Obama Imitator Entertains in Some Government Events

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. impersonator [im-PUR-suh-ney-ter] (n.) – a person who copies or acts like another person; often for entertainment

Example: The impersonator entertained the audience through acting like famous celebrities and politicians.

2. show up [shoh uhp]  (v. phrase) – to be present or seen in an event

Example: The politician always shows up in every important national event to campaign for himself.

3. taken aback [tey-kuh n uh-bak] (idiom) – to be surprised or shocked

Example: The performer was taken aback by the audience’s harsh comments.

4. resemble [ri-zem-buh l] (v.) – to be similar with another person or thing

Example:  Identical twins closely resemble one another.

5. master [MAS-ter, MAH-ster] (v.) – to completely learn and understand

Example: The actress has mastered the art of crying after several workshops and seminars.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Larry Graves, an impersonator of Barack Obama, shows up at various events to entertain people with his version of the current U.S. president. Graves started impersonating when Obama was first elected. Aside from impersonating, he works mainly as a substitute gym teacher in Maryland. Graves expressed his gladness about Obama’s reelection because he can still entertain others through impersonating the president. Many people are taken aback when they first see Graves because they thought he really is President Obama. Some are very amazed at how Graves closely resembles the American president in terms of physical appearance, speech patterns, and behavior. Graves always comes with two men who pretend to be his Secret Service agents. One of the agents is Matt Baldwin, who has been with Graves for five years. Baldwin always feels amused when people ask him if Graves was really the president. Graves is constantly amazed by how much respect people show him. But, he said that impersonation is not easy. He gives effort in copying the president by using makeup to modify his physical appearance. He also took time to study and master the way Obama speaks and acts. According to Graves, he and Obama have other similarities aside from physical appearance. For one, both he and Obama like playing basketball. In fact, Graves said that he would like to challenge the president to a game someday. However, he has never met the president in person yet.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A 

         How would you feel if someone impersonated you? Please explain your answer.

         Why do you think some people feel offended when they are impersonated?

Discussion B

         What could be the bad effects of copying or imitating someone? Please explain your answer.

         In your opinion, why do some people get entertained with a person impersonating other people?

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Shocking Things Vacationists do to Save Money

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. outrageous [out-REY-juh s](adj.) – going beyond what is right or proper

Example: Charlie’s outrageous behavior in the airplane alarmed the airport security.  

           

2. miser [MAHY-zer] (n.) – one who hates spending money

Example: The grumpy old miser complained about his expensive hotel bill.

3. pocket [POK-it] (v.) – to put inside as if in a pocket

Example: The vacationists pocketed the hotel shampoo when they left the place.

4. dine and dash [dahyn and dash] (v. phrase) – to run from paying a bill

Example: The man paid double his restaurant bill for attempting to dine and dash.

5. bothersome [BOTH-er-suh m] (adj.) – causing worry and difficulty

Example: The man’s strange actions in the pool were very bothersome to the guests.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A recent survey by OnePoll, a market research company, revealed some of the most outrageous things British vacationists do while on vacation. To save on vacation expenses, some misers commit different kinds of stealing and lying. Some Brits do not only sneak into other resorts to use facilities, but also go as far as leaving the bar or restaurant without paying the bills. The poll revealed that 5.5% of the vacationers pretended to be on a honeymoon or to be celebrating a birthday or anniversary just to get a room upgrade. Also, 11.2% lied about their children's ages to get discounts on admissions to theme parks. Reports also showed that 11.65% of the respondents admitted to using other resort facilities to experience first class facilities and services for a minimal cost. In addition, 7.65% used another hotel's shuttle service. Still, other vacationers have found clever ways of saving on their dining needs. About 39% of the respondents said they pocketed food from the breakfast buffet in order to save on lunch. Other people just refused tipping at bars and restaurants while some just bought their food and drinks at the supermarket. The more serious offenders consisted of about 1.4% of the vacationers, who dined and dashed at restaurants. But, the most bothersome is that 27% of the respondents said they used "other" cost-cutting measures while on a vacation. This result can make people curious about what other extreme and dishonest ways some vacationers do in order to save money.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Why do you think some people do outrageous things in order to get freebies or discounts?

         How can people spend less during a vacation but still have a good time?

Discussion B

         Which would you rather spend more money for: accommodations or restaurants? Why do you say so?

         Do you think money is very important so people can enjoy life? Why or why not?

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More Jobs in UK Now Require College Degrees

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. accomplish [uh-KOM-plish] (v.) – to carry out and complete a task

Example: The student took a break after he accomplished his homework.

2. fill up [FIL-uhp]  (v. phrase) – to completely occupy something

Example: The student no longer writes in his notebook that is already filled up with lecture notes.

3. graduate job [GRAJ-oo-it job]  (n. phrase) – a job that requires the employee to have a college degree

Example: Employers of graduate jobs often reject applicants who did not finish college.

