Soul of animals

人皆惻隱之心，哲學家的思想當真好難理解。

笛卡爾說，人是這個星球的所有人也是主宰，可動物卻只是個自動的機器，一架會動的機械，也就是拉丁文說的「machina animata」。動物哀鳴的時候，其實不是在叫痛，那不過是機械運轉不順所發出的雜聲音。馬車的輪子發出雜音，並不是因為馬車不舒服，只是因為輪子沒有上油而已。同理，我們也沒理由給動物的叫聲多作解釋，或是為那些在實驗室裡被人活活閞膛剖肚的狗兒哀嘆。

米蘭‧昆德拉《生命中不能承受之輕》

Man is master and proprietor, says Descartes, whereas the beast is merely an automaton, an animated machine, a machina animata. When an animal laments, it is not a lament; it is merely the rasp of a poorly functioning mechanism. When a wagon wheel grates, the wagon is not in pain; it simply needs oiling. Thus, we have no reason to grieve for a dog being carved up alive in the laboratory.

Hans, J. S. (1991). The Origins of the Gods. Suny Press.

proprietor: owner

automaton: robot

animated: alive

lament: to mourn aloud

wagon: a usually four-wheeled vehicle for transporting bulky commodities and drawn originally by animals

grate: to utter in a harsh voice

Kyoto is Born

京都古城的規模只是唐代長安的三分之一。

courtier: one in attendance at a royal court

ascendancy: governing or controlling influence

de facto: actually

statehood: the condition of being a state

salvation: Christian Science : the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death

rite: a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony

pageant: an ostentatious display

ostentatious: attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or obviousness : overly elaborate or conspicuous : characterized by, fond of, or evincing ostentation

courtly: politely

monumental: highly significant

commission: an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts

gravitas: high seriousness

clergy: the official or sacerdotal class of a non-Christian religion

sacerdotal: of or relating to priests or a priesthood

inauspicious: unfortunate

fortress: a structure or place from which one can resist attack

embodiment: a visible representation of something abstract

Mother Theresa was often regarded as the embodiment of selfless devotion to others

geomancy: divination by means of figures or lines or geographic features

divination: the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers

vogue: popular acceptation or favor

grid: a network of uniformly spaced horizontal and perpendicular lines (as for locating points on a map)

prototype: an original model on which something is patterned

willow: any of a genus (Salix of the family Salicaceae, the willow family) of trees and shrubs bearing catkins of apetalous flowers and including forms of value for wood, osiers, or tanbark and a few ornamentals

thoroughfare: a way or place for passage

allot: to assign as a share or portion

Quarry Bay

relic: a survivor or remnant left after decay, disintegration, or disappearance

ridership: the number of persons who ride a system of public transportation

lingerie: linen articles or garments

fancy: of particular excellence or highest grade

gadgetry: an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty

intriguing: fascinating

bewilder: to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations

sashay: to strut or move about in an ostentatious or conspicuous manner

lumbering: to move ponderously

ponderous: of very great weight

exotic: introduced from another country : not native to the place where found

renaissance: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

rattling: extraordinarily good

象牙塔

與其在擅長的層面不斷鑽研，為何不在新的領域上學習？

天涯思君不可忘

郭襄四覓神鵰大俠

為何強求多見一面

何必不停苦苦思念

Grammar Unit 35

I'd better

(Wrong) I would better

(Correct) I had better

We use "had better" only for a specific situation.

If it's thing in general, use "should".

It's time they were here. Why are they so late?

