Retirement Age in the U.S. Rises to 61

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. retirement [ri-TAHYUH R-muh nt] (n.) – the act of permanently leaving one’s work or professional career

Example: Mr. Tan is considering retirement after 45 years of working for the company.

2. bracket [BRAK-it] (n.) – a category or group that includes a certain range (e.g. of age, economic status, etc.)

Example:  Many people within the 25-30 age bracket are now getting married.

3. mandatory [MAN-duh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] (adj.) – required by the law

Example:  Wearing the I.D. while inside the office is mandatory.

4. assert [uh-SURT] (v.) – to say something in a forceful and confident way

Example:  The government asserts that the pension system for retirees is still stable.

5. keen [keen] (adj.) – very eager and excited about something

Example:  After retiring, the employee became keen on travelling around the world.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Gallup's [GAL-uh p] Economy and Personal Finance survey has revealed that the average retirement age in the U.S. has risen from 57 two decades ago to 61 today. Researchers conducted the survey through telephone interviews from a random sample of 2,017 adults.  The survey found that the respondents who were not retired yet planned to work later in life. Also, more than 50% of the non-retirees from the 58-64 age bracket expected to retire at 65. Gallup's associate editor said that the survey does not only reflect the changing economy. The survey also shows people’s changing attitude towards work, the composition of the workforce, the mandatory retirement age, and other factors. Richard Johnson, director of a nonpartisan policy institute in the U.S., stated that the rising trend started in the 1990's. Before that decade, the retirement age was low, possibly due to the healthy rate of pension plans, Social Security benefits, and personal savings. However, the trend reversed during the 1990's. Data from the U.S. Bureau [BYOO R-oh] of Labor Statistics also show that in the early 1990's, 11% of the people who were 65 years old and above were still in the workforce. In April 2013, the number had risen to 19%. Johnson asserted that many people are keen on working longer because of the increased benefits of doing so. He said that late retirement was a very important change in the recent history of the labor force, resulting to a very positive development.

【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 Richard Johnson that the high retirement age is a positive development? Why or why not?

         What do you think are the consequences of retiring at an older age? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Do you agree that retirement is the best part of a person’s life? Why or why not?

         Do you think people trust the retirement system/pension plans in your country? Why do you say so?

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London to Create Technological Advancements for Airports

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. eradicate [ih-RAD-i-keyt] (v.) – to completely destroy or remove

Example: The supervisor plans to eradicate the bad experiences of travelers by improving airport facilities.

2. nuisance [NOO-suh ns, NYOO-] (n.) – something or someone that is annoying or irritating

Example: Losing your luggage on a vacation trip is such a nuisance.

3. crowdsourcing [KROUD-sawr-sing] (n.) – the act of giving work to a group of people, usually through the internet

Example: The company used crowdsourcing to provide jobs for online employees.

4. interfere [in-ter-FEER] (v.) – to get involved in an activity, resulting to delay

Example: Hackers interfered with the company’s computer system, postponing all online transactions.

5. sensor [SEN-sawr] (n.) – any device that recognizes and reacts to light, heat, sound, or movement

Example: The sensors in the airport help the security detect different kinds of trouble.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

London City Airport is planning to create a machine-to-machine communication through a technology called ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT). The IoT will eradicate many nuisances related with plane travel. The Living PlanIt, the retail developer Milligan, and the UK’s Technology Strategy Board will develop the said technology. The airport management says it will develop features that will track passengers through facial recognition, crowdsourcing software, and GPS. The tracking system will also monitor the luggage [LUHG-ij] to ensure that all belongings will not be loaded in the plane if the passenger misses the flight. The technology can also automatically deliver foods that are pre-ordered online or through a mobile device. According to Robin Daniels, Living PlanIt's executive vice president for sales and marketing, a person who pre-booked a taxi using the technology can also immediately step right into the car upon exit. Also, retailers in the terminal may use sensors and combination cameras to monitor people’s behavior and to know the consumers’ preferences. The technology may also help consumers choose products based on the previous items they bought. However, Evangeis Ouzounis from an information security agency believe that being dependent on the IoT may cause problems.  Since IoT is not yet fully stable, hackers may interfere with sensitive travel information and airport systems. Despite the possible problems, Robin Daniels still thinks that privacy is not an issue. Daniels emphasized that passengers can choose whether or not to use the new technology.  In fact, the technology can allow more advanced security system in the airport.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         In your opinion, will the ‘Internet of Things’ really solve airport problems? Please explain your answer.

