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It’s Not About What I’ve Spent, but What I’ve Saved By Joyce grandparents had fallen into a deep sleep. It
Online shopping has revolutionized the world.
seemed that they were unresponsive to the bargain
On November 11th, when the clock struck
or discount offered by online retailers. Although
midnight, some young people had already been
online shopping makes every product available by
sitting at the desk and waiting for the big sale of
a simple click of a mouse button, not everyone is
Bare Branches Day ( 光 棍 節 in Mandarin), an
fascinated by the bargain it provides.
annual online shopping day created by Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba.
“It’s not what I spent, It’s what I saved!” “I can wait patiently just for that discount code!” – Millennials
It’s a celebration time for these online shopping
lovers,
while
their
parents
and
1
Most young people love to first add
2015): China has developed the largest e-
products they want in online shopping cart and
commerce market in the world and the growth of
wait patiently for a big sale online. I am one of
her online sales has been driven by the Millennials,
them. However, my parents have a different
who grew up in digital world. These consumers
purchase habit. Instead of buying things online,
probably have more enthusiasm and comfort with
they enjoy walking in a real shop than a virtual
online shopping.
shop. Also, they purchase things they need rather than what they want. My experience is not unique. Most of my friends has faced the same situation when they are trying to persuade their parents to buy merchandise online. Attitudes to money between these two generations, Generation X (around 40-50 years of age) and Millennials (around 20-40 years of age) are in some ways different from each other. The
online
shopping
behaviors
distinguishing these two generations basically can be analyzed into two aspects: financial values and Internet usage. Many Millennials believes that “Instead of spending time on finding products
spending money is a way of raising the quality of
online, I would like to pick them up in a physical
life. They are more willing to pay for high quality
store.”
products. It is their lifestyle. Online shopping is
“I don’t trust those online shopping websites.
not just for buying groceries but also for
Frauds are everywhere.”
entertainment. Take smartphone for example,
– Generation X
while the latest device hit the market, a lot of young people lined up outside the store to get a
Generation X concern more about retirement
brand new one. But for Generation X, they work
and their children’s education (Sanlem, 2017).
for living and focus on maintaining a good family
Therefore, they may feel stressed because of
life. Once in a while, they also buy high quality
financial burdens. Millennials were born around
products. However, for most of them, discount is
the turn of the 20th and 21st century. Growing up
not really necessary. They spend money based on
in a rapid time, they tend to have different
the consideration of their possession. If the
perspectives from previous generations. A global
product is a necessity, they would still buy it
survey company takes China as a sample (Sue Feng,
whether the store offers discounts or not.
2
Therefore, though there may be more discount on
different generation. Parents may be confused by
online shopping days, the majority of them are
their children’s buying habits. Children’s, however,
unresponsive to the event.
may get used to buy products online for entertainment. In general, the online shopping behaviors of some Generation X and Millennials are not the same at all due to the difference of their financial values and Internet usage.
References:
Sue Feng (2015, May 14). More Than Half of Chinese Consumers Are Willing to Buy Groceries Online. The Nielsen Global Survey.
Both Generation X and Millennials are
Retrieved from
familiar with the Internet. They also use Internet
https://www.nielsen.com/cn/en.html
in different ways. Younger generations are more likely
to
seek
information
online.
Older
Sanlem (2017, August 17).
generations were born in the development of TV
The Generation Gap: Attitudes to Money
Media. Instead of getting news on the Internet,
Across All Ages.
they are more accustomed to television programs.
The Sanlam Generations Finance Study.
In those days, around 1990s, families tended to
Retrieved from
gather around an actual television set. They
https://www.sanlam.co.za/Pages/default.as
watched whatever was on the TV, not to mention
px
long commercials. Infomercials were one of the
profitable business at that time. Moreover, in the past year, with the rise of online shopping, some scammers
hacked
into
well-known
Photo Credit: Max Pixels. CC0 Public Domain
online
shopping websites. Thus, most of Generation X are still cautious to give out personal information on the Internet.
Undoubtedly, online shopping becomes a part of life in modern days. It leads to the rise of ecommerce and the change of people’s mind in
3
Know Yourself, Save Yourself Michelle Rich Terry
How much do you know about yourself ? Have you
symptoms did I start to realize that I had
encountered difficulties that made you having
constrained my emotions. For several years in my
trouble breathing? Here’s my story--a very recent
life, I endured from the affairs that happened in my
story by Rich. I recall the memories from the times
daily lives. Moreover, I’ve always had the habit of
when I suffered from anxiety and insomnia. After
staying up late. Until now, I still cannot figure out
I gradually recovered from these symptoms, I
why I had such energy to be a night owl. Maybe
think it is time to reflect on what I have gone
these habits were the causes of my health
through and the “footprints” on the illness. I am a
problems.
private person, so it’s hard for me to reveal feelings.
A year ago, I gradually felt upset and nervous
And I barely have the courage to share my private
before I went to sleep. At first, I reckoned that it
life with the others. To be honest, I can still
was just a temporary situation which often
remember the secret weeping behind the door of
happens to people. However, few weeks had passed
my room. Not until I suffered from these
and my problems couldn’t be solved. What was
4
worse, I lost my attention in daytime and even felt
And it triggered a tremendous effects that I
melancholy. I sensed distressed and pessimistic
couldn’t control my frustration and depression. It
every night when I went to sleep. At the time I
became so serious that I decided to suspend from
couldn’t bear theses negative emotions and picked
school and consulted the doctor. In those days of
up my courage to contact my friend, I retrieved for
recuperation, I knew deep about myself not only
no reason. All the bad memories like the quarrels
from the doctor but also from the two tests:
inside my family or the condemnations by others
highly-sensitive and DISC assessment. By doing
flashed to my mind. Finally, the volcano erupted. I
these tests, I not only know the causes of my
felt totally frustrated and beat down by the dismay.
symptoms but also find some ways of self-help.
DISC Assessment This personality stopped him from telling the
Do you really understand yourselves? Do you
others about his thoughts. However, if he could
know what your strength is and what your defect
have done this DISC assessment earlier, maybe he
is? DISC assessment can help you to yourselves
could know follow the suggestions to change
more. Because Rich didn’t know he is the type of
himself to become better. Are you ready to know
person who cares other’s feelings and views a lot.
yourselves better? Let’s do the te
(English Version)
(Chinese Version)
DISC assessment is a behavior assessment. According to the DISC theory of psychologist William Moulton Marston, the result of this test centers on four different personality traits: Dominance (D), Influence(I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C).
5
Dominance(Tiger)
Influence(Peacock)
•Strength
•Strength
1. You are an intrinsic leader. In a group, you can 1. You have high decisiveness and spontaneity. make your group work more efficiently.
2. You are passionate and outgoing, which make
2. You are highly-assertive. You don't need too much time to do the decision you think is right.
you good at socializing. 3. There are always a lot of innovative ideas
3. You have high proactivity. You do whatever you
coming out to your mind.
want without hesitation. •Defect
•Defect
1. Sometimes, you tend to “control” the group rather 1. Some of your ideas may not be practical. than lead the group.
2. The ideas come out in your flash intuition,
2. You aren’t likely to react spontaneously when facing some sudden event.
which makes you subjective. 1. You may be an expert at jump thinking rather
3. You can't bear any faults happens to yourselves.
than logical thinking.
Steadiness(Koala)
Conscientious(Owl)
•Strength
•Strength
1. You are a good coordinator because you think it’s 1. You important to make a group harmonious.
take
everything
seriously,
so
you
completely dedicate yourself to it.
2. You are very talented at cooperating with people. 2. You are rational and cautious, and you won’t 3. As a good listener, you are patient to the people around you.
make any decision after a long deliberation. 3. You have really logical thinking.
•Defect 1. You care other’s feelings and views too much, •Defect which make you hard to express yourselves.
1. Every decision needs to make under deep
2. You like to stay in a steady environment; that is, you are too afraid to embrace adventure. 1. Seldom expressing yourself
consideration, which makes you have lower work efficiency.
makes you an 2. Your perfectionism make the partners work
indecisive person.
with you feel stressful. 3. You have high standards toward every work, so you get disappointed easily when you cannot achieve it.
6
Dominance(Tiger)
Influence(Peacock)
•Suggestions
•Suggestions
Although you have high proactivity, you can
A group needs you to give lots of innovative
try to slow down your pace. You are an important ideas, but sometimes the ideas may not be practical. role in a group because you can make your group You can try to use more logical thinking to make have higher efficiency. However, you can give your ideas more feasible. Besides, “be objective” is yourself more time to think and listen to other’s also a lesson you need to learn when ideas come out opinions more patiently. A good leader can “lead” the in a flash intuition. Another thing for you to follow group rather than “controlling” the group. Leading is to complete the work thoroughly, try not to be so the group is definitely the way for you to show your capricious. power.
Steadiness(Koala)
Conscientious(Owl)
•Suggestions
•Suggestions
You are a necessary member in a group
You consider much and analyze too much;
because you are a good listener and coordinator. Yet, however, it may sometimes make the group less sometimes you concerns too much about how the efficient. The most important suggestion for you is others view you, which stops you from telling your to “lower your standard.” Your high standard is not thoughts to them. However, “expressing is the best only for yourselves but also the members who work policy,” you can facilitate work while making with you, which sometimes give stress to those yourselves less oppressive and protective. “Adapting around you. Once you can lower your standard, you to the change of environment” allows you to step won’t get disappointed to yourselves easily when outside of your comfort zone forever.
you can’t achieve it. The people cooperating with you can also relaxed.
