Vocabulary Challenge 20: https://tw.voicetube.com/everyday/20190710
Script:
Do you always see the same thing on FB? People consistently have the same opinions around you and those who are different are made fun of or dismissed. This is called an echo chamber effect, and you might also hear the term filter bubble, which means「同溫層」.
What are the differences?
An Eho chamber 迴聲室效應 (批評) is used much more frequently used to refer condescendingly to someone else’s failings. A filter bubble,過濾氣泡
on the other hand, is much more often used to refer to one’s own blind spots or to discuss the phenomenon in a neutral or academic way.
OK, do you think the problem of echo chamber really exists? Why or why not? How does relate to groupthink 團體迷思?
Let’s think and learn. OK, let’s move on to our sentence of the day.
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, it’s called Groupthink.
當團體內的從眾行為導致危險結果，我們稱其為團體迷思。
So let’s say this sentence again.
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, it’s called Groupthink.
Faster
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, it’s called Groupthink.
OK, you know this game. What are the possible thought groups? 「字組」
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, (1)
it’s called Groupthink. (2)
You could technically pause after “When conformity within a group” maybe a tiny pause, but since it is not a complete clause, you should say the whole clause to help listeners understand the idea.
How about intonation? 語調
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, (rise)
it’s called Groupthink.(fall)
You see, it is easier and easier now. You’re getting used to using intonation.
What about the sentence stress? 句子的重音 You could say:
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, it’s called Groupthink.
So, here, we stressed conformity because it is the key idea, we put heavier stress on dangerous because we want to emphasize how bad it can be. “Results" is stressed but not as much, and groupthink is stressed because the speaker is introducing the term. You see, it’s making sense now.
OK, it’s grammar time!!! 大家最愛的文法時間到了!!!
When conformity within a group leads to dangerous results, (rise)
it’s called Groupthink.(fall)
You can see or rather, hear, from this sentence that we typically do not use too many overly complicated sentence structures in speech. However, when clauses are often used.
I recommend you practice using
-if
-when
-because
-before/after
These subordinate clauses are quite common in speech.
OK, let’s take a break!
Do you think you are in an echo chamber on social media? An echo chamber is a way to describe a situation where only certain ideas, information, and beliefs are shared. Thus people will only find ideas they agree with and believe that everyone feels the same as them. Due to algorithmic personalization, some worry that the Internet and social media may make it easier for citizens to find themselves in an echo chamber.
However, is this really true?
Well, research has shown there are some problems with this belief. One is that most studies that discuss the negative effects of an echo chamber are conducted on a single platform like Facebook or Twitter. While one might be in an echo chamber on Facebook, they might not be so on Twitter. Individuals tend to use diverse media to access information nowadays.
Moreover, the measurement of exposure to echo chambers does not take into account what users do after being exposed to certain types of news. They might fact check or disagree with the idea completely. How they react and what they do after being exposed to controversial ideas are often not measured.
That is not to say echo chambers do not exist and that they are not dangerous, but to gain a greater understanding of how they work, we need to carry out research that does not generalize and have a more define and nuanced measurement systems.
OK, let’s get back to English learning!
| Word | Form |
| Word of the day!
1. conformity behavior that follows the usual standards that are expected by a group or society （對社會規則的）遵從，遵守；從眾 non-conformity 不遵守；從眾 an emphasis on conformity and control 強調整合和控制 conformity to… 符合…. The new government placed a heavy emphasis on conformity and control. 新政府高度重視整合和控制。 |
(n.) |
| 2. symptoms
any single problem that is caused by and shows a more serious and general problem 徵兆，徵候 experience/suffer symptoms 經歷/遭受症狀 show symptoms 顯示症狀 display/exhibit symptoms 顯示/表現症狀 severe symptoms 嚴重的症狀 mild symptoms 症狀輕微 The closing of shops and small businesses is a symptom of an upcoming recession. 商店和小企業的關閉是即將到來的經濟衰退的一個徵兆。 |
(n.) |
| 3. censor
to remove anything offensive from books, films, etc., or to remove parts considered unsuitable from private letters, especially ones sent during war or from a prison heavily censored 審查（對書、電影等進行刪改，以篩除當中冒犯粗劣的內容，也指對戰時或監獄中所寫的私人書信的檢查，刪除其中不當的部分） The book was heavily censored when first published. |
(v.) |
| 4. groupthink
the process in which bad decisions are made by a group because its members do not want to express opinions, suggest new ideas, etc. that others may disagree with: 團體迷思 Most of us thought the product wouldn’t sell, but nobody told the boss – that’s the danger of groupthink. 我們大多數人都認為產品不會銷售，但沒有人告訴老闆 – 這是團隊思考的危險。 |
(n.)
|
| 5. stereotype
a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong （尤指錯誤的）刻板印象，老套俗見，成見 racial/sexual stereotypes He doesn’t conform to/fit/fill the national stereotype of a Frenchman. |
(n.) |
OK, I’m sure you guys now know how to avoid groupthink, echo chambers, and filter bubbles. Always keep an open mind and consider diverse views and perspectives. Try to see things from other people’s viewpoints.
Today’s theme song is
When I think of conformity, I think of this song.
Eric's English Lounge 