美國啟動AI曼哈頓計劃 中國重溫原子彈試爆新啟示
中央電視台去年十二月二十八日起在科教頻道播出一套六集的紀錄片，取名《那個瞬間的年代》。由於片名無顯示特定指向，而且是在不顯眼的科教頻道，所以沒有引起注意。原來這是六十年前原子彈試爆，詳盡敘述從構思、設計、製造、試驗等過程。更耐人尋味的是，這套紀錄片製作完成後的二十多年後，直到現在才公開播放。背後有何隱情，難以猜測；但選擇現在公開播放，則似乎有所啟示。
文︰阮紀宏
2025年1月30日星期四
Words from Dean
不說大家可能不知道，象徵西方醫學的蛇杖圖騰，源自希臘神話的「神醫」Asclepius。他手持蛇杖，受阿波羅之神授予醫術，成功醫治許多人。
Have you noticed that an image of a snake coiled around a staff is often used as a symbol of Western medicine and the medical professional? This originates with the Greco-Roman god of healing, Asclepius, who was depicted alongside a serpent coiled around a staff.
與成功有約 30.01.2025
delegation: the process of giving somebody work or responsibilities that would usually be yours
endeavor: an attempt to do something, especially something new or difficult
explicit: clear and easy to understand, so that you have no doubt what is meant
parameter: something that decides or limits the way in which something can be done
accountability: the fact of being responsible for your decisions or actions and expected to explain them when you are asked
ennoble: to give somebody/something a better moral character
discernment: the ability to show good judgement about the quality of somebody/something
vague: DJ[veig]
contradictory: containing or showing a lack of agreement between statements, facts, opinions or actions
hammer out: to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made
remark: to take notice of
criterion: a standard or principle by which something is judged, or with the help of which a decision is made
Gofer delegation means “Go for this, go for that, do this, do that, and tell me when it's done.”
exclusively: for only one particular person, group or use
awkward: difficult to deal with
up front: in a forward position
Management philosopher and consultant Peter Drucker recommends the use of a "manager's letter" to capture the essence of performance agreements between managers and their employees. Following a deep and thorough discussion of expectations, guidelines, and resources to make sure they are in harmony with organizational goals, the employee writes a letter to the manager that summarizes the discussion and indicates when the next performance plan or review discussion will take place.
管理哲學家兼顧問 Peter Drucker 建議使用「經理信」來捕捉經理與員工之間績效協議的精髓。在對期望、指導方針和資源進行深入徹底的討論，確保它們與組織目標保持一致之後，員工寫一封信給經理，總結討論內容，並指出下次績效計劃或檢討討論的時間。
overhead: regular costs that you have when you are running a business or an organization, such as rent, electricity, wages, etc.
arbitrarily: in a way that does not seem to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seems unfair
stock option: a right given to employees to buy shares in their company at a fixed price
perk: something you receive as well as your wages for doing a particular job
subordinate: a person who has a position with less authority and power than somebody else in an organization
cab driver: a person who has a position with less authority and power than somebody else in an organization
hold up: to remain strong and working effectively
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
www.merriam-webster.com
Translated with DeepL
2025年1月29日星期三
Notes jotting of a C++ course
syntax: (computing) the rules that state how words and phrases must be used in a computer language
Statement: unit of a code terminated by a semicolon
Function: a large unit of code that may contain many statements
The main() function is the main entry point.
#include: how you import libraries for use in your code
Space is necessary to distinguish between two words or tokens.
token: something that is a symbol of a feeling, a fact, an event, etc.
Single line comments are introduced by two forward slashes.
Multi-line comments may span several lines. It begins with /* token and ends with */ token
The body of a function is enclosed in curly braces.
cout and printf are both commonly used to format strings for output
The std namespace is short for standard and the double colon is the scope operator.
與成功有約 29.01.2025
Without trust, the best we can do is compromise; without trust, we lack the credibility for open, mutual learning and communication and real creativity.