7
Rich’s Case After Rich took the test, the result showed that he
was because that he was afraid that whether his
belonged the style of “koala.” The reasons for his
friends would see and treat him differently. After
depression reveals themselves. As mentioned
following the suggestion above, these past few
above, for someone of the koala type, he or she
weeks, Rich tried his best to open his mind and told
cares too much about people’s feelings and views
his good friends what has happened to him. He felt
towards themselves. Rich seldom or even never
happier. Although it was still hard for him to
expressed his feelings or what he encountered. It
change thoroughly, he said he would keep trying.
HSP (Highly Sensitive People) Assessment Dear Readers, Does Rich’s story feel familiar to you? You tend to hide your feelings because you don’t want friends and family to worry about you. Moreover, you really care about others’ feeling and how people think about you. And you are always influenced by your bad feelings like Rich did; therefore, you cannot sleep well? Furthermore, you are vulnerable to excessive information and you get anxious easily? For example, if you are doing your homework and someone tries to chat with you, you would feel horribly upset? If you have similar experiences. Maybe, you and Rich are Highly Sensitive People (HSP). If you are not certain, don’t worry, it’s time to know more about yourself and HSP. Please follow my steps to figure out your inside world.
There is the measure scale! Let’s Scan it！ 8
(Chinese Version)
(English Version)
Notice: This measure scale is just a reference to know yourself more, sometimes scores changes because your mood at that moment.
Interview with Rich (Can we can find some shadow of highly sensitivity?) Q1: How many scores of high sensitivity did you
Q3: Then, did you have experience that you feel
get from the measure scale?
nervous although your family was not angry at
A1: 63 scores, which fits the standard of high
you?
sensitivity.
A3: Yeah, a lot, I felt stressed. Especially I could hear their arguments.
Q2: Did anything in your story particularly influence you, but other people didn’t deem it as a
Q4: Do you think those are the reasons making
big deal?
you feel bad and suffer from insomnia?
A2: Um…… Let me think. I remembered when I
A4: Maybe, before I slept, I just kept thinking and
decided to take a leave of absence for half year. And
thinking which may interrupted my quality of
my family said I was selfish. At that moment I was
sleeping.
very frustrated. But now, I think I was thinking too much.
What’s HSP?
Overactive “Brainstorming”
After the self-assessment with the test, are
First, according to Aron, E. N., a psychologist,
you a HSP? There are other reasons why you
she indicates sensory processing of HSP is more
should try to understand HSP more, even you are
active than the average. HSP tend to be
not highly sensitive yourself. Maybe your friends
overwhelmed by their own emotions. Therefore, as
or family could be HSP and this is a chance to
we see, HSP are prone to receive too much
know them!
stimulation from outward; their brains work so fast that their minds are struck by countless storms of thinking. It’s no wonder that highly 9
sensitive people tend to be overwhelmed and want
High Sensitivity is not a
to escape from noisy or pressured environments.
curse but a gift Beating a dead horse Second,
according
to
Ilse
However, even though the characteristics Sand,
a
of HSP we mentioned above are somewhat
psychotherapist, HSP are vulnerable to their
negative, it doesn’t mean high sensitivity is a kind
emotions and feelings. They often think points of
of illness or curse. Actually, high sensitivity not
problems over and over again. So they are inclined
only makes HSP feel happiness more easily but
to get stuck in the swamp of problems and spiral
also allows more inspiration. As long as we put
of emotion. Take Rich example. Rich failed to stop
ourselves in proper or easy environments. For
recalling his bad memories with his family for a
instance, when visiting beautiful museums or
long time. Therefore, HSP get very frustrated and
concerts, they are likely to be touched and get a lot
upset after going through this process. However,
of inspiration and happiness from amazing
actually, there is no using for spilt milk. If we
performances. Further, HSP can detect others’
concentrate on that point too much, it just brings
emotions and atmosphere in their surroundings
us nothing but depression and annoyance.
acutely and have more sympathy on others. That’s the reason HSP can easily put themselves in the
Guilty& Responsibility
other’s shoes.
Third, Ilse Sand refers HSP feel guilty more
Suggestions
often than others and sometimes they’d bear extra for the others. Once HSP make mistakes, they will
If you are highly sensitive, don’t be anxious.
blame on themselves severely and think they are
Try to accept what you are. Here are some
the ones to blame. For example, when HSP fail to
suggestions for you and Rich to adjust!
catch ball in basketball game, they will think it’s all their fault and lose confidence gradually.
1.
When you feel uneasy, firstly, stop
Obviously, HSP just take on unnecessary
thinking and give yourself a break. Slow
responsibilities. Another example is arguments
down your steps to relax and think no more.
happening in family, HSP will think if they have
Otherwise, you will be overwhelmed by
done something wrong leading to this uneasy
yourself again.
confrontations.
2.
Create comfortable environment for you to feel better, such as having some decoration like plants or sparkling lights in your room.
10
3.
Try to take yourself out from victim’s
confidence, which is better than sleeping to
perspective. If someone says something bad
escape.
and harms you. Try to accept everyone’s
4.
5.
Refuse guilty and responsibility for others.
difference, because someone just casually says
Sometimes, let others take on their own
something without thinking much.
responsibilities. It is also important for them to
If you meet some difficulties, creating
learn.
some successful experiences to regain
6.
Try to accept the real you. You have limitation. You are not superman or god
If you want to know more about Highly Sensitive People and more suggestions, you can search Ilse’s and Aron’s books.
Also check my reference: Ilse Sand, (2016). Highly Sensitive People in an Insensitive World: How to Create a Happy Life. (Elisabeth Svanholmer, Trans.). London, United Kingdom: JESSICA KINGSLEY PUBLISHER. Ilse Sand, (2017).鈍感な世界に生きる 敏感な人たち/高敏感是種天賦.. (呂盈璇, Trans.) Taiwan, 三采 (Original work published 2016).
11
The Magic Power of Shipping Fees By Maggie
Nowadays,
shopping
online
How will they decide, buying more
has
things to eligible for free shipping or
become an extremely convenient way to
paying shipping fees directly? It is
make purchases because it is not limited
interesting that some people would
by place and time. There is a common
rather add extra item into their cart over
marketing strategy used by almost every
paying the shipping fees. It seems like an
shop when people do online shopping.
irrational choice. Nevertheless, for those
That is, if consumers order over a
who choose to buy more items, paying
certain amount of money, they can get
shipping fees is wasteful.
free shipping. Every time when they are
This phenomenon can be explained
ready to pay after buying what they need,
by an economic concept which is called
they realize they are only $100 away
“Mental Accounting,� established by
from being qualified for free shipping.
Richard
12
Thaler
who
is
also
the
Economics Nobel Prize Winner in 2017.
resulting
It refers to the tendency for people to
products or free services. According to
classify personal funds differently based
Kristina Shampanier, Nina Mazar and
on subjective criteria. Even though it is
Dan Ariely (2007), behavioral economics
the same amount of money, putting it
researchers, people typically overvalue
into different “mental accounts” leads us
the benefits of free items even when
to make completely different decisions.
compared to a better-quality item which
For example, most of buyers usually
costs a low price. Everyone knows that
separate what they pay for merchandise
free of charge is attractive. It can trigger
from delivery while shopping online and
an affective response to cause consumers
are more willing to take out money from
to impulse shopping. Most of the time
merchandise account instead of delivery
people think about the pros and cons of
account. Consequently, they are prone to
decisions; however, when something is
make choices to purchase more items to
free, they overlook the downside. For
replace the payment of shipping fees.
instance, when there are two choices
Besides, some merchants take advantage
between one for $500 plus free shipping
of it to manipulate our mental accounts.
and the other one for $450 plus $50 in
In order to mislead people into thinking
shipping, some people will still choose
that
$500 plus free shipping even if the total
they
make
a
good
bargain,
in
overreaction
to
free
merchants offer free shipping, but they
prices are the same. The concept of “free”
have calculated shipping fees into the
items is so powerful. It makes people
actual selling price.
think that they save shipping fees, but in fact, they are falling into the trap.
In addition, “Zero Price Effect” also easily leads to irrational spending
As far as I am concerned, free
behavior. It can be illustrated by
shipping influences consumers’ behavior
regarding zero as a special price
on a deep psychological level, but very
13
often it is just a gimmick. Have you ever
different mental account. Thus, treating
asked your friends to buy things to help
money differently is illogical. Only when
you pass the threshold of free shipping?
you begin to treat money equally, or
Because of social pressure, they have no
when you cannot resist the temptation
choice but to buy things that they do not
of free products or services. Begin by
need at all in order to help you. They
making a shopping list and only buying
could be victims of your irrationality. Is
the things listed. Once you are aware the
there any way to avoid being irrational?
irrational mindset, you can avoid being
Actually, money is money. There is no
manipulated by merchants.
difference because it comes from a
References Richard Thaler. (1985). Mental Accounting and Consumer Choice. Marketing
Science, 4(3), 199–214. Kristina Shampanier, Nina Mazar & Dan Ariely. (2007). Zero as a Special Price: The True Value of Free Products. Marketing Science, 26(6), 742–757.
