心工資下降。 Financial anxiety is widespread, affecting two-thirds of Americans, with Gen Z and millennials being the most affected at 71%. In response to this stress, many Americans engage in "doom spending," defined as spending money despite economic concerns. This behavior is particularly prevalent among younger generations, with 35% of Gen Z and 43% of millennials admitting to it. 經濟焦慮在美國人中普遍存在，影響了三分之二的人，其中Z世代和千禧世代受影響最大，達到71%。作為應對這種壓力的手段，許多美國人參與了「末日消費」，意思是儘管存在經濟問題，仍然進行消費。這種行為在年輕一代中尤為普遍，有35%的Z世代和43%的千禧世代承認參與其中。 Despite deteriorating financial situations for half of Americans in the last six months, 27% report increased spending. This surge in spending is especially prominent among Gen Z (33%) and millennials (34%), contributing to a rise in overall debt levels, which increased for 32% of Americans in the same period. 儘管過去六個月中一半的美國人財務狀況惡化，但有27%的報告顯示支出反而增加。這種支出的激增在Z世代（33%）和千禧世代（34%）尤其明顯，促使整體債務水平上升，32%的美國人在此時期中增加了債務。 The impact of "doom spending" is evident in declining savings rates, as 47% of Americans state that the amount of money saved has decreased in the last six months. Currently, over half of Americans (52%) estimate having less than $2,000 in savings or none at all. 「末日消費」的影響在儲蓄率下降中顯而易見，有47%的美國人表示過去六個月儲蓄的金額已經減少。目前，超過一半的美國人（52%）估計他們的儲蓄不足2,000美金，或者根本沒有儲蓄。 The study also sheds light on the growing pessimism about the economy's future, with 24% of Americans expressing a lack of optimism for 2024. This sentiment is particularly prevalent among older generations, with 40% of respondents aged 57 or above sharing this view. On a more hopeful note, 24% of optimistic respondents believe inflation will stabilize, while 13% anticipate an increase in wages, and 12% expect improvements in the job market. 該研究還顯示了對未來經濟的悲觀情緒正在增長，有24%的美國人對2024年表達了缺乏樂觀。這種情緒在年長的一代中尤為普遍，57歲以上的受訪者中有40%分享了這個觀點。對於樂觀的受訪者來說，24%表示他們希望通脹會穩定，而其他人則希望工資增加（13%）和就業市場改善（12%）。 In light of these findings, financial experts recommend a proactive approach to managing stress and improving financial well-being. Courtney Alev, a consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma, suggests conducting a thorough financial assessment, tracking income and expenses, and devising a spending plan. Practical steps, such as using cash instead of cards and deleting stored online card information, are also recommended to curb unnecessary spending. 鑒於這些發現，金融專家建議採取積極的方法來應對壓力並改善財務狀況。Credit Karma的消費者金融權益保護員Courtne

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: Newspapers in New York, Like Their Readers, Are Vanishing Kenny Hospot is in some ways a typical reader of The Daily News. He’s a construction worker from Queens who’s lived in the city most of his life. He always liked reading the comics and the horoscope in The News. 就某些方面而言，肯尼．霍斯帕堪稱每日新聞報的典型讀者。他是紐約市皇后區的一個建築工人，這一生大多數時間都住在這個城市。他一向愛看該報的漫畫和星座運勢。 How long since he last bought a copy of the paper? Hospot laughed. “I would say like 15 years.” 他上一次買這份報紙是多久之前？霍斯帕笑了，「我看大概有15年了吧。」 Kamel Brown is another archetypal customer for New York’s Hometown Newspaper, as The Daily News styles itself. He’s a maintenance worker for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He’s 55 years old. He grew up buying the paper for his grandmother in Brooklyn. “When she was finished reading it, I’d pick it up, flip back and start with the sports,” Brown said. 對於自我定位為紐約家鄉報紙的每日新聞報，凱默．布朗是另一種典型讀者。他是都市交通局的維修工人，55歲。他在布魯克林區的成長過程中，常幫祖母買這份報紙。布朗說：「她看完後，我會拿過來，翻回去，從運動版開始看。」 He doesn’t remember the last time he bought it. When he paged through a copy at a friend’s home this past week, he was unimpressed. 他不記得上次買這份報紙是何時。過去這一周的某日他在友人家翻閱一分報紙時，很無感。 Tristan Dominguez, on the other hand, is still a big Daily News fan. “It’s the only place you see anything local,” Dominguez said at a bodega in Washington Heights, where a stack of papers sat behind the counter. 另一方面，崔斯坦．多明奎茲仍是新聞報的大粉絲。「這是你唯一能看到在地新聞的地方。」多明奎茲在華盛頓高地的一家雜貨店內說，櫃檯後方有一大疊報紙。 He reads the paper mostly online and through Twitter. 他大多數是上網或透過推特看這份報紙。 All of this helps explain why there was an air of inevitability about the news Monday that the organization was laying off half its editorial staff. 這些例子亦可說明，當這家報社決定資遣編輯部一半員工的消息周一（7月23日）傳出時，為何外界會覺得此事似難避免。 Once upon a time, The Daily News sold more than 2 million papers a day. Now its circulation is only about a tenth of that, and the paper’s non-hometown owner, the Chicago-based media company Tronc, which bought the paper in 2017, does not have the patience for non-profitability that the prior owner, Mort Zuckerman, did. 每日新聞報曾經一天賣出200萬分以上，現在發行量大約只剩十分之一。這家報社的非在地老闆、芝加哥的媒體公司Tronc，2017年買下每日新聞報，對於它未能獲利，並沒有前任老闆莫特．札克曼那般的耐性。 At a cultural moment when the very idea of New York City as a hometown is quickly dissolving, and when most people get their news from some sort of glowing screen, the thirst for local ink is not what it used to be. 在當下這個文化時刻，將紐約市當作家鄉的想法正在快速瓦解，而且大多數人是從某種閃爍的螢幕獲得新聞，對於在地新聞文字報導的渴求已不如以往。 And those who do crave hard-hitting coverage that holds officials accountable for the state of the city were not pleased to hear about the layoffs. 對於那些渴望看到逼官員為城市現況負起責任的強烈抨擊報導的人，聽到前述資遣消息並非樂事。 “You need those old-school people because they know what they’re doing,” Rosanne Nunziata, a manager at the New Apollo Diner in downtown Brooklyn, said of The Daily News’ staff of veteran shoe-leather reporters, many of whom are now pounding the pavement in search of employment. “They know how to sneak in and get their stories, and know how to get witnesses to talk and do their thing.” 布魯克林鬧區「新阿波羅餐館」經理羅珊娜．努齊亞塔說：「你需要這些老派人士，因為他們知道自己在做什麼。」她指的是新聞報本分且資深的記者，這些人中有不少正在路上奔走著找工作。「他們知道如何潛入並取得新聞，也知道如何讓目擊者開口，做好他們的工作。」 The New York Post, The Daily News’ longtime rival for tabloid dominance, has seen its circulation plummet, too. Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. owns The Post, has long tolerated the paper’s unprofitability, but there may come a time when his successors have far less stomach for red ink. 每日新聞報的長期對手，爭奪八卦小報霸主地位的紐約郵報，發行量也持續大跌。擁有紐約郵報的新聞集團老闆魯柏．梅鐸，長期容忍這家報紙未能獲利。但是也許有一天，他的接班人對赤字的容忍度會小得多。 Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/330084/web/ Next Article Topic: Dumplings tempt New Yorkers with pizza, peanut butter flavors - and no human contact New Yorkers can now get their dumpling fix from an automat with no human contact, and the adventurous can order flavors ranging from pepperoni pizza to peanut butter and jelly. 紐約客現在可由一套不需要與人接觸的自動販賣機為他們料理餃子，喜歡嘗試新鮮的人可從義式臘腸披薩到花生醬、果醬等口味中選購。 While the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop in the city’s East Village offers traditional pork and chicken bite-sized treats, chicken parm or Philly cheesesteak are also on the menu. 位於這座城市東村的布魯克林餃子店，提供一口大小的傳統豬肉、雞肉餡點心，菜單上也有焗烤雞肉，或是費城牛肉起司三明治。 Spurred by the pandemic and technology advances, the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is delivering food via automat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 在這場疫情以及科技進步的帶動下，布魯克林餃子店正透過自動販賣機，全年無休24小時出餐。 "Embrace technology, because technology is something that has to be embraced by hospitality（business）to thrive," said the