4. all-time [awl-taym]  (adj.) – beyond or over the value of past records or data

Example: Productivity might reach an all-time high if all workers are efficient and focused.

5. dwindle [DWIHN-dl]  (v.) – to decrease slowly until nothing is left

Example: Employees’ interest in a job may dwindle if the salary is too low.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A survey accomplished by researchers from the UK’s Institute of Education reported that companies nowadays offer more jobs for college graduates while fewer positions can be filled up by non-graduates. The study involved around 3,000 adults in the job market. The Economic and Social Research Council and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills sponsored this research. Results of the survey showed that 74% of the degree holders have graduate jobs. This figure is significantly higher than the 69% college graduates with graduate jobs in 2006. The study also discovered that skilled jobs are at an all-time high while unskilled jobs are at the lowest number ever recorded. The study also mentioned that about one in every 11 jobs is a graduate job in mid-1980. The number of non-graduate jobs back then was three times higher. However, from the 1990s to the present, job positions requiring college degrees are increasing while non-graduate jobs are dwindling. The fact that non-graduate jobs are decreasing implies that people with not enough educational background would find it hard to be employed. The study also addressed the problem on how employers find difficulty in hiring qualified workers for specific job positions given that many people are still unemployed today. CBI director of education and skills Neil Carberry challenged the youth, saying that despite this problem, the youth still need to gain more skills so that the UK would be more globally competent in the future.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A 

         If you were an employer, would you require your employees to be college graduates? Why or why not?

         Do you think it is necessary to have a degree to get a good job? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         What degree programs are popular among university students in your country? Why do you think so?

         Do you think it is enough to be a college graduate or is there still a need to continue post-graduate studies? Why do you say so?

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‘Lotus Birth’ Becomes a New Trend among Mothers

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. newborn [NOO-BAWRN, NYOO-] (adj.) – born very recently or fresh from birth

Example: Doctors usually cut the umbilical cord of a newborn baby ten to fifteen minutes after birth.

2. placenta [pluh-SEN-tuh] (n.) – a temporary organ that nourishes the baby while inside the mother’s womb

 Example: Without the placenta, babies would not get the nutrients they need to survive inside their mothers’ womb.

3. incision [in-SIZH-uh n] (n.) – a cut made in the skin or the flesh during a surgery

Example: Surgeons make several incisions into the patient’s body when performing a heart surgery.

4. delicate [DEL-i-kit] (adj.) – in a very weak or sensitive health condition

Example: The newborn baby stayed in the hospital for two more days because of his delicate condition.

5. caveat [KAV-ee-aht, -at, kah-vee-, key-] (n.) – a warning or a threat

Example: The doctors talked about the caveat that the patient’s wound would take several weeks to heal.   

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

An increasing number of mothers are now choosing not to cut their newborn baby's umbilical cord, letting it fall off naturally instead. This trend, popularly known as the "lotus birth," goes against the common practice of cutting the umbilical cord a few minutes after birth. Instead, the cord and the attached placenta are allowed to fall off on their own, a natural process that could take between two to ten days. Mary Ceallaigh [kel-LEY], a birth consultant from Texas, claims that keeping the umbilical cord attached after childbirth has many health benefits. According to Ceallaigh, having no incision at the umbilical area can help prevent infection. The lotus birth also lets the baby receive a final transfer of blood from the placenta, which could boost the baby's immune system during that delicate adjustment period after childbirth. Also, Ceallaigh claims that a lotus birth is good for both the mother and the baby, saying that the natural process helps them bond better. However, Dr. James van Hook of the University of Cincinnati [sin-suh-NAT-ee] Medical Center warns that lotus birth also has its own caveats. The doctor says that parents must be extra careful to ensure that the attached umbilical cord and placenta are kept clean to keep the baby safe from infection. Despite the warnings, Dr. Hook believes that the decision is still up to the parents on whether they want a lotus birth or not.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think that lotus births could become a popular trend in your country? Why or why not?

         If you were a mother giving birth to a child, would you choose the “lotus birth?” Why is that so?

Discussion B

         Do you use any forms of alternative medicine, like acupuncture and herbal drugs? Why or why not?

         Why do you think more and more people are switching to an “all-natural?”

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Yes, People Can Learn Compassion

It's an old plotline: brainwashing. The Manchurian Candidate and all that. The common assumption is that people with personality disorders can't learn to be caring, compassionate or even aware of other's feelings.

So now research from University of Wisconsin-Madison demonstrates that some people can become more compassionate through certain types of training.  My question is:  will it stick?  Here's the report on the study ~

Brain Can Be Trained in Compassion, Study Shows

enlarge

Investigators trained young adults to engage in compassion meditation, an ancient Buddhist technique to increase caring feelings for people who are suffering. (Credit: © byheaven / Fotolia)

May 22, 2013 — Until now, little was scientifically known about the human potential to cultivate compassion -- the emotional state of caring for people who are suffering in a way that motivates altruistic behavior.