credibility: the quality that somebody/something has that makes people believe or trust them
springboard: something that helps you start an activity, especially by giving you ideas
courtesy: DJ[ˋkə:tisi]
torpedo: to completely destroy the possibility that something could succeed
maliciously: in a way that shows a desire to harm somebody or hurt their feelings, caused by a feeling of hate
obedient: doing what you are told to do; willing to obey
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
2025年1月28日星期二
Six sections
「儲秀Highlights」分區得名紫禁城內廷西六宮之一的儲秀宮，有「存儲秀麗」之意，主要陳列香港故宮文化博物館及相關展覽的文創產品。
Chǔ xiù fēnqū dé míng zǐjìnchéng nèitíng xī liù gōng zhī yī de chǔ xiù gōng, yǒu cúnchú xiùlì zhī yì, zhǔyào chénliè xiānggǎng gùgōng wénhuà bówùguǎn jí xiāngguān zhǎnlǎn de wén chuàng chǎnpǐn
「拾趣Gems」分區陳列各類精品，特別是香港與外地設計師原創系列及典藏精品，期望訪客遇上匠心獨運的設計，拾取意趣，邂逅意外之喜。
Shíqù fēnqū chénliè gè lèi jīngpǐn, tèbié shì xiānggǎng yǔ wàidì shèjì shī yuánchuàng xìliè jí diǎncáng jīngpǐn, qīwàng fǎngkè yù shàng jiàngxīn dú yùn de shèjì, shíqǔ yìqù, xièhòu yìwài zhī xǐ
「漱芳Gallery」分區得名自紫禁城內漱芳齋，為重華宮宴集演戲之所。乾隆年間，皇帝每歲新正都會在此開筆書福，取意吉祥，故該區重點陳列節慶明信片、郵票及複製畫作等。
Shù fāng fēnqū dé míng zì zǐjìnchéng nèi shù fāng zhāi, wéizhòng huá gōng yàn jí yǎnxì zhī suǒ. Qiánlóng niánjiān, huángdì měi suì xīn zhēng dūhuì zài cǐ kāibǐ shū fú, qǔ yì jíxiáng, gù gāi qū zhòngdiǎn chénliè jiéqìng míngxìnpiàn, yóupiào jí fùzhì huàzuò děng
「博觀Books」分區打造成古代書房的雅緻場景，陳列逾500冊故宮及中國文化相關的中英文出版物，包括商務印書館出版的《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集》、《故宮三寶》等長銷及暢銷好書，冀訪客開啟歷史之門，博覽群書，增廣見聞。
Bó guān fēnqū dǎzào chéng gǔdài shūfáng de yǎzhi chǎngjǐng, chénliè yú 500 cè gùgōng jí zhōngguó wénhuà xiāngguān de zhōng yīngwén chūbǎn wù, bāokuò shāngwù yìn shūguǎn chūbǎn de gùgōng bówùyuàn zàng wénwù zhēnpǐn quánjí, gùgōng sānbǎo děng cháng xiāo jí chàngxiāo hǎo shū, jì fǎngkè kāiqǐ lìshǐ zhī mén, bólǎn qún shū, zēng guǎng jiànwén
「禊賞Lane」分區得名紫禁城寧壽宮花園之禊賞亭，有「曲水流觴」之趣。曲水流觴是古代文人墨客詩酒唱酬的雅事，配以此區的修長走廊式造型及故宮特色陶瓷及擺設等陳設物品，盡顯賞玩唱和之雅興。
Xì shǎng fēnqū dé míng zǐjìnchéng níng shòu gōng huāyuán zhī xì shǎng tíng, yǒu qū shuǐliú shāng zhī qù. Qū shuǐliú shāng shì gǔdài wénrén mòkè shī jiǔ chàngchóu de yǎ shì, pèi yǐ cǐ qū de xiūcháng zǒuláng shì zàoxíng jí gùgōng tèsè táocí jí bǎishè děng chénshè wùpǐn, jǐn xiǎn shǎngwán chànghè zhī yǎxìng
最後一個分區「未央Garden」，取「未盡」之意，陳列故宮相關設計的家居小品、服飾及玩具等，選品由藝文延展至日常，意指藝術與生活相伴相生，綿延不息。
Zuìhòu yīgè fēnqū wèiyāng, qǔ wèi jìn zhī yì, chénliè gùgōng xiāngguān shèjì de jiājū xiǎopǐn, fúshì jí wánjù děng, xuǎn pǐn yóu yì wén yánzhǎn zhì rìcháng, yì zhǐ yìshù yǔ shēnghuó xiāngbàn xiāngshēng, miányán bù xī
Architectural Features of HKPM
The Hong Kong Palace Museum, designed by Rocco Design Architects Associates, is a stunning architectural marvel. Here are some of its key features:
Vertical stacking: The museum is designed with three atria stacked vertically, drawing visitors up through the building. The design references the dense urban fabric of Hong Kong and preserves open space on the ground level.
Panoramic views: Each atrium offers different views - the entrance atrium faces east towards the Xiqu Centre, the South Atrium offers views of Hong Kong's skyline, and the Western Atrium looks towards Lantau Island and the South China Sea.
Bronze ceiling: The undulating bronze ceiling is a contemporary interpretation of the glazed roof tiles of the Forbidden City, adding a unique sculptural element to the museum.
Central axis concept: Inspired by the horizontal axis of the Forbidden City, the museum features a vertical central axis with the interconnected courtyards.
Cultural symbolism: The nine-square grid structural layout and the use of the number nine, which symbolizes royalty in Chinese culture, are subtly incorporated intro the design.
Main entrance: The main entrance doors, inspired by the Imperial Palace, use glass beads instead of copper nails, allowing light to filter in at night.
Color scheme: The museum uses crimson red to signal focal points, similar to the Forbidden City.
Microsoft Copilot
與成功有約 28.01.2025
endowments: [countable, usually plural] a quality or an ability that you are born with
trait: DJ[treit]
harmonious: arranged together in a way that is pleasant because each part goes well with the others
duplicity: dishonest behavior that is intended to make somebody believe something that is not true
cornerstone: a stone at the corner of the base of a building, often laid in a special ceremony
Maturity is the balance between courage and consideration...The definition of emotional maturity is the ability to express one's own feelings and convictions balanced with consideration for the thoughts and feeling of others.
成熟是勇氣和關心別人之間的平衡......情感成熟的定義是能夠表達自己的感受和信念，同時又能兼顧他人的想法和感受。
profound: very great; felt or experienced very strongly
conviction: a strong opinion or belief
complementary: two people or things that are complementary are different but together form a useful or attractive combination of skills, qualities or physical features
ingrained (in somebody/something) (of a habit, an attitude, etc.) that has existed for a long time and is therefore difficult to change
You not only have to be empathic, you have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, you have to be brave.