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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》，《15Mins Cafe》上了這麼多堂音樂課，終於輪到詩敏老師來到幕後教師室啦。2023年John老師和詩敏老師都覺得超級忙，同時也有好多的學習機會，還習得了時間管理大師的技巧！ 對於詩敏老師來說，就算是忙也不願意放掉任何機會，因此不管是藥師的工作，歌手的Live Show，廣播節目或是Podcast節目，甚至活動的主持工作也都在今年拓展開來。原來詩敏老師在求學階段是資優班的天才學生，而學習英文其實除了應付考試外，更多的是挑戰性和好玩，詩敏老師實際上也曾透過當背包客來精進英語的能力喔！ 我們透過詩敏老師的例子，趁這集鼓勵各位通勤家族，真的不必太過在意自己的英語程度，而要以溝通為初心，開放心態面對學習，比如說可以設定旅行或者是交外國朋友的目標，參與語言交換、社團活動和多多利用線上資源。詩敏老師在本集節目中也有介紹每個月的音樂品酒會，歡迎大家一同參與，享受輕鬆的學習氛圍，快來收聽這集的幕後教師室吧！ 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 想要這集的VIP學習筆記 (內含主題討論逐字稿、常用慣用語片語及同義字、聽力小測驗)？ 加入VIP訂閱：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday This week, Patrick and I discusses the idioms that we often use that is related to countries. It's so interesting how many idioms derived from Shakespeare's work! Which is your favorite country in the world? Perhaps there's an idiom too about that country. Find out and let us know, and we will share it with the rest of the 15Mins family~ Let us know using the comment link. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K695: X, Formerly Twitter, Now Collects Biometric Data and Job History Highlights 主題摘要：Expansion of User Data Collection: X, formerly Twitter, has expanded its data collection practices to include biometric information and employment details, broadening the range of personal data users may share.Enhanced Security Measures for Premium Users: X Premium users can opt to provide a government ID and selfie for verification. Biometric data extracted from these sources aims to bolster security and reduce impersonation attempts on the platform.Strategic Shift Toward a Comprehensive Platform: The changes align with Twitter's evolution under Elon Musk, envisioning a transformation into an "everything app." X's move reflects a broader industry trend of social media platforms diversifying data collection practices and services. X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, recently announced that it may gather biometric data and employment information from its users. This move marks an expansion in the range of personal data that users might share with the platform. The company unveiled these changes in an update to its privacy policy, introducing two new sections addressing this data collection practice. X，這個之前被稱為Twitter的社交媒體平台，最近宣布可能會從其用戶資料收集生物辨識數據和就業信息。這個行動表示用戶可能與該平台分享的個人資訊範圍的延伸。該公司在其隱私政策的更新中揭示了這些變化，引入了兩個新的部分來處理這項數據收集行動。 One of the newly added sections discusses the collection of biometric information. According to the policy, with user consent, X may collect and utilize biometric data for purposes related to safety, security, and identification. Additionally, another section labeled "job applications" reveals that X could now gather users' employment and educational histories, along with other details such as employment preferences, skills, job search activity, and engagement. This data might be used to recommend job opportunities to users, share information with potential employers, or target users with relevant advertisements. 其中一個新添加的部分討論了生物辨識信息的收集。根據該政策，在用戶同意的情況下，X可能會收集和利用生物辨識數據，用於與安全、保安和身份識別相關的目的。此外，另一個名為“工作申請”的部分顯示，X現在可以收集用戶的就業和教育歷程，以及其他詳細資訊，如就業偏好、技能、求職活動和參與度。這些數據可能用於向用戶推薦工作機會，與潛在雇主分享資訊，或針對用戶提供相關廣告。 For X Premium users, the company offers the option to provide a government ID and a selfie image for verification purposes. X may extract biometric data from both the government ID and selfie image for matching purposes, enhancing security and reducing impersonation attempts on the platform. 對於X的高級用戶，該公司提供了出示政府身份證件和自拍照片以進行驗證的選項。X可能會從政府身份證件和自拍照片中提取生物辨識數據以進行匹配，增強安全性，減少在平台上身份冒用的嘗試。 These changes align with the data collection practices of many of X's competitors. However, it signifies an expansion of company's interests into new categories of user data. These policy adjustments come as owner Elon Musk envisions transforming the platform into an "everything app," potentially offering financial services and other features akin to the popular Chinese app WeChat. 這些變化與X許多競爭對手的數據收集行為一致。但它標誌著公司對新類別用戶數據的延伸和興趣。這些政策調整出現在X所有者伊隆·馬斯克（Elon Musk）計劃將該平台轉變為一個“萬能應用程式”，可能提供類似於流行的中國應用程式微信的金融服務和其他功能的情況。 Furthermore, these changes are occurring in the context of global regulatory initiatives that require social media companies to verify the ages of their users. Several age-assurance services demand that users submit copies of their government-issued IDs or selfies for analysis by artificial intelligence algorithms. However, a recent development saw a federal judge temporarily block an Arkansas law that mandated age verification for social media platforms just hours before it was scheduled to take effect. 此外，這些變化也發生在全球監管倡議的背景下，這些倡議要求社交媒體公司驗證其用戶的年齡。一些年齡驗證服務要求用戶提交其政府發放的身份證副本或自拍照片，然後由人工智慧進行分析演算。然而，最近的發展是，聯邦法官在該法律預定生效前幾小時暫時封鎖了阿肯色州的一項法律，該法律要求社交媒體平台進行年齡驗證。 In conclusion, X's decision to collect biometric data and job history from its users represents a significant shift in its data collection practices. With this move, X joins other social media platforms in diversifying the types of information they gather from users. These changes reflect the platform's evolving vision under Elon Musk's ownership and its pursuit of becoming a comprehensive "everything app." Meanwhile, the debate over age verification requirements for social media platforms continues to unfold in the ever-evolving landscape of online privacy and regulation. 總之，X決定從其用戶收集生物辨識數據和工作歷程，這表現了其數據收集行為的重大轉變。通過這項行動，X加入了其他社交媒體平台的行列，使它們從用戶那裡收集的信息類型變得多樣化。這些轉變反映了該平台在伊隆·馬斯克所有權下不斷演變的願景，以及成為一個全面的“萬能應用程式”的追求。與此同時，

