The World’s Most Connected Man

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. wearable [WAIR-uh-buh l] (adj.) – referring to something that is suitable to wear

Example: Google glass is one of the latest wearable devices.

2. real-time [REE-uh l tahym] (n.) – the actual time during which an activity occurs

Example: The news program broadcasts updates on the search and rescue operation for the missing plane in real-time.

3. plethora [PLETH-er-uh] (n.) – overabundance of something

Example: A plethora of reviews have been written about the latest gadget.

4. numerous [NOO-mer-uh s, NYOO-] (adj.) – having great quantity or number

Example: Numerous models of the new phone are now available in the market.

5. start-up [STAHRT-uhp] (adj.) – describes something that has just begun or started

Example: The start-up company will celebrate its second anniversary.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A 45-year-old man from Denver uses various forms of wearable gadgets and applications to monitor his own body and everything he does. Labeled as “the most connected human” in the world, Chris Dancy utilizes 700 systems simultaneously. To gather information about himself and his surroundings in real-time, he uses a range of sensors and monitoring devices connected to his own body. For him, body and mind can be hacked the same way people hack computers and any type of data. He said that whenever he touches something, he makes sure that he can acquire information from it – information which he can track, search, visualize, and share with others. To help him track all information he needs, Dancy wears a plethora of gadgets including Pebble smartwatch, a Google Glass, a BodyMedia arm band, and a Blue heart rate monitor. He also makes use of numerous devices in his house to collect data about his sleep. Furthermore, Dancy also collects information about his dogs by using Tagg, an application that helps people monitor their pets’ activities. Dancy’s connected lifestyle has helped him know himself better than anyone else. He became more aware of simple activities in his life such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and waking up. This habitual monitoring has even allowed him to lose 100 pounds (45kg). Both major and start-up companies all over the world have also begun to seek Dancy’s help in developing smarter products. He gives advice and spends time creating good solutions for businesses.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Would you be willing to follow Dancy’s way of monitoring his body and the environment? Why or why not?

         Do you agree that mind and body can be hacked the same way people hack computers? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         How important is information in this day and age? Explain.

         Why do we need to be aware about our own selves?

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Color-blind Musician Hears Colors

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. implant [im-PLANT, -PLAHNT] (v.) – to insert something

Example: The surgeon implanted the artificial heart in the patient.

2. complex [kuh m-PLEKS] (adj.) – referring to something that has many different parts

Example: After long hours of computation, the student finally answered the complex math problem.

3. protrude [proh-TROOD] (v.) – to extend or stick out

Example: A pen protrudes from the man’s pocket.

4. conduction [kuh n-DUHK-shuh n] (n.) – the state in which energy or sound waves travel through an object

Example: The metallic rod immersed in boiling water immediately became hot because of conduction.

5. correspond [kawr-uh-SPOND, kor-] (v.) – to become closely similar or to match with something

Example: Each symbol in the periodic table corresponds to an element.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A British-Spanish color-blind artist had a device implanted into his skull so he can hear and identify colors. Neil Harbisson [neel HAR-bees n], a 31-year old London-based musician and contemporary artist, was born with achromatopsia [ey-kroh-muh-TOP-see-uh], an eye condition that limits the eyes’ color vision only to shades of black and white. With the help of cybernetics expert Adam Montandon, Harbisson conceptualized the “eyeborg,” an electronic device that can translate colors into sounds. After using the device for the past 10 years, Harbisson decided to implant the device into his skull to pick up more complex colors. Eyeborg includes a camera at one end and an audio device on the other. The camera, which protrudes in front of Harbisson’s forehead, detects the color’s frequency. Then, a computer chip connected to the audio device at the back of his skull converts this frequency into sound waves. The sound arrives at his auditory system through bone conduction. He can easily distinguish one color from another because each frequency has its own unique sound equivalent. According to Harbisson, using the device was difficult in the beginning. He had to memorize the names of each color and the sound it corresponds to. But through time, the whole process became automatic to him that he no longer had to think about the sound equivalents anymore. Since this device has a Wi-Fi connector, Harbisson can also listen to colors sent from mobile phones. Mariana Viada, the project spokesperson, also says that skull to skull communication among eyeborg users is also possible. However, this possibility still has to be tested as Harbisson is the only one who has the implant at the moment.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         What do you think about this invention? Please explain your answer.

         Would you enjoy a world without colors? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What can be the negative effects of implanting devices into a human’s body?

         Would you ever consider implanting a device into your body? Why or why not?

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Elderly Man Begs for Money and Donates to Churches

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. veteran [VET-er-uh n, VE-truh n] (n.) – a person who fought in a war

Example: War veterans receive a monthly pension from the government.