您不僅要有同理心，還要有自信。您不僅要體貼、敏感，還要勇敢。
credentials: the qualities, training or experience that make you suitable to do something
seniority: the fact of being older or of a higher rank than others
affiliation: one group or organization’s official connection with another
scarcity: if there is a scarcity of something, there is not enough of it and it is difficult to obtain it
zero-sum game: a situation in which what is gained by one person or group is lost by another person or group
windfall: an amount of money that somebody/something wins or receives unexpectedly
insubordination: the act of refusing to obey orders or show respect for somebody who has a higher rank
People with a scarcity mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit---even with those who help in the production...The abundance mentality, on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity.
擁有匱乏心態的人很難與人分享認同和榮譽、權力或利益——甚至與那些幫助您的人也是如此......另一方面，豐盛心態是源自於內心深處的個人價值感和安全感。這個模式︰外面有很多東西，每個人都有足夠的資源。它的結果是分享聲望、認同、利益和決策，開啟了可能性、選擇、替代方案和創造力。
likewise: the same; in a similar way
chariot: an open vehicle with two wheels, pulled by horses, used in ancient times in battle and for racing
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月23日星期四
IDE
An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. It typically includes:
Code editor: A text editor that supports code writing and offers features like syntax highlighting, code completion, and error detection.
Compiler: Tools to convert the written code into executable programs.
Debugger: Tools to help find and fix errors in the code.
Build automation tools: Tools to automate tasks like compiling, testing, and deploying applications.
Version control: Integration with version control systems like Git for managing code changes and collaboration.
Graphical user interface: An easy-to-use interface to interact with various tools and features.
Some popular IDEs include:
Visual Studio Code: Known for its versatility and wide range of extensions.
PyCharm: Specifically designed for Python development.
Microsoft Copilot
《The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People》23.01.2025
committed: willing to work hard and give your time and energy to something; believing strongly in something
dichotomy: a division or contrast between two groups or things that are completely opposite to and different from each other
Win/Win sees life as a cooperative, not a competitive arena. Most people tend to think in terms of dichotomies: strong or weak, hardball or softball, win or lose. But that kind of thinking is fundamentally flawed. It's based on power and position rather than on principle. Win/Win is based on the paradigm that there is plenty for everybody, that one person's success is not achieved at the expense or exclusion of the success of others.
雙贏將人生視為一個合作而非競爭的舞台。大多數人傾向於二分法思考：強或弱、贏或輸。但這種思考方式根本上是有缺陷的。它是基於權力和地位而非原則。雙贏是建立在人人有份的模式上，一個人的成功不是建基於別人的失敗上。
mentality: the particular attitude or way of thinking of a person or group
intrinsically: in a way that belongs to or is part of the real nature of somebody/something
Whenever love is given on a conditional basis, when someone has to earn love, what's being communicated to them is that they are not intrinsically valuable or lovable.
無論何時，當愛是有條件地給予，當某人必須贏得愛時，傳達給他們的訊息就是：他們本質上沒有價值，也不值得愛。
conformity: behavior or actions that follow the accepted rules of society
extrinsic: not belonging naturally to somebody/something; coming from or existing outside somebody/something rather than within them
coast: to move, especially down a hill, without using any power
litigious: too ready to take arguments to court
adversarial: (especially of political or legal systems) involving people who are in opposition and who argue against each other
Most of life is an interdependent, not an independent, reality. Most results you want depend on cooperation between you and others. And the Win/Lose mentality is dysfunctional to that cooperation.
生活大都是相互依存的現實，而不是獨立的。您想要的結果大都取決於您與他人之間的合作。而贏/輸的心態對於這種合作是失衡的。
appease: to make somebody calmer or less angry by giving them what they want
conviction: a strong opinion or belief
intimidated: feeling frightened and not confident in a particular situation
ego: your sense of your own value and importance
Lose/Win is worse than Win/Lose because it has no standard---no demands, no expectations, no vision. People who think Lose/Win are usually quick to please or appease. They seek strength from popularity or acceptance. They have little courage to express their own feelings and convictions and easily intimidated by the ego strength of others.
Lose/Win 比 Win/Lose 更糟糕，因為它沒有標準--沒有要求、沒有期望、沒有願景。慣常處於 「輸/贏 」的人時時急於取悅或安撫別人。他們從受歡迎或被接受中尋求力量。他們沒有勇氣表達自己的感受和信念，也很容易被別人的自我力量所嚇倒。
capitulation: the act of accepting that you have been defeated by an enemy or opponent
give in: to admit that you have been defeated by somebody/something
permissiveness: the fact of allowing or showing a freedom of behavior that many people do not approve of
indulgence: the state or act of having or doing whatever you want; the state of allowing somebody to have or do whatever they want
psychosomatic: (of an illness) caused by stress and worry, rather than by a physical problem such as an infection
reincarnation: a fresh embodiment
resentment: a feeling of anger or unhappiness about something that you think is unfair
disillusioned: disappointed because the person you admired or the idea you believed to be good and true now seems without value
repress: to try not to have or show an emotion, a feeling, etc.
disproportionate: too large or too small when compared with something else
rage: a feeling of violent anger that is difficult to control
provocation: the act of doing or saying something deliberately in order to make somebody angry or upset
cynical: contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives
contemptuously: manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval
transcend: to be or go beyond the usual limits of something
chaotic: DJ[keiˋɔtik]
outset: at/from the beginning of something
inconsiderate: careless of the rights or feelings of others
undermine: to make something, especially somebody’s confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective
resolve: a determined desire to achieve something
vindictive: showing a strong and unreasonable desire to harm or upset somebody because you think that they have harmed you
revenge: something that you do in order to make somebody suffer because they have made you suffer
When two Win/Lose people get together---that is, when two determined, stubborn, ego-invested individuals interact---the result will be Lose/Lose. Both will lose.