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: Collins Dictionary picks ‘NFT’ as word of the year Collins Dictionary has chosen the term NFT as its word of the year after surging interest in the digital tokens that can sell for millions of dollars brought it into the mainstream. 《柯林斯詞典》於近日選出「NFT」為年度詞彙！該數位貨幣交易動輒高達數百萬美元，各界對它的興趣大增，並成功打入主流市場。 NFT is short for non-fungible token. Collins defines it as “a unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.” NFT是「非同質代幣」的縮寫，《柯林斯詞典》將NFT定義為「一種基於區塊鏈的獨特數位認證，用於記錄藝術品或收藏品等資產的所有權。」 Most people didn’t know what an NFT was until this year, when sales boomed, sparked in large part by artist Beeple’s March auction of a digital collage NFT for nearly US$70 million (approximately NT$2 billion). Experts at Collins said they chose NFT because of its “meteoric rise in usage,” up 11,000 percent this year. 人們原本對NFT很陌生，但自從數位藝術家畢波今年三月以近七千萬美元（近二十億台幣）的天價，售出一件數位拼貼作品後，NFT熱潮隨即興起，人們紛紛將目光投向NFT市場。柯林斯的專家表示，NFT一詞的使用量「迅速竄升」，今年已增長一百一十倍。 “NFTs seem to be everywhere, from the arts sections to the financial pages and in galleries and auction houses and across social media platforms,” said Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins Learning. But whether NFT will have a lasting influence is yet to be determined, he added. 「柯林斯學習」的總經理比克羅夫特表示︰「NFT似乎無所不在，從藝術領域到金融版面，並且在畫廊、拍賣會還有社交平台都有它的蹤影。」他補充︰「但NFT是否會產生持久的影響，仍有待觀察。」Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/12/06/2003769067 Next Article Topic: Art Museums Are Struggling to Weed Out the Vandals From the Visitors For Hans-Peter Wipplinger, the director of Vienna’s Leopold Museum, the past few weeks have been challenging. As climate protesters across Europe stepped up their attacks against art, Wipplinger took measures to protect his storied collection, which includes famous paintings by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Bags were banned; coats, too. The museum hired extra guards to patrol its five floors. 對維也納立奧波德博物館館長維普林格來說，過去幾周充滿挑戰。隨著歐洲各地氣候抗議者加大對藝術品的攻擊力道，維普林格採取措施保護他的著名收藏，包括克林姆和席勒的名畫。禁止包包，外套也是。博物館雇用額外警衛巡視五個樓層。 It didn’t work. Last week, members of a group called Last Generation walked into the museum and threw black liquid at one of Klimt’s major works, “Death and Life.” A protester had sneaked the liquid into the museum in a hot water bottle strapped to his chest, Wipplinger said. 但沒有成功，上周一個名為「最後一代」團體的成員走進博物館，向克林姆主要作品之一《死亡與生命》潑灑黑色液體。維普林格說，一名抗議者將這種液體裝在一個熱水瓶內偷偷帶進博物館。 The Klimt, protected by glass, was unharmed. But Wipplinger said his security team could only have stopped the attack by subjecting visitors to invasive body searches, “like at the airport.” He didn’t want to even consider that prospect, he added. 受玻璃保護的克林姆作品雖毫髮無損，但維普林格說，他的保安團隊恐怕只能對訪客進行侵入式搜身 來阻止攻擊，「就像在機場一樣」。他還表示，他甚至不想考慮這一可能性。 With the attacks showing no sign of abating, museum directors across Europe are settling into a nervous new equilibrium, fearful for the works in their care but unwilling to compromise on making visitors feel welcome. So far, nothing has been permanently damaged. But many fear that an accident or an escalation in the protesters’ tactics could result in a masterpiece being destroyed. 由於攻擊沒有減弱跡象，歐洲各地博物館館長正陷入一種緊張的新平衡狀態，擔心自己照顧的作品受到損害，但又不願在讓訪客感覺賓至如歸的問題上妥協。到目前為止，還沒有任何永久性的損壞，但許多人擔心，若發生意外或抗議者升級策略，恐導致名作被毀。 The actions, which began in Britain in June, are already increasing in frequency and daring. At first, protesters glued themselves to the frames of famous paintings, but since footage of activists splattering Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” with tomato soup spread rapidly on social media in October, masterpieces have been doused in pea soup, mashed potatoes and flour. 這些行動於6月在英國開始，如今已日益頻繁，愈來愈大膽。最初，抗議者將自己黏在名畫畫框上，但自從10月活動人士向梵谷《向日葵》潑灑番茄湯影片在社群媒體上迅速傳播以來，名作陸續被潑上豌豆湯、馬鈴薯泥以及麵粉。 Those works were all protected by glass, and the protesters’ projectiles never touched an artist’s brushstroke. Yet, last month, protesters in Paris poured orange paint directly onto a silver Charles Ray sculpture outside the Bourse de Commerce contemporary art space. (A Bourse de Commerce spokesperson said the sculpture was cleaned within a few hours.) 這些作品都有玻璃保護，抗議者的投擲物從未接觸到藝術家的畫作。然而，巴黎的抗議者上月將橘色油漆直接倒在商業交易所當代藝術空間外查爾斯．雷的銀色雕像上。（法國商業交易所一名發言人說，這座雕像在數小時內就被清理乾淨了。） In a statement last month signed by the leaders of more than 90 of the world’s largest art institutions, museum administrators said they were “deeply shaken” by the protesters’ “risky endangerment” of artworks. 在全球90多間最大藝術機構負責人上月簽署的一

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 加入VIP訂閱！更多單集、學習筆記與加值內容等著你：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday 歡迎回到 Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室，本集值班的老師是John&Patrick！ 聽了這麼多集的《英語時光機》，但是你聽過《週報時光機》嗎？Patrick老師在本集節目中，和大家一起回顧了今年整年的節目心得，像是各種台灣之最或是世界品牌，還有我們也聊到Patrick老師今年終於首次造訪日本。不知道各位比較喜歡東京的快節奏，或是關西京都、大阪的悠閒氛圍呢？ John老師在本集則是提到了今年第四季的時候，受到政府人力發展中心的邀約，前往擔任社群媒體課程的講師，執行了兩場workshop，並與許多長官們分享自媒體的經營技巧。這部分真的是印象深刻，而且還聽說迴響很不錯，明年還想再邀約John老師去開課喔！ 最後我們持續邀請收聽節目的你，來一起成為節目的一部分。不管是透過私訊、Email或是填寫表單都可以，快來跟我們聯絡，告訴我們你在學習上的困難、問題或是各種想法吧！ 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) -------------------------------

