Topic:Mass Media

TOPIC:MASS MEDIA. 

I've chosen the article, which is called "Mind over Mass Media". It's written by a famous cognitive scientist and psychologist Steven Pinker and published in the «New York Times». The article is about Mass Media and how it influences on human’s mind. The author writes that «new forms of media have always caused moral panics», beginning with printing press and ending by the Internet. But «such panics often fail basic reality checks». 

There are two groups of people with diametrically opposed points of view. The first group believes that modern technologies, especially Mass Media, influence badly on people’s mind. They claim that «search engines lower our intelligence, encouraging us to skim on the surface of knowledge rather than dive to its depths». But this argument is disputed by the author, who thinks that people’s intelligence increases due to the development of science. Yes, nowadays people learn some facts and skills every time and it changes their mind but «the existence of neural plasticity does not mean the brain is a blob of clay pounded into shape by experience». The basic information-processing capacities of the brain don’t change.

So, «the effects of consuming electronic media are also likely to be far more limited than the panic implies», - Steven Pinker writes. Media critics compare the information from the mass media with food, i.e. «you are what you eat». But if it was true Twitter postings, for example, would turn people’s thoughts into Twitter postings. The author admits that «the constant arrival of information packets can be distracting or addictive, especially to people with attention deficit disorder». But it’s not a new phenomenon. In this case people should take control over themselves and turn off their e-mail or Twitter at work, put away their phones and laptops when they eat. Steven Pinker also advices to get knowledge not from Google but in universities when it must be «maintained with constant upkeep, which we call analysis, criticism and debate». The author concludes the article with the idea that «knowledge is increasing exponentially; human brainpower and waking hours are not». He claims the Internet and information technologies help people manage, search and retrieve their collective intellectual output at different scales, from Twitter and previews to e-books and online encyclopaedias. «Far from making us stupid, these technologies are the only things that will keep us smart», - sums up Steven Pinker. 

I completely agree with the author. Modern technologies are more useful for people than harmful. They give a lot of information and help them to organise it at different levels. But at the same time it might be harmful when people become addicted to SMM such as Twitter, Facebook etc. This case occurs often in modern society, therefore people should use their gadgets carefully. I think through mass media somebody can influence on people’s minds, e.g. we get through television only the information that the government wants to give us. I suppose people mustn’t believe in everything that they read or watch. To my mind, there are only two negatives about mass media, and there are lots of pluses which are more significant. What do you think about it? Are you for or against mass media? Give your reasons. 

Topic: HEALTH. Middle-aged mothers are Britain's worst 'hidden drinkers'.

I have read the article, which is taken from a British national daily newspaper “ Daily Telegraph”. The title of the article is "Middle-aged mothers are Britain's worst "hidden drinkers. The subtitle is "Two-fifths admit drinking as much or more than their grown-up children". The author of the article is Camilla Turner. This article is devoted to the problem of health and drinking alcohol.
The author starts by telling the reader about the women who drink alcohol in large quantities because their children have left home. It is very important to understand the causes of drinking alcohol. The statistics says that survey of 500 mothers over 45 whose children had left home found that 28 per cent admitted they drank more than their children, while 14 per cent said they drank about as much.
 A quarter said they had been drinking more since their children left home. The research was funded by drugs firm Lundbeck, which makes medication that reduces the desire for alcohol. The author of the article writes that The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development this year put educated British women top of global league table of alcohol abuse. Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and medical adviser to charity Drinkaware, said that is has become more socially acceptable to drink at home, meaning people drink more than they would if they were out at a bar or pub.
“Whilst many believe it is the 20-somethings who are drinking too much, we are actually seeing an epidemic amongst British women aged 45 to 64,' she told the Daily Mail.The article goes on to say that this is the fastest-growing group of hazardous drinkers who are putting their health at risk and women in this age group seem to be drinking more alcohol, more regularly - whether at home alone or out socialising. The problem of alcohol dependence is very relevant in our time. This article is written in an easy language and everyone can understand it. The article does not contain terms and very intelligent expressions. I think everyone should read it and make a conclusion for yourself.
In the article it is said that the findings suggest that the vast majority of middle-aged women do not realise the health implications of their alcohol consumption.Some 95 per cent of those surveyed said they were not concerned about their level of drinking and did not believe it was impairing their health. So, I would like to ask my group mates a question. Нow to explain to the women that they have to worry about their health?

Social behavior

The headline of the article I have read is «'GenerationSensible': Have students become less wild and more boring?». Its author is Catriona O’Sullivan. The article is taken from a British national newspaper "The Independent". The article touches upon the unsettling change of  modern students' life. 

Catriona starts by saying that "gone are the days of excessive drinking and drug-taking, as seen in previous generations. Something is changed." Perhaps, there is a students' cautiousness now. But it can not be that money-wary, conscientious, bed-at-10 pm types are overtaking the heavy-drinking rebels.

The idea of "Generation Sensible" was discussed on BBC Radio 4's Womens' Hour, and the fact that alcohol consumption amongst younger people has fallen since the 1950s was spoken of.

Interviewing students supposed that rising cost of education made students realize that they needed to make the most of it.

The Manchester Evening News spoke to a professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, who had another view. He said that people with different perspectives on health, drinking and smoking had become less acceptable socially, liked peer pressure in reverse.

Another reporter for the Herald Scotland told about stricter age limits on social vices. He claimed these limits can’t be a reason for a cautiousness amongst the student population. When bad things are legitimised, the fun is obliterated. "The joy is in the forbidden."

The author stresses that wider society and the current economic situation affects how people interact with each other, or act on an individual basis undoubtedly. Nevertheless, Catriona hopes this generation is not so sensible after the latest trend that seems to have hit student hall is "carpet surfing".

I found this article actual, because nowadays young people have become more indifferent to all sorts of entertainment, and this fact bothers society seriously. I think the facts given in the article make to think about modern students' life.

In conclusion I would like to ask my groupmates. Do you agree to the fact that this generation is too sensible?

Topic:Art

The headline of the article is «Francisco de Pajaro: Meet the street artist proving modern art isn't a load of trash». The article was published in "The Independent" by Natasha Preskey.

The author starts by telling the reader about the Spanish artist who uses old mattresses, boxes and bin bags to create his bright, playful creations on Europe’s streets. Francisco de Pajaro describes his creations as "a little present to put a little bit of colour into the City". Further the author reports that Using everything from kebab cartons to discarded refrigerators, de Pajaro impresses with his spontaneous sculptures – all marked with the tag ‘Art is Trash’. He is keen to show modern art isn't all a load of trash. . His works has been well received. De Pajaro’s trash sculptures, accompanied with the hashtag  #artistrash, have been widely shared on social media by those lucky enough to spot them. He continues to sell paintings and drawings but makes no profit from his work on the street.

The central idea can be worded in the following way. According to author`s point of view the art is a means of communicating with people especially in a way of criticizing modern disadvantages and imperfections... Another point of view is the art everywhere. Even a trash can become a material for an artistic masterpiece with a priceless fame. Also can add that every work of art contains a message which is very meaningful for artists who always want their artworks to carry. I want to single out the key points on which the article is based. By making art out of items we throw onto the streets, de Pajaro aims to critique a society that’s always looking for perfection. "The beauty is there but there are also ugly things that are part of our environment". He describes his characters as "hurt, humiliated and ignored by society", who are "seeking justice and a less selfish world".

Nowadays this information is very actual and important especially for people who deny such art. I think, that street art is conquering the world . It is a breath of fresh air for the gray city. 

Do you agree, that the art can conquer the world? 

British "politeness"

Topic: Language peculiarities .

I have read the article , it is taken from UK national daily newspaper “The Telegraph”. The headline of the article   has immediately attracted my attention : “Translation table explaining the truth behind British politeness becomes internet hit”. The subtitle is “The British trait of being too polite to speak one's mind has led to a table translating numerous hollow English phrases becoming an internet hit”. The author of the article is Alice Philipson. 