當兩個 「贏/輸 」的人走在一起，當兩個堅定、固執、重自尊的人互動時，結果就是 「輸/輸」。兩個人都會輸。
compliance: the practice of obeying rules or requests made by people in authority
obsess: to completely fill your mind so that you cannot think of anything else, in a way that is not reasonable or normal
Some people become so centered on an enemy, so totally obsessed with the behavior of another person that they become blind to everything except their desire for that person to lose, even if it means losing themselves.
有些人常以敵人為中心，如此完全著迷於另一個人的行為，以至於他們對一切都視而不見，只希望那個人輸掉，即使這意味著失去自己。
miserable: very unhappy or uncomfortable
Of these five philosophies discussed so far---Win/Win, Win/Lose, Lose/Win, Lose/Lose, and Win---which is the most effective? The answer is, "It depends."... The best choice, then, depends on reality. The challenge is to read that reality accurately and not to translate Win/Lose or other scripting into every situation.
目前所討論的這五種概念——雙贏、贏輸、輸贏、雙輸和贏中，哪一種最有效？答案是「視情況而定」……那麼，最佳選擇取決於現實。我們面臨的挑戰是準確地解讀現實，而不是將 Win/Lose 或其他概念轉換到每一種情況中。
viable: that can be done; that will be successful
Most situations, in fact, are part of an interdependent reality, and then Win/Win is really the only viable alternative of the five.
大多數情況都是相互依存的現實，那麼雙贏就真的是五種選擇中唯一可行的選擇。
And if I focus on my own Win and don't even consider your point of view, there's no basis for any kind of productive relationship.
如果我只專注於我自己的勝利，甚至不考慮您的觀點，那麼我們之間就沒有任何有成果關係的基礎。
lease: a legal agreement that allows you to use a building, a piece of equipment or some land for a period of time, usually in return for rent
conciliatory: having the intention or effect of making angry people calm
trample: to step heavily on somebody/something so that you damage or harm them/it with your feet
seethe: to be extremely angry about something but to try not to show other people how angry you are
agreeable: pleasant and easy to like
up front: in a forward position
liberated: free from the limits of traditional ideas about social and sexual behavior
hammer out: to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made
dividend: great advantages or profits
prosper: to develop in a successful way; to be successful, especially in making money
But in many cases, it is possible to go into negotiation with a full Win/Win or No Deal attitude. And the freedom in that attitude is incredible.
在許多情況下，我們可以抱著完全雙贏或不成交的態度進行協商。而這種態度所帶來的自由是難以置信的。
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
www.merriam-webster.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月22日星期三
與成功有約 22.01.2025
paradigm: DJ[ˋpærədaim]
overdrawn: (of a person) having taken more money out of your bank account than you have in it
assure: to tell somebody that something is definitely true or is definitely going to happen, especially when they have doubts about it
racehorse: a horse that is bred and trained to run in races
Bermuda: islands in the western Atlantic east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; a self-governing British colony; capital Hamilton area 20 square miles (52 square kilometers)
idyllic: peaceful and beautiful; perfect, without problems
fleecy: made of soft material, like the wool coat of a sheep; looking like this
flawed: having a flaw; not perfect or correct
antidote: anything that takes away the effects of something unpleasant
janitor: a person whose job is to take care of a building such as a school or a block of flats or an apartment building
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
www.merriam-webster.com
2025年1月21日星期二
明報社評
法庭秉公判案顯法治 政府國安權力須慎用
法律年度開啟典禮昨天舉行，終審法院首席法官張舉能致辭，強調法庭會一如既往堅守無罪推定、公平審訊等法律原則，處理涉及國安的案件。過去一年，法庭審理了「四十七人案」、「屠龍案」等多宗國安相關的敏感案件，今年稍後又要就黎智英案作裁決，每一宗案件都備受關注，法庭要在保障基本權利與維護國安之間尋求平衡，並非易事，個別裁決引發爭議並不令人意外，然而若因為裁決不稱心，就去質疑本港現行司法制度和法治情況，明顯是以偏概全。香港奉行普通法，司法獨立獲肯定，法律制度具韌性，這些都是香港核心優勢所在，面對惡意不公指控，當局更應致力彰顯香港是一個講法治和尊重公民權利的地方。
與成功有約 21.01.2025
stumbling block: something that causes problems and prevents you from achieving your aim
P/PC: production/production capability
When parents see their children's problems as opportunities to build the relationship instead of as negative, burdensome irritations, it totally changes the nature of parent-child interaction.
當父母將子女的問題視為建立親子關係的機會，而非負面、沉重的煩惱時，就會完全改變親子互動的本質。
Any time a customer comes into a department store with a problem, no matter how small, the staff immediately see it as an opportunity to build the relationship with the customer.