14
MoMMy’s BaBy Time to let go Ivy Do you get along well with them? What makes them become mommy’s babies? Well, let’s know
I
“ think the blue shirt looks good on you”
more about them.
“I don’t know…
First of all, I’s like to share my personal
I need my mom’s opinion. I’ll call her.”
experience. I have a twelve-year-old cousin, Jack.
“Oh my God, you are such a mommy’s baby.”
Jack’s mom, my aunt, packs his schoolbag for him
“No, I’m not.”
every night. In fact, Jack wanted to do it himself at
“Yes, you are.”
first, but his mom thought that he might miss out
“MY MOM SAID THAT I”M NOT!”
something. So, she did it all for him. After a while, checking the schoolbag “officially” became his
Mommy’s babies are those people who have
mom’s job. Jack doesn’t care about his schoolbag
difficulties doing things like making all kind of
even after he grew older. Is Jack’s mom’s behavior
decisions due to their excessive attachment to their
helping him? Although packing schoolbag seems
mothers. Have you ever met any mommy’s babies
trivial, the effect behind it may be huge.
before? 15
The crucial cause of mommy’s baby is the “mommy.” You might hear someone said that “I’m your mom. I know what’s the best for you!” or “It’s
Here I want to share a humorous video. It may
for your own good!” These are the classic lines for
be a little exaggerated but it indicates over-
the “mommies”. They love their children so much
protecting perfectly.
that they want to do everything for them in advance,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9wejjtQNxI
so their children won’t encounter any difficulties. Nevertheless, these mothers don’t notice that they also deprive the chance from their children as to learning to deal with challenges. By doing so, it contradicts the idea of “for your own good” because it might have a negative effect on children. Despite Jack’s mom and other “mommies” is doing it out of love, spoiling and over-protecting definitely do harm to the children. Over-protecting somehow indicates
that
mothers
underestimate
Interestingly, there are more mommy’s babies
their
in the eastern countries than in the western.
children’s ability. Children are always young in
Cultural difference could be the main cause. In the
mother’s’ heart, which means no matter how old
western countries, people focus more on the
their children are, they will always be the babies in
individualism; while people in the eastern countries
mommy’s arms.
value the concept of collectivism. In the Eastern, especially in Taiwan and China, we are affected by the Confucianism which emphasize the concept of
As for the children, they become irresponsible
ethic. We are taught to be submissive to our parents
and dependent by thinking “no matter what I do or
and not to talk back or considered unfilial. As a
fail to do, my mom will take care of me.” This comes
result, it’s hard for children to change the habits of
from the parent spoiling for years; they take their
relying on parents. At the same time, children give
parents’ efforts for granted. Living in an over-
up on the opportunities of thinking independently
protected environment just like the roses in a
and planning for their own future. However, the
greenhouse. Life is so easy and comfortable for them.
situation is opposite in the western countries. The
When the greenhouse is damaged, the roses will not
famous philosophers like Rousseau advocated the
be able to survive. As a Chinese saying goes, “thrive
idea of “Everyone is an independent individual”
in calamity and perish in soft living.”
which means the western people put more attention on individuality. Basically, after the teenagers in the
16
Western become 18, their parents are likely to stop the financial support so the teenagers have to start being responsible to their future. These examples don’t indicate which culture is better, but the point is that mommy’s baby is the extreme side of eastern culture. By the same token, the extreme side of western culture could be the indifferent people. I think those mommies need to learn how to let go of children’s lives. Maybe it’s the idea that once they let go, their children will not stay they let their children will not to close to them anymore. Perhaps it’sgo, actually the opposite. In stay fact, close letting anymore. It’s actually opposite. fact,children letting go of children doesn’tthem mean that parents can’t take care of In their go ofcan children mean parentsway, can’te.g., take anymore; instead, parents still dodoesn’t that but just that in a proper caretheir of their children anymore; instead, parents can try not to interfere with decisions. Most importantly, different still dotothat but just in their a proper way. grow For example, centers of life are essential parents. Once children up, they try not to interferechildren with their decisions. won’t feel so lost or empty. Furthermore, need to let go of Most the importantly, centers of life are essentialhas to reliance on parents. Parents won’tdifferent be around them forever. Everyone parents. Once children up, they won’t the rights to decide what his/her lifetheir should be, andgrow that makes people feelinsoall, lost. Furthermore, children need to let go of become grown-ups. All letting it go and giving each other more reliance on parents. Parentscan won’t around space will be helpful. the If Elsa, the queen in the Frozen, do it,bethen everyone can do it. them forever. Everyone has the rights to decide what their life should be like, and that makes people become grown-ups. All in all, just try to let it go and give each other more space. If Elsa can do it, then
Let go
everyone can do it.
17
Fascination between 2 and 3 by Ruby
~The blast of 2.5D~
different from other traditional ones. Let me
One
introduce a representative show of 2.5D to
hundred twenty-nine billion Japanese
explain the reason behind its popularity and yen, this number is the net profit gains from a
innovation.
new type of performance a year? It seems
TOUKENRANBU
unbelievable, but 2.5D performance actually
adapted
did it!
from
a
Stage,
which
website
was game
TOUKENRANBU, the original work focuses on Japanese sword and its history. In the 2.5D
2.5D is the term to describe the theatrical
version, the audience can see plenty of
presentations based on Japanese manga,
fighting scenes in the stage performance.
popular animation and video games. In other
Needless to say, the actors have to being
words, it’s a type of performance by real
trained for a long time before the rehearsal
actors to play roles from comic books or game
starts. The breathtaking and eye-catching
stories. This feature makes 2.5D performance
performance attracts the audience to visit the
18
theater. Moreover, by the virtue of high popularity
and
historical
theme,
TOUKENRANBU Stage was invited to have a special
performance
at
Odawara
Castle(Odawara-jō), one of the best castles in Japan. As a fan of TOUKENRANBU website game, originally I had no interest at the first sight of its poster. However, after my first bliss from the 2.5D experience, I became totally passionate with gorgeous customs and exciting plots. This work demonstrates how the large variety of 2.5D can be, even the symbolic war in Japan can take place on the stage. Additionally, the actors have to learn not only the competence in performance but also in other skills. What can we get from the 2.5D performances? What makes the audience grow addiction to this type of performances? Unlike the movie-viewing, the audience recall the exciting adventure all the time, we receive the impact from the stage on the spot. The surprising twist and the strong emotions of actors touched audience’s heart. Whenever I watch the series of TOUKENRANBU Stage, the
performance
always
triggers
my
emotional reactions. Additionally, 2.5D arises audience’s interest in Japanese language. I was so eager to understand the scripts that I started to study Japanese hardly. Nonetheless the audience can still take pleasures in the performances.
2.5D
provides
not
only
19
outstanding and unique performances but also fulfills expectations for audience.
To sum up, whatever we want is to see our favorites
characters
alive.
The
2.5D
performance is a combination of visual characters and physical actors. Therefore, we can enjoy both of the visual and real worlds. The gate of 2.5D field is already open for us.
Note: TOUKENRANBU is an online browser game designed by DMM and Nitroplus. The players assume the role as SANIWA(審神者) to protect the history from an evil force. Therefore, SANIWA has to bring the famous Japanese swords to lives, and creates an army to defeat the enemies.
Resource: 1. MARVELOUS: https://www.marv.jp/titles/st/753/ 2. Natalie: https://natalie.mu/stage/news/287148 3. Twitter: https://twitter.com/digitarou/status/93368251880031 8464 4. Conpetti: http://conpetti.com/news/?p=16132 5. Animate Times: https://www.animatetimes.com/news/details.php?id=1 496707983 6. Official Website of TOUKENRANBU: http://games.dmm.com/zh-CHT/detail/tohken/
20
By Vivian Do color skins matter when it comes to social status? Would people treat you differently only because of your color skin? The truth is, my personal experience accounts for a large part of striving me to write about issues regarding racism. Last summer vacation, I went to San Francisco for a summer session in school. A scene there has been haunting me till this day. I was on the campus, a white man held a sign and yelled at the crowd. “Hey, guys, we have to drive those Asians and
21
Blacks away, because you know, San Francisco is a small city. We cannot let them take our jobs and we have to root for Trump. � I was utterly aghast and bewildered upon the scene. In a racially diverse city such as San Francisco, never had I anticipated to meet a person advocating the notion of white supremacy so deeply rooted. This experience reminds me of the novel Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.
If you want to find a not- too-
in a women’s clinic, specifically a labor
depressing book about racism, then this
room, for over two years. One day, there
novel would be on your top list for sure.
was a white man, whose wife was going to
This novel is based on a real-life event
deliver a baby. Ruth Jefferson was in
which happened in Flint, Michigan in the
charge of a baby, but this white man
U.S. According to the author Jodi Picoult,
rejected her. He turned out to be a
Small Great Things is a quote from Dr.
supremacist.
