Over the last seven years, most states have banned texting by drivers. Public service campaigns have also tried a wide range of methods to persuade people to put down their phones they are behind the wheel.
Yet the problem, by just about any measure, appears to be getting worse. Americans are still texting while driving, as well as using social networks and taking photos. Road accidents, which (fall) for years, are now rising sharply.
That is partly people are driving more, but Mark Rosekind, the chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said inattentive driving was "only increasing, unfortunately."
"Big change requires big ideas," he said in a speech last month, (refer) broadly to the need to improve road safety. So (change) a distinctly modern behavior, lawmakers and public health experts are reaching back to an old approach: They want to treat (distract) driving like driving after consuming alcohol.
An idea lawmakers in New York is to give police officers a new device called the Textalyzer. It would work like this: An officer arriving at the scene of a crash could ask for the phones of the drivers and use the Textalyzer to check in the operating system for recent activity. The technology could determine a driver had just texted, emailed or done anything else not allowed under New York's hands-free driving laws.
"We need something on the books can change people's behavior," said Félix W. Ortiz, who pushed for the state's ban on hand-held devices by drivers. "If the Textalyzer bill becomes law," he said, "people are going to be (afraid) to put their hands on the cell phone."
A. focused | B. labels | C. contributes | D. accident | E. duly | F. present |
G. rarely | H. tricks | I. available | J. equipped | K. attempt |
This Is Why Most Grocery Stores Lack Windows
When you're grocery shopping, have you noticed that supermarkets often lack windows, and if they have them, they're only at the front of the store? You may pay attention to the architectural features of the building because you're there to shop for food, not admire the layout.
But that's the point. If grocery stores had windows, would it be easier to ignore your main shopping task? There are all sorts of supermarket grocery stores have to keep you shopping longer. It's no that grocery stores often lack windows and there are a few reasons behind this trend.
One of them is a (n) to keep people inside longer. Stores want to create a separate environment within their store where the outside world doesn't exist. In spite of the rain or sunshine, your attention remains . The technique also prevents shoppers from noticing it's getting dark out. It really to an immersive (沉浸式的) shopping experience, for better or worse.
Keeping daylight out of stores can help preserve the products, as some fresh produce can go bad faster in direct sunlight. Too much sun exposure can even cause packaging to fade. Having windows in stores would also reduce the space to display products. Not to mention, with strong structural supports, outside walls can hold the heavier items on the shelves of those walls.
Due to the high cost of constructing windows and storefronts, along with the potential security risks they probably , retailers (零售商) choose to minimize the number of entry points into their space in order to cut expenses and improve safety.
Social media can be a convenient way to extend your network, staying in touch with your grandma or sharing photos of your new puppy. 1 , social media can be terrible for your health. It's our 2 of it that's out of control.
British evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar developed the idea that 150 people is the maximum number of meaningful connections anyone can have. You may have 800 friends on Wechat, but you're not 3 them in person. Your QQ connections may be vast, but how many of them do you have 4 interactions with?
If you're using social media to feel more connected, a recent study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion suggests that it's not 5 , and it also brought about unfavorable connections and even depression. Positive interactions on social media don't help people feel 6 . Negative interactions, on the other hand, bring more feelings of sadness. The same goes for 7 , which social media encourages. Another study, published by the American Psychological Association, shows that comparing yourself to others through social media also produces 8 effects, leading to symptoms of depression.
Reaching for your cell phone as a mental break is also a (n) 9 idea. Research by Rutgers University compared participants in the process of completing a task who took a break with their cell phones, with paper and pencils, and who took no break at all. Those who used their cell phones during their break solved 22% fewer problems and took 19% longer to complete their tasks than those under the other two 10 .
So how should you 11 your social media usage?
First, know your time and 12 of use. Use the tracking function on your device to find out how much you're using it and what you're using it for. After this, get away from your device unless you have to use it. Tough as it might be, turn off and tune into the world around you.
Then, be in charge of your 13 , rather than let it be in charge of you. Your phone's rings or vibrations (震动) don't mean you must respond to them. Remind yourself that you're in charge, not your device or the people on the other end of it who've just contacted you.
Finally, consider using your device as a (n) 14 builder. Use your apps to find your friends and make your dinner reservation so you can catch up face-to-face in your favorite restaurant, where you'll keep your phone out of sight.
When you're in control of your 15 , social media becomes a tool to enrich your life but not a distraction that makes you feel miserable.
As midnight approaches in Svalbard, a young polar bear climbs onto an iceberg (冰山) and carves himself a temporary bed before falling asleep. This peaceful moment, capturing the essence of Earth's delicacy, was taken by Nima Sarikhani, who won Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award, which is decided by public vote.
Sarikhani, from the UK, spent three days searching Norway's Svalbard islands in the hope of catching sight of these symbolic Arctic (北极的) animals. He was finally rewarded with the sight of both an older and younger male shortly after his ship changed course. Sarikhani seized the chance to take a photo of the younger bear sleeping on the iceberg—a scene that not only awakens the bond between an animal and its habitat, but also the need to act on global challenges like climate change and habitat loss.
These days, the sight of a lone polar bear on melting ice is a familiar symbol of the impact of climate change. But that is for a good reason: global warming is having a particularly rapid effect on the Arctic, which is heating up at a rate three times as high as that of the average around the world. Among those hardest hit are these bears, which are increasingly threatened by the reduction in sea ice cover that they rely on to hunt and raise young.
Though his photo is intended to arouse emotion in those who see it, Sarikhani is optimistic that with the right actions, it isn't too late for polar bears. The image will be displayed in an exhibition at the Natural History Museum, London, along with the competition's four runners-up, until 30 June.