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K691: The Impact of Right to Repair Laws on Technology: A Shift towards Sustainability Highlights 主題摘要：Environmental Impact: Right to repair laws aim to extend device lifespans, reducing electronic waste and lessening the extraction of rare-earth metals, benefitting the environment.Economic Incentives: Consumers can benefit economically from independent repair services, challenging the throwaway culture and offering more affordable options than official repairs.Global Legislative Momentum: The right to repair movement, gaining traction globally, seeks to legislate against planned obsolescence, promoting more durable and repairable technology, fostering sustainability. In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the ability to repair devices is becoming increasingly challenging. Surera Ward, owner of Girls Fix It, a tech repair service in Pennsylvania, highlights the difficulties in obtaining specialized tools and overcoming manufacturer-imposed obstacles during repairs. With the rise of "parts pairing" and unique serial numbers, repairing electronic devices has become even more complex. However, new consumer rights laws in the US and Europe aim to empower users to repair their devices, potentially reshaping the technology industry. 在科技快速演進的環境中，設備維修能力變得愈來愈具挑戰性。 Girls Fix It 的老闆 Surera Ward ，來自一家位於賓夕凡尼亞州的科技維修服務，強調在進行修復過程中獲取專業工具和克服製造商強加的障礙的困難。隨著「零件配對」和專屬的序號的興起，修復電子設備變得更加複雜。然而，美國和歐洲的新消費者權利法目標賦予用戶修復設備的權力，有望重新塑造科技產業。 As these laws gain traction, there is hope that they will not only extend the lifespan of devices but also reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste. The prevailing trend of consumers replacing devices rather than opting for official manufacturer repairs contributes to the growing issue of electronic waste. The European Environment Agency reveals that many electronic goods have a lifespan 2.3 years shorter than intended, leading to excessive waste production and the extraction of rare-earth metals for new devices. 隨著這些法律獲得推動，人們希望它們不僅能延長設備的壽命，還能減少電子垃圾對環境的影響。消費者更傾向於更換設備而非選擇官方維修服務的趨勢加劇了電子垃圾的問題。歐洲環境署指出，許多電子商品的壽命比預期短2.3年，這導致過量廢物的產生和為新設備提取稀有金屬的問題。 The push for the right to repair is not solely driven by environmental concerns but also by economic factors. Independent repair services like Girls Fix It often offer more affordable options than official repair services, urging consumers to reconsider replacing their devices. The high cost and limited accessibility of official repairs often discourage users, contributing to the throwaway culture prevalent in the tech industry. 維修權的推動不僅僅是受到環境問題的驅使，還包括經濟因素。像 Girls Fix It 這樣的獨立維修服務通常提供比官方維修服務更經濟實惠的選擇，敦促消費者重新考慮是否更換設備。官方維修的高昂成本和有限的交通便利度通常使用戶望而卻步，助長了科技產業普遍的拋棄文化。 The right to repair movement is gaining momentum globally, with initiatives at both the national and European levels. Legislative efforts aim to break the cycle of planned obsolescence and encourage manufacturers to produce more repairable and durable products. The European Union, for instance, has been at the forefront of advocating for the right to repair, prompting changes such as common chargers for electronic devices to reduce costs for consumers. 維修權運動在全球範圍內的發展日漸強盛，不管是在國家或歐洲兩個層面都有相關倡議。立法的努力方向是要打破計劃淘汰的循環，鼓勵製造商生產更容易維修和更耐用的產品。例如，歐盟一直在倡導維修權，例如為電子設備提供通用充電器以降低消費者成本等改變。 Looking ahead, the impact of these legislative changes on the design and production of tech products remains uncertain. While hardware adjustments may not be necessary for devices to be more repairable, there is a call for manufacturers to adopt practices that prioritize repairability. The vision includes a future where devices come with interchangeable batteries and repair stores flourish with accessible spare parts. Ultimately, the right to repair may usher in a new era of sustainable technology, challenging the current norms and fostering a shift towards a more environmentally conscious and economically feasible tech industry. 展望未來，這些法律變革對科技產品的設計和生產的影響仍然不確定。雖然可能不需要對硬體進行調整以使設備更容易維修，但人們仍呼籲製造商優先考慮可維修性的做法。未來的願景包含：設備配備可替換的電池，以及維修店因有易於取得的備用零件而蓬勃發展。最終，維修權可能開啟一個新的可持續技術時代，挑戰當前的規範，促進向更具環保意識和經濟可行性的科技產業轉變。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Obstacle (ob-sta-cle): Surera Ward highlights the difficulties in obtaining specialized tools and overcoming manufacturer-imposed obstacles during repairs.Environmental (en-vi-ron-men-tal): There is hope that they will not only extend the lifespan of devices but also reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.Legislative (le-gis-la-ti

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: Covid-Inspired ‘Silent Cut Haircutting Service Gains Popularity in Japan Devised by a Tokyo hair salon during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the ‘Silent Cut’ service is becoming increasingly popular in Japan. 在武漢肺炎（Covid-19）疫情期間，日本東京一家髮廊為防止病毒傳播而推出「無聲剪髮」服務，在日本愈來愈受歡迎。 As a way of curbing the spread of the coronavirus during the Covid-19 pandemic, authorities in Japan started promoting “no conversation” or “less conversation” policies in schools, shops and supermarkets. One Tokyo salon decided to implement the ‘silent cut’ service and it proved so popular that others quickly followed suit. 做為在Covid-19大流行期間遏制冠狀病毒傳播的一種方式，日本當局開始提倡在學校、商店和超市「不交談」或「少交談」。東京一家髮廊決定實施「無聲剪髮」服務。事實證明，這項服務非常受歡迎，其他髮廊也紛紛跟進。 As it turns out, hairstylists prefer the silent cut as well, with many claiming that they were taught to chat up clients in their apprenticeship. 事實證明，髮型師也更喜歡無聲剪髮，許多髮型師表示，他們在學徒期間需要學習如何與客人搭訕。 Next Article Topic: We’re hiring: Babies wanted for Japan nursing home 我們正在招聘：日本療養院需要嬰兒 A nursing home in southern Japan is “hiring” babies for a very important job — to keep its elderly residents company and make them smile. 日本南部一間療養院正在招聘嬰兒，擔任非常重要的職位──陪伴年長居民、讓他們開心。 A job advert pinned to the wall informs would-be workers they will be compensated for their services in diapers and powdered milk. 一個釘在牆上的工作廣告告知未來的員工，他們將會收到尿布和配方奶做為服務報酬。 New recruits at the facility in Kitakyushu must be under four years old, and their guardians have to sign a contract stipulating that the babies and toddlers can show up for work “whenever they feel like it.” 這間北九州機構的新成員必須小於4歲，而且他們的監護人必須簽署一份合約，明文規定嬰兒和學步幼童可以依照他們的意願，想上班的時候再出現。 More than 30 babies have been signed up so far, tasked with lifting the spirits of more than 100 residents who are mostly in their 80s. 至今已有超過30名嬰兒報名，他們被賦予提升逾百名居民興致的任務，這些居民大多超過80歲。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1555385 Next Article Topic: What’s behind strained China-Japan relations Japan and China on Thursday last week marked the 50th anniversary of the 1972 normalization of their ties, but there isn’t much of a celebratory mood. Improved ties between Asia’s two biggest economies are considered vital to the region’s stability and prosperity, but they remain at odds over disputed East China Sea islands and China’s growing military and economic assertiveness in the region. Here are the key issues in the often strained relations between these powerhouse neighbors: 日本和中國上週四慶祝一九七二年兩國關係正常化五十週年，但並沒有太多慶祝的氣氛。亞洲最大的兩個經濟體間關係之改善，咸認攸關亞洲的穩定與繁榮，但對於有領土爭端的東海島嶼，以及中國軍事和經濟上在該區域愈趨強勢，兩國的立場仍然分歧。這兩個鄰近的強國經常處於緊張的關係，以下是其中幾個關鍵問題： TERRITORIAL DISPUTES A huge source of contention is an uninhabited group of Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed East China Sea islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Japan insists that the islands, which once hosted a Japanese seafood factory, are part of its territory, both historically and by international law. China says they were stolen by Japan in 1895 and should have been returned at the end of World War II. The disputed islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and undersea oil deposits, and Japan accuses China of suddenly making its territorial claims after the undersea resources were found in a 1969 United Nations report. The 1972 normalization communique did not deal with the issue, but the dispute intensified after Japan’s government in 2012 nationalized the Senkaku islands, leading to violent protests across China. Chinese coast guard and fishing boats are regularly found in the area, routinely intruding on Japanese waters. 領土爭端 一個主要的爭論是東京所控制、北京聲稱擁有主權的東海無人島群，在日本稱為尖閣諸島，在中國稱為釣魚島。日本堅稱，日本曾在這些島嶼設有海產工廠，無論就歷史或國際法而言，這些島都是日本領土的一部分。中國說這些島是在一八九五年被日本偷走，日本應該在二戰結束時將其歸還。這些有爭端的島嶼，周圍環繞著富饒的漁場，海底石油儲量豐沛，日本指責中國是在一九六九年聯合國報告發現海底資源後才忽然提出領土主張。一九七二年的兩國關係正常化公報並未處理此問題，但日本政府二○一二年將尖閣諸島國有化後，爭端愈演愈烈，在中國各地引發了暴力抗議。中國海岸警衛隊及漁船常在此區域出現，經常侵犯日本水域。 FEAR OF TAIWAN EMERGENCY Japan, along with its security ally the US, has openly criticized increased Chinese activities in the South China Sea. Tokyo has also pushed for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary. With a US-China trade war and naval tensions on the rise in the area, Japan is increasingly worried about Taiwan emergencies. China’s increased joint military drills with Russia near Japanese coasts have also irked Japan. Tokyo is shifting its military posture towa