(present, not past)

Aimer - Everlasting Snow

It's just arrived

今晚的奇跡才剛剛從空中飄落了下來

Tonight a miracle descended from the sky

落在了孤獨人的肩上停下來休息著　並說著

Rested its wings on my lonely shoulder, then whispered:

明天會更好 所以請別哭

"better not cry"

不論是誰　大家都快步離去

透著白色吐氣看過去的街道　總惹人憐愛

Something about the city I saw through my white sighs,

Where everyone's passing each other in a hurry, seems so lovely to me

結果　還是傷害了重要的人

珍愛的人不在身旁的孤獨與悲傷的回憶

溫柔的納入懷抱

I eventually hurt someone important to me,

The loneliness of not having somebody I treasure,

And my sad memories

Hugging gently

永恆的雪

Everlasting snow

冬天的奇跡　今年也將街道染白

A winter miracle paints the town white again this year

名為祈禱的火燭　點亮在大家胸口中小小的燈

A candle called "prayer" lights a tiny flame in everyone's heart

It's just bright

大家越是喜愛這季節

這盞燈就越明亮呢

五顏六色的街道上　響亮著鐘聲　承載著大家的思想

The sentiment lives on the bells that rang throughout the city,

Coloured as deeply as the fondness we all have for this season

明天會更好的　所以別嘟起嘴巴了

"Better not pout"

開心的夢境　會留下足跡

Our merry dreams leave footprints

配上紅色的緞帶　那肯定是願望的樣子

A red ribbon on top: that must be the form of wishes

然後　流逝而去不變的歲月

描繪著什麼而失敗哭泣的昨天　也令人回味

溫柔的納入懷抱

It gently cover me

As I think fondly of days and months gone by, unchanged

Yesterday, I fell over something I imagined and cried

那永恆的現在

The everlasting now　

仰望夜空　停止互相傷害

I look up at the night sky and stop time where we hurt one another

你不是一個人喔　有人在身旁　就會發生奇跡

Then, someone causes a tiny miracle besides me,

Saying, "You are not alone"

覆蓋住看習慣的景色　雪下著

It snows, covering the ho-hum scenery

期望著世界幸福

在夜晚的街道上　戀人唱著歌　

Couples sing in the city at night

Wishing the whole world happiness

讓雪下吧　快樂的節日

Let it snow…Happy holiday!

永恆的雪

Everlasting snow

冬天的奇跡　今天也將世界染白

A winter miracle paints the town white again this year

名為祈禱的火燭　點亮在大家胸口中小小的燈

A candle called a "prayer" lights a tiny flame in everyone's heart

平衡

Vestibular apparatus of the inner ear involved in balance. The vestibular system consists of two structures of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear, the vestibule and the semicircular canals, and the structures of the membranous labyrinth contained within them.

The eyes determine our position relative to the horizon and use visual reference points to assess body position.

Rise of the Yamato Dynasty

Shogun: one of a line of military governors ruling Japan until the revolution of 1867–68

sect:  a dissenting or schismatic religious body

dissent: to differ in opinion

schism: division, separation

Neolithic: of or relating to the latest period of the Stone Age characterized by polished stone implements

nomad: a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory

game changer: a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way

coalesce: to unite into a whole

envoy: a minister plenipotentiary accredited to a foreign government who ranks between an ambassador and a minister resident

dispatch: to send off or away with promptness or speed

m-w.com

運動與身心靈

「食左佢，就等於替身體做了帶氧運動。」這是耳熟能詳的廣告對白。但是，如果帶氧運動有助健康，為何不花少少時間做運動？為何要花費金錢食補品去追求健康。在這裡，我不想太詳細談 Aerobic Exercise, Anaerobic Exercise, Aerobic Respiration, Anaerobic Respiration, Glucose, Adenosine triphosphate, Lactic Acid. 如果大家有興趣的話，可以去查一查Google. 簡單來說，帶氧運動，如跑步、游泳或踏單車，有助增強心肺功能。

對於本人來說，運動可視作一種休息。睡眠與夢境密不可分，一覺醒來感覺仍很疲累。她曾經對我說運動是她自我思考的時間，所以她拒絕跟我一起跑步。人到了三十多歲，雙膝因工作出現勞損，我選擇了游泳這項運動。前上司及好友曾對我說，既然你有運動的習慣，何不嘗試每天上班前都去游一趟。基於恆心問題，自己至今仍未有實行他的建議。

新冠第五波過後，已經去了三次室內泳池。慢慢游，已經可以持續四十五分鐘以上。可是，我只懂自由式，蛙式的姿勢有待改進。

Reported speech

The past simple can stay the same in reported speech, or you can change it to the past perfect.