This article is about the table which shreds light on how difficult it can be for a foreigner to understand what the British really mean . Alice Philipson writes about Britons who tend to begin a sentence "with the greatest respect ...', but they actually mean 'I think you are an idiot’.  Their innate politeness can fool a person because when they say :’you must come for dinner', which foreigners take as a direct invitation, but is actually said out of politeness and often does not result in an invite. Alice Philipson mentions that Duncan Green ,a strategic adviser for Oxfam posted the table, which has been posted on an number of blogs and has attracted thousands of comments from both Britons and foreigners claiming the interpretations are true to life, he described it as "a handy guide for our fellow Europeans and others trying to fathom weaselly Brit-speak».

It’s very interesting how diffent culture and mentality of different nationality can be . I wonder about the fact how the British can hide their rudeness under their good breeding with the help of educated speech.

To my mind British don’t really polite , they have a different way of speaking, different way of thinking ,different mind. They just can not be direct due to their nature . 

But on the other hand may be they are generally more circumspect with strangers ,especially with foreigners.

I think that this article can be very helpful for foreigners . It can teach them to be more attentive to the British  speech because they can be not as kind as they seem.

What do you think about this matter? Have you ever deal with British "politeness"?

Topic: Art

The headline of the article I have read is “Museum in Amsterdam 'bans' cameras, asks visitorsto sketch artwork instead”. It is taken from a British national daily newspaper “The Independent”. The author of the article is Jack Shepherd. This article is devoted to the campaign “Start drawing” in the museum in Amsterdam.

The author starts by telling the reader that many tourists in the museums mostly take photographs of the paintings, but they don’t look at the paintings and don’t appreciate the artwork. Their main goal is to take photographs. The article describes the “Start drawing” campaign at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Curators of this campaign hope that people will appreciate and better understand the beauty of art. The main thing is that people come to the museum and start drawing a picture. They look at the famous painting and try to sketch it. It doesn’t matter if you can’t draw. The main idea is to understand the process of drawing and its hardness. The article goes on to say that curators of this campaign hope that this campaign will help people to get close to the artist and the magic of drawing. In conclusion the author says that this campaign has its own ‘The Big Draw’ day in October, when visitors can try to be a painter and it's not necessary for them to bring special things for drawings, they are given all the necessary things like scketch pads and pencils.

I found this article very fascinating. I have never heard about anything similar to this campaign. To my mind it is very good way to attract people’s attention to art. If I had an opportunity to participate in this project, I would do it. In conclusion I’d like to ask my groupmates. Do you simply take photographs in the museums or try to appreciate beauty of art through the paintings?

Topic: Health. “Why do we get fat? The reason we put on weight”.

I have read the article, which is taken from a British national daily newspaper “The Independent”. The title of the article is “Why do we get fat? The reason we put on weight”. The subtitle is “Your body has clever systems to know how much to eat - but it can't compete with consistent over-eating”. The author of the article is Laura Mears. This article is devoted to the problem of health and eating habits.

The author starts by telling the reader about the obesity epidemic growth and stresses out the importance of understanding the causes of gaining weight. The statistics says that since 1980, worldwide obesity has more than doubled. The author of the article writes that there should be a balance between the amount of calories we get and the amount of calories we need. Laura Mears points out that if we consume more than is needed to run our body, the body stores these extra calories as fat. These fat stores can function as a reserve if we don’t eat enough, but if someone consistently over-eats, they will become overweight or obese as the body continues to store the excess calories. The author continues by saying that in order to know how much food to eat, the human body needs a way of assessing how much energy it has in storage. Leptin, also known as the ‘fat hormone’, essentially acts as a fuel gauge. The article goes on to say that it is made by fat cells and tells the brain how much fat the body contains, and whether the supplies are increasing, or being used up. A small region of the brain called the hypothalamus can either stimulate or suppress the appetite depending on leptin levels. Laura Mears emphasizes that it was originally thought that leptin could be used as a treatment for obesity. However, although it is an important regulator of food intake, appetite is affected by a variety of things, from how full the stomach is to an individual’s emotional state or food preferences. For this reason, it is easy to override the leptin message and gain weight even when fat stores are sufficient. 

The problem of healthy eating and keeping fit worries many people nowadays. I think this article would be interesting practically for everyone. Though there are some scientific facts in the article, it is not boring. The information is presented in a simple and exciting way.

