Human Thought – Listening Fluency #114

BY DAN 50 COMMENTS

Image by: Thanh Tung Nguyen (CC BY 2.0)

At one time, communication was thought to be the maindifferentiator, but research into chimpanzees, dolphins and even prairie dogs has found that these animals are also capable of complex communication.

The use of tools was also once thought to be a main difference, but that too has been proven wrong. Chimps use sticks and rocks to find and eat food. Dolphins trap fish by making rings of mud. Even crows use their environment intelligently as a tool.

In Tokyo, crows use the flow of city traffic as a nut-cracker. They purposely drop nuts onto the street, so that the passing cars will crack the nuts. They then wait for the traffic lights to turn red and collect their ready-to-eat food.

One area where humans do appear to be unique is our ability for higher thought. As far as we know, only humans have the ability to think about the past and imagine the future. This ability allows us to plan andimprovise like no other species. That being said, thought is not something we always enjoy.

In fact, according to recent research, many people find thinking unpleasant. In one study, people were put in an empty room with just a table and chair and told to think about anything they wanted for between 6 and 15 minutes. Afterwards, they were asked to rate how much they enjoyed the experience and most of them rated it negatively.

The researchers believe that we have become so used to constant stimulation, that when we are left alone with no TVs, no cell phones, nothing to write with or read, and not even a window to look out of, we quickly become uncomfortable.

In a second experiment, people were put in the same distraction-free room, and again told to think of anything they wanted, but this time they were given one possible distraction. They were left with a battery that they could use to shock themselves and many of them did.

Surprisingly, two thirds of the men and a quarter of the women preferred mild physical pain to being alone with their thoughts. One man strangely shocked himself 190 times over the short time period.

What would you choose if left alone with your thoughts and a battery? Do you think the human species is becoming addicted to distraction and constant stimulation?

Vocabulary

differentiator: a point of difference between two things.
improvise: create or do something spontaneously.
stimulation: an action or thing that causes someone to become interested or excited.

Human Thought – Listening Fluency #114

BY DAN 0 COMMENTS

Image by: Thanh Tung Nguyen (CC BY 2.0)

At one time, communication was thought to be the maindifferentiator, but research into chimpanzees, dolphins and even prairie dogs have found that these animals are also capable of complex communication.

The use of tools was also once thought to be a main difference, but that too has been proven wrong. Chimps use sticks and rocks to find and eat food. Dolphins trap fish by making rings of mud. Even crows use their environment intelligently as a tool.

In Tokyo, crows use the flow of city traffic as a nut-cracker. They purposely drop nuts onto the street, so that the passing cars will crack the nuts. They then wait for the traffic lights to turn red and collect their ready-to-eat food.

One area where humans do appear to be unique is our ability for higher thought. As far as we know, only humans have the ability to think about the past and imagine the future. This ability allows us to plan andimprovise like no other species. That being said, thought is not something we always enjoy.

In fact, according to recent research, many people find thinking unpleasant. In one study, people were put in an empty room with just a table and chair and told to think about anything they wanted for between 6 and 15 minutes. Afterwards, they were asked to rate how much they enjoyed the experience and most of them rated it negatively.

The researchers believe that we have become so used to constant stimulation, that when we are left alone with no TVs, no cell phones, nothing to write with or read, and not even a window to look out of, we quickly become uncomfortable.

In a second experiment, people were put in the same distraction-free room, and again told to think of anything they wanted, but this time they were given one possible distraction. They were left with a battery that they could use to shock themselves and many of them did.

Surprisingly, two thirds of the men and a quarter of the women preferred mild physical pain to being alone with their thoughts. One man strangely shocked himself 190 times over the short time period.

What would you choose if left alone with your thoughts and a battery? Do you think the human species is becoming addicted to distraction and constant stimulation?

Vocabulary

differentiator: a point of difference between two things.
improvise: create or do something spontaneously.
stimulation: an action or thing that causes someone to become interested or excited.

Topaller Journal

Июль 02, 2014   9:21:31 AM

«Игры в мир» со зверьем всегда приводят лишь к одному – к жесточайшему усилению террора, к новым злодеяниям выродков. Любому мало-мальски думающему человеку совершенно очевидно, что все попытки договориться с бандитами, пойти им на уступки,утихомирить, урезонить – не только глупы, но и безнравствены. Нет в политике предела подлости и лицемерию. Кто отвечает за трагедию с мальчишками? Бросьте, ради Бога – никакие не отдельно «взятые фанатики»! Виновен Запад со своей идиотской и насквозь фальшивой, трусливой и лицемерной политикой.