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 加入VIP訂閱！更多單集、學習筆記與加值內容等著你：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday 歡迎回到 Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室，邁入今年的最後一個月，天氣也開始變冷，許多公司正在進行年底考核，你是不是也有對自己做各種年度檢視呢？ John老師本週碰到一位學生，他說覺得今年的新年心願讓自己感到很挫敗，怎麼一回事呢？我們在訂定目標的時候，有一項很重要的是可執行度，原子習慣（Atomic Habits）這本書中有提到建立習慣非常關鍵。舉例來說，就好像我們的身體體質養好了，姿勢正確了，去練習各種體育項目都能事半功倍，而不是單純追求我要舉多重，我要跑多長多久配速要多快。 本集節目還有提到11月「社會人核心英語」課程英雄榜，以及Spotify的年度回顧。 15Mins Today 通勤學英語也想趁機對大家喊話：有用Spotify收聽的人快去看看自己的年度回顧，如果看到通勤學英語出現在你的排行榜，記得在IG限動 @15mins_today 跟我們分享喔！ Spotify Wrapped: https://www.spotify.com/us/wrapped/ 「社會人核心英語」完課榜這裡看：https://www.15mins.today/be-essentials

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) -------------------------------

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K687: The Healing Power of Melancholy: Music's Impact on Pain Perception Highlights 主題摘要：Music as Pain Relief: Certain music, especially melancholic tunes, can temporarily reduce pain perception, providing a unique and side-effect-free approach to managing physical discomfort.Emotional Connection: The study highlights the emotional impact of music, revealing that bittersweet and moving songs are more effective in relieving pain than calming or cheerful tunes.Health Benefits of Music: Beyond pain relief, embracing music—whether melancholic or upbeat—offers various health benefits, including stress reduction and improved sleep, encouraging its therapeutic exploration. Listening to music may offer more than just a pleasant auditory experience; it could serve as a temporary remedy for physical pain, according to a recent study featured on CNN. The research suggests that certain types of music, particularly those with bittersweet and emotional themes, can alleviate individuals' perception of pain. Notably, the study found that the most effective pain relievers were sad songs, capable of tapping into the emotional dimensions of our experiences. 根據CNN最新報導，聆聽音樂可能不僅是帶來愉悅的聽覺體驗，還可能成為緩解身體疼痛的暫時良方。研究表明，特定類型的音樂，尤其是那些帶有苦澀和情感主題的音樂，能夠減輕人對疼痛的感知。值得注意的是，研究發現最有效的止痛劑是能夠觸動我們情感維度的悲傷音樂。 The study, conducted with 63 young adults, involved participants selecting two of their favorite songs—one representing their all-time favorite and the other a song they would bring to a desert island. Additionally, participants chose from a set of unfamiliar relaxing instrumental songs. The impact of these songs on pain perception was evaluated through a series of 7-minute sessions where participants listened to their favorite music, the relaxing instrumental songs, a scrambled version of both, or sat in silence. A hot object was applied to their left inner forearms to simulate a painful experience. + Sure? 這項研究涉及63名年輕成人，參與者選擇了兩首他們最喜歡的歌曲，其中一首代表他們的最愛，另一首是他們會帶到荒島上的歌曲。此外，參與者還可以從一組不熟悉的輕鬆演奏曲中進行選擇。通過一系列7分鐘的會話，參與者在聽他們最喜歡的音樂，輕鬆的演奏曲，兩者的混合版，或者靜坐中評估這些歌曲對疼痛知覺的影響。過程中一個發熱物被放置在他們的左前臂內側，以模擬疼痛感。 Results revealed that individuals reported feeling less pain when listening to their favorite songs compared to hearing unfamiliar relaxing tunes or sitting in silence. Interestingly, songs with bittersweet and moving themes were more effective in reducing pain than calming or cheerful ones. Lead study author Darius Valevicius, a doctoral student of neurosciences at the University of Montreal, highlighted the significance of this finding, suggesting that people intuitively turn to melancholic music for its pain-relieving effects. 結果顯示，與聽不熟悉的輕鬆曲調或靜坐相比，當參與者聽他們最喜歡的歌曲時，他們報告感覺到的疼痛較少。有趣的是，具有苦澀和動人主題的歌曲在減輕疼痛方面比安撫或愉悅的歌曲更為有效。研究的主要作者，蒙特婁大學神經科學博士生Darius Valevicius，強調了這一發現的重要性，暗示人們本能地轉向憂鬱音樂以獲得緩解疼痛的效果。 The study also explored the connection between listening to bittersweet songs and experiencing chills, commonly associated with pleasurable music. While not thoroughly examined, researchers hypothesized that these musical chills might contribute to pain-blocking effects, possibly through a mechanism known as sensory gating. Although music may reduce pain perception by approximately 10%, experts caution that it is not a substitute for medical intervention. Nevertheless, embracing music, whether melancholic or upbeat, offers various health benefits, including stress reduction and improved sleep. The findings encourage individuals to explore the therapeutic potential of music for enhancing well-being. 該研究還探討了聆聽苦澀音樂與感受放鬆之間的聯繫，放鬆通常與愉悅的音樂相關。雖然沒有進行深入研究，研究人員假設這些音樂帶來的放鬆可能通過一種稱為感覺閘門的機制對阻擋疼痛產生影響。儘管音樂可能將疼痛知覺降低約10％，專家提醒這不能替代醫學干預。然而，擁抱音樂，不論是憂鬱還是愉悅的曲子，都能帶來各種健康的益處，包括釋放壓力和改善睡眠。這些發現也鼓勵了人們探索音樂對提升身心健康的治療潛力。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Particularly (par-ti-cu-lar-ly): The research suggests that certain types of music, particularly those with bittersweet and emotional themes, can alleviate individuals' perception of pain.Instrumental (in-stru-men-tal): Additionally, participants chose from a set of unfamiliar relaxing instrumental songs.Melancholic (me-lan-cho-lic): Lead study author Darius Valevicius, a doctoral student of neurosciences at the University of Montreal, highlighted the significance of this finding, suggesting that people intuitively turn to melancholic music for its pain-relieving effects.Pleasurable (plea-su-ra-ble): The study also explored the connection between listening to bittersweet songs and experiencing chills, commonly associat