Entangled Life (Illustrated) by Merlin Sheldrake
Following 2020's real hit Entangled Life, biologist Sheldrake returns in time with an impressive illustrated edition. At over 240 pages, his passion and knowledge leaps off every spread. From the microscopic to the splendid, the colour images create an entertaining and charming experience.
Anna Atkins: Cyanotypes by Peter Walther
Often copied, seldom improved on, the elegant prints of Anna Atkins are timeless. Atkins uses light-sensitive iron salt solution and exposure to sunlight to create beautiful Cyanotypes, pictures in a specific dark blue color. Walther's book is comprehensive and perfect for Atkins fans or anyone keen to learn.
The Earth in Our Hands by Thomas Pesquet
Pesquet's breathtaking collection of photographs captured from the International Space Station (ISS) follows in the footsteps of astronaut Don Pettit's Spaceborne. Pesquet took more than 245,000 images over two missions, with his book including 200 of these. It is the closest most of us will get to being on the ISS—a deeply engaging read.
Looking at Trees by Sophie Howarth
This absorbing book features 26 of the world's leading photographers. From a photo of Hollywood juniper (杜松) in California to a dreamlike image of Halfway Gardens in South Africa, Howarth asks us to value trees at a time of environmental challenge. It's a book you will return to.
It is uncontroversial that being very heavy is bad for health, but it is unclear at what point health risks begin. Doctors usually ad vise people to lose weight if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is high, which is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. In most countries, a healthy weight is defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9. Having a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is classed as overweight and 30 and above as extremely fat.
Previous research made waves when it found that people whose BMI was somewhat over the "healthy" threshold of 25 may have a slightly lower death rate than slimmer individuals. But many of the studies are fairly old and were done when people were mostly slimmer, and subjects weren't racially diverse, says Aayush Visaria, a researcher in New Jersey.
To address those issues, Visaria tracked the survival of about 500,000 racially diverse US adults of known height and weight for up to 20 years. Having a BMI between 25 and 27.4 carried a 5 percent lower risk of death in this period than a BMI within the healthy category of 22.5 to 24.9. A slightly higher BMI, of 27.5 to 29.9, seemed even better, linked with a 7 percent lower risk of death.
One criticism is that the apparent benefit of being overweight could be a misconception, as people who lose weight due to illness are more likely to die. However, in the new research, the pattern persisted even if people who died within two years of entering the study were ruled out from the figures.
Visaria says it's too early to conclude that having an "overweight" BMI outperforms being in the healthy category, because population studies may be prejudiced and lead to misinterpretation of the results. "We aren't certain if this is truly interpretable," he says. "A more appropriate message is that BMI isn't a good indicator of death risk—other factors, like body fat distribution, also play a role."
Tuning in to Gestures
Gesture gets its power in part from the fact that it is seldom noticed by the speaker or listener yet is easily understood and included in our conversations. The challenge is to use it to good effect.
Gesture more when you speak. It will help you learn and understand, and also think in a more abstract way. If you gesture while talking, you will remember more of what you have said. Do it while you are multitasking and it will lighten your mental load. What's more, when you gesture, the people around you tend to do so too.
Encourage gestures in your children, students and anyone else you are trying to teach. This will help them understand the material you are conveying. That is important because being able to generalise what we learn is essential to acquiring new knowledge.
Pay attention to other people's gestures. These offer a window into the thoughts that speakers have but don't express in their words. These thoughts are often at the cutting-edge of their knowledge or address issues that are uppermost in their minds. Noticing and responding to such gestures will improve your interactions at home and at work.
Observe the gesturing of infants (婴儿). While learning to talk, children typically convey sentence-like meanings in a combination of gesture and speech before using words alone. If a child fails to produce these gesture-word combinations, it may be a sign that their spoken language development will be delayed, allowing you to intervene and help.
A. For example, they usually point at a box and say "open". B. You should be mindful of the potential impact of gestures. C. Make fake gestures on certain occasions if necessary. D. Here are some tips that can help you take advantage of gestures. E. This can give you a way of seeing what others are thinking but not saying. F. Gesturing while learning will also help them solve the same problem in a new way. |
What Is a Superiority Complex?
A superiority complex is a behavior that suggests a person believes they are somehow superior to others. People with this complex often have overstated opinions of themselves. They may believe their abilities and achievements are better than those of others. However, the complex is believed to be a defense system for feelings of inadequacy that we all struggle with.
It is unclear why a person develops a superiority complex. Multiple incidents may be the root cause. For example, it may be the result of many failures. A person tries to complete a specific goal or achieve a desired outcome, but they don't succeed. They learn to handle the anxiety and stress of the failure by pretending to be above it. If they feel protected from their failures in this way, they may repeat this behavior in the future.
These behaviors can begin at an early age. When a child is learning to cope with challenges, they may learn to control feelings of inadequacy or fear. A superiority complex may develop. Likewise, it may also happen later in life. As teens and adults, a person has many opportunities to try new things among new people. If these situations are not successfully coped with, a person may develop a superiority complex to overcome feeling isolated.
People with a superiority complex are unlikely to be a threat to anyone's physical health. However, the continuous lies and overstatements can become annoying to others and may negatively affect relationships. It can push away other people in your life and shrink your social circle. If you are in a relationship with a person who you think has the issue, encourage the person to seek help. For example, never hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals. They can find healthier ways to deal with hidden feelings.
你的邮件内容须包括：
1. 你的选择；
2. 你做出该选择的理由。