Многие девушки и женщины, мечтающие похудеть, не признают этого и говорят, что они так счастливы и так любят себя. На самом деле это лукавство, ведь лишний вес это вовсе не достижение и заслуга, он не даёт поводов для любви к себе. Лишний вес есть проявление слабости и малодушия, неумения контролировать свои желания и свою жизнь. А посему если быть полностью честной с собой, надо признать, что любить себя такой, какая есть, нельзя. Нужно похудеть и привести свою фигуру к идеальному виду, насколько это возможно!

Как же сбросить лишние килограммы? Прежде всего, вы должны знать, что худеть надо не подрывая силы организма. Надо соблюдать меру и осторожность, особенно если вы решились на диету. Недостаток питательных веществ может сказаться на здоровье и внешности. Но ведь мы стремимся к тому, чтобы улучшить внешность? Поэтому самый лучший вариант для похудения, это изменить образ жизни и питания. И тогда всё само придёт в норму. Но как долго ждать? Долго. Возможно несколько месяцев. Если вы пойдёте этим путём, значит вы мудрая женщина. Да, вы совершили ошибку – набрали лишний вес. Теперь наберитесь терпения и послушайте некоторые советы, чтобы эту ошибку исправить.

Мы женщины должны чаще задумываться, едим ли мы пятую конфету или третье пирожное.

Есть лучше регулярно в одно и то же время, это помогает держаться в норме. Когда едите, не читайте за столом, не разговаривайте по телефону. В это время лучше сосредоточиться на еде, стараясь тщательно и без спешки пережёвывать пищу. Во время еды не следует нервничать, за столом должно царить спокойствие. Все эти, кажущиеся на первый взгляд, незначительные советы на самом деле имеют большое значение.

Если их выполнять, ваш желудок и кишечник будут работать отлично, а их здоровье отразится на вашем лице. К тому же, если мы едим неспешно, нам потребуется гораздо меньше пищи. Мы, вечно спешащие и неуспевающие, этому придаём мало значения. Многие из нас просто не знают, что красивый цвет лица начинается с желудка, и накладывают на лицо толстый слой тонального крема и пудры.

Food is Free – Listening Fluency #113

BY AARON 

Image by: James Emery (CC BY 2.0)

In some cultures, such as in the US, having a front yard of green grass is not only considered beautiful, it’s also a status symbol. In fact, it’s so important that some towns actually make it illegal to not grow grass in front of your house. But what if we were to use this land for something more useful? What if we saw the land in our communities as a resource that could provide free food to everyone?

One household in Austin, Texas had this very idea and started something called the Food is Free project. They took old, recycled materials like pallets and signs, and created a small garden in front of their home. They then put a sign out front, telling their neighbors what they were doing. The sign said that the food was free, and that the neighbors should write down their contact info if they wanted help building their own garden. The sign also explained that these small gardens are easy to build and even easier to maintain.

It didn’t take long for the neighbors to take interest in what they were doing. They saw them growing fresh fruits and vegetables, and wanted to get involved. Not only did this advance their project forward, but helped them get to know their neighbors better.

Soon, most of the households in the neighborhood had their own mini garden out front. This instantly made the neighborhood greener and more beautiful. It also meant that nobody had far to go if they wanted free food. Some people grew tomatoes; other grew leafy greens. Whenever someone needed vegetables, they just went and asked their neighbors.

What was once just empty space became a valuable asset to the neighborhood. Everyone pitching in made it so that there was always enough food to go around.

This is only one neighborhood, but the project’s goal is to get people all around the world to get involved. Look around you and notice all the empty space that’s available. Imagine if that space could be used to grow food to feed the people who live near you.

Food is Free Video

Vocabulary

status symbol: something that reveals or shows off a person’s status in a community or in a society.
pallets: a strong and low platform – usually made of wood or plastic – upon which goods are placed for transport and/or storage.
pitching in: helping out

Naikan – a Guided Visualization

BY AARON 26 COMMENTS

Image by: OakleyOriginals (CC by 2.0)

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And relax. I’m going to speak to you, and I want you to just listen and imagine. Do not sleep. Just relax and imagine.

Think about a person in your life. Maybe it is a friend. Maybe it is a family member. Maybe it is a co-worker or someone from your past. See that person in your mind’s eye. What do they look like? What are they wearing? How do you feel when you see this person? Imagine.