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: About space - NASA and Tide team up to do laundry in space Tide is going to outer space. The Procter & Gamble brand is partnering with NASA to keep astronauts’ spacesuits fresh, even on Mars. 汰漬正在前往外太空。這個寶鹼公司的品牌正與美國航太總署合作，維持太空人太空服的乾淨，即便是在火星。 Company and NASA scientists have created a fully degradable detergent that will clean clothes without wasting water. 該公司與NASA科學家已經創造一款完全可自然分解的洗滌劑，不用浪費水就能潔淨衣物。 Over the next decade, they’ll be testing fabric care products, including Tide pens and wipes, at the International Space Station and on missions to the moon and Mars. 在未來10年中，他們將在國際太空站與登月、登火星的任務中，測試織物照護產品，包括汰漬的筆與濕紙巾。 The months or even years that astronauts spend away from Earth means that their spacesuits and clothes can become smelly and stained. Clothes have to be reworn several times before they are ejected with other waste into the atmosphere or sent back to Earth as trash. A crew member will receive 160 pounds of clothes per year through resupply shipments. 太空人離開地球數月，甚至數年的時間，意味著他們的太空服與衣物會變臭且染色。這些衣物與其他廢物被拋入大氣層或當成垃圾送回地球前，必須重複穿著許多次。1名組員每年將透過補給，拿到160磅重的衣物。 Next Article Topic: Russia wants to return to Venus, build reusable rocket 俄羅斯希望重返金星，打造可重複使用的火箭 The head of Russia’s space agency said Friday that Roscosmos wants to return to Venus and bring back soil samples and build spacecraft that will surpass Elon Musk’s rockets. 俄羅斯太空機構負責人週五說，俄羅斯航太太空活動國有公司（Roscosmos）想重返金星 ，帶回土壤樣本，並打造超越（太空探索科技公司）創辦人穆斯克的火箭的太空船。 "We are making a methane rocket to replace the Soyuz-2," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with state news agency RIA Novosti. 「我們正在打造一種甲烷火箭取代聯合2號火箭（Soyuz-2）」，俄羅斯航太總裁羅戈辛在接受國營「俄羅斯新聞社」訪問時說。 He said it will be a reusable space complex, noting that it will be possible to use its first stage at least 100 times. 他說，新火箭將是可以重複使用的太空綜合體，並強調第一節將有望重複使用至少100次。 "Of course we are looking at what our American colleagues are doing," said Rogozin. "But our engineers are trying to take a shortcut － not to repeat what our SpaceX colleagues are doing but surpass them." 「我們當然有在關注美國同業的進展」，羅戈辛說。「但我們的工程師正試圖抄近路—不是重複SpaceX在做的事，而是超越他們。」Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1457274; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1395146 Next Article Topic: Why Tom Hanks turned down Jeff Bezos’ offer to go to space Jeff Bezos offered Tom Hanks a ride to space on his Blue Origin rocket, but it came at a price. （亞馬遜創辦人）傑夫‧貝佐斯曾邀請（好萊塢男星）湯姆‧漢克搭乘他的「藍源」火箭上太空，但要付出代價。 The actor confirmed that Bezos had asked him during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Tuesday, saying if he accepted the offer he was expected to pay. 這名男星週二現身（電視節目）「吉米金默現場秀」時證實，貝佐斯曾邀約他（上太空），並說若他接受（邀約），應該要付錢。 "Well yeah, provided I pay," Hanks said. "It costs like $28 million or something like that. And I’m doing good, Jimmy — I’m doing good — but I ain’t paying $28 million. You know what, we could simulate the experience of going to space right now." 「是啊，若我付錢（就能上太空），」漢克說。「大概要2800萬美元左右。我算是事業有成，吉米—我混得還不錯—但我才不要付2800萬。你知道嗎，我們現在就可以模擬上太空的經驗。」 Hanks, who appeared to promote his new movie "Finch," mimicked shaking in a rocket while in his chair, saying, "I don’t need to spend 28 million bucks to do that." 上節目宣傳新片「芬奇的旅程」的漢克（語畢）便在椅子上模仿搭火箭（上太空時）身體抖動的模樣，並說「我才不要花2800萬來做這種事。」 Next Article William Shatner says Prince William is ’missing the point’ of space tourism 威廉沙特納說 威廉王子沒搞懂太空旅行的真諦 William Shatner is firing a rhetorical rocket back at Prince William after the future king criticized space tourism. 在（英國）威廉王子出言批評太空觀光後，（男星）威廉‧沙特納反唇相譏，還擊這位未來國王。 Shatner, who blasted into space on one of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ rockets, said the British royal has "got the wrong idea" by saying that solving problems on Earth should be prioritized over tourist trips to space. 搭乘亞馬遜創辦人傑夫‧貝佐斯的一艘火箭上太空的沙特納說，宣稱解決地球上的問題應優先於太空旅行的這位英國王室成員，「搞錯了」。 The 90-year-old "Star Trek" actor said that a power generating base could be constructed 250 miles above the Earth and used to supply homes and businesses below. "The prince is missing the point," he added. 這位90歲「星際爭霸戰」男演員說，距離地表250英里的上空可以蓋一座發電基地，用來供應地面住家與建築（所需）。「王子沒搞懂（太空旅行的真諦），」他補充道。 Without mentioning names, William criticized billionaires focused on space tourism in an interview Thursday with the BBC, saying they should invest more time and money in saving Earth. 威廉週四接受英國廣播公司訪問時，在未指名道姓的情況下批評億萬富豪聚焦太空觀光的現象，指稱富豪們應將更多時間與金錢投資於拯救地球。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1498987 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1499857 Next Article

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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，本週的值班教師是年底忙到爆的Angel老師，帶來了飛機上緊急事故的故事要來和John老師聊聊並跟大家分享！ 在出遠門或搭乘交通工具的時候，接受工作人員的協助並配合指示真的很重要，在行業內的Angel老師對這點深有體會，並且不管是安全培訓或是應急反應，都跟平時聊天用的英語不太一樣。特別是這集內提到的醫療救急情況，還要看藥單或是跟患者家屬溝通，在事件當下真的沒有時間反應，平時的累積內化以及聽和說的練習真的很關鍵！ 你平時有練習聽說的習慣嗎？沒有英語的環境？沒關係！記得跟著我們的國際時事跟讀一起練習，英語上手就是這麼輕鬆。如果你在學習英語的過程中有遇到任何瓶頸或挫折，歡迎透過表單告訴John老師，我們會在每週六的幕後教師室分享我們的學習秘訣，陪伴大家一起學習變強！