2. restoration [res-tuh-REY-shuh n] (n.) – the act of bringing something into its original condition, especially a building

Example: The government spends a lot of money for the restoration of very old buildings.

3. meager [MEE-ger] (adj.) – inadequate or very small in amount or quantity

Example: I left the company because it gives meager salary.

4. pension [PEN-shuh n] (n.) – a fixed amount of money given to a person for his/her past services

Example:  The retired man received a higher pension than he expected.

5. testament [TES-tuh-muh nt] (n.) – a proof that something exists or is real

Example: His hard work and determination is a testament of what a man can do for his dreams.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A 99-year-old World War II veteran begs for money so he could donate to some churches in Bulgaria [buhl-GAIR-ee-uh, boo l-]. Dobri Dobrev [DOH-bref] is known in Bulgaria as “Dyado Dobri” or “Grandpa Dobri.” Every day, he walks 25 kilometers from his home in Baylovo village to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, to beg for the whole day. He is known to be expressive of his great gratitude to those who drop coins. He often kisses a child’s hand with a smile and talks to strangers about God. After begging for so many years, Dobrev has collected around 78,000 lev or more than $55,000. Although he was able to collect this much, he never spent the money for his own needs. Instead, he donated the money for the restoration of the churches and monasteries all over Bulgaria. Dobrev gave 10,000 lev ($7,082) to the Church of St. Cyril [SIR-uh l] and Methodius. He also donated 25,000 lev ($17,706) to the Eleshnishkiya monastery and the church in Gorno Kamartsi. His biggest donation so far is 35,000 lev ($24,789), which he gave to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. For his own needs, Dobrev makes use of the meager 80-Euro ($110) pension he receives every month. Instead of buying new ones, he stitches his own clothes, makes his own shoes, and lives by eating only a slice of bread and tomato every day. Some church leaders have tried offering him help, but he refused all of them. Because of his good deeds, some people named Dobrev the Saint of Baylovo. Dobrev also serves as a living testament that a person with true kindness and selflessness still exists today.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         What is your opinion about Dobrev donating all his money from begging to the churches? Please explain.

         If you were Dobrev, would you have done the same thing? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         Are there people like Dobrev in your country?

         How do you generally see humanity, good or bad?

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Social Media Crimes are on the Rise

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. two-fold [TOO-fohld] (adv.) – in double, twice as many

Example: People’s average hours spent on the Internet increased two-fold, from three hours to six hours per day.

2. alarming [uh-LAHR-ming] (adj.) – causing fear, often involves danger

Example: The increasing number of robbery in the city is so alarming.

3. address [uh-dres] (v.) – to deal with a particular issue or problem

Example: The government wants to immediately address the problem on increasing crime rate.

4. barrage [buh-RAHZH] (v.) – to attack (as with criticisms, questions, or punches) excessively or overwhelmingly

Example: She was barraged with a lot of negative criticisms because of her controversial post on Facebook.

5. offender [uh-FEND er]  (n.) – a person who committed a crime

Example: Drug offenders are sentenced to 5-10 years in prison.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A recent research found that crimes related to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have significantly increased since 2011. According to the research by the Parliament [PAHR-luh-muh nt] Street, crimes increased two-fold on Twitter alone, from 677 in 2011 to 1,291 in 2013. On Facebook, reported crimes increased from 9,917 to 13,019. The Parliament Street got the data from Freedom of Information reports, which were from 25 police forces in England and Wales. One crime incident on Twitter was that of a British activist Caroline Criado-Perez [kri-YUH-do pe-rez]. After her high-profile campaign for women in England, she was barraged with a lot of insults, criticisms, and even death threats. Fortunately, she was able to have her offenders jailed. More social media crimes related to football games have also been reported. Fans were warned not to express their anger on social networking sites should their favorite team lose the game. With this alarming situation, researchers said the government should find ways to address cybercrimes effectively. They said the police should equip themselves with the latest cyber skills to be able to punish the offenders on social networking sites. However, the police should not concentrate on cybercrimes alone, said Nick Pickles, director of an advocacy group in the UK. Pickles added that the police should not ignore crimes committed on streets just because they are busy monitoring posts on Twitter or Facebook.  In addition, Pickles stressed that social media play an important role in people’s communication. Thus, monitoring posts on social networking sites may threaten people’s freedom of speech.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you agree with the police monitoring posts on social media? Why or why not?

         How else can cybercrimes be prevented? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Why do you think some people express their feelings more on social media than in person?

         In your opinion, is it appropriate to share too much information on the Internet? Why or why not?

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