Now consider the following question: What have I received from this person? Think about all the things you have received from this person over time. They could be physical things, such as gifts. Or perhaps they are non-material things, such as help that you needed, encouragement, or ideas. Just see all the gifts you have received from this person. Do not judge them. Just observe.

Now ask yourself the next question: What have I given to this person? Think about all the gifts you have given to this person over time. They may be material gifts, or they may be non-material gifts, such as advice, words of encouragement, or help. See all of the things you have given to this person. Again, do not judge the gifts as being good or bad. Just see the gifts and remain still.

Now ask yourself the final question: What troubles and difficulties have I caused this person? Think about all of the problems you have caused this person over time. What actions have you taken to cause this person difficulty? See those actions and see the trouble they have caused. Examine this carefully. How does the person feel as a result of your actions? Take a moment to see the problems you have caused. Do not judge. Just observe.

You have received from, you have given to, and you have caused difficulties for this person. How do you feel now? See that person in your mind’s eye. Take a moment to examine your feelings.

And now take a deep breath. Relax. Smile. And open your eyes.

Background Music by ItsDylanC: https://soundcloud.com/itsdylanc/old-calm-com-amber-valley

Looking Within – Listening Fluency #112

BY DAN 

Image by: Scott Robinson (CC BY 2.0)

For most of us, our daily lives are busy and complex. We deal with a wide range of people and challenges,not to mention physical and emotional difficulties. And when things don’t go our way, it is easy for us to get frustrated or upset. Likewise, when things go well, we can too easily succumb to pride or greed, hurting others along the way. Either way, we suffer when we are not fully aware of what is happening in our minds and bodies. We end up reacting to situations as they arise, in habitual ways. And often these habitual reactions are not the most skillful or intelligent responses. They are carried out in moments of unawareness, or ignorance. As a result, our relationships with others can become problematic, which causes further difficulty and stress.

One solution to this problem is self-reflection, or introspection. There are many ways to reflect on oneself. One very simple and easy to understand method was developed by a Japanese businessman named Yoshimoto Ishin. He called it Naikan, which in Japanese means, “inside looking”. The practice of Naikan involves the use of three questions, all related to another person or relationship in your life. They are:

* What have I received from others?
* What have I given to others?
* What troubles and difficulties have I caused others?

Notice that the question “What troubles and difficulties have others caused me?” is missing. Yoshimoto thought that the focus on this question comes naturally to most people, and is the main cause of their misery.

In this way, the practice of Naikan causes us to use our relationships with others as a mirror in which we can see ourselves clearly. It allows us to see ourselves through the eyes of others, cultivating gratitude and the awareness of the interconnectedness of all life. It is said that the daily practice of Naikan can lead to greater happiness, awareness, and well-being.

What do you think? In what ways might you use a practice like Naikan to improve your relationships with others and your overall well being?

Vocabulary

not to mention: used to introduce an additional fact or point that reinforces the point being made.
go our way: favorable circumstances (alternate uses include ‘go my way’, ‘go his way’, ‘go her way’, etc.
succumb: fail to stop or resist
habitual: done constantly or as a habit.
cultivating: acquiring or developing a skill.

Вот кто такой Бандера!!! Степан Бандера, родился в 1909 году в селе Угринов, в семействе попа Андрия и проститутки Мирославы- полупольки- полуеврейки

Проживающие на Средиземноморье имеют более крепкое здоровье, чем те люди, которые проживают в Европе. Происходит это именно по причине особой диеты, а точнее системе питания. Греческая диета предназначена для тех, кто хочет похудеть без вреда для своего здоровья, а также она помогает улучшать внешний вид и состояние кожи, волос и ногтей.

Это огромная польза для своего организма!

Привычный стиль питания греков значительно отличается от традиционного. В греческой диете не присутствует определенный перечень продуктов, расписанный на все дни, поэтому понижение веса происходит медленно, без сильных скачков. Основным ее требованием является – деление рациона на три группы.

К первой группе относят продукты для ежедневного употребления. Относятся к ним темный хлеб, различные злаки (рис, горох, фасоль), и обязательно макаронные изделия. Из овощей греки употребляют огурцы, помидоры, баклажаны, кабачки и картофель. Еще нужно кушать любые фрукты. Для заправки салатов и приготовления различных блюд использовать необходимо оливковое масло. Также можно употреблять молочные продукты, а алкоголь принимать только в виде красного вина, но не больше двух бокалов. В особенности рекомендуется пить как можно больше воды.