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 想要這集的VIP學習筆記 (內含主題討論逐字稿、常用慣用語片語及同義字、聽力小測驗)？ 加入VIP訂閱：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday Summary: 討論文章: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Wonderful_World This week we're back with Shimin's music talk. Armstrong is a distinct last name with many famous people that we got to know. If you listen to Jazz and the oldies, you would know Louis Armstrong. An iconic artist that started as a trumpeter and then later as a singer. Shimin and I will be covering the lyrics to one of his signature hits - What A Wonderful World. Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it! 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K683: Google Pixel 8 Pro: A Closer Look at the New Premium Flagship Highlights 摘要：Matte Glass Back and Camera Upgrades: The Pixel 8 Pro features a matte glass back and substantial camera improvements, including a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, enhancing its design and photography capabilities.Impressive Display and Durability: The device boasts an impressive 6.7-inch OLED display with a wide range of refresh rates, and it uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability, making it a compelling choice.Innovative Features: The article highlights innovative features like a built-in temperature sensor but questions their practicality.  I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the upcoming Google Pixel 8 Pro, and while it bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, it brings several meaningful upgrades. The most noticeable change is the matte glass back, a first for the Pixel Pro lineup. Although the exterior remains quite similar, the real improvements lie within the device, particularly in the camera system. 最近，我有機會花一些時間體驗即將推出的Google Pixel 8 Pro，盡管它與前代相似之處很多，但它仍帶來了一些有意義的升級。最明顯的變化是採用了霧面玻璃背板，這是Pixel Pro系列的首次嘗試。儘管外觀保持相似，但真正的改進點在於設備內部，特別是在相機系統方面。 Testing camera upgrades in a controlled environment can be challenging, but despite difficult lighting conditions, the pictures captured with the new cameras left a positive impression. The Pixel 8 Pro features a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, a 50-megapixel primary wide lens, and a 48-megapixel 5x telephoto lens, offering a noticeable improvement over the previous model. 在特定環境下測試相機的升級可能具有挑戰性，但儘管光線條件較差，新相機拍攝的照片給人留下了良好的印象。Pixel 8 Pro搭載了一個4800萬像素的超廣角鏡頭、一個5000萬像素的主鏡頭和一個4800萬像素的5倍望遠鏡頭，相對上一代機型有明顯改進。 Software enhancements include new manual "Pro" controls for fine-tuning photography settings and improved skin tone accuracy. The "Best Take" feature allows you to swap individual faces in group photos for a perfect shot. While these sound promising, a thorough evaluation will be necessary in the full review. The Magic Eraser, which automatically removes unwanted elements from photos, continues to work well, as seen in previous Pixel phones. 軟體升級包括新的手動“專業”控制，用於微調攝影設定，以及提高膚色準確度。 "最佳拍攝"功能允許您在團體照中選出每個人當下最好的表情，以實現完美拍攝。儘管這些功能聽起來很有潛力，但需要在全面評測中進一步測試。魔法橡皮擦功能，它可以自動刪除照片中不需要的元素，延續自前代的Pixel手機，並且依然表現出色。 One intriguing addition to the Pixel 8 Pro is a built-in temperature sensor located on the camera bump. The purpose of this sensor, as demonstrated with an included thermometer app, seems to be limited to measuring the temperature of various surfaces. While it's a unique feature, it's unclear how it will be of practical use beyond novelty. Pixel 8 Pro中一個引人注目的新功能是內置的溫度感應器，位於相機凸起處。該感應器的目的就如附帶的溫度計應用程序所展示，似乎僅限於測量不同表面的溫度。儘管這是一個獨特的功能，但除了新奇之外，還沒有更具體的實際應用。 The device's 6.7-inch OLED display now supports a wide range of refresh rates, from 1 to 120 Hz, and boasts a "Super Actua" display that offers exceptional brightness. It can achieve up to 1,600 nits in HDR mode and 2,400 nits outdoors in direct sunlight, significantly improving upon last year's model. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which protects the screen, promises enhanced durability. 該設備的6.7英吋OLED螢幕現在支援多種更新率，從1到120赫茲，並擁有"Super Actua"顯示，提供卓越的亮度。在HDR模式下，它可以達到最高1600尼特的亮度，並在陽光下達到2400尼特，顯著優於去年的機型。保護螢幕的康寧Gorilla Victus 2玻璃則確保了更強的耐用性。 The Pixel 8 Pro exudes a premium feel with its rounded edges and grippy polished aluminum sides. The matte glass back not only looks stylish in all color options but also feels comfortable in the hand. While the device appears to be an iterative update, the enhanced camera specifications and the new Tensor G3 processor hold the potential for significant improvements. We eagerly await the full review to uncover the full capabilities of Google's latest flagship smartphone. Pixel 8 Pro的圓角邊緣和握感極佳的拋光鋁合金側邊散發著高級感。霧面玻璃背板不僅在所有顏色選擇中都顯得時尚，而且手感舒適。雖然該設備似乎是一個例行的升級，但增強的相機規格和新的Tensor G3處理器都隱藏著巨大的潛力。我們熱切期待著完整的評測，以揭開Google最新旗艦智能手機的全部功能。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字：Iterative (It-er-a-tive): "While the device appears to be an iterative update."Durability (Du-ra-bil-i-ty): "The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 promises enhanced durability."Intriguing (In-tri-guing): "One intriguing addition to the Pixel 8 Pro is a built-in temperature sensor."Capabilities (Ca-pa-bil-i-ties): "We eagerly await the full review to uncover the full capabilities of Google's latest flagship smartphone."Exceptional (Ex-cep-tion-al): "The device's 6.7-inch OLED display boas

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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: In Amsterdam, Floating Homes That Only Look Like Ships When Karen Bosma first moved her boat to the Borneokade, northeast of Amsterdam’s bustling city center, in 1999, the neighborhood was barely more than a cluster of commercial docks and underused warehouses. 凱倫．博斯馬1999年剛把她的船移到荷蘭首都阿姆斯特丹熱鬧市中心東北方的波諾卡德時，這一帶幾乎只有成排商船船席和不常使用的倉庫。 “It was for poor people — a lot of artists lived on boats,” she said, sitting in her neat, cozy living room just below the waterline. 博斯馬坐在她整潔舒適的客廳裡回憶說：「當時這是窮人聚居區，很多藝術家住在船上。」客廳就在吃水線下方。 In the quarter century since, Bosma, a 62-year-old social worker, and her husband have raised two sons on the Distel, a 1912 82-foot freighter, which — stripped of its engine, fuel tanks and cargo hold — is one of Amsterdam’s iconic houseboats, with a seagoing hull, wheelhouse and curtained windows. 此後的四分之一個世紀，現年62歲的社工博斯馬和先生，在這艘船上把兩個兒子帶大。這艘船名叫「迪斯特爾」，是1912年打造的貨船，長25公尺，引擎、燃料槽和貨艙都已去除，是阿姆斯特丹著名船屋之一，具備遠洋船船體、舵手室和裝上窗簾的窗子。 Three boats down lies the B18, an elegant 131-foot, 2 1/2-story floating mansion (with more than 3,000 square feet of interior space) that shows just how perfectly the soul of a luxury yacht combines with open-space living and elegant living quarters. 三艘船以外停泊著B18，是雅緻的兩層半水上豪宅，長40公尺，室內面積超過279平方公尺（約84坪），顯示奢華遊艇的精髓如何與室外生活和優美的室內起居空間完美結合。 “It has to be a ship on the outside and a house on the inside,” said Gijs Haverkate, 53, who created the vessel and lives on it with his family. 53歲的哈福卡特造了B18，並與家人住在船上，他說：「B18必須外觀是艘船，內部是個家。」 In the Dutch capital, houseboats have gone upmarket. The new owners are wealthy and discerning, interested in new designs, upgraded comfort and sustainability. 在阿姆斯特丹，船屋已變得高檔了。新一批船屋主人富裕且有品味，對新設計、更高的舒適感和永續性都很感興趣。 Haverkate, a designer by trade, hopes his boat will inspire others to build on the water. He runs UrbanShips, a company that builds customized houseboats designed to look like ships. 哈福卡特以設計為業，希望他的船能激勵別人在水上蓋房子。他經營「都市船」公司，依照客戶需求打造看來像船隻的船屋。 After years of serving as a relatively cheap place to live in an expensive city, Amsterdam’s houseboats — or rather the spaces they float — have become popular and expensive, with prices increasing 30% to 40% over the past five years alone, according to Jon Kok, one of the city’s best known houseboat real estate agents. 阿姆斯特丹的船屋（更確切地說，是承載船屋的水面），原本的功用是在這昂貴的城市中作為相對廉價的住所，多年下來卻變得大受歡迎且價格高漲，阿姆斯特丹最知名船屋仲介公司之一「約翰科克」資料顯示，單單這五年來，船屋價格就漲了三到四成。 The whale’s share of the price increase comes from the value of the berth, not the ship. 船屋價格上漲，主要是因為船席變得更值錢，而不是船體本身。 A typical Amsterdam canal berth might be worth close to a half-million dollars, depending on its location and how big a ship it will allow; some of the older, unrenovated ships in those berths might be worth only $20,000 (building a new ship, of course, is much more expensive). 一個典型的阿姆斯特丹運河船席，可能就要近50萬美元，視地點和可容下多大船隻而定。停在這種船席上的一些老舊未翻新船隻，可能只值兩萬美元。（當然，造新船貴得多。） But in this gentrification debate, the cost of new berths is less important than the architecture of the ship — and whether they ever served as actual commercial ships. 不過，在討論船屋愈來愈高級的話題時，新船席的價格並不如船隻的設計美感和是否曾作為真正的商船來得重要。 Once populated by converted working boats, the canal now holds an increasing number of floating houses designed to look like oceangoing vessels but with hardly any of the working features of a real boat. 阿姆斯特丹的運河曾經滿是工作船改造後的船屋，現在有愈來愈多的水上房屋，設計成外觀像遠洋船，但實際上幾乎不具備真正船隻的功能。 Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/348587/web/#2L-16188816L Next Article Topic: Japan has so many vacant homes it’s giving them away Four years ago, Naoko and Takayuki Ida were given a house in the small town of Okutama, in Tokyo prefecture. For free. 4年前，井田直子與孝之得到一棟位於東京都小鎮奧多摩的房子。不用錢。 A free house may sound like a scam. But Japan faces an unusual property problem： it has more homes than people to live in them. 免費的房子聽起來像是騙局。但日本正面臨一項不尋常的房地產問題：房屋數量多於入住人數。 In 2013, there were 61 million houses and 52 million households, according to the Japan Policy Forum. And the situation is poised to get worse. 「日本政策論壇」指出，2013年時有6100萬間房子與5200萬戶家庭。而且，這種情況還會日益惡化。 Japan’s population is expected to decline from 127 million to about 88 million by 2065, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security, meaning even fewer people will need houses. As young people leave rural areas for city jobs, Japan’s countryside has become haunted by deserted "ghost houses." 根據（日本）「國立社會保障、人口問題研究所」，預料日本人口到了2065年，會從1億2700萬減至約8800萬，意味需要房屋的人會更少。隨著年輕人為了在都市工作離開鄉間，日本鄉間已充斥遭棄置的「鬼屋」。 It’s predicted that by 20