Murphy, R. (2019) English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press.

remedial

concerned with the correction of faulty study habits and the raising of a pupil's general competence

m-w.comh

孔老談為政之道

「多聽，有懷疑的地方，加以保留；其餘足以自信的部分，謹慎地說出，就能減少錯誤。多看，有懷疑的地方，加以保留；其餘足以自信的部分，謹慎地實行，就能減少懊悔。言語的錯誤少，行動的懊悔少，(便是為政之道)。」

楊伯峻《論語譯注》

所謂警察

今日有位顧客買書劵。

我問她︰「是機構買的？」

她說︰「是。」

我說︰「抬頭要寫什麼？」

她道︰「不用。」

我道︰「那麼我在抬頭寫『顧客』。」

她問︰「可否於抬頭什麼都不寫？」

我說︰「都要作個紀錄。」

她說︰「那麼你寫『XXX警區』。」

我猜想她可能記不起自己環頭的正確名稱。

她以現金付款，我見到其中一張五百蚊紙是爛角的。

她說︰「我也是剛從櫃員機取的。」

我道︰「如果我們收壞紙，可能要去銀行做額外的手續。」

她才死死地氣換另一張銀紙。

Online Course provided by Coursera

Information​ ​Systems Specialization

Offered by University of Minnesota

咀嚼健腦

Chewing does not only crush food to aid swallowing and digestion; it also helps to relieve stress and regulate cognitive functions, including alertness and executive function.

Hirano, Y., & Onozuka, M. (2014). Chewing and cognitive function. [Abstract] Brain Nerve. 66(1), 25-32.

鬼魅

Entanglement is what Einstein referred to as "spooky action at a distance." It's a phenomenon by which one particle can effectively "know" something about another particle instantaneously, even if those two particles are separated by a great distance.

www.space.com

Entangle: to wrap or twist together

Spook: to make frightened or frantic

Frantic: marked by fast and nervous, disordered, or anxiety-driven activity

察其所安

「考查一個人所結交的朋友；觀察他為達到一定目的所採用的方式方法；了解他的心情，安於什麼，不安於什麼。那麼，這個人怎樣隱藏得住呢？」

楊伯峻《論語譯注》

自困

貪、嗔、痴

Carbonated water

Nutritionists agree that carbonated water (artificially carbonated or naturally sparkling water) is just as hydrating as regular water , however tap water has the added benefit of fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay.

www.nytimes.com

Characteristics of Big Data

Volume: The benefit gained from the ability to process large amounts of information is the main attraction of big data analytics. Having more data beats out having better models: simple bits of math can be unreasonably effective given large amounts of data. If you could run that forecast taking into account 300 factors rather than 6, could you predict demand better?

Speed: The importance of data is velocity — the increasing rate at which data flows into an organization — has followed a similar pattern to that of volume. Problems previously restricted to segments of industry are now presenting themselves in a much broader setting. In the past, specialized companies such as financial traders have long turned systems that cope with fast moving data to their advantage. Now, the Internet and mobile era means that the way we deliver and consume products and services is increasingly instrumented, generating a data flow back to the provider. Online retailers are able to compile large histories of customers' every click and interaction: not just the final sales. Those who are able to quickly utilize that information, by recommending additional purchases, for instance, gain competitive advantage.

Variety: Rarely does data present itself in a form perfectly ordered and ready for processing. A common theme in big data systems is that the source data is diverse, and doesn't fall into neat relational structures. It could be text from social networks, image data, a raw feed directly from a sensor source. None of these things come ready for integration into an application. Even on the web, where computer-to-computer communication ought to bring some guarantees, the reality of data is messy.