In the article it is said that since 1980, worldwide obesity has more than doubled. So, I would like to ask my group mates a question. What factors cause obesity and what are the reasons of overweight in modern society?

Topic: Education

Article: www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2013/sep/11/international-students-welcome-uk-universities

The headline of the article I have read is «International students: can we  do more to welcome them?». The article is written by Paul Woods. It is published in The Guardian. The article touches upon one of the most significant problems nowadays – the problem of the international students` integration, «what we can do more to welcome them». This article is especially attractive to those who are eager to study abroad. So I am, as a student of the Faculty of foreign languages in Tula State Pedagogical University, interested too. The main author`s point is to indicate the problem of  the international students` isolation from the university community. They are «getting to grips with a different language, culture and set of customs». That is why, starting university is incredibly stressful time for them. The question is what is the best way to make international students feel welcome and settled in. According to the author`s point of view, the best way for it is the collaboration between universities and students` unions like EUSA Global at the University of  Edinburgh and World@Warwick at Warwick University.

To my mind, the article is informative and useful for the students all over the world. I agree with the author`s point of  view that the collaboration is the best way for the international student`s integration. The article so interests me that I am surfing the Internet seeking both these students` uniouns – EUSA Global and World@Warwick. I have already watched some videos about the international students` activities in these unions. The international students arrange lots of meetings and clubs, set off for various excursions and etc.

These videos are so fascinating that I have already decided to join in :)

So, I wish everyone to read the article. The question for my group mates is what else the universities should do to help the international students feel welcome.

Topic: Education. Cultural societies in British universities.

I have read the article, which is taken from a British national daily newspaper “The Guardian”. The title of the article is “International students: a guide to social success”. The subtitle is “Cultural societies provide a safe haven in your first term, but make sure you also mix with other students”. The author of the article is Natalie Gil. This article is devoted to the problem of cultural societies in British Universities: whether they are useful for students or they prevent communication between students from different countries.

The author of the article writes that all freshers worry about making friends when they start university. Natalie Gil believes that great starting points in those first weeks are the societies that represent your culture. Further the author says that the goal of culture and language societies is to bring together students with shared heritage and provide an anchor in a daunting new environment. But Natalie stresses that these societies can make students less inclined to broaden their social circles. Further the author writes about what some members of cultural societies think about this problem. She emphasizes that Chris Lee, the Hong Kong society member at Bristol University, thinks such societies can stop students getting fully involved with British culture and can even prevent their members' English skills from improving. The article goes on to say that many cultural societies reach out to students outside their own nationality. Among them are: the American society at Brunel University, the Irish society at the University of Sussex and  the Hong Kong society at Durham University. The members of these societies Karol Kelner(Brunel University),Cal McLoughlin (the University of Sussex) say that there are students from different countries in their societies. The author reports that Cal McLoughlin teaches the students about his culture and the differences between the cultures. Moreover, Eric Chim (Durham University) says his university helps different groups get to know one another. Besides, the author of the article writes that not everyone feels the need to join cultural societies. For example, Audrey Le Bihan, a French student at the University of Manchester, didn’t join the university's French society, because he didn’t feel this could be a potential support for himself. Further Natalie Gil writes some tips for international freshers from members of cultural societies. The author considers that these tips can help them to make friends and integrate themselves into British university life. The members advise to arrive early to lectures and start up conversations with your fellow classmates, make an effort to speak English in social situations if it's not your first language, learn the norms so you don't offend anyone and don't start university with assumptions about British culture or feeling like you automatically won't fit in. In conclusion the author stresses that societies are not just for freshers. For students already at university, freshers' week is a great time to join one and give freshers invaluable advice, concerning how to establish their own friendship groups.

To my mind, this article is very interesting and informative, especially for international students, who want to enter the University in Britain. In my opinion, cultural societies help students to make friends and overcome difficulties.Moreover, I think that the tips given in the article are very useful for freshers. In conclusion I would like to ask my group mates. Would you like to join a cultural society, if you were students of the British University? Please, explain your choice.