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) ------------------------------- 歡迎來到這集的 Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室，本週是由John老師和Patrick老師值班，來跟大家聊聊最近的情況！ 這禮拜是美國的重要節慶感恩節（Thanksgiving），雖然近年來感恩節被商人洗腦成為黑色星期五（Black Friday）和網路星期一（Cyber Monday）的兩大折扣日，但一開始畢竟還是個感恩兼紀念的日子，藉這個機會，John老師和Patrick老師就趁機來感謝聽眾朋友、通勤家族們。不管是最近的訂閱制度，或是一直以來的收聽與支持，其實都或多或少地在製作節目的過程中mean something鼓勵著我們。 而對於我們創作者來說，若是在回饋的時候看到聽眾朋友留言告訴我們在哪個時候聽到的東西對他產生了什麼幫助、或是派上了什麼用場，其實就是最棒的讚美啦！祝福大家都能在通勤學英語精心錄製的節目、筆記、VIP加值內容中得到收穫，學習的路上有我們陪伴😇

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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) -------------------------------

------------------------------- 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 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 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入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] ------------------------------- 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.K679: Costco的制勝策略：將購物者變成狂粉 Costco's Winning Strategy: Turning Shoppers into Avid Fans Highlights 摘要：Costco's Success Recipe: Costco's success hinges on its unique blend of exclusivity, unwavering dedication to value, and strategic shopping experience design.Customer Obsession: The company's ability to create customer obsession through its tactics, such as exclusive memberships and nostalgic appeal, results in a legion of devoted fans.Profitability and Loyalty: Costco's commitment to low prices, high-quality products, and strong supplier relationships, coupled with its thriving membership program, contributes to impressive profitability and customer loyalty. Costco, the membership-only retail giant, has succeeded in cultivating a fanatical following among its 94 million members worldwide. From its irresistible $5 rotisserie chickens to the allure of free samples, Costco has mastered the art of inspiring customer obsession. This article delves into how the company employs a variety of strategies to transform casual shoppers into ardent Costco fans. Costco，這家只對會員開放的零售巨頭，在全球9400萬會員中培養了一批狂熱的追隨者。從令人難以抗拒的5美元烤雞到免費樣品的誘惑，Costco已經掌握了激發顧客痴迷的功夫。本文深入探討了該公司採用多種策略，將普通消費者轉變為Costco的狂熱粉絲。 One of Costco's primary tactics is the exclusivity offered through its membership program. To shop at Costco's warehouse-like stores, consumers are required to purchase an annual membership, costing $60 for households or businesses and $120 for executive members. This membership requirement not only adds an air of exclusivity to the store but also triggers a psychological phenomenon where customers feel the need to justify their investment by shopping frequently and buying more. This exclusivity is reinforced by the fact that you must be a member to even enter the store. Costco的主要策略之一是通過其會員計劃提供的獨家性。要在Costco的倉庫式商店購物，消費者需要購買年度會員資格，家庭或企業會員需支付60美元，而高級會員則需支付120美元。這種會員資格要求不僅為商店增添了排他性，還引發了一種心理現象，即顧客感到有必要通過頻繁購物和購買更多商品來證明他們的投資。而必須持有會員資格才能進入商店這點更強化了這種排他性。 Costco's dedication to value is another cornerstone of its strategy. The company's emphasis on offering high-quality products at the lowest prices is central to its appeal. Costco prides itself on being an "item business," curating a selection of around 3,700 to 3,800 top-tier products, as opposed to the overwhelming array of items in a Walmart supercenter. The commitment to offering value is exemplified in popular products like the $4.99 rotisserie chicken and the $29.99 sheet cake that serves 48 people. Costco's approach is not to maximize profits but to find the lowest price that still ensures a fair return, making customers loyal to the brand. Costco對價值的追求是其策略的另一基石。公司強調以最低價格提供高品質的產品，這是其吸引人的核心。Costco以“商品業務”為榮，精選大約3700至3800個頂級產品，而不是像沃爾瑪超市裡琳琅滿目的商品。對價值的承諾也在暢銷商品中得以體現，比如售價4.99美元的烤雞和29.99美元能夠供應48人食用的蛋糕。Costco的方法並不追求將利潤最大化，而是在確保公平回報的前提下找到最低價格，使顧客忠於品牌。 Furthermore, Costco enhances the shopping experience by strategically designing store layouts that guide customers through the entire store, ensuring they encounter a variety of appealing items, both necessary and impulse buys. Shoppers are tempted by free samples and occasional freebies, such as massages, all of which contribute to making customers more relaxed and less disciplined, leading to increased sales. Costco's ever-changing lineup of surprise deals, alongside its staples like Kirkland Signature brand products, ensures that shoppers always find something interesting and exciting during their visit. 此外，Costco通過精心設計的商店布局增強了購物體驗，引導顧客瀏覽整個商店，確保他們遇到各種吸引人的商品，既有必需品也有衝動購物型商品。顧客會受到免費樣品和偶爾福利的誘惑（例如按摩），這些都有助於使顧客更加放鬆，減少自律感，從而增加銷售額。Costco不斷變化的驚喜優惠產品系列，以及其固定的Kirkland Signature品牌產品，確保顧客在訪店期間總是能夠找到有趣和令人興奮的東西。 Costco's nostalgic appeal is another driver of customer loyalty. The company originally catered to an older, affluent demographic, the baby boomer generation, but now its appeal has passed down to their children and grandchildren. Many consumers remember visiting Costco with their families, and this shared nostalgia is a key element of the brand's identity. These factors, along with the company's commitment to low prices and high-quality products, have resulted in a legion of devoted Costco fans. Costco's approach may be a template for other retailers aiming to turn shoppers into enthusiastic supporters of their brand. Costco的懷舊吸引力是客戶忠誠度的另一個驅動力。該公司最初面向的是年長的富裕消費者，即嬰兒潮一代，但現在其吸引力已傳給了他們的子孫輩。許多消費者記得與家人一起去Costco購物，這種共同的懷舊感成為品牌形象的關鍵元素。這些因素加上公司對低價和高品質產品的承諾，使Costco擁有一批忠實的粉絲。Costco的作法有望成為其他零售同業將購物者變成品