(Forbes, 2012)

A bit of: used to make a statement or description less forceful or definite

Compile: to build up gradually

Neat: precise, systematic

Bitumen

原油是液體，瀝青是固體。柏油路看似堅固而且難以高溫熔解，箇中製作過程究竟是如何？

Asphalt, black or brown petroleum-like material that has a consistency varying from viscous liquid to glassy solid. It is obtained either as a residue from the distillation of petroleum or from natural deposits. Asphalt consists of compounds of hydrogen and carbon with minor proportions of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. Natural asphalt is believed to be formed during an early stage in the breakdown of organic marine deposits into petroleum, characteristically contains minerals, while residual petroleum asphalt does not. 

www.britannica.com

glassy: dull

Asphalts are the varieties of naturally-occurring bitumen. Asphalts are also produced as a petroleum byproduct. Both substances are black and largely soluble in carbon disulphide. They are of variable consistency, ranging from highly viscous fluid to a solid. Asphalts occur with or without mineral matter.

Many types of asphalts occur as viscous impregnations in sand stones, silt-stones, and lime-stones. After treatment to remove water and volatile constituents, the asphalts are fused at 54–60 °C and contain about 83% carbon. Most of the asphalts are of marine origin and consist of the high-molecular weight compounds normally present in petroleum residue.

www.sciencedirect.com

If someone or something impregnates a thing with a substance, they make the substance spread through it and stay in it.

Sandstone is made of sand-sized particles. Siltstone is made of smaller particles. Silt is smaller than sand but larger than clay.

媚俗

Kitsch，中文一般翻譯為「媚俗」，是十九世紀出現的德文字，起初是用來評論藝術品的貶意詞，形容為迎合大眾口味、粗製濫造的藝術作品。後來米蘭昆德拉（Milan Kundera）擴闊其意，將它應用到政治、美好生活中。

梁文道解釋過米蘭昆德拉何故把媚俗形容大眾的情緒，他說：「『媚俗』無非就是一種情緒的專制。這種專制的重點不在於控制人民的行為，也不在於控制每個人的思想，而在於控制他們的情緒。以正義和正確之名，它要求大家必須在恰當的場合表達出恰當的情緒，哪怕那些表達有點違心或矯揉造作。」

www.thenewslens.com

鐵路迷羅生

Metaverse explained by Time Magazine

Whether in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) or simply on a screen, the promise of the metaverse is to allow a greater overlap of our digital and physical lives in wealth, socialization, productivity, shopping and entertainment. These two worlds are already interwoven, no headset required: Think about the Uber app telling you via location data how far away the car is. Think about how Netflix gauges what you’ve watched before to make suggestions. Think about how the LiDAR scanner on newer iPhones can take a 3D scan of your surroundings. At its core, the metaverse (also known to many as “web3”) is an evolution of our current Internet.

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment with scenes and objects that appear to be real, making the user feel they are immersed in their surroundings . This environment is perceived through a device known as a Virtual Reality headset or helmet.

Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology.

If someone or something shows promise, they seem likely to be very good or successful.

Gauge: estimate, judge

The LiDAR scanner, on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series, measures how long it takes light to reflect back from objects . This essentially creates a depth map of your surroundings.

Implementations of blockchain technology

Decentralized finance is an emerging financial technology based on secure distributed ledgers similar to those used by cryptocurrencies. The system removes the control banks and institutions have on money, financial products, and financial services.

Non-fungible tokens are cryptographic assets on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them from each other. Unlike cryptocurrencies, they cannot be traded or exchanged at equivalency. This differs from fungible tokens like cryptocurrencies, which are identical to each other and, therefore, can serve as a medium for commercial transactions.

Using blockchain for identity management can allow individuals to have ownership of their identity by creating a global ID to serve multiple purposes. Blockchain offers a potential solution to the above challenges by allowing users a sense of security that no third party can share their PII without their consent.