任何時候，顧客進入某百貨公司，他/她帶著疑問，無論問題大小，店員都會立即將其視為與顧客建立關係的機會。
truncate: to make something shorter, especially by cutting off the top or end
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月18日星期六
明周文化
I人之境
內向學生假裝E人才會被重視？
教師和心理學家拆解香港學校課程設計
評核方式為何偏好外向性格
「I人對住好多人真係好」、「作為E人，每次遇到新嘅人都好想瘋狂傾偈」、「I人喜歡的東西︰沒人的電梯、不聊天的理髮師、不愛講話的Uber司機；E人喜歡的東西︰I人！」……在網上討論區及社交平台，這種關於「I人」、「E人」性格差別的分享頗為常見。「I」及「E」這兩個名詞源於MBTI十六型人格測試的性格劃分指標，分別意為Introversion(內向型)及Extraversion(外向型)性格。
兩種性格的差異，在網上可被當作有趣玩笑；不過在學校裏，這種差異卻可能造就迴異的命運。在香港，由幼兒園入學試到大學評核方式，都看重擅長交際、善於表達的外向性格特質。內向的小孩，不但在激烈的入學競爭之中失去優勢；也可能因無法適應學校著重表達、演講或討論的評核方式，導致不被看見。I人學生在這樣的環境下，如何生存和成長？
2025年1月16日星期四
《The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People》16.01.2025
strings: special conditions or limits
affirm: to state clearly that something is true
imperative: a thing that is very important and needs immediate attention or action
permissive: allowing or showing a freedom of behavior that many people do not approve of
plead: to ask somebody for something in a very strong and serious way
As you go through life, you have the potential to mature from a paradigm of dependence, independence and interdependence; you must reach each one before you can progress to the next. This sequence is called the Maturity Continuum.
prestigious: respected and admired as very important or of very high quality
precede: to happen before something or come before something/somebody in order
subtle: not very obvious or easy to notice
resolve: a determined desire to achieve something
renounce: to state publicly that you no longer have a particular belief or that you will no longer behave in a particular way
The Charter describes the Secretary-General as "chief administrative officer" of the Organization, who shall act in that capacity and perform "such other functions as are entrusted" to them by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs.
entrust: to make somebody responsible for doing something or taking care of somebody
diligently: in a way that shows care and effort in your work or duties
salvation: a way of protecting somebody from danger, disaster, loss, etc.
profound: very great
humility: the quality of not thinking that you are better than other people
steel: to prepare yourself to deal with something unpleasant
anticipation: the fact of seeing that something might happen in the future and perhaps doing something about it now
jeopardize DJ[ˋdʒepədaiz]: to risk harming or destroying something/somebody
acknowledge: to accept that something is true
disunity: a lack of agreement between people
complementary: two people or things that are complementary are different but together form a useful or attractive combination of skills, qualities or physical features
Dag Hammarskjöld, past secretary-general of the United Nations, once made a profound, far-reaching statement: "It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses."
聯合國前任秘書長達格．哈馬舍爾德曾說過一句意味深長的話：「把自己完全奉獻給一個人，比為了拯救群眾、辛勤勞動更高尚。」
Creating the unity necessary to run an effective business or a family or a marriage requires great personal strength and courage. No amount of technical administrative skill in laboring for the masses can make up for lack of nobility of personal character in developing relationships. It is at a very essential, one-on-one level that we live the primary laws of love and life.
要創建一個有效運營的企業、家庭或婚姻所須的團結，需要極大的個人力量和勇氣。在為大眾服務的過程中，再多的行政管理技術，都無法彌補忽略發展核心人際關係的缺失。在一對一的基本層次上，我們才真正地實踐愛與生命的基本法則。
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Red meat and Dementia
Red meat and brain health: Studies have shown that consuming red meat, especially processed red meat like bacon and sausages, is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. This is thought to be due to the high levels of saturated fat and harmful additives in processed meats.
Iron and oxidation: Red meat is rich in heme iron, which can contribute to oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which can damage cells and tissues, including those in the brain.
Healthier alternatives: Replacing red meat with healthier protein sources like nuts, fish, and legumes can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. These alternatives are lower in saturated fat and harmful additives, and they provide essential nutrients that support brain health.
紅肉與大腦健康： 研究顯示，食用紅肉，尤其是加工過的紅肉，例如煙肉和香腸，與認知能力衰退和失智症風險有關。這被認為是因為加工肉類含有大量飽和脂肪和有害的添加物。
鐵和氧化： 紅肉含有豐富的血紅素鐵，會造成人體氧化壓力。氧化壓力是自由基和抗氧化劑的不平衡，會損害細胞和組織，包括腦部的細胞和組織。
更健康的替代品： 以堅果、魚類和豆類等較健康的蛋白質來源取代紅肉，可降低認知能力衰退和失智症的風險。這些替代品的飽和脂肪和有害添加物含量較低，而且能提供有助於大腦健康的必要營養素。
Microsoft Copilot
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
Closing the email
Sincerely,
formal email, to someone you do not know
Kind Regards,
formal email, to someone you know
2025年1月15日星期三
2025年1月14日星期二
Single Dollar Sign in Excel
A$1 (relative column and absolute row)
$A1 (absolute column and relative row)
support.microsoft.com
Table salt and water intake
假如有一天攝取較多食鹽，飲多一些清水會有幫助嗎？
是的，喝更多的清水有助平衡體內攝取過多的食鹽。當你攝取過多的食鹽，身體會保留更多的水分來稀釋多餘的鈉，可能會導致腫脹和水腫。喝更多的水有助沖淡體內的鹽分，並促進腎臟排出多餘的鈉。不過，最好還是注意飲食中鹽分的攝取，保持均衡飲食。
If I consume too much table salt occasionally, is it a good idea to drink more water in order to help the body to excrete excess sodium?