Later
on,
the
hospital
Martin Luther Jr., “If you
attached a note to this baby. On
cannot do great things, then
the note, it said, “no African
you can do small things in a
American personnel touches this
great way.” I think it is
baby.” A week later, this baby died
brilliant of Jodi Picoult to
because of an illness and Ruth
come up with such an
Jefferson was sued for killing the
emphatic and meaningful
baby. While reading this book, I
title. This book is about
was completely immersed into it;
love,
the message conveyed in this
racism,
and
forgiveness, in which one would gain
book completely blew my mind.
deeper insights into racism and know what it’s like to be a black or a person of color in America. Ruth Jefferson is a professional African American nurse, who had worked
What we have to see into this
What inspired her to write the novel about
issue
racism initially was an event of an African
Why could Jodi Picoult, as a
American undercover cop who was shot
Caucasian, write such a successful book
four times in the back on the subway by his
that touches people of all races? In the
white colleague. But she couldn’t write an
interview, Jodi Picoult said she wanted to
authentic story at that time. She even
write a book about racism for a while but
doubted herself if she had the right to
she kept failing--for she actually belonged
write this story. She didn’t come from that
to the upper tier of the social hierarchy.
background nor that kind of life, which
22
might not be her story to tell. It was not
the matter of life and death”. Every day, as
until she read a new story came out in
they walk on the street, and enter the
Flint, Michigan, in 2012 which inspired
shopping store, they have to face bias.
her to write this novel. Jodi Picoult said,
That’s how they live their life, trying so
I began to push the envelope a little
hard to fit into white society but at the
bit, wondering what would happen if
same time trying to be understood and be
that nurse had been left alone with
recognized. This made me self-reflect,
the baby? What would happen if she
“Am I a racist? ”
had to make a decision that could
Am I a racist?
result on her going to trial and being
I am certain that most of us do not ask
defended by a white public defender
ourselves such a question. It is very easy
who, like me and like many people I
to look at the skinhead and racist, putting
know, would never consider herself to
them into the "racist" category and
be a racist? And I began to think
exclude ourselves. Not having a bias
about trying to tell the story from
doesn’t mean you are not a racist. What I
three different points of view - the
really learn after reading this novel is that
African-American nurse, the white
racism is beyond that. At first, I thought,
public defender and the skinhead
racism is about prejudice, yet, actually plus
father as they all confronted their
power. We all have bias and judgment to
beliefs about power and privilege and
some extent. The target readers of the
race.
book are Caucasian, for Jodi Picoult
(Jodi Picoult, 2016)
wanted her reader to become aware of the
To write this book, she interviewed lots of
fact that actually, they are a part of it and
people and heard their story, the most
that
touching one was that in one interview,
Nevertheless, for me, I thought racism is
she asked white mothers and black
more than black and white. All races are
mothers respectively, “How often do you
involved, I and my fellow Asians are those
discuss racism with your children?” The
who are facing this issue as well.
white mothers said, “Once a while.” However, the black mothers said, “Every day, because the racism for the blacks is
23
they
are
held
accountable.
What I have learned from my experience and the novel One thing I've learned from my own experience and the novel is that racism has diminished to some extent throughout the years. Yet,
deepest in our hearts, we
couldn't help but admit that a world eradicating racial discrimination only exists in a fairy tale. What we can do is to start and let the conversion spread. As what Jodi Picoult wrote at the end of the book, “I wrote it because I believed it was the right thing to do, and because the things that make us most uncomfortable are the things that teach us what we all need to know.� Jodi Picoult. (2016). Small Great Things. Published by Ballantine Books.
24
Dive into Grown-up Cartoons Amber Chen & Enya Chu
Grown-up
BoJack Horseman mainly focuses on one’s journey
cartoons, different from other
of finding happiness.
cartoons, tackle more social, political and philosophical issues. When it comes to grown-up cartoons, The Simpsons would pop up in everyone’s mind. However, the launch of Rick and Morty and BoJack Horseman was a huge hit among the crowd. These two deal with issues related to emotional depression and addictions to drug and alcohol. Let’s find out the profound meanings behind Rick and Morty and BoJack Horseman.
BoJack Horseman may seem like a typical grown-up cartoon with silly characters and light-hearted humor, but it is not the case at all. Even though the fact that animals acting like humans in BoJack Horseman would be considered goofy, the show actually highlights existential nihilism and the inability to escape from the meaninglessness of life. Just when we are laughing at some funny plots or adorable characters, the show will punch us in the gut with cruel reality. BoJack Horseman is a has-been who immerses himself in his past glory. Suffered from depression, self-loathing BoJack constantly struggles to hold on to a glimpse of happiness in his life.
Rick and Morty is starred by a mad and alcoholic scientist, Rick, and his doubtful and timorous grandson, Morty. The story mainly depicts Rick and Morty’s adventures to multiuniverses. On the surface, the story seems to be ridiculous and meaningless. Underneath it reveals the philosophical theory of nihilism and urges us to introspect our lives.
The followings are two articles examining Rick and Morty and BoJack Horseman. They each focus on nihilism and the search for happiness. Through grown-up cartoons, we may be able to reflect on our lives. So let's look behind the curtain and explore the deeper meanings of them.
Apart from Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman also reveals nihilism. However, unlike Rick and Morty’s emphasis on philosophical concepts,
*The following contents may contain spoilers of Rick and Morty (Seasons 1-3) and BoJack Horseman (Seasons 1-5).
25
Wubba Lubba Dub Dub “Nobody
exists on purpose, nobody belongs
This exactly reveals his nihilistic inner
anywhere, everybody’s gonna die.”, this sentence
thoughts about his life. He thinks that his life
is from the most popular American grown-up
is nothing but a lie; thus,everything is
cartoon, Rick and Morty, and it perfectly
meaningless and he refuses to face his love
explains what nihilism is. Putting the theory
for his family.
of nihilism in a seemingly hilarious cartoon
The reason why Rick is nihilist is
appears contradictory. However, the way
because of his personal experience in life. In
nihilism fits into Rick and Morty makes you
my point of view, I think Rick was not
reconsider what the meaning of life is.
willing to be a nihilist to begin with; instead,
What’s more, if you look deeper into Rick
he is forced to be a complete nihilist due to
and Morty, you will easily find out that
his life experience. As the most intelligent
nihilism is actually everywhere whether it is
scientist in the world, he is able to travel
in a virtual or real life.
through
theory
signifying
Therefore,
matter in that the other version of him in
that
everything is meaningless. According to Reddit,
other universes would choose the
nihilism
opposite anyway. In the episode of
can
be
categorized
into
(1)
epistemological nihilism, which means denying
Ricky Business, Birdperson
the possibility of knowledge and truth, (2)
asks whether Morty knows
existential nihilism, which signifies believing
what “wubba lubba dub dub”
life has no intrinsic meaning or value, (3)
means, but Morty just
political nihilism, which suggests advocating
regards it as Rick’s stupid
the
nonsense catchphrase.
destruction
of
existing
he
thinks that what he wants to do does not
Nihilism, like mentioned above, is a philosophical
multi-universes.
political
structure, and (4) ethical/moral nihilism, which
However, Birdperson says that in
indicates the rejection of ethical or moral
his human tongue, this catchphrase
values. Rick and Morty are claimed to be
means “I am in great pain, please
existential nihilists. In one episode called Big
help me.” As for Morty, he
Trouble in Little Sanchez, Rick says “Let me
gradually becomes nihilist because of
out, what you see is not the same person as me/
Rick’s nihilistic thoughts.
My life’s a lie, I’m not who you’re looking at.”
26
Last but not least, the reasons why the
Whether nihilism actually exists in our
producers of Rick and Morty decided to put
daily live, it cannot be denied that we have
such elements in the show, are to be sarcastic
learned a life lesson from Rick and Morty.
to real life and also provide people with
Although it is regarded as the perfect
different aspects of life. The decision to put
example of nihilism, what it wants to convey
such dark elements in a comedy may be quite
is actually how to discover the essence of
risky. It is because the audience may lose
lives. Thanks to Rick and Morty, we start to
their interest in watching such a dark
become
cartoon and get distracted by the nihilistic
meaningful and what is meaningless and
elements. However, people in modern society
learn to look our life experience in a wider
usually pursue material life rather than
and broader way.
spiritual one. Rick and Morty happens to serve as a mirror to make the public reflect on their life. Also, it unveils the truth that nihilism is in fact embedded in humanism. I think Rick resembles every teenager in the real world. At first, we were born innocent and naïve. We searched for our life meanings but simultaneously, we fell into an abyss of meaninglessness of life. Morty’s countless travels to multi-universes with Grandpa Rick resemble our innumerable attempts to challenge ourselves.
27
more
conscious
of
what
is
Happiness Is a Wet Dream Enya Chu
In
the grown-up cartoon BoJack Horseman,
BoJack is a former TV star from a popular Throughout the series, all the plots
sitcom. Living in “Hollywoo� (an obvious
revolve around BoJack's vain attempts to find
reference to Hollywood), he is surrounded by
something that will finally make him happy.
glamorous yet superficial celebrities most of
After all the money and fame he has earned, he
the time. BoJack suffers from depression even
still struggles with depression to the point that
though he has everything everyone desires:
he relies on alcohol and drugs to escape from
money, fame, and popularity. Unable to escape
reality. The show goes on and on, and BoJack
from his depression, he numbs himself with
keeps pursuing a sense of achievement from
alcohol and meaningless sex, and is lost in the
one project to another, but he never finds the
desperate search for happiness.
happiness he looks for.
