Unit 9 Kids and Computers

Unit9KidsandComputers:DigitalDanger,AlisonSperry,cessing,operatingon,storing,transmitting,representing,ordisplayingdataintheformofnumeralsfrom0through9,e.g.,Shehasadigitalalarm-clockandtwodigitalwatches.Thereisadigitalcomputerintheoffice.,Istheinventionofcomputerablissoranightmareforhumanbeings?,Lead-in,15岁少年杀死干扰自己上网的母亲后，继续打网游、,Lead-in,Computergame,boardgame,Talkingintherealworld,Chattingonline,Lead-in,paintingwithwatercolors,coloringwithadesktoppaint-box,Lead-in,1.Computersareindispensableinandoutofclassforourstudies.Computerscanbeusedforinformation,instructionandentertainment.Howdoyoutakeadvantageofyourcomputer?,Opentodiscussion.,Lead-in,2.Withtheadventofcomputers,videogamescameintobeing,whichhavearousedgreatcontroversy.Doyouplaythem?Andwhatsyouropinionaboutthem,helpfulorharmfulinyourlife?,Opentodiscussion.,Lead-in,Thisexpositoryessay,developedmainlybycontrast,containsvividaccounts,andimpressivedescriptionsofbothtypicallyactiveandpassivegamesthatkidsoftenplay.Asissuggestedbythetitle,thisessaymainlyprovesorillustratesthedigitaldangertowhichsomanychildrenareexposed.Arecomputergamesfundamentallydifferentfromboardgames(棋类）?Doestalkingonthephonedevelopthesameskillsaschattingonline?Whatsthedifferencebetweenpaintingwithwatercolorsandcoloringwithadesktoppaint-boxprogram?AlisonSperry,thewriterofthisessayexploredthesequestionsandcameupwithsomedisturbinganswers.,Lead-in,Nintendobabies(Paragraph2)childrenwhogrewupduringaperiodwhenvideogamesdevelopedbyNintendoCo.,Ltd.(任天堂公司),aleadingmanufacturerofhomevideogamesandportablevideogames,wereverypopular.,Relevantinformation,VirtualBoyandMortalKombat(Paragraph2)VirtualBoyisNintendosunique3-Dgamingsystemandwasreleasedinfall,1995;MortalKombatisaseriesofNintendosfightinggames.,Relevantinformation,UncleWiggly(Paragraph2)aseriesofpopularchildrensstoriesthemedaroundakindly,elderly,rabbitgentleman,UncleWigglyLongears,whichwerefirstwrittenin1910byHowardR.Garriswhowroteanewadventureeverydayfor50years,Relevantinformation,Play-Doh(Paragraph3)atrademarkforasoftcoloredmodelingmaterialusedespeciallybychildren,Relevantinformation,Monopoly(Paragraph7)atrademarkforareal-estatetradingboardgame,Relevantinformation,AlisonSperrygraduatedwithabachelorsdegreeinhistoryandmuseumstudiesin2004fromtheStateUniversityofNewYork,CollegeatPotsdam.Upongraduation,heobtainedamanagerspositionattheBellagioGalleryofFineArtinLasVegas,NV.AfterrelocatingtoHawaiiheiscurrentlyenrolledintheLibraryandInformationScienceGraduateProgramattheUniversityofHawaiiatManoa.Healsoworksasafreelancewriter(自由撰稿人）foronlinepublications.,Relevantinformation,Keywords:activeelectricgamespassiveelectricgamesimpactdanger,TheStructure,Part1,Part2,Part3,Part1(Para.1-2)thebeginningpart,presentthefirstcontrast:thefirstparagraphexemplifiesthepositiveinfluenceofactivegamesonkids,whilethesecondparagraphpointsouttheenormousimpactofpassivegamesonchildren.,Thesetwoparagraphs,makingupthebeginningpartofthetext,introducethetopicoftheessay.Thefirstparagraphexemplifiesthestatementthatthroughplaychildrendeveloptheskillsandoutlooksthatdeterminetheadultstheywillbecome.Thesecondparagraphpointsouttheenormousimpactofelectronicentertainmentonchildren.,1.Theresafamiliarsaying,Playischildrenswork.Throughplay,peoplewhostudychilddevelopmenttellus,childrendeveloptheskillsandoutlooksthatdeterminetheadultstheywillbecome.Playinghouseorschool,forexample,helpsthemtryontherolesofMomorDadorteacher.Athleticactivitieshelpkidsdevelopcoordination,learntoworkaspartofagroup,andgainconfidenceandasenseoffairplay.Evensolitaryactivitieslikereadingconnectchildrenwiththewiderworld,encouragingasenseofempathywiththegreaterhumanfamily.,Whatdochildrenlearnthroughplayinghouseorschool,athleticandsolitaryactivitiesaccordingtoexpertsinchilddevelopment?Theydeveloptheskillsandoutlooksthatdeterminetheadultstheywillbecome.,Whatisthemainideaofthefirstparagraph?,Thefirstparagraphexemplifiesthestatementthatthroughplaychildrendeveloptheskillsandoutlooksthatdeterminetheadultstheywillbecome.,outlook:1)yourgeneralattitudetolifeandtheworldHesgotagoodoutlookonlife.Shestillhasanoptimisticoutlookforthefuture.2)whatisexpectedtohappeninthefutureTheoutlookfortheweekendisunsettled,withperiodsofheavyrain.总的说来，这个公司的前景显得相当美好。Overalltheoutlookforthecompanyseemsfairlyrosy.,determinevt.decide,fixsth.precisely;influencedecisively,e.g.,Wehavenotdeterminedadateforthemeetingyet.Doheredityandenvironmentdetermineonescharacter?Theexamresultscoulddetermineyourcareer.,“Throughplay,childrendeveloptheskillsandoutlooksthatdeterminetheadultstheywillbecome.”,Paraphrase,Byplayinggames.kidsacquiretheskillsandformtheviewsthatwilldecidewhatkindofgrown-upstheywillbe.,“Playinghouseorschool,”,PlayingoractingthepartofMomorDadorteacher?,Paraphrase,Herethetwowordshouseandschoolareusedascasesofmetonymy.,Note,coordinationn.theskillfulandbalancedmovementsofdifferentparts,especiallypartsofthebody,atthesametime,e.g.,Gymisasportthatcallsforaconsiderablelevelofcoordinationonthepartofthegymnasts.Yourteamlostthematchforlackofcoordination.,gain/getsomeonesconfidencetomakesomeonefeelthattheycantrustyoue.g.Youneedtogainthehorsesconfidence.为了帮助他们的孩子获得社会竞争的信心，家长经常在家庭游戏比赛中故意输给孩子。Inordertohelptheirkidsgainconfidenceinsocialcompetition,parentsoftenpretendtoloseingamesathome.,fairplay:(c.f.foulplay)conductthatadherestorulesorisjustandequitable,esp.insports,e.g.,Asareferee,youmustensurethatthereisfairplayinthegamefrombeginningtoend.Bytheway,theoppositeoffairplayisfoulplay.Thefootballerwasgivenaredcardbecauseofseriousfoulplay.,“Athleticactivitieshelpkidsdevelopcoordination,learntoworkaspartofagroup,andgainconfidenceandasenseoffairplay.”,Paraphrase,Competitivesportsactivitieshelpchildrendeveloptheirabilitytoworkincollaborationwithothers,builduptheirconfidenceanddevelopanawarenessofplayingthegameinafairandhonestway.,empathyn.theabilitytoidentifywithandunderstandanotherpersonsfeelingsordifficulties,e.g.,Ashegrewupinanorphanage,heseemstohavegreatempathywithhomelesscatsanddogs.,“Evensolitaryactivitieslikereadingconnectchildrenwiththewiderworld,encouragingasenseofempathywiththegreaterhumanfamily.”,Paraphrase,Evenactivitiesdonealonesuchasreadingenablechildrentohaveconnectionswiththeoutsideworld,inspiringthemtodeveloptheabilitytoidentifythemselvesmentallywithpeopleingeneral.,第1段中文译文有一句众人皆知的俗语：“玩是孩子们的工作。”