Yes, drinking more water can help your body to excrete excess sodium. When you consume a lot of salt, your body retains water to maintain a balance. By drinking more water, you can help your kidneys flush out the excess sodium through urine.
However, it is important to maintain a balance and not to overconsume salt regularly. Too much sodium can lead to health issues like high blood pressure. If you find yourself consuming too much salt often, you might consider adjusting your diet to include more fresh fruits and vegetables, which are naturally low in sodium.
Microsoft Copilot
《與成功有約》14.01.2025
People can seek to understand, remember the little things, keep their promises, clarify and fulfill expectations, and still fail to build reserves of trust if they are inwardly duplicitous.
人們可以尋求理解、記住小事、信守承諾、釐清並實現期望，但如果他們內心是表裡不一，他們仍然無法與其他人建立信任。
inwardly: in your mind; secretly
duplicitous: dishonest in a way that is intended to make somebody believe something that is not true
conform: to behave and think in the same way as most other people in a group or society
oneness: the state of being completely united with somebody/something, or of being in complete agreement with somebody
One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present. When you defend those who are absent, you retain the trust of those present.
彰顯正直的最重要方法之一，就是忠於不在現場的人。如此一來，我們就能建立在場人士的信任。當您維護不在場的人時，您就能得到在場的人對您的信任。
duplicity: dishonest behavior that is intended to make somebody believe something that is not true
betray: to hurt somebody who trusts you, especially by lying to or about them or telling their secrets to other people
privileged: having special rights or advantages that most people do not have
strangle: to kill somebody by pressing their throat and neck hard, especially with your fingers
You treat everyone by the same set of principles. As you do, people will come to trust you. They may not at first appreciate the honest confrontational experiences such integrity might generate. Confrontation takes considerable courage, and many people would prefer to take the course of least resistance, belittling and criticizing, betraying confidences, or participating in gossip about others behind their backs.
您應以相同的原則對待每個人。當您這樣做時，人們就會開始信任您。他們一開始可能不會欣賞這種誠實的直面應對。直面應對需要相當大的勇氣，而許多人寧願採取阻力最小的方式，輕視和批評、背信棄義，或在背後參與他人的流言蜚語。
belittle: to make somebody, or the things that somebody does, seem unimportant
reveal: to make something known to somebody
deceptive: likely to make you believe something that is not true
guile: the use of clever but dishonest behavior in order to trick people
Integrity also means avoiding any communication that is deceptive, full of guile, or beneath the dignity of people.
正直也意味著避免任何欺騙、充滿詭詐或有損他人尊嚴的溝通。
pity: a sad feeling caused by the pain and troubles of others
justified: having a good reason for doing something
uttermost: greatest; most extreme
farthing: in the past, a British coin worth one quarter of an old penny
wane: to become gradually weaker or less important
dejected: unhappy and disappointed
overdrawn: (of a person) having taken more money out of your bank account than you have in it
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月13日星期一
《與成功有約》13.01.2025
Keeping a commitment or a promise is a major deposit; breaking one is a major withdrawal.
livelihood: a means of earning money in order to live
sparingly: in a way that is careful to use or give only a little of something
contingency: an event that may or may not happen; the fact that events are not certain
Occasionally, despite all my effort, the unexpected does come up, creating a situation where it would be unwise or impossible to keep a promise I have made. But I value that promise. I either keep it anyway, or explain the situation thoroughly to the person involved and ask to be released from the promise.
偶爾，儘管我盡了所有的努力，還是會有意想不到的事情發生，導致我無法或不可能遵守我所許下的承諾。但是我很珍惜這個承諾。無論如何，我都會遵守承諾，或是向當事人徹底解釋情況，並懇求體諒。
delegate: a person who is chosen or elected to represent the views of a group of people and vote and make decisions for them
Unclear expectations in the area of goals also undermine communication and trust.
目標方面的期望不清晰會破壞溝通和信任。
undermine: to make something, especially somebody’s confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective
The cause of almost all relationship difficulties is rooted in conflicting or ambiguous expectations around roles and goals.
幾乎所有(工作上的)人際關係的困境，都源自於圍繞角色和目標的衝突或模糊(期望)。
We create many negative situations by simply assuming that our expectations are self-evident and that they are clearly understood and shared by other people.