28
__Why can’t BoJack be happy? Another possible cause for BoJack's
One possible reason is that he is a
unhappiness is his acute self-consciousness.
pessimist. Pessimists like BoJack are just
Just like everyone else, BoJack has made a lot
unable to feel as happy as others or see things
of terrible decisions that he soon regrets. He
from a positive perspective. They need a lot
pushes away those who love him and ruins their
more positive things to outweigh the negatives.
friendships. But the worst part is, he is aware
His agent, Princess Caroline, tells him: “You're
of the fact that he is an awful person yet unable
such a self-pitying masochist, I could say ten nice
to change it. Diane Nguyen, one of BoJack's
things and one mean thing, and you would only hear
friends, describes that he is “smart enough to
the one mean thing.” However, it does not mean
recognize his many personal failings but unwilling
that it is impossible for BoJack to be happy; it
or unable to take the steps required to fix them.” He
simply means that it is harder for him to feel
always does terrible things and then feels bad
this way.
about them. To ease the guilt, he then turns to drugs and alcohol, which again cause him to advertise. make many more bad decisions. BoJack is trapped in this vicious cycle. With a voice inside his head telling him that he is “a stupid piece of sh*t,” he finds it hard to enjoy the happiness in his life.
“
I’m responsible for my own happiness? I can’t even be
responsible for my own breakfast.
29
”
__Other characters’ attempts _Why happiness is so hard to find?
Besides BoJack, other characters in BoJack Horseman also try to attain happiness in their
The same thing that happens to all of the
own ways, though they may not be as depressed
characters’ search for happiness is: they all fail.
as him.
The interesting thing is, we as readers all
Among all friends, Diane is the one who
resemble those fictional characters at some
understands him most, for she is just like him.
point. We might choose different directions,
However, unlike BoJack's attempt to attain
but we all have the same destination—finding
happiness through success and recognition,
happiness. However, most of the time, either
Diane believes that she will be happy if she
we are unable to reach our goal, or we reach it
does the right things, like helping children in
but then it ends up not as fulfilling as we
the Third World countries or standing up for
expected at all. So why is it so hard to find
women's right. But after realizing the cruel
happiness?
reality, she finally finds that the nice things she
The truth may be that they all look for
does will not give her the fulfillment she
happiness in the wrong direction. BoJack and
desires.
other characters all want to find the one last
Princess Caroline searches for happiness
thing that will finally make everything better
in a different way as well. She is desperate to
and will somehow make their lives meaningful.
start a family, which she believes is the essence
But such a thing does not exist. There is
of
nothing in the world that will make one stay
a perfect life. Going through many
unfruitful relationships; however, she then
happy forever.
gives up searching for her soulmate and turns to work on her career. Nonetheless, no matter how successful she is at her job, she just feels lonelier than ever.
“
You don’t know what it’s like to feel your entire life like you’re drowning, with the exception of these moments, these very rare, brief instances, in which you suddenly remember . . . you can swim. 30
”
“
The key to being happy isn't a search for meaning. It's to just keep yourself busy with unimportant nonsense, and eventually, you'll be dead.
”
happy forever. In other words, happiness is not
eternal but instead ephemeral. Just like what one of BoJack’s friends tells him, “Happiness is a wet dream.” No matter how wonderful it may be, we still have to wake up eventually. Our looking for permanent happiness is pointless and definitely going to fail, because being happy is just a state of mind. There might be marvelous and terrible things that happen simultaneously in our lives, and we do not have to always feel optimistic about everything, as long as we know how to cherish the good experience and learn from the bad. As BoJack's publicist says, “An Oscar won’t make you happy forever. It won’t solve all your problems. You win that Oscar, the next day you go back to being you. But that night is a really good night.” We always hope our lives will be like those in the movies, because movies often create a wonderful facade that at the end—everything will make sense. But in the real world, most things turn out to be otherwise. Our expectations will only push us further away from happiness. The more we pursue it, the less likely we are going to attain it. It is the sense of “closure” in movies that we are longing for. sjicjsocjij 31
Thinking about how rewarding the ending will be is only an easy escape from real life.
It takes a long time to realize how truly
Nevertheless, when life gives us a reality check,
miserable you are, and even longer to see that
our hopes will fall apart. Believing life can be
it does not have to be that way. Only after you
as easy as movies will only make it harder to
give up everything can you begin to find a way
obtain happiness.
to be happy.
As a matter of fact, life is more like
His opinion may seem to be pessimistic at first
sitcoms. There is no “happily ever after” in real
glance, but it actually has a profound meaning.
life because every happy ending has a day after
He does not mean that we should give up our
that. As BoJack says, “You can’t have happy
dreams or not strive forward at all; he just
endings in sitcoms, not really, because if everyone’s
means that we should stop searching for
happy, the show would be over. And above all else,
happiness from the outside and focus on
the show has to keep going. There's always more
enjoying the process. After all, happiness never
show.” Just like what happens in sitcoms, we
comes from external events; it comes from how
may face difficulties, fight with our friends, or
we regard them. We can find happiness in small things in
have the best day of our lives, but the next day, life goes on and we still have to strive for it.
life, like cherishing people around us or helping others, but we are also allowed to be upset, as
_How to find happiness?
long as we know how to turn the negative
If happiness is not something we can hold
emotions into something that makes us better.
on to forever, what can we do to be happy?
BoJack feels a bit happier only after he accepts
Cuddlywhiskers, a friend of BoJack, might
the fact that he will never get rid of depression
have given us an answer:
and starts trying to make peace with it. We cannot hope for a happy ending; all we can do is enjoy the moments in our lives and believe
“
that life will get easier.
The only thing that matters is right now, this moment, this one spectacular moment we are sharing together.
32
”
Love is Love Sing for LGBT, act for love By Jennifer and Yuyu the good news to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis was
November 24th, 2018, some Taiwanese say it is
that this song was nominated at the 56th Annual
the darkest day in the history of human right. The
Grammy Awards for the Song of the Year. This
consequence of the same-sex marriage referendum
song talks about homosexual people’s life:
was not as “beautiful” as the rainbow. Facing this
stereotypes, attempts to change themselves, and
disappointment, we want to encourage those who
marriage issue. This fascinating song also
were as sad as we were with several English and
mentions the singer’s view of the law. The law can
Chinese songs and a movie. Moreover, we hope
be a nice start.
people to know more about LGBT rights.
At the beginning of it, listeners can hear the stereotype, and the rap conveys…
Same Love, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft.
When I was in the third grade
Mary Lambert, 2012
I thought that I was gay
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Same Love was
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was
recorded during the time of the 2012 Washington
And I kept my room straight
Referendum 74 which was about the same-sex
I told my mom, tears rushing down my
marriage legislation. This referendum passed, and
face
33
She's like, “Ben you've loved girls since
and mock him/her. Sometimes we can hear people
before pre-K, shrimp”
say “his voice is sissy, maybe he is homosexual.”
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she
These comments are not only impolite and
A bunch of stereotypes all in my head
offensive, but they are also disrespectful to people.
Stereotypes is bad. It can be mean and hurtful.
We believe that same-sex marriage will be legal
Just like the lyrics, a man’s skill in drawing does
and the homosexual people will have the same
not infer his sexual inclination. Similarly, a woman
rights as others in the future. In addition, we
who dresses in neutral does not mean she is a
should remember even though the law is passed,
lesbian. Besides, it is not definite that gay must be
the stereotypes still exist. Therefore,
feminine and lesbian must be masculine. People are
we have to embrace differences.
born this way and have the right to be who they are. Like the chorus…
After the sharing of the attitude and legal
And I can’t change
issue from Same Love, the next song is Embrace
Even if I tried
from the famous band in Taiwan, Mayday.
Even if I wanted to Sometimes, tragedies happen when people try
擁抱 － 五月天 / Embrace, Mayday, 1998
to change others’ sexual orientation. Therefore, Back in the late 90s, Mayday released the
just be yourself. One day, you will meet the one
song Embrace in the band’s self-titled debut.
that loves who you are.
Embrace is considered as “Queer Music” because
Human rights for everybody
the lyrics have metaphors of homosexual people.
There is no difference
脫下長日的假面
Live on! And be yourself! …
奔向夢幻的疆界
And a certificate on paper Isn't gonna solve it all
Take off the mask I’ve been wearing for
But it’s a damn good place to start
the whole day, run towards the
It will be a long way to diminish those
boundless fantasy
stereotypes and difficulties, and we cannot solve all
南瓜馬車的午夜
the problems in law. However, the law can be a 換上童話的玻璃鞋
nice start we need. Although same-sex marriage referendum in Taiwan isn’t passed, and some
At midnight with the pumpkin coach,
people are sad. We could cry and be angry at that
put on the glass slippers from the fairy
night but we need to stand up and keep on going.
tale.
We can dislike someone; however, we cannot hurt
34
The first sentence of the lyrics describes
The night wind kisses all the lotus
homosexual people who need to hide their sexual
blossom leaves, making me feel drunk
orientation because of the discrimination from the
and lay aside the pond
society.