研究儿童发展的人告诉我们，孩子就是在玩的过程中培养技能和世界观，并由此决定他们长成怎样的成人。比如说，扮家家或假装上学帮助他们“尝试”妈妈、爸爸或老师的角色。体育活动帮助他们养成协作精神，学会作为团队一员的工作方法，以及培养自信心和光明磊落意识。甚至独自一人开展的活动，像阅读，让孩子们接触更为广阔的世界，鼓励他们养成对更多人富有同情心。,2.Butinveryrecentyears,otherformsofentertainmenthavehadanenormousimpactongrowingchildren.Formanykids,computeractivitiesandvideogamesnowtakeupmuchevenmostofthetimeformerlydevotedtomoretraditionalformsofplay.EnteringadulthoodnowarethefirstNintendobabies,agenerationraisedmoreonVirtualBoyandMortalKombatthanbaseballandUncleWiggly.Howhavetheybeenaffectedbythischangeintheconceptofplay?Socialscientists,parents,andtalkshowpunditswillbedebatingthequestionforyearstocome.Butwecanstartdrawingourownconclusions.,Asamusingandingeniousaselectronicentertainmentcanbe,childrenandsocietytheyliveinaretheloserswhentheyrelyontheseformsoffun.Unliketraditionalgamesandtoys,wiredentertainmentencourageskidstobeunimaginative,sociallyimmature,andcrudelydesensitizedtotheworldaroundthem.,Whatdoestheauthorconcludefromthechangeintheconceptofchildrensplay?Althoughelectronicentertainmentsmaybeamusingandingenious,childrenareactuallytheloserswhenbecomingdependentonthoseformsbecausetheyencouragechildrentobeunimaginative,sociallyimmature,andcrudelyindifferenttotheworldaroundthem.,Whatisthemainideaofthesecondparagraph?,Thesecondparagraphpointsouttheenormousimpactofelectronicentertainmentonchildren.Inotherwords,justasthewriterconcludes,Asamusingandingeniousaselectronicentertainmentcanbe,children-andsocietytheylivein-aretheloserswhentheyrelyontheseformsoffun.Unliketraditionalgamesandtoys,wiredentertainmentencourageskidstobeunimaginative,sociallyimmature,andcrudelydesensitizedtotheworldaroundthem.,impactn.astrongeffect,e.g.,Thenewmoviemadeagreatimpactontheviewers.Heneverdreamedofsuchanimpacthisexperimentproducedinthescientificworld.,“Butinveryrecentyears,otherformsofentertainmenthavehadanenormousimpactongrowingchildren.”,Paraphrase,Recently,however,otherformsofamusementhavehadatremendouseffectongrowingchildren.,videogames:gamesplayedbymanipulatingimagesproducedbyacomputerprogramonascreen,e.g.,Somechildrenplayvideogamesalmosteveryday,whichdoesmuchharmtotheirhealth.Forsomekids,videogamesoccupytoomuchoftheirfreetime.,VirtualBoyandMortalKombat:twovideogamesVirtualBoy,Nintendosunique3-Dgamingsystem,wasreleasedinfall,1995;MortalKombatisaseriesofNintendosfightinggames.,UncleWiggly:akindly,elderly,rabbitgentlemaninaseriesofpopularchildrensstorieswhichwerefirstwrittenin1910byHowardR.Garris,whowroteanewadventureeverydayfor50years,“EnteringadulthoodnowarethefirstNintendobabies,agenerationraisedmoreonVirtualBoyandMortalKombatthanbaseballandUncleWiggly.”,Paraphrase