         Do you think ‘Internet of Things’ will be beneficial to all? Why do you think so?

Discussion B

         Would you like the same technology for the airport in your country? Why or why not?

         Aside from security threats, what are the other problems that may occur using the ‘Internet of Things’ in the airport? Why do you say so?

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Expansive postures = state of power may lead to dishonest behavior

For authors, screenwriters, and even actors:

 

This is interesting, at least to me, as it seems putting character in the right setting in and of itself can lead to dishonest behavior.  This is instinctive to a degree, but this research adds a bit of understanding to the phenomena, helping set the stage for resulting behavior.

enlarge

The study states that while individuals may pay very little attention to ordinary and seemingly innocuous shifts in bodily posture, these subtle postural shifts can have tremendous impact on our thoughts, feelings and behavior. (Credit: Image courtesy of Columbia Business School)

". . .automobiles with more expansive driver's seats are more likely to be illegally parked."

A new study from researchers at leading business schools reveals that expansive physical settings (e.g. having a big desk to stretch out while doing work or a large driver's seat in an automobile) can cause individuals to feel more powerful, and in turn these feelings of power can elicit more dishonest behavior such as stealing, cheating, and even traffic violations.

"In everyday working and living environments, our body postures are incidentally expanded and contracted by our surroundings -- by the seats in our cars, the furniture in and around workspaces, even the hallways in our offices -- and these environments directly influence the propensity of dishonest behavior in our everyday lives," said Andy Yap, a key author of the research who spearheaded its development during his time at Columbia Business School.

The study states that while individuals may pay very little attention to ordinary and seemingly innocuous shifts in bodily posture, these subtle postural shifts can have tremendous impact on our thoughts, feelings and behavior. Building on previous research that expansive postures can lead to a state of power, and power can lead to dishonest behavior, the study found that expanded, nonverbal postures forced upon individuals by their environments could influence decisions and behaviors in ways that render people less honest.

"This is a real concern. Our research shows that office managers should pay attention to the ergonomics of their work spaces. The results suggest that these physical spaces have tangible and real-world impact on our behaviors" said Andy Yap.

The research includes findings from four studies conducted in the field and the laboratory. One study manipulated the expansiveness of work spaces in the lab and tested whether "incidentally" expanded bodies (shaped organically by one's environment) led to more dishonesty on a test. Another experiment examined if participants in a more expansive driver's seat would be more likely to "hit and run" when incentivized to go fast in a video-game driving simulation.

To extend results to a real-world context, an observational field study tested the ecological validity of the effect by examining whether automobile drivers' seat size predicted the violation of parking laws in New York City. The field study revealed that automobiles with more expansive driver's seats were more likely to be illegally parked on New York City streets.

Understand Body Language (Teach Yourself)
by Gordon R. Wainwright

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Story Source:  Columbia Business School (2013, June 24). An expansive physical setting increases a person's likelihood of dishonest behavior.

Tibet Establishes First Women’s Soccer Team

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. round up [round uhp] (phrasal v.) – to gather or bring together for a particular purpose

Example:  Lester rounded up his high school friends for a basketball game.

2. empower [em-POU-er] (v.) – to give someone more control or power over his or her own life; to allow someone to do something

Example:  The government empowered the athletes by providing better training facilities.

3. skepticism [SKEP-tuh-siz-uh m] (n.) – the act of doubting or being unsure of something

Example:  Skepticism went away after the young girl showed the crowd what she can do.