我們簡單地假設自己的期望是不言而喻的，而且假定其他人也清楚了解並認同我們的期望，因而製造了許多(不必要的)負面情況。
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
明報專訊
洛杉磯山火東延 威脅著名美術館
市長、消防局長同場現身記者會 炒人傳聞下示團結
美國洛杉磯世紀山火仍未受控，截至上周六(十一日)死亡人數增至最少十六人，另有十三人失蹤。最嚴重的「斷崖山火」向東蔓延，當局上周六將疏散令擴大至高尚住宅區布倫特伍德和貝萊爾，涵蓋着無價館藏的藝術(Yìshù)蓋蒂中心，而位於布倫特伍德東面的加州大學洛杉磯分校(UCLA)亦可能隨時要疏散。洛杉磯消防局長克勞利上周五抱怨消防局資金短缺影響運作後，有傳她被洛杉磯市長巴斯革職，惟上周六二人同時出席記者會粉碎傳聞。
洛杉磯縣六場山火中最嚴重的「斷崖山火」(Palisades Fire)，火場面積在二十四小時內增加四百公頃，更多房屋被毀。加州消防官員霍普金斯上周六稱斷崖山火已燒毀約八千九百公頃土地，並蔓延至曼德維爾峽谷(Mandeville Canyon)區，有波及布倫特伍德(Brentwood)的風險。
The Palisades Fire is a wildfire burning in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County in Southern California which has killed at least 24 people.
wikipedia.org
2025年1月12日星期日
《與成功有約》12.01.2025
The little kindnesses and courtesies are so important. Small discourtesies, little unkindnesses, little forms of disrespect make large withdrawals. In relationships, the little things are the big things.
小小的善意和禮貌是如此重要。小的不禮貌、小的不友善、小形式的不尊重會造成重大的提取人情。在人際關係中，小事就是大事。
wrestling: a sport in which two people fight by holding each other and trying to throw or force their opponent to the ground
orangeade: a sweet drink that tastes of orange. In the UK it always has bubbles in it; in the US it can be with or without bubbles.
tuck: to cover by tucking in bedclothes
trampoline: a piece of equipment that is used in gymnastics for doing jumps in the air. It consists of a sheet of strong material that is attached by springs to a frame.
somersault: a movement in which somebody turns over completely, with their feet over their head, on the ground or in the air
tender: easy to bite through and cut
calloused: made rough and hard, usually by hard work
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
www.merriam-webster.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月11日星期六
Difference
Effective: This refers to achieving a desired outcome or goal. If something is effective, it means it successfully produces the intended result. For example, a marketing campaign that increases sales is considered effective.
Efficient: This refers to achieving a goal with the least amount of wasted resources, such as time, money, or effort. If something is efficient, it means it accomplishes the task in the best possible way with minimal waste. For example, a manufacturing process that uses fewer materials and less energy is considered efficient.
In summary, being effective is about doing the right things to achieve a goal, while being efficient is about doing things in the right way to minimize waste.
Copilot for work
Artificial Photosynthesis
Revolutionary Gel for Clean Fuel: Scientists from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the University of Tokyo have developed a bioinspired hydrogel that mimics natural photosynthesis. This hydrogel uses sunlight to efficiently produce hydrogen from water, offering a promising solution for clean energy production.
Copilot for work
用於潔淨燃料的凝膠：來自日本北陸先端科學技術大學院大學和東京大學的科學家開發了一種生物所啟發的水凝膠，可模仿自然光合作用。這種水凝膠利用陽光從水中有效地產生氫氣，為清潔能源的生產提供了一個很有前景的解決方案。
Translated with DeepL and edited
2025年1月10日星期五
植物油與薯片
Frying potato chips in vegetable oil can produce harmful substances. One of the main concerns is the formation of acrylamide, a chemical that forms when starchy foods like potatoes are cooked at high temperatures, such as frying or baking. Acrylamide has been linked to cancer in animal studies, though the evidence in humans is not as clear.
To reduce the formation of acrylamide, you can fry foods at lower temperatures, avoid overcooking them to a dark brown color, and soak potato slices in water before frying.
When vegetable oils are heated beyond their smoking point, they can undergo oxidation, leading to the formation of harmful compounds. It may pose health risks if consumed frequently. To minimize the risk, we can use oils with higher smoke points, such as avocado or peanut oil.
Copilot for work and edited
用植物油煎炸薯片會產生有害物質。其中一個主要的顧慮是丙烯酰胺的形成，這是一種在馬鈴薯等澱粉質食物經過煎炸或烘烤等高溫烹調時形成的化學物質。在動物實驗中，丙烯酰胺與癌症有關，但在人類身上的證據則不太清楚。
為了減少丙烯酰胺的形成，您可以使用較低的溫度來煎炸食物，避免過度烹煮食物使其呈深褐色，並在煎炸前將馬鈴薯片浸泡在水中。
當植物油受熱超過其冒煙點時，會發生氧化作用，導致有害化合物的形成。如果經常食用，可能危害健康。為了降低風險，我們可以使用煙點較高的油，例如牛油果油或花生油。
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月8日星期三
2025年1月7日星期二
Understanding the Individual
minutiae: very small details
trivial: not important or serious; not worth considering
recommit: to entrust or consign again
avid: very enthusiastic about something (often a hobby)
precipitate: to make something, especially something bad, happen suddenly or sooner than it should
miniature: being or represented on a small scale
unto: to or towards somebody/something
One day the author shared with his friend the principle of making what is important to the other person as important to you as the other person is to you.