,BecomingadultsnowarethefirstgroupofpeoplewhospenttheirchildhoodplayingNintendo,agenerationofkidswhohavedevotedmoretimetoplayingvideogamesthanplayingbaseballandreadingstoriesofUncleWiggly.,punditn.sb.whoisanauthorityonasubject,e.g.,Theboyalwaysassumestheairofasportspundit.Thatfilmwasratedasthebestoneoftheyearbyapanelofwell-knowntelevisionpundits.,“Asamusingandingeniousaselectronicentertainmentcanbe,childrenandsocietytheyliveinaretheloserswhentheyrelyontheseformsoffun.”,Paraphrase,Thoughgames,shows,videdbyelectronicdevicessuchascomputersandvideomachinescanbeenjoyableandoriginal,childrenandsocietytheyliveinarethevictimsiftheyindulgeintheseformsofamusementsolely.,desensitizevt.reduceordestroythesensitivenessof;(fig.)makesb.unabletocareabouthowotherpeoplefeel,Thisareaofskinhasbeendesensitized.ChildrenbecomedesensitizedwhenexposedtoviolenceonTV.,e.g.,“Unliketraditionalgamesandtoys,wiredentertainmentencourageskidstobeunimaginative,sociallyimmature,andcrudelydesensitizedtotheworldaroundthem.”,Paraphrase,Differentfromtraditionalgamesandtoys,entertainmentprovidedbyelectronicdevices,whichispassivebynature,makeschildrenbecomedullandunoriginal.Asaresultofspendingtoomuchtimeonsuchentertainment,childrenlackemotionaldevelopmentinsocialcommunicationandmaybecomecrudelyinsensitivetothepeoplearoundthem.,第2段中文译文然而，近几年来，其他的娱乐形式对孩子的成长产生了巨大的冲击。现在有许多孩子，电脑活动和电子游戏占据了他们的许多甚至所有的时间，以前这些时间是花在比较传统游戏上面的。现在长大成人的是第一批玩“任天堂”的孩子，是一代凭借玩“虚拟男孩”和“致命战斗”养大的，而并非靠打垒球或看连环画维格列大叔带大的。这种“玩”的理念上的变化对孩子产生了什么影响？社会科学家、家长，还有脱口秀专家在未来的岁月里将对这个问题争论不休。不过，我们可以开始得出我们自己的结论。（续）,（接）虽然电子娱乐也许是很有趣，也很富有创意，但是，一旦沉湎于这种形式的娱乐，孩子以及他们生活的社会必定是输家。与传统的游戏和玩具不同，“联网”的娱乐形式会造成孩子缺乏想象力、社会生活不成熟，以及对身边世界毫无掩饰地麻木不仁的后果。,Part2(Para.3-8)concretelyillustratethepositiveinfluenceofactivegamesonkidsandthenegativeimpactofpassiveelectronicgamesoractivities.,Theseparagraphs,thebodyofthispersuasiveessay,illustratethepositiveinfluenceofactivegamesandactivitiesonkids,andvividlyexemplifythenegativeimpactofpassiveelectronicgamesoractivitiesonchildren.Throughthethreecontrastspresentedinthispart,theauthorsviewpointbecomesunequivocallyclear.,3.WatchachildtakeaballofPlay-Dohinherhandandbegintorollitexperimentally.Firstitsasimpleball,thenasnake.Thesnakemightbecomeafigureeightorabracelet.Shecoilsthebraceletontopofitselftocreateapotthatsheusesforamake-believeteaparty.Nextshesmashesthepotbackintoaball,whichmaynextmorphintoasnowman,ahorseshead,abunny,aseaserpent,oraskyscraper.Withnothingbutherhandsandaninexpensivechunkofflourandsalt,sheformsauniverseinwhichshemakestherulesandcreatestheinhabitants.Whenshetiresofit,shecanwaditbackintoashapelessmassthatawaitshernextcreativeimpulse.,TheactofplayingwiththePlay-Dohsparksotherinterestsmaybeshellworkwithmodelingclaythatshecanbakeintoapermanentform,orpaints,orpapier-mchAlthoughshedoesntgivewhatshesdoingagreatdealofthought,sheslearningsomethingvaluable:Iamacreator.Icangivemyideastangibleform.,oacircularorspiralshape,Thesnakecoileditselfaroundthebranch.Shecoiledherhairatthebackofherhead.,e.g.,make-believeadj.theactivityofpretendingthatsomethingisrealorthatasituationisbetterthanitreallyise.g.Dissemblingenough,hewasnotsufficientlyoilyandmake-believe.