Emerging: newly formed or prominent

Ledger: a digital record that is used similarly to an accounting ledger (as for maintaining a list of transactions)

Fungible: being something (such as money or a commodity) of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in paying a debt or settling an account

Commodity: an economic good

Asset: the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts

Metadata: data that provides information about other data

PII: personally identifiable information

枉為人師

某天，我坐在客戶服務檯工作。

有一位客人問什麼卡有折扣。

我道︰「會員銀卡或以上有折扣。」

客人說︰「我是教師，教聯證買書有沒有折扣？」

我道︰「教聯、教協證件沒有折扣，Teacher Net 證或學校訂書才有折扣。」

(按︰教協已經於2021年解散。)

客人厲聲說︰「Teacher Net 由什麼機構發出，何等權威，怎樣申請？」

我道︰「不太清楚申請方式，我剛剛在電腦上也找不到。」

客人道︰「你們接受Teacher Net，為什麼當中由來也說不出來？」

我說︰「那麼你可以問CS。」

客人說︰「什麼是CS？」

我說︰「Customer service.」

客人道︰「即是要問你公司的客服。」

客人表示不滿轉身便走。

IELTS is not a must

MSc Business Information Systems (MIS Stream)

City University of Hong Kong

The Management Information Systems Stream aims to train students in the core domains of business and cutting-edge information systems that underpin the contemporary information society, so that graduates can excel in careers with professional positions that require both advanced business knowledge and IT-enabled problem solving skills.

The MIS Stream is offered to applicants with a non-IT background and focuses on developing their competence in evaluating cutting-edge IT, coordinating IT-enabled business initiatives, and managing the operation of business information systems, so as to meet the business needs of organizations.

Cutting-edge: the most modern stage of development in a particular type of work or activity

Underpin: to give support, strength, or a basic structure to something

Contemporary: existing or happening now, and therefore seeming modern

Excel: to be extremely good at something

Applicants must hold a recognized Bachelor's degree in any subjects, preferably not in Information Systems or Computer Science related discipline, from one of the tertiary education institutions in Hong Kong funded by the UGC or equivalent.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should obtain an overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS.

Python

Python and JavaScript are concise and closer to human language. The main uses of Python are to create web apps, develop internal company tools, handle scientific analysis and make games.

IDP or British Council

Take IELTS Academic test if you want to study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level anywhere in the world.

復泳

今日在室內池游

幾個月沒有做運動

游了三十五分鐘後小腿抽筋

拉筋都不能舒緩

安全至上，提早上水

救生員說今天水溫偏低，有直接影響

太久沒有下水都有關係

今天當熱下身

歌曲

之前去台北旅遊

找不到九份的咖啡店

印象中只吃了碗牛肉麵

清純

愚昧的戰爭

二次世界大戰期間，史達林之子被德國人俘虜，跟一些英國軍官拘禁在同一個戰俘營裡。他們的廁所是公用的。史達林的兒子老是把廁所弄得很髒。那些英國人不喜歡看到他們的廁所被大便弄髒，經常罵他，逼他把廁所弄乾淨。後來他生氣了，還大打出手。最後，史達林的兒子求見戰俘營的指揮官，德國人根本不屑跟他們討論大便的事，他受不了這種侮辱而選擇自殺。

他為了大便獻出生命。可是為大便而死並不是一種毫無意義的死。德國人為了向東延伸帝國版圖而犧牲生命，俄國人為了將祖國勢力向西推得更遠而死，是的，這些人才是為了蠢事而死，他們的死毫無意義，一點道理也沒有。相反的，史達林之子的死，在戰爭的普世愚行之中，是唯一具有形而上意義的死。

米蘭‧昆德拉《生命中不能承受之輕》

佐酒良物

母親大人罕有煮夜宵。雖然食鴨舌頗為殘忍，但是送酒一流。近來喜歡飲無酒精低卡啤酒，弊，忘了回收鋁罐！忽然記起中五化學老師舉辦一次辯論，題目關於鋁罐的使用，詳細題目已經忘了。先不論採礦不合環保原則，因為與化學關係不大。Aluminium oxide 的 melting point 超過攝氏二千度，熔了它還要使用大量電力進行電解。所以，以鋁罐作器皿其實會花掉不少能源。飲完便丟棄，不循環再造就更加不環保，罪過罪過！

不滿

YATA 超市燒三文魚頭腮位清不淨，旁邊的魚雲腥臭到不得了。

三文魚、油金魚刺身拼盤做特價推廣，不新鮮致拉肚子。