4. patriarchal [pey-tree-AHR-kuh l] (adj.) – relating to a system of society that is controlled or dominated by men

Example: Women are not given a lot of opportunities in a patriarchal society.

5. intensely [in-TENS-lee] (adv.) – in an extreme manner

Example: Kate practiced intensely for the swimming competition.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Tibet’s first women’s soccer team, consisting of an American teacher and 27 high school students, has been proving its critics wrong. Cassie Childers, a 31-year-old teacher from New Jersey, observed that the government funds only the boys' school soccer clubs. She then rounded up female players from nine schools last year, aiming to create a Tibetan women's national team in Dharamsala and to empower the Tibetan women. However, the creation of the soccer team received skepticism and disapproval from other people. José Cabezón, a professor of Tibetan cultural studies in the U.S., said that while Tibetan women are considered powerful within their families, they do not play a considerable role in society. Cabezón added that these patriarchal patterns cannot be changed easily. With a lot to prove, Childers' team trained intensely for a month for its first tournament match. On the big day, about 5,000 Tibetans witnessed the first female soccer team walk onto the field. During the second half of the game, Lhamo Kyi scored the first goal ever done by a Tibetan woman. Although the team has lost the game, Childers said that the goal created a significant change, adding that she never heard another negative comment again. Midfielder Phuntsok Dolma said the team has shown that women can also do what men can do. She advised other girls to take every opportunity and never give up in empowering themselves. Having proven their skills, the Tibetan women soccer players are now aiming for full international status from FIFA by 2017.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think Tibet’s women soccer team empowers other Tibetan women? Why do you think so?

         Why do you think the critics changed their mind about the women’s soccer team? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         In your opinion, are female athletes just as good as male athletes? Why or why not?

         Aside from sports, what other fields can women be very good at? Why do you say so?

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Former Microsoft Executive Helps Improve Global Literacy

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

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

1. literacy [LIT-er-uh-see] (n.) –  one’s capacity to read and write

Example:  Teachers help improve literacy by teaching children how to read and write.

2. impoverished [im-POV-er-isht] (adj.) – having little or no money or possession

Example:  Impoverished areas need more donations, especially food and clothing.

3. headmaster [HED-MAS-ter, -MAH-ster] (n.) – a man who heads a private school

Example: The headmaster makes decisions for the school.

4. overwhelming [oh-ver-WEL–ming] (adj.) – very intense; with overpowering effect

Example: His overwhelming desire to help the poor made him create a charitable institution. 

5. mission [MISH-uhn] (n.) – a goal or a desired result that involves strong passion

Example: One of the charity’s missions is to protect the rights of children.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Former Microsoft executive John Wood helps improve literacy by providing books and libraries to the poorest children in the world. Today, almost eight hundred million people around the world cannot read nor write. In 1998, Wood met a school headmaster in Nepal. The headmaster invited Wood to visit his school of 450 students. Little did Wood know that this invitation would change his life. During his visit to the school, Wood saw conditions of extreme poverty.  He even discovered that the school library contains no book at all. Soon after, Wood promised to fill the library with books. With the overwhelming need for good education, he fulfilled his promise and came back with 3,000 books. Wood then left the corporate world and created a charitable organization called ‘Room to Read.’ He even used some of his own money to establish the said non-profit organization. Room to Read aims to bring books and education to 10 million impoverished children in different parts of the world. The organization also wishes to empower girls through education to emphasize the importance of gender equality. For years, Room to Read, with the help of donors and local communities, has built more than 15,000 libraries and 1,650 schools in the poorest countries in Asia and Africa. It has also published colorful children’s books written in different languages. Today, Room to Read is already way ahead of its plan of achieving its mission, expecting to accomplish its goal by 2015.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         If you can create a charitable institution, what would it be and why?

         If you were John Wood, would you do the same to help poor children? Why or Why not?

Discussion B

         Why do you think it is important to provide education, especially for poor people?

         In your opinion, how can education be more accessible to everyone?

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