我不赞同儿童玩电子游戏的一个原因是其中有太多的假想的暴力场面。OneofreasonswhyIdisapproveofkidsplayingvideogamesisthattheretendtobetoomanymake-believescenesofviolence.,morphv.totransformfromonegraphicimageonscreenintoanotherorothers,throughtheuseofsophisticatedcomputersoftware,e.g.,Withaclickofthemouse,theboymorphedMickeyMouseintoWinniethePooh.,“Nextshesmashesthepotbackintoaball,whichmaynextmorphintoasnowman,ahorseshead,abunny,aseaserpent,oraskyscraper.”,Paraphrase,Nextshehitsthepotveryhardandchangesitbackintoaball,whichmaynextbetransformedintoasnowman,ahorseshead,abunny,aseaserpent,oraskyscraper.,tireofsomeone/somethingtobecomeboredwithsomeoneorsomethinge.g.Youllsoontireoftheirmusic.Shequicklytiredofhiscompany.一天又一天做同样形式的练习会让学生厌倦这些练习。Doingthesametypeofexercisesdayafterdaywouldeasilygetstudentstiredofthem.,oasmallmass,e.g.,Thepassengerwaddedupthepunchedticketandthrewitaway.,“Whenshetiresofit,shecanwaditbackintoashapelessmassthatawaitshernextcreativeimpulse.”,Paraphrase,Whenshelosesinterestinit,shecanturnitbackintoaformlessmass,whichwillbechangedintosomethingelsewhenhernextwhimtoplaywithitoccurs.,sparkv.togiveoutorproducesparks;stimulateorincitesth.,e.g.,Firefliesweresparkinginthegatheringdarkness.Hiscommentsparkedoffaquarrelbetweenthem.Fearofnuclearwarsparkedangrydemonstrations.,modelingclay:clayusedformakingmodels,bakev.tocookfoodbydryheatinanovenoronahotsurface,withoutdirectexposuretoaflame;undergotheprocessofbeingbaked;hardenclay,etc.byheat,e.g.,ShebakessomeapplepiesinthegenuineAmericanstyleforherChinesefriends.Cookiesbakequickly.,papier-mchn.paperpulpusedformoldingintoboxes,trays,etc.用来制作模型的纸浆或纸板；混凝纸浆,e.g.,Thewordpapier-mchisawordofFrenchorigin.Shecreatedabeautifulpapier-mchmask.,tangibleadj.abletobetouched;abletoberealized,e.g.,Thebeautyinthemirrorisnottangible.Apartfromfreeaccommodation,othertangiblebenefitsincludearaiseinsalaryandshorterworkinghours.,“Icangivemyideastangibleform.”,Paraphrase,Icangivemyideasadefiniteform./Icanturnmyideasintodefinitethings.,第3段中文译文看着一个孩子抓起一团橡皮泥，开始试着让它滚动起来。开始是一个普通的球，接着变成了一条蛇。这条蛇或许会变成8字形或一个手镯。孩子把手镯的上端卷起来，做出一把茶壶，她用这把茶壶举行一场假装的茶话会。接下来，她把茶壶又捏成一团，或许再做成雪人、马头、小兔子、海蛇，或者摩天大楼。除了用自己的双手、一团用面粉和盐混成的不值钱的一团东西，她不需要其他的东西，就可以做出一个世界，为之制定规则和创造居民。等她玩腻了，可以把它再次捏成没有形状的一团，等待下一次的创作冲动。（续）,（接）玩耍橡皮泥还会激发其他的兴趣她可能会用建模黏土做一样东西，烤制成一个永久的形状，或者图画，再或者纸浆制品。虽然她对自己做的事情没花太多的心思，但是她学会了有价值的东西：我是个创造者，我能给自己的想法赋予具体的形状。,4.Avideogame,ontheotherhand,iscynicallyprogrammedtogivetheillusionofcreativity.TheplayerisgivenvariouschoicesateveryturnWhichdoorwillIgothrough?WhichweaponwillIuse?WhatclueshallIread?Buttheyarechoicesinthesamesensethatapigeonspeckingatalevertogetagrainofcornisachoice.Theplayerisasmuchatoolofthegameasthejoystick.Hermomentaryfunisunsatisfyingbecauseitleadsnottoanygenuinesenseofachievementbutonlytothehypnoticexperienceofwatchingsomeoneelsescreationunfold.,HandaballofPlay-Dohtoachildrearedonthesterileadventureofvideogames,andyoureapttogetablanklookandthehesitantquestion,WhatdoIdowithit?Thevideogameplayerlearnsherownlesson:Idontcreate.Iletsomeoneelsescreativityhappeninfrontofme.,1.Pleaseexplainthefirstcontrastpresentedinthispartindetail.,Thefirstcontrastispresentedinparagraphsthreeandfour.First,thewriterdescribeshowachildplayswithaballofPlay-Dohandhowshechangesitfromoneshapeintoanother;next,thewriterconcludesthatalthoughsheisnotgivingmuchthoughttowhatsheisdoing,sheislearningsomethingvaluable:sherealizesthatsheisacreatorandthatshecangiveherideasatangibleform.Then,thewriterrecountshowachildplaysavideogame,pointingoutthattheplayerisasmuchatoolofthegameasthejoystick.,Finally,thewritertellsushowachildrearedonthesteriledietofvideogamesreactswhenheisgivenaballofPlay-Doh,anddrawstheconclusionthatthevideogameplayerlearnshisownlesson:hedoesntcreate;hejustletssomeoneelsescreativityhappeninfrontofhim.Thus,thewritercreatesasharpcontrastthroughboththevividlyrecountedexamplesandhisowncommentsandconclusionsaboutthedifferenteffectsoftheactivegameandthepassivegameupontheplayers.,programvt.toprovide(acomputer,etc.)withcodedinstructionsfortheautomaticperformanceofaparticulartask;traintobehaveinapredeterminedway,e.g.,Thisradioisprogrammedtoswitchitselfonat6p.m.Theirearlytrainingprogrammedthemtobeobedientandsubmissive.,“Avideogame,ontheotherhand,iscynicallyprogrammedtogivetheillusionofcreativity.”,Paraphrase,Avideogame,ontheotherhand,isdesignedsarcasticallytogiveitsplayersthefalseimpressionthattheyarebeingcreativebecausetheyatleastcanmakechoicesoftheirown.,ateveryturn:everywhereorallthetimeoreverytime,e.g.,Shefoundherplanfrustratedateveryturn.Thegirlkeepsmeetingtheboyateveryturn.,peckv.(tryto)strikesth.withthebeak;getormakesth.bystrikingwiththebeak,e.g.,Hensfeedbypecking.Thebirdispeckingatthewindow.Thesparrowsarepeckinggrains.Heissaidtobeahenpeckedhusband.,joystickn.control-leveronanaircraft,computer,etc.,hypnoticadj.oforproducinghypnosisorasimilarcondition;(ofadrug)producingsleep,e.g.,Thepatientisinahypnotictrance.Hecannotsleepwell,buthenevertakesanyhypnoticdrug.,unfoldv.(causesth.to)openorspreadoutfromafoldedstate;(fig)(causesth.to)berevealedormadeknown,e.g.,Thegardenchaircanunfoldtomakeacampbed.Theeagleunfoldeditswings.Thelandscapeunfoldedbeforeus.Sheunfoldedherplanstome.,我已安排好周四同他共进午餐，届时我将向他透露我的计划。IvearrangedalunchwithhimnextThursdayatwhichImgoingtounfoldmyproposal.,“Hermomentaryfunisunsatisfyingbecauseitleadsnottoanygenuinesenseofachievementbutonlytothehypnoticexperienceofwatchingsomeoneelsescreationunfold.”,Paraphrase,Herfunthatlastsonlyforabriefmomentisnotsatisfyingatallbecauseitdoesnotsparkanyrealawarenessofachievementbutmerelythetasteofmindlesslywatchingsomeoneelsescreatedworkorgamespreadoutinfrontofher.,sterileadj.unproductive,producingnousefulresults;freefromgerms,bacteria,etc.,e.g.,Theyhadasterilediscussion.Anoperatingtheatreshouldbecompletelysterile.,“HandaballofPlay-Dohtoachildrearedonthesterileadventureofvideoga