How Often Do You Need To Shower? – Listening Fluency #111

BY DAN 13 COMMENTS

Image by Bernal Soborio (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Do you shower every day? Most people do and think it would be crazy not to. We’ve all been a bit too close to a person who smells like they don’t bathe often enough. It isn’t pleasant.

It’s only within the past 100 years that people started bathing daily. Before that, most people showered or bathed only once a week. Since then, not only have we started bathing more often, but also believing that bathing more often is also beneficial for our health. Is it though? Or could bathing too often actually be bad for us?

Many people who have skin conditions, like eczema, have noticed that daily showering can actually make their skin conditions worse. The body has natural oils that are released throughout the day. When we take a shower, we wash away dirt and grime, but also these natural oils. Without these natural oils, our skin is more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses. So even though we feel cleaner, ironically we are more likely to be affected by things that aren’t clean.

So how often do you really need to shower? There’s really no one size fits all answer to that question. It will really depend on how active you are, and how dirty you get during the day. Someone who works in an office may only need to shower every other day. A construction worker would probably still want to shower every day.

There’s also a big difference between showering and using soap. Some people will rinse off, but won’t scrub off those natural oils using soap. They will just let the warm water rinse them off, or will use other oils to wash themselves.

The most important part is to keep your hands clean, because everyone comes in contact with germs. The average person could easily get away with two or three showers a week, as long as they wash their hands a lot.
What do you think? Would you be willing to try showering less to get healthier skin?

Vocabulary

beneficial: helpful; advantageous.
one size fits all: designed to fit a wide range of sizes or situations.
germs: microorganisms that causes disease.
get away with: avoid punishment or negative consequences.

Философия великого китайского мыслителя была сфокусирована на вопросах морали, как с личной, так и с общественной точки зрения. Конфуций учил о правильности общественных отношений, справедливости и равенстве. Мы приводим 10 ярких жизненных уроков, базирующихся на философии Конфуция:

1. Просто продолжайте идти

«Неважно, как медленно Вы идете, до тех пор, пока Вы не остановитесь».

Если вы будете продолжать идти по правильному пути, то в конечном итоге вы достигнете своего желаемого пункта назначения. Трудная работа должна выполняться последовательно. Человек, добивающийся успеха — это тот, кто остается преданным идее и, несмотря на обстоятельства, движется к своей цели.

Love and Money – Listening Fluency #110

BY DAN 

Image by: Tanbir Ahmed (CC BY 2.0)

Do you and your spouse fight over household choresand responsibilities? Most couples do – it’s one of the most common arguments in any marriage or relationship. Have you ever thought to settle those arguments with cold hard cash though? One couple has.

Daniel Reeves and Bethany Soule are a happily married couple with two children. They attribute their happiness to not fighting about responsibilities, but instead paying each other to handle the responsibilities they don’t want to do themselves.

For example, Bethany might pay Daniel $20 to put the kids to bed. Or one of them might get $4 to walk the dog when it’s raining outside. These numbers aren’t just random though. When a task needs completing, they will both write down the number (in dollars) they’d be willing to perform the task for on a piece of paper. They then show each other the number. The one with the lower number is then paid by the other to complete the task.

The things this couple will do for cash doesn’t stop at just household chores though. Daniel paid Bethany $30,000 each to have their two children. They also used this system to decide what to name their children. The person who chose the name had to pay for the privilege.

Many couples can’t imagine using such a system, but Daniel and Bethany say it works great. They say some couples are fine with a simple hug to show how grateful they are. Daniel and Bethany just need something a little more tangible. Cash seems to work well for them. It keeps them from being at each other’s throats, and things get done around the house.

Some people believe that marriage is difficult enough, without trivializing everything with a dollar amount. There’s also the fact that men tend to earn more than women, giving them more bargaining power.

What about the children though? While they are young, they might not understand the situation, but eventually they will. How will they feel knowing that one of their parents had to pay the other, to put them to bed? Shouldn’t a loving parent want the opportunity to put their children to bed, not view it as a chore they need to be paid to do?

What do you think? Could this type of arrangement ever work in your relationship? Or is there no place for money in a loving, trusting relationship?

Vocabulary

chores: routine household tasks or responsibilities.
cold hard cash: not checks or credit, but real cash.
privilege: a special right or advantage.
tangible: real, actual, definite; not imaginary.
at each other’s throats: arguing or fighting frequently.