The
next
sentence
conveys
that
The lotus pond is a famous landmark in 228
homosexual people can only gather in Taipei New
Peace Memorial Park, where homosexual people
Park until midnight. When the park is closed at 12
like to meet.
a.m., they are compelled to go home just like
In 2014, this was the first time the song had
Cinderella in the fairy tale.
been launched as a single with a music video,
讓我享受這感覺
directed by Chen Hung-Yi, showcasing the band and a varied group of people ranging from a family,
我是孤傲的薔薇
same-sex lovers, an elderly couple, a group of
Let me enjoy the feeling of being a lonely
friends,
and proud rose.
transgender person begin running a marathon for
a
lonely
girl,
and
a
courageous
their loved ones. The music video conveys an idea:
讓我品嚐這滋味
although there are many different groups in this world, we should embrace differences. Since
紛亂世界的不瞭解
everyone’s love is equal, and we are all born from
Let me taste this flavor that this chaotic
love.
world would not understand
Embrace really blows us away, and it also
Next, the “rose” represents gay, originating
reminds us of our LGBT friends. They have
from a Japanese gay magazine “Barazoku”. And the
difficulties when coming out of the closet, and their
following lyrics convey that homosexuality isn’t
love are not blessed by their families. Our hearts
understood by people around the world.
ache with pity for their situations. Therefore, we 昨天太近明天太遠
hope this song can give all LGBT people warmth and make everyone realize that regardless of race,
默默聆聽那黑夜
color, and gender, everyone deserves Yesterday is too close, tomorrow is too
beautiful love!
far away, silently listening to the dark night 晚風吻盡荷花葉 任我醉倒在池邊
35
like that, and in reality, most gays are just like Simon. As the old saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” From Love, Simon, people can perceive the Aside from touching songs, the next one is a
struggling
life
of
homosexual
people,
movie released in 2018, is called Love, Simon.
especially their self-identity. Take our friend’s
Love, Simon (America)(2018)
story for example. Our friend is gay, and he also
In Love, Simon, we can get a glance of
goes through what Simon has experienced. He
homosexual teenagers’ school life. We know that they
questions his sexual orientation and doubts
often have problems identifying themselves and
whether he is normal or not. “How do my
having relationships with others. But to Simon, his
classmates, friends, and family think about me?
problem is more complicated. He is homosexual and
What are their expectations of me? Am I
keeps this secret from his friends and family. And he
doing this right?” Many questions pop up in
also worries that his friends seem to have a love
his mind every day. Fortunately, he is getting
triangle relationship. Moreover, one thing disturbs
more certain about his sexual orientation and
him quite much, that is finding an unknown classmate
does not think he is abnormal at all. After
who he falls in love online. All of these troubles make
seeing this movie, he is confident and surely
Simon’s school life uneasy.
knows that he can be himself.
This movie really conveys what homosexual
The highlight of Love, Simon is that the
people may encounter during their youth. At the
audience can somehow find themselves in those
beginning of the movie, Simon has identified himself
characters. We hope that this movie can
as a gay. However, as the storyline proceeds, Simon
provide some help to those who are confused
also recalls the time that he is confused about his
about the sexual orientation. Simon deserves
sexual orientation. During that time, he tries to date
love, the homosexual people deserve, and so do
with a girl, but he feels uneasy and anxious. He is gay
all of us.
and he cannot change it. And the attitude of
With these songs and movie, we hope
heterosexual hegemony from his family and friend
more people can notice the difficulties that
makes him keep the secret. Every time they talk about
homosexual people encounter in their life. It is
girls, which only makes Simon silent and awkward. In
important to respect people in different sexual
addition to these typical problems, this movie also
orientations with our patience and considerate
shows the stereotyping of homosexuality; a simple
hearts. Let people be who they are. Everyone is
example is that men who dress neutral. There are
equal. Love has no gender, love is love.
other scenes about people who think that men wearing neutral or feminine are gays. But Simon does not dress like that, and in reality, most gays are just like Simon. 36 As the old saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its
Joey
Does the Keto diet really work?
T
fat-burning machines, we can lose CCU. Below are the self-made weight and fat even when we are maps guiding you to fetch your Keto food without having to
sleeping.
worry about your budget.
he founder of 酎 弽 , the
Is it possible going on the
biggest Keto diet promotion association on Facebook in Taiwan,
lost
12
kilograms
within 3 months. Apart from weight
loss,
conditions
his
have
health
improved.
Now, his followers have already
Of course! Though it is true that people under this diet will have problems
in
dealing
number of choices around
Why can the Keto diet help to lose weight? biggest
differences
between the general diet and the Keto diet is that the latter burns fat and changes fat into energy. Generally speaking, the main
source
of
energy
with
consumption, still there are a
surpassed 95,000 people.
The
*Reminder
Keto diet in CCU?
is
glucose which is mostly from the carbohydrates. But if we run out of carbohydrates, our body will try to find the alternative energy source. Fat stored in our bodies becomes an excellent source of energy. After our bodies enter ketosis, a stage making us become the 37
People
with
hypoglycemia/
type 1 or 2 diabetes/ any preexisting
kidney,
liver,
or
pancreatic issues/ being nursing or pregnant are not allowed to follow this diet.
What is the Keto diet? When choosing the Keto diet, people need to avoid carbohydrate intakes such as rice, noodles, and bread. Instead, they eat meats, eggs, vegetables, and natural fats —sticking to the macronutrient ratio: 75% Fat, 20% Protein and 5% Carbohydrates. The Keto diet has been proved that health issues could be improved including preventing Alzheimer’s, acne and increasing physical endurance, etc.
38
You Are Not Fine How to Deal with Procrastination By Connie and Patty you just do not feel like doing it. We are
You say you are fine. Without enough
going to tell you why you feel this way
money in your pocket, you say you are
and try to save you from the confusion.
fine. Gaining a lot of weight but still
What Can We Do?
not willing to go exercising, you say
John Perry 1 and Mel Robbins 2
you are fine. Always running away from
both provide ways to help people deal
something you need to do, you say you
with problems of procrastinating and
are fine. Actually, you are not fine.
lack of motivation. John Perry proposes “structured procrastination,”
3
which
means
to
procrastinate all the tasks together. This way breaks the myth that people will perform efficiently with few works. Procrastinators usually feel depressed for finishing nothing. Therefore, the theory of structured procrastination You
are
just
procrastinating
tells people to “accept” procrastination,
and
turning it to be something valuable.
“screwing yourself over.” You may
John Perry tells people to make a to-do
have read a lot of books talking about
1
Stanford Online Writing Lab. John Perry. Retrieved from https://philosophy.stanford.edu/people/john-pe rry 2 Mel Robbins Online Writing Lab. Mel Robbins. Retrieved from https://melrobbins.com/
people in a similar situation and even tried some methods to deal with this situation. However, they do not work or you just cannot keep doing so. You
3
啾啾鞋. 為什麼我老是愛拖延(上)? | 啾來聊
聊 2015 第 13 集. Retrieved from
know you set some goals to reach but
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNKsjR5A y2U&t=38s
39
list.
List
something
that
After
seems
We
important while not urgent on the top.
Methods……
As a result, once you see the first to-do
Knowing
thing you will choose to skip it and
Applied
Two
structured procrastination
and 5 second rule, we decided to apply
start with other things on the list. By
them to our lives.
doing so, you can still finish something,
Patty
and not just waste your time. And the sense of achievement and joy will come
I
after finishing one thing.
followed structured procrastination,
John Perry provides a different
listing all the tasks I need to do such as
view of procrastination. Instead of
preparing tutoring PPT, homework of
trying hard to get rid of it, we need to
Chinese-teaching course, reading a book,
face it directly. In addition, there is a
and discussing group report. And I
new method called “5 second rule” 4
listed writing servicing journal on the
raised by Mel Robbins, who is the CEO
top. I found that every time I wanted to
of The Confidence Project, a media and
procrastinate, the list would pop up in
digital learning company.
my mind. It was like a force which could
5 second rule helps people seize
not be neglected. When I was not doing
their opportunities. She explains that if
something I supposed to do, I felt
we have some impulses but do not take
guiltier
action within five seconds, then “the
structured procrastination did help
idea will be killed.” Therefore, the
increase my crisis awareness. I had a
problem is not about ideas; instead, it is
better idea of the kind of task I should
about we do not act on them. It also
prioritize, which made me more efficient.
indicates that we should not let the impulses vanish easily. We need to be active to act our impulses out. Here is our personal reflection on the new approaches. 4
Mel Robbins. 5 Second Rule. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI2VQ-Zs Nr0
40
than
before.
I
thought
Structured procrastination amplified the
As a pep talk goes, “Do not care about
feeling that I was procrastinating and
how you feel! Care about what you
working at the same time. I skipped
want!” Every time I try to get rid of
“writing servicing journal,” which was a
something and procrastinate, I would
kind of procrastinating behavior, when
encourage myself
I chose to prepare tutoring PPT, I still
mottos. We know that procrastination
got something done. Besides, I really
leads to a severe consequence. Then
enjoyed the sense of achievement when
why do we still do that? Maybe we
checking off each task on the list. I
focus on our feeling and emotion too
think structured procrastination not
much and forget there is something to
only raised my crisis awareness but also
be finished. In this situation, 5 second
changed my view of procrastination.
rule can be used. Count backwards from
Connie
five to one, and then do the exact thing
I
tried
structured
with these two
you would like to do at that moment. procrastination
Do not care about your feeling; think
during the time when I was preparing
about the sense of regret if you miss
for my midterm exam. I listed all the
the chance. Take myself for example,
things I was going to do. For example,
sometimes I do not have the courage to
studying
finishing
raise my hand to say something during
listening all the recording, and studying
the class, and then I will count
American Literature. When I felt
backwards from five. Following the
exhausted after listening to three
impulse of my heart helps me seize the
recording, I could actually move on to
opportunity of showing myself to the
studying Literature. And then I could
others. If you do not feel brave enough,
gradually finish all the things on the list.
try 5 second rule next time.
macroeconomics,
What is our view……
The difference was that there would be a suggestion for me when I wanted to
Nowadays, we all have a busy life.
procrastinate. Before making a to-do list,
Sometimes we just want to get rid of
I tended to do something entertaining. I
those disturbances. Surely we can
thought this method really helped me
escape when we feel stuck. However, we
improve the problem of procrastination.
must not forget the goal we set for
41
ourselves. Adjust our mood, and always remember what we are going to do. Structured procrastination suggests us a
different
way
to
deal
with
procrastination. It is hard to have motivation and learn self-control in a short period of time. However, through these two methods, we can try to change
the
way
we
deal
with
procrastination. 5 second rule tells us to follow our own impulse and seize the opportunity.
5
second
rule
and
structured procrastination are easier for us to get started. Next time when you avoid doing something, try them! Maybe you will find the outcome much better than you have imagined.
42
London Gentleman’s Adventure to Taiwan “You have to have a strong motivation, It’s not going to come out of nowhere, you have to find your motivation, you have to find something that you love. Think about what makes you who you are.” -- Professor. Benjamin Heal
Dr.
Benjamin Heal is an international
professor from the U.K., who just came to Taiwan and started to teach in CCU a year and a half ago. As a tall and exotic newcomer, still a lot of students in the Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literature haven’t gotten a chance to meet him, a gentleman often with a hat on or at times with a skateboard. This interview officially introduces our new British Professor Ben to everyone at CCU.
Chemistry because he thought he was going to be a scientist. However, studying numbers
Q: Why did you came to Taiwan
and statistics was meaningless for him. After
and decide to teach in CCU?
a semester, he changed his study to Philosophy, also taking some courses about
“It’s a long story,” Dr. Ben laughed,
History, Psychology, and Sociology in the
“it was a coincidence that took me here.” It
humanities college. It took Professor Heal a
all started from the story how Ben became a
lot of time to find out what he really liked to
professor. “I didn’t know what to do or what
do. “I found my motivation, found the thing
I was doing in the first two years of my pre-
that I love,” he realized that his passion is
college,” said Prof. Heal. He first majored in
literature, reading and analyzing it. From that moment, he began to dream about
43
becoming a literature professor to teach
to discuss more with each other in the class.
students the esthetics of poetry and prose,
Western Literature is derived from a
also the way to analyze them. “One of my
completely different culture from Taiwan;
friends from National Taiwan Normal
therefore, Prof. Heal tries to teach the
University told me about the job here in
students more about the content of the
CCU. I was quite interested in it so I applied,”
literature first, then help them analyze and
Ben said that it is quite difficult to obtain a
discuss it during the lectures.
position to teach as a tenured professor in
Q: How is the life style different
Europe. He just took the challenge to come to an unfamiliar exotic country Taiwan to
between Chiayi and London? How
start his new adventure.
do you adapt? “To be honest, I feel a bit isolated living here. Because of the language barrier, I guess,” he
Q: How’s your teaching experience
reflected on problems communicating with
here so far?
others though Professor Heal already known
“It’s been great! Students here are
some basic Chinese,. “And the place here is a
really nice, cooperative, and more respectful
bit [geographically] isolated as well…,”Ben
to the instructor,” Surprisingly, Professor
told me he has a few friends here in Chiayi.
Heal thinks that the students in Taiwan pay
Sometimes, he really misses the galleries, the
more attention during the class and are
museums, and of course his family in
willing to get instructed than those in
London--all are on the other side of the
England. Professor Heal mentioned that he
world. Not being able to be with your loving
had taught in Hertfordshire University for a
ones is not an easy thing, Professor Heal is
year before he came to CCU, “Students there
not an exception, “It’s quite difficult being
are more sensitive; they constantly complain
apart from my family. I have to Skype with
about the university system. In U.K.,
my daughter every day, I really miss her.”
Professors easily get judged by the students,
Apart from the difficulties, Prof. Heal
because of the way they teach or the grade
still really like living in Taiwan, he likes the
they give. It’s a big problem in England.”
Taiwanese food and the weather. Foods are
Professor Heal likes student attitude here in
fresher and cheaper, weather is warmer and
FLLD, but he also tries to encourage them
sunnier. Also, Prof Heal is glad that he has a
44
lot of time to write a book on William S.
to the other side of the world – Taiwan.
Burroughs, one of his favorite writers who
Started to teach in the Department of
brought him into the world of literature.
Foreign Languages and Literature, his
Although there are some minor problems
British accent and the different cultural
with the language and the location, Ben likes
background diversifies our department,
to be here because he loves adventures,
also brings us various ways of thinking
“Don’t always do the easy things,” Ben
and discussing during the lecture. Ben
encourages us to challenge ourselves in the
runs the Literature Association on every
life.
other Tuesday that he gathers the literature lovers to discuss and to watch
Q: Do you have any advice for the
some movies together. He likes to ride his
students in the department about
skateboard; he might be the only
their career in the future?
professor who wears hats and does skateboarding, and even does some cool
Many students worry about their because
tricks on the campus. Probably you will
studying literature is considered unpractical
see him with his skateboard sometimes.
by the society. However, Prof. Heal thinks
Don’t forget to say hi to him, he will reply
otherwise, “Being good at writing and
you with a warm smile!
career
path
after
graduation,
communicating is a good skill. It’s one of the important skills that you’re learning in studying literature here.” Therefore, with proficient writing and communicating skills, finding a job will not be a problem. But, the real problem will be: “What do you love to do? You have to have a strong motivation, It’s not going to come out of nowhere, you have to find your motivation, you have to find something that you love. Think about what makes you who you are.” Prof. Benjamin, a London gentleman who found the thing that he loves, adventures
45
Are you fascinated by rhythm games? Are you tired of
listening
to those familiar pop music when playing rhythm games? If you love original music, here you are! We’ll find three rhythm games for you, including IDOLiSH7, Lyrica, and VOEZ. In this article, we will introduce the special features of these games.
IDOLiSH7/Alicia The reason for me to recommend IDOLiSH7 is that it is not a simple rhythm game like Taiko Drum Master or Don't Tap The White Tile. It combines original story, rhythm game
A multi-element game
and character card collection all together,
In the game, the player, the first-person
which makes this game more interactive and
narrator, is a newbie manager of an idol
special than other ones.
group “IDOLiSH7.” In the process of the plot, player and the idol will face some difficulties,
46
like scandals or competitors in business. By
Apart from various elements above, you
sharing good and bad times with each other,
may be surprised that all the songs in this
players will build an emotional connection
game are original. The game company invites
with those characters.
famous composers and lyricists to compose
As for rhythm game part, it is called
songs. Then those songs are sung by voice
“concert” in the game, which cooperates with
actors who also dub the characters in the
story plot. After reaching the plot twist,
game. It immerses players in a feeling that
players have to hold a “concert” to unlock new
they are real idols singing the pop musics,
songs and stories. Besides, in the “concert,”
which are really catchy and pleasant.
players can get “confidence point” from the character cards they use. When players accumulate a certain amount of points, they can
unlock
special
stories
about
those
characters. In this case, players can enjoy not only playing rhythm game, but also touching stories of each character.
Strong connection with reality It’s hard for players to image that those characters in their mobile phone can become “real” idols. However, the game company really does it! The game company not only releases physical album and photo album, but What’s
more,
the
game
company
also holds a 2.5 dimensional concert to
regularly launches activities based on special
celebrate
background. For example, the idols can star a
company breaks the limitation between 2D
movie. After completing all the rhythm stage
and 3D, and creates new types of idol through
in the activity, players can get new songs or
a new and technological way.
new stories. Other times players can get new
their
third
anniversary.
The
It is the fanciest part and explains why I
characters through the activities.
love this game so much. When I play this game, attend the activities they held, and buy
Catchy pop music songs
all albums they sell, these are the moments
47
when I feel I am an idolater just like any other
who are bored with simple rhythm games or
fangirls. It’s a very new and unexpected
role playing games. If you have some interest
experience because I never thought that I will
in idols and want to undertake a brand new
ever become an idolater in my life. Moreover, I
game experience, IDOLiSH7 will be your
am also crazy about this kind of “idols.” As a
good choice!
result, I want to share this game to the players
poems lively. Some of the songs are soft, while some are ferocious. It depends on the original poetry. There are 14 songs for free for beginners, including three Japanese songs. You can unlock more songs by paying. There are four levels of difficulty, including easy, normal, hard and master. The harder level you
Lyrica/Jenny I
choose, the more beats you will get in one song. Normal will be the best level for a
would like to recommend Lyrica for its
newbie to rhythm game because the number special music, customizable art design, and a
of the beats to hit.
sci-fi fiction story. The most attractive part to me is the art design. It perfectly combines
Customizable art design
Chinese classical elements with every part of
The user interface design is clear and
this game and creates an atmosphere of
seamless. The designers adopt simple style
Chinese gentle beauty.
and add some Chinese classical elements, such as eight-trigrams tablet. Besides, players can
Music
customize for their own Lyrica. Take the style
Lyrica is a game that combines the
of beats and fonts for example. Players can
Chinese poetry and modern music. Some of the poetry is well-known by Chinese native speakers, such as Ding Feng Bo (定風波) by Su Shi. It is a special experience to hear the songs of Chinese poetry, and you will also admire how creative the composers are to make the
48
change them by switching the characters on
Sci-Fi fiction story
the main screen. When the character is Li Bai,
There is also a storyline in Lyrica, which
the style is Chinese classical style. To adopt
is more like a sci-fi fiction. The story is about
the modern style, player can simply change Li
a freshman, Chun, who can somehow connect
Bai, a great poet of Tang Dynasty, to the
with Li Bai. As a result, the players will see
other character, Chun. Moreover, when you
the story of Chun and the historical events,
complete full combo of a song, the phrase “陽
such as the rebellion of
春白雪” will appear in the middle of the
Although it is based on a true Chinese history,
screen, which indicates that you’ve completed
they offer not only Chinese version but also
a wonderful song that most people cannot
English and Japanese ones. Players need to
achieve. The design of this phrase alters as
complete missions to unlock the story. Each
the players alters the style, too. The Chinese
mission assigns a song and sets a standard for
classical style makes “陽春白雪” magnificent
complete or not. Most of the songs are at
because each letter will sparklingly appear as a
normal level of difficulty, so it is friendly for
string of curve is drawn.
newbies to unlock the story. You can read the
An Lu-Shan.
first three chapters for free, but the story does not end at here. If you want to know what happens after chapter three, you need to pay for the game. If you like the beauty of Chinese culture, or are curious about the combination of modern and Chinese culture, Lyrica can give you this special experience. Take a look at Lyrica, it will not disappoint you.
VOEZ/Phoebe Among all the rhythm games that I have ever played, VOEZ is my favorite. As a domestic game, VOEZ shows plenty of features to remind players of school time with its visual
49
design, stories and songs. A rhythm game helps players recall their old times! Doesn’t it sound amazing? Let us see how VOEZ achieves it!
Visual Design
VOEZ, the story part is called “diary”. Diary
How can visual design be the most
has various forms, such as a normal diary, a
important part of a rhythm game? Well,
clip from a chatroom, or a post-it or merely a
VOEZ does. Every time when I start a new
picture of a cat or street. The stage resembles
game, I enjoy the display so much. Its display
to be a little town. Most of characters are
is so beautiful that I regard it as a magic show
teenagers who dream different dreams and
or an art piece. When playing, the screen
lead lives in their own ways while they go to
would be divided into several shapes, as the
the same high school.
music goes on, shapes change colors and
The stories VOEZ presents are close to
dance with the tempo. What’s more, the whole
our daily lives, especially the social aspect. For
display will be in a new dress with my every
example, we can see the characters send LINE
touch, which makes me feel like a magician
messages or tweet to each other, exactly like
slipping down from a rainbow to control all
what we do every day. As for the content,
the colorful stuffs. VOEZ’s visual design is
since the characters are young students, the
beyond my imagination and is the most
vibe is energetic and youthful, which brings
splendid rhythm game that I have played!
me back to my high school time. The hue is well-arranged as the visual design when playing the songs.
Songs Personally speaking, the spirit of VOEZ seems to focus on the color arrangement and the story; but as a rhythm game, there is no doubt that VOEZ features brilliant songs. In
Story
VOEZ, not all songs are for free; sometimes
Besides visual arrangement, the story is
we have to pay a little money or watch a short
also one part that you don’t want to miss. In
50
advertisement to unlock songs. Fortunately, VOEZ renew free songs as well regularly. In
As far as I’m concerned, a good game
other words, songs will take turns to be free.
should be relaxing to lift our spirit after
Meanwhile, some songs are only instrumental
working or studying all day, and VOEZ is one
while the other is composed with vocal, which
of the games which serves the purpose. The
share the same feature—they are all original
comfortable and colorful visual design, cute
songs. In addition, those songs reflects
stories of teenagers and different kinds of
seasons. For instance, we can find songs about
music in VOEZ could calm my tense mood, so
snow when winter is coming or songs on
I recommend this game to you and hope it
friendship as the graduation ceremony gets
could accompany you, too!
closer and closer. To me, it is funny to perceive
the
time
through
a
game.
After our game review, hopefully you can know more about rhythm games. If you are interested in their original music, give it a try! They are free on Google Play. Have fun!
51
Are You a Bystander or an Upstander? Facts About Bullying You Never Knew By Emily or almost no witnesses. Therefore, the bystander effect is in fact a critical factor why most bullying couldn’t be easily solved. I had always been a timid bystander and I’ll use myself as an example. I’ll also share the mind of a common bystander and hopefully, you’d reflect on yourself with the following descriptions.
What’s in a bystander’s mind?
Seen
Since
When I was in a junior high school, I had bullying had been such a critical issue for
a classmate named Sherry, who was often
decades, why can’t this cruelty be easily stopped? One
bullied in class. Because she always wore her
of the main reasons goes to the improvement of
hair in pigtails and talked in an unusual tone,
technology, especially leading to the “bystander
the classmates found it strange and unusual
effect". It is a phenomenon that shows individuals less
among us. They teased her by calling her a
likely to offer help to others when there are others
baby and even hid her backpack when she left.
present.
social
What was worse, they once took her private
psychology show that the more individuals gathered
letter and stuck it on the board to share it
in one place, the less chance there is of one of them
with the whole class without her permission,
coming to the aid of a person in need. When an
which totally devastated her.
Statistics
and
experiments
in
emergency situation occurs, it’s more likely that someone will come to the rescue when there are fewer
52
That day, she stood in front of the black board. Her face was as pale as a ghost,
trembling in all her limbs. She then took her letter down from the black board. I saw a tear in her eyes as she stared back at us; eventually I was the one she caught her sights on. That was a sight of wretchedness, and I turned away immediately, for fear of having an eye contact with her once again.
Think As I witnessed everything happened to Sherry, I began to consider the choices of intervening. Why did the bullies hurt her that way? What has she done? Should I tell the teacher? If I had told the teacher, might the situation have become better or turned out to be even worse to her? What if the bullies found out it was me who was the whistleblower? Would I become the next victim? Perhaps I should simply mind my own business and avoid troubles?
Why does stepping in matter? Several American studies (Signe Whitson, 2014) have shown that peer bystanders intervene in bullying less than 20% of the
Notice
occurrences. In Western culture, some people
I realized how coward I was; what I had done was bullying as well? Sherry’s sights repetitiously
still have the White supremacy and generates Why does stepping in matter? the sense of superiority. It makes bullies feel
appeared in my mind. She looked desperate as if she
more superior than others and triggers the
was seeking help from the crowd. Nonetheless, her
bullying behavior more likely to happen. In
request was denied by indifference. She was an
most of the time, student bystanders are often
innocent victim, who was brutally bullied and ignored
aware of situations before adults in the school;
by the victimizers. I was one of the victimizers and I
it is thus important that all students feel
knew that was an indelible fact. After so many years,
empowered to intervene safely in bullying
I still regret not being the up stander for her. Her
situations. Therefore, schools should prompt
helpless gaze then was still clear in my mind; however,
this behavior by cultivating a context with
nothing could be undone anymore.
respect and tolerance. Signe Whitson, August 26, 2014, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/eig ht_keys_to_end_bullying
53
In Eastern culture, people are taught to be reserved and to keep a low profile. By doing so, one is able to avoid troubles and people who take advantages. This eventually leads to the characteristics like conservativeness and passiveness profiling general
Being a bystander doesn’t mean that it is
Eastern people, which causes them to become one of
none of
the bystanders when they encounter bullying. It is also
mentioned above would not be enough. But
a critical reason for eastern students to remain silent.
once the concept of “Nobody should be
According to research from the United States
outsiders” is spread, individual power could
government, when bystanders intervene, bullying
contribute a lot to the others. This issue could
stops within 10 seconds 57% of
the time.
not be easily resolved immediately and it
(StopBullying.gov , 2014) Bullies tend to bully others
requires effort from everyone. Can one bear to
in order to show power and take advantage of them.
look at the victim’s helpless eyes and turn away
In order to have assurance from others of their own
pretending nothing had happened? Can one
worth, they hope their audience to notice their actions.
walk away after he or she calls for your
However, if the audience shows disapproval, bullies
assistance in a trembling voice as their glimpse
are discouraged from continuing. This fact emphasizes
of hope? Can one ignore the tears from an
the importance of bystanders, which can totally make
innocence? One can only rely on oneself to
a big difference.
answer these questions.
one's business. The strategies
Before stepping in, people tend to feel scared,
It takes courage to be an up stander;
for the fear to become the next target. Nonetheless,
however, the biggest difference between a
the sense of accomplishment after stepping in would
bystander and an upstander is that bystanders
go beyond imagination. Most people also agree that
contribute to the problem but, up standers stop
bullying is wrong, so it’s likely that peers all share the
it. The change from a bystander to an up
same uncomfortable feeling about the bullying. By
stander
taking the lead, one will encourage everyone else to be
nonetheless, it may start with us becoming
an up stander, too. One will feel relieved and confident
more aware of the bullying behavior which
knowing he or she is doing the right thing that others
matters the most.
might
not
happen
overnight;
are lack of the courage to do. StopBullying.gov , 2014
Nobody is the Outsider
https://www.stopbullying.gov/media/facts/inde x.html
54