有一天，作者和他的朋友分享了一個原則：讓對方重要的事情對你來說也一樣重要。
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
www.merriam-webster.com
Translated with the help of DeepL
2025年1月6日星期一
《與成功有約》06.01.2025
courtesy: polite behavior that shows respect for other people
commitment: a promise to do something or to behave in a particular way; a promise to support somebody/something
offender: a person who commits a crime
arbitrary: (of an action, a decision, a rule, etc.) not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair
betray: to give information about somebody/something to an enemy
minefield: an area of land or water where mines (= bombs that explode when they are touched) have been hidden
politicking: political activity, especially to win support for yourself
slam: to shut, or to make something shut, with a lot of force, making a loud noise
ego: your sense of your own value and importance
tender: kind, gentle and loving
We all know what a financial bank account is. We make deposits into it and build up a reserve from which we can make withdrawals when we need to. An Emotional Bank Account is a metaphor that describes the amount of trust that is been built up in a relationship. It is the feeling of safeness you have with another human being.
If I make deposits into an Emotional Bank Account with you through courtesy, kindness, honesty, and keeping my commitments to you, I build up a reserve.
Probably the most important deposit you could make would be just to listen, without judging or preaching or reading your own autobiography into what he says. Just listen and seek to understand. Let him (your son) feel your concern for him, your acceptance of him as a person.
我們都知道什麼是銀行帳戶。我們存款並建立儲備，需要時從中提款。情感戶口是一個比喻，用來描述在一段關係中建立起來的信任程度。如果我透過禮貌、親切、誠實和信守對您的承諾，向您的情感銀行帳戶存款，我就建立了儲備。您所能存入的最重要的存款可能就是聆聽，不要批判或說教，只要傾聽並尋求了解，讓別人感受到你對他的關心。
preach: to tell people about a particular religion, way of life, system, etc. in order to persuade them to accept it
mirage: an effect caused by hot air in deserts or on roads, that makes you think you can see something, such as water, which is not there
ingratitude: the state of not feeling or showing that you are grateful for something
Remember that quick fix is a mirage. Building and repairing relationships takes time.
Stephen R. Covey "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Online Dictionaries Used:
hk.dictionary.search.yahoo.com
www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月5日星期日
Hand dryer and spread of flu
The use of hand dryers in public restrooms has been a topic of debate regarding their potential to spread viruses and bacteria. Research indicates that high-speed jet air dryers can spread more germs compared to traditional warm air dryers and paper towels. This is because the powerful air streams can blow bacteria and viruses from hands and surfaces into the air, increasing the risk of contamination.
However, it is important to note that proper handwashing is crucial in preventing the spread of germs. Drying hands thoroughly, regardless of the method, is an essential step in maintaining hygiene.
Copilot of work
在公共洗手間使用乾手機是否會傳播病毒和細菌一直是爭論的話題。研究指出，相較於傳統的暖風乾手機和紙巾，高速噴射式空氣乾手機可能散播更多細菌。這是因為強大的氣流可以將手上和(機身)表面的細菌和病毒吹到空氣中，增加污染的風險。
不過，必須注意的是，正確的洗手方式對於防止細菌傳播是非常重要的。無論使用何種方法，徹底擦乾雙手都是保持衛生的必要步驟。
Translated with the help of DeepL and edited
2025年1月4日星期六
明周文化
諾獎文學獎得主韓江︰
為何世界如此暴力和美麗
剖析三部著作的人性拷問
二零二四年的諾貝爾文學獎由南韓作家韓江摘下桂冠，成為首位奪得該獎的南韓作家及亞洲女性作家。韓江的作品聚焦韓國社會狀況，譬如《素食者》呈現受父權壓迫的女子，《少年來了》及《永不告別》分別以光州事件及濟州四三事件的血腥歷史為藍本書寫世代創傷。瑞典學院讚揚她「以熾熱且詩意的文體直面歷史創傷，同時揭露人類生命的脆弱」。
《素食者》由三個章節構成，每章分別以不同的視角刻畫行為日趨極端的素食者英惠。在她斷絕食物的過程中，融合了關於暴力、美、欲望、罪和救贖的疑問。
book.com.tw
光州事件，是1980年5月18日至27日期間在韓國光州發生的民主運動。當地市民和學生自發性組織起來，反對當時掌握軍權的全斗煥的獨裁統治。全斗煥下令以武力鎮壓，造成大量平民和學生死亡和受傷。
濟州四三事件發生於1948年至1954年，是韓國濟州島上的一場大規模鎮壓與圍剿叛亂事件。政府軍及警察進行了長達六年的鎮壓，導致大量平民死亡。這場事件長期被掩蓋，直到二零零零年才開始進行真相調查。
Copilot for work and summarized
2025年1月3日星期五
明報社評
牙科街症改革用意雖好
實際操作問題有待改善
衛生署牙科街症服務，本周一起改採網上抽籤，基層市民及長者長時間排隊輪候街症的情況，確是從此絕迹，惟亦引來一些新的疑問和關注，例如中籤者臨場缺席浪費珍貴公共資源、牙患嚴重病人因抽籤欠運耽誤治療等。本港牙醫短缺，公營牙科情況尤其嚴重，以往市民捱更抵夜排隊輪候，原因正是牙科街症名額嚴重不足，釜底抽薪之道，始終是增加牙醫人手。政府銳意改革牙科護理服務，盼以更公平方式，聚焦服務弱勢社群，用意用心很好，與此同時，當局也須密切留意改革措施「落地」情況，理順實際操作各種問題，改善機制安排，確保改革符合用家需要，避免「一法立一弊生」。
「釜底抽薪」指從鍋底抽掉柴火，沒了熱源，開水自然也就不會沸騰了。比喻從根本上解決問題。
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)