A new study by researchers at the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center of the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that adults can be trained to be more compassionate. The report, published Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, investigates whether training adults in compassion can result in greater altruistic behavior and related changes in neural systems underlying compassion.
"Our fundamental question was, 'Can compassion be trained and learned in adults? Can we become more caring if we practice that mindset?'" says Helen Weng, lead author of the study and a graduate student in clinical psychology. "Our evidence points to yes."

In the study, the investigators trained young adults to engage in compassion meditation, an ancient Buddhist technique to increase caring feelings for people who are suffering. In the meditation, participants envisioned a time when someone has suffered and then practiced wishing that his or her suffering was relieved. They repeated phrases to help them focus on compassion such as, "May you be free from suffering. May you have joy and ease."

Participants practiced with different categories of people, first starting with a loved one, someone whom they easily felt compassion for, like a friend or family member. Then, they practiced compassion for themselves and, then, a stranger. Finally, they practiced compassion for someone they actively had conflict with called the "difficult person," such as a troublesome
coworker or roommate.

"It's kind of like weight training," Weng says. "Using this systematic approach, we found that people can actually build up their compassion 'muscle' and respond to others' suffering with care and a desire to help."

Compassion training was compared to a control group that learned cognitive reappraisal, a technique where people learn to reframe their thoughts to feel less negative. Both groups listened to guided audio instructions over the Internet for 30 minutes per day for two weeks. "We wanted to investigate whether people could begin to change their emotional habits in a relatively short period of time," says Weng.

The real test of whether compassion could be trained was to see if people would be willing to be more altruistic -- even helping people they had never met. The research tested this by asking the participants to play a game in which they were given the opportunity to spend their own money to respond to someone in need (called the "Redistribution Game"). They played the game over the Internet with two anonymous players, the "Dictator" and the "Victim." They watched as the Dictator shared an unfair amount of money (only $1 out of $10) with the Victim. They then decided how much of their own money to spend (out of $5) in order to equalize the unfair split and redistribute funds from the Dictator to the Victim.

"We found that people trained in compassion were more likely to spend their own money altruistically to help someone who was treated unfairly than those who were trained in cognitive reappraisal," Weng says.

"We wanted to see what changed inside the brains of people who gave more to someone in need. How are they responding to suffering differently now?" asks Weng. The study measured changes in brain responses using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after training. In the MRI scanner, participants viewed images depicting human suffering, such as a crying child or a burn victim, and generated feelings of compassion towards the people using their practiced skills. The control group was exposed to the same images, and asked to recast them in a more positive light as in reappraisal.

The researchers measured how much brain activity had changed from the beginning to the end of the training, and found that the people who were the most altruistic after compassion training were the ones who showed the most brain changes when viewing human suffering. They found that activity was increased in the inferior parietal cortex, a region involved in empathy and understanding others. Compassion training also increased activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the extent to which it communicated with the nucleus accumbens, brain regions involved in emotion regulation and positive emotions.

"People seem to become more sensitive to other people's suffering, but this is challenging emotionally. They learn to regulate their emotions so that they approach people's suffering with caring and wanting to help rather than turning away," explains Weng.

Compassion, like physical and academic skills, appears to be something that is not fixed, but rather can be enhanced with training and practice. "The fact that alterations in brain function were observed after just a total of seven hours of training is remarkable," explains UW-Madison psychology and psychiatry professor Richard J. Davidson, founder and chair of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds and senior author of the article.

"There are many possible applications of this type of training," Davidson says. "Compassion and kindness training in schools can help children learn to be attuned to their own emotions as well as those of others, which may decrease bullying. Compassion training also may benefit people who have social challenges such as social anxiety or antisocial behavior."

Weng is also excited about how compassion training can help the general population. "We studied the effects of this training with healthy participants, which demonstrated that this can help the average person. I would love for more people to access the training and try it for a week or two -- what changes do they see in their own lives?"

Both compassion and reappraisal trainings are available on the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds' website. "I think we are only scratching the surface of how compassion can transform people's lives," says Weng.
Other authors on the paper were Andrew S. Fox, Alexander J. Shackman, Diane E. Stodola, Jessica Z. K. Caldwell, Matthew C. Olson, and Gregory M. Rogers.

The work was supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health; a Hertz Award to the UW-Madison Department of Psychology; the Fetzer Institute; The John Templeton Foundation; the Impact Foundation; the J. W. Kluge Foundation; the Mental Insight Foundation; the Mind and Life Institute; and gifts from Bryant Wanguard, Ralph Robinson, and Keith and Arlene Bronstein.
 

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Story Source:  H. Y. Weng, A. S. Fox, A. J. Shackman, D. E. Stodola, J. Z. K. Caldwell, M. C. Olson, G. M. Rogers, R. J. Davidson. Compassion Training Alters Altruism and Neural Responses to Suffering. Psychological Science, 2013