Vocabulary Challenge 25: https://tw.voicetube.com/everyday/20190814
Script:
What does mass media mean? I guess it can mean the dissemination of information to a large group of people, but what exactly does mass media mean to you? Does it bring more harm than good?
I feel that when used appropriately, it can be the voice of our larger society but also smaller communities within this large society.
We will discuss this a bit more during break time. But what words pop into your mind when you hear the words “mass media”? The news? Disseminate information? Advertisements? OK, let’s move onto our sentence of the day.
It presents a standardized view of society and provides a collective experience for members of that society.
其代表社會標準的見解，也提供社會成員集體的經驗。
So let’s say this sentence again.
It presents a standardized view of society and provides a collective experience for members of that society.
Faster
It presents a standardized view of society and provides a collective experience for members of that society.
OK, you know this game. What are the possible thought groups? 「字組」
It presents a standardized view of society (1)
and provides a collective experience (2)
for members of that society. (3)
You can break it up into three groups but I would not really have a noticeable pause between 2 and 3.
How about intonation? 語調
It presents a standardized view of society (rise)
and provides a collective experience for members of that society. (fall)
What about the sentence stress? 句子的重音 You could say:
It presents a standardized view of society
and provides a collective experience for members of that society.
So we typically do not stress pronouns but listen to the original speaker. She stressed “that.” Why? Possibly to emphasize a specific society, the society that these members are in.
OK, it’s grammar time!!! 大家最愛的文法時間到了!!!
OK, listen to this sentence again and you can even pause the recording to examine the sentence structure.
It, mass media, presents a standardized view of society (1)
and provides a collective experience (2)
for members of that society. (3)
Did you notice the connectivity of this sentence? It is so cohesive. Words and ideas connect seamlessly. It’s a short sentence but why does all the idea connect so well.
Well, we most likely did not hear the sentence before it, which defines mass media.
This sentence begins with “it,” as a pronoun for mass media to increase cohesion. And then uses “that” society to help listeners remember and connect to the previous point.
That is called a determiner, 限定詞. In grammar, it is defined as a word that is used before a noun to introduce it, to show which particular example of the noun you are referring to.
For example,
In the phrases “my first friend” and “that wonderful movie”, the words “my” and “that” are determiners.
So sometimes, pronouns and determiners can help us increase cohesion in writing but do not over use them or they can confuse a reader or listener.
OK, let’s take a break!
Now, mass media has many pros and cons.
Mass media can help us keep connected with others and know what other people know, and this is extremely important.
For example, if a tsunami or an earthquake hits your town, mass media can be used to raise awareness and mobilize help for the people of you home town.
Mass media is also an indispensable voice of minorities. Certain news networks can bring their experiences and opinions to public attention. Moreover, mass media can presents individuals opportunities to share their voice in the open. Sometimes, these opinions go viral and the whole world learns about them.
Now, I’m certain we can think of some drawbacks of mass media.
One, it homogenizes cultures. Television advertisements tell us how to dress, what to eat, and even how to think. We seem to have a lot of variety but networks typically broadcast what is profitable, so the same things and ideas with different packaging get promoted over and over again, even when these ideas may be inaccurate or even harmful.
Mass media can also isolate us from society. It is true that mass media connects us through television and social network but it lessens face to face interaction. We sometimes just stare at our cell phones and barely interact with people around us.
Thus, as you can see, mass media is a double-edged sword. Know how to use it and when to use it or it might just end up cutting us.
OK, let’s go back to vocabulary learning and go over some new words.
| Word | Form |
| Word of the day!
1. transmit 播送，發射，傳送（信號）\ transmit information 傳輸信息 The information is transmitted electronically to the central computer. 有史以來第一次，技術允許雙向大眾傳播 |
(v.) |
| 2. standardize
to make things of the same type all have the same basic features 使標準化，使合乎標準 我們對後視鏡之類的零件進行標準化生産，這樣只要一種型號便能搭配我們所有款式的汽車了。 |
(v.) |
| 3. consumption
the amount used or eaten 消費量；消耗量 energy/fuel/ caffeine consumption As a nation, our consumption of junk food is horrifying. We need to cut down on our fuel consumption by having fewer cars on the road. |
(n.) |
| 4. exacerbate
to make something that is already bad even worse Exacerbate tension 加重緊張局勢 This attack will exacerbate the already tense relations between the two communities. 這次襲擊將令兩個原本已經處於緊張狀態的團體關係更加惡化。 |
(.)
|
| 5. gatekeeper
noun [ C ] UK a person whose job is to open and close a gate and to prevent people entering without permission 看門人，管門人 someone who has the power to decide who gets particular resources and opportunities, and who does not （有權決定誰可以得到資源和機會的）看守者 |
(n.) |
Song of the week:
OK, are you going to browse some webpages, watch the news, and enjoy mass media? Let’s do so with caution: