(토요모임) [Mar. 05, 2016] Saturday meeting topic

[Scarlet]

Howdy ! 

It's me Scarlett !   

This week we have 4 topics. 

◈ Environment : China Now Also Buying Bottled Clean Air From Britain

◈ Life style : Instant Cure: Massage Your Fingers to Relieve Pain

◈ Education : Colleges Look to Change Admission Process

◈ Future life style : What life will be like in 2116

Hope you enjoy the topics. 

With luv 

Scarlett

China Now Also Buying Bottled Clean Air From Britain

By Louise Chan, Tech Times | February 9, 10:31 AM

There's a group in Britain that call themselves "air farmers," and that's exactly what they do: they harvest clean air from pristine countrysides, bottle it up and sell the bottles online. It may sound absurd, but the bottled clean air from Britain seems to have gotten a good hold on the Chinese market.

China has been struggling with poor air quality for some time now. One of the most affected areas is Beijing, which issued its second red alert for heavy smog in December 2015. It seems the poor air quality may have driven citizens to desperation that many have reportedly bought bottled clean air from the British countryside.

Aethaer collects clean air from British countrysides and sells it in glass jars for $115 each. 

Get to know more about Aethaer's bottled clean air, which is becoming a hit in the Chinese market.

The bottled air is a product of Leo de Watts and his company Aethaer, pronounced eath-air. Aethaer supposedly harvests clean air from different locations in Britain and puts it in 580-milliliter (19.6 fluid once) glass jars. The 27-year-old de Watts sells the bottled clean air for a whopping £80 ($115) a jar. For the Chinese New Year, the company is giving a special 25 percent discount on a 15-jar set, bringing the original price of £1,200 ($1,725) down to £888 ($1,277).

"The AETHAER project provides clean, fresh and pure natural air in bottled form. The process involves traveling to some of the most beautiful, pristine areas of countryside, far away from industrial pollutants, motorways and impurities, in search of the most immaculate quality of air," the company explains.

Aethaer's bottled air is harvested from Dorset, Somerset, Wales, Wiltshire and Yorkshire. The company's air farmers can also take special requests to harvest air from other areas of Britain.

"There's really a market for this ... We've just started, but have already sold 100 jars to a factory in China," de Watts says. "[This] is a way of highlighting an issue with pollution and so on."

Many people would wonder how the company even does what it claims to do but, according to Aethaer, harvesting air is not an easy process. The de Watts family gets up early in the morning with the special jars to drive to specific locations and collect the cool breeze with special harvesting nests. Check out the video and see whether you would consider buying a jar or 15.

Article source : http://www.techtimes.com/articles/131909/20160209/china-now-also-buying-bottled-clean-air-from-britain.htm

---

<Questions>

Q1. How do you think about the 'Air farming' concept? 

Q2. Do you buy bottled water? Why do you drink bottled water instead of tap water? 

Q3. Almost 20 year's ago, there was no one who imagined that bottled water would be selling like those days. How about you? Did you imagine those situation in the past?

Q4. Do you have any intention to buy the bottled clean air for better brain functioning? 

Q5. If you can buy the bottled clean air from one region, which counties' air would you take?

Q6. Do you agree with the concept of privatization of public goods? 

---

Instant Cure: Massage Your Fingers to Relieve Pain

Self administered reflexology and acupressure are great ways to provide quick discrete relief for a variety of pain and symptoms without having to wait for an appointment, further impeding your routine, or touching sensitive areas where you are experiencing pain.

 Acupressure & reflexology

You’re right! Acupressure sounds a lot like Acupuncture. It actually works on the same principles without the intimidation factor. Replace the needles with fingers providing moderate pressure and that’s it!

Reflexology specifically is the use of therapeutic pressure massage in specific areas of our hands and feet to facilitate functional flow of energy, pain relief and optimal health. There are areas on our hands and feet called reflexes that correspond to specific areas of our bodies and even organ systems within our bodies. Often in areas that we feel pain there is a blockage of energy preventing health and wellness.

Below are combined approaches of these two practices that you can use, at home or on the go.

 Headaches & Migraines

The tips of all four fingers, especially focusing on the area at the base of the fingernails, can help relieve head pain. Focus on the index finder (positivemed) and the webbing between thumb and index finger, often referred to as the Valley of Harmony (as shown).

 Sinus Pressure & Pain

With your palm facing you, bring your thumb to the pad of your finger (the part that touches keys when typing) and forefinger to the opposite side close to your cuticle. Squeeze and hold the tip of each finger 1-3 minutes with comfortably firm pressure. Lightly massage the area when done. Repeat on all fingers.

For relief from symptoms of sinus pain, headache, dizziness, pressure, stuffy nose, and congestion. Have a tissue handy.

 Neck Pain/Tension

Massage the middle part of each of your fingers between your furthest knuckle toward the base of your finger. Do this for each finger on each hand. Look at your hand and think of the tips of your fingers as your head, and as your work down your fingers you are working your neck and shoulders. Use a professional reflexology chart for reference if needed.

 Stomach Upset

Massage and warm up the whole thumb, as this responds to the stomach and spleen meridians. You can also apply direct pressure to hold in the center of your palm.

 Cold/Sore Throat

Warm up and massage the whole thumb. Extended pressure may be used on the meaty part of the web of your hand. Also apply specific pressure to the thumb on the tissue to the inside by the nail, as shown.

 Fatigue

Lightly massage the whole hand, followed by direct pressure of the point on your middle finger just below and on the side of your nail on the side closest toward the index finger.

 Menstrual Cramps/Abdominal Pain

Lightly massage the whole hand, followed by direct pressure on the point on your index finger just below and on the side of your nail on the side closest toward the thumb. The second location for direct pressure is a point on your pinky just away from the nail on the cuticle line toward the outside (away from the rest of your fingers).

Additional tips

1. General area warm-up:

RELAX. Then start by rubbing your hands together for a minute to increase the energy and sensitivity of your hands. Next, use the fingers and thumb of your opposite hand to gently massage and warm-up the skin and general area to be worked on.

2. Area of focus:

In the area of interest to work use your opposite thumb & fingers to provide comfortably firm pressure. (Caution: this area may be sensitive.) Hold the area for 1-5 minutes and repeat 1-5 times as needed, or daily for prevention.

*For more tender areas: Hold for 3-5 seconds. While maintaining pressure begin to slowly massage in small clockwise circles up to five times, then give the area a small break. This massaging should be moving the tissue, not merely rubbing the skin. Provide firm but comfortable pressure again for up to a minute then give the area a break. Repeat this process up to five times.

3. Stay hydrated

This is probably one of the most recommended and underutilized tips from massage therapists and bodyworkers, and it cannot be stated enough. Proper hydration allows for optimal tissue health, quality circulation, and to help facilitate the elimination of toxins released into the bloodstream post massage and otherwise. After all, our bodies are made up mostly of water.

Precaution

*If you are pregnant there are areas that can assist in stimulating uterine contractions, and unless in labor and supervised by a professional MT or doula, should be avoided. During pregnancy avoid deep pressure to the web of the hand. 

Featured photo credit: Healthy Food House via healthyfoodhouse.com

Article source : http://www.lifehack.org/363309/instant-cure-massage-your-fingers-to-relieve-pain

---

<Questions>

Q1. Have you ever heard about the reflexology? Please explain it.

Q2. Have you ever taken reflexology therapy performed by a massage therapist? 

Q3. When you feel a variety of pain or symptoms, how do you deal with it? Do you go to hospital or deal with it by yourself ? 

Q4. When you came down with illness, which practices do you prefer between oriental medicine and western medicine? 

Q5. Have you ever experienced with oriental medicine practices like acupuncture or herbal cures? How did you feel about that? If you like it, what is the reason for that? 

---

Colleges Look to Change Admission Process

02/20/2016

Educators across the U.S. are calling for major changes to the admissions process in higher education. The National Center for Educational Statistics (or NCES) reported that U.S. colleges and universities received more than 9 million applications between 2013 and 2014. The schools admitted more than 5 million students in that time.

But the problem is not in the number of students that the schools admitted, a new report says. The report is called “Turning the Tide – Making Caring Common.” The Harvard School of Graduate Education released the report, with 80 other schools and organizations, in January.

 Current admission process causes major problems

The report argues that the process schools use to choose students causes major problems.

David Hawkins is the Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy at the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (or NACAC). Hawkins says that most colleges and universities require many things from students when they apply. Schools usually require an essay describing a student’s interests or why they want to study at that school. The schools also ask for letters from teachers or other adults describing why a student is a good candidate. But, Hawkins says, schools are most concerned with a student’s high school grades and standardized test results. "Your academic record is the most important factor that a university will consider when they review your application."

The report suggests that giving the most attention to academic success works for some students but hurts others. Also, academic success is not the most important quality a student should have, the report says. More attention should go to evidence of whether or not a student wants to do good in the world. Hawkins says that academic records are still the best indicator for how students will perform in college. But academic resources are not as available in poorer communities, the report argues. Also, too much attention on academic success puts pressure on young people. This pressure can be bad for their health.

 College rankings add to the problem

The Education Conservancy is an organization that fights to make higher education equal and available for everyone. Lloyd Thacker is the Executive Director of the Education Conservancy. He also helped write the Harvard report. Thacker says the college admissions process has changed a lot over the years.

"Over the past 30 years, college admissions has become more complex... more consequential… And it’s become more costly because people are applying to more colleges, which costs more money..."

Thacker says that ranking systems for colleges and universities are a big part of the problem.

U.S. News and World Report is a media company that creates a list of what it calls “America’s Best Colleges.” The company bases the list on information collected from colleges and universities across the country.

This information includes results of standardized tests like the SAT from all of a school’s students. Higher average test results help put schools higher on U.S. News and World Report’s list. Thacker says that higher rankings on those kinds of lists makes the schools more popular. More popularity means the schools become more selective.

Bob Schaeffer is the Public Education Director for the National Center for Fair and Open Testing (or NCFOT). The NCFOT is an organization that works to show the problems in standardized testing.

Schaeffer argues that tests like the SAT do not truly show how students will perform in college.

"Independent research shows the SAT is a very weak predictor of how someone will do in college. They under predict for females, for students whose home language is not English. And they’re simply not needed."

Thacker claims when schools become more selective, they cause students to worry less about being good people.

"Too many students are learning to do whatever it takes in order to get ahead, even if that means sacrificing their own individuality, their health, their happiness, their ethical principles and behavior..."

Harvard University only accepted 5.3 percent of students who applied in 2015. This a record low for the school.

That is why Thacker says it is important that students look past rank to find the right school.

"The impact on students and on parents is that college is all about where you go. The rank has nothing to do with the quality of education that goes on at the college."

 Report calls for change in admission process

The Harvard report states that the best way to change the admissions process is by changing college applications. The report suggests that schools should ask for evidence that students care about other people.

Admissions officers should look for examples of students working in their communities for long periods of time, the reports says. Applications should also include questions about why students feel diversity and community service are important.

Moving attention away from academic ability will make the process less about competition, the report says. Students will feel less stress about meeting higher and higher expectations.

Also, poorer students will have the same chances as students who can pay for test preparation classes. The report also says students whose schools do not offer high-level classes need the chance to show their abilities.

Thacker says it is important to show students that caring about others is just as important as personal success.

"As adults we need to do a better job of making sure kids are hearing better signals about what really matters."

But the report does have its critics.

Schaeffer says that every few years, someone makes the same argument for change. He says that no real change has happened yet.

Hawkins says that many of the schools that agree with the report still make no changes.

"Many of the institutions that have supported the findings in the report are the very institutions that have the most competitive admissions processes in the country." Thacker argues it is very difficult for one or even a small number of schools to make changes themselves. Until a majority of schools agree to these changes there will still be problems.

But, he says, the admissions process was better in the past. If bad changes can affect the process, so can good ones. 

I’m Pete Musto. 

Pete Musto reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

Article source: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/making-caring-common-in-college-admissions/3197142.html

---

<Questions>

Q1. What qualities do you think schools should look for in a student? 

Q2. Why are academics not the only factors schools consider? 

Q3. When you look back your school days, what quality was the most important factor to you? Academics, relationships , being good people or etc.?

Q4. What is your personality? Are you a person who have a tendency to focus on yourself or to care about others and your community? 

---

What life will be like in 2116 (18th February, 2016)

A new report shows what life might be like in 100 years from now. It describes skyscrapers that are much taller than today's buildings, underwater 'bubble' cities, and holidays in space. The report is from Samsung's SmartThings. It asked experts on space, architecture, and city planners to give their ideas on life in 2116. They said the way we live, work and play will be totally different to how we do these things today. The experts said that 25 years ago, people could not imagine how the Internet and smartphones would change our lives. The Internet has revolutionised the way we communicate, learn and do daily things. The experts said the changes in the next century would be even more unbelievable.

Researchers questioned 2,000 adults about the predictions they thought were most likely to happen in the future. They predicted that in the future, few people will go to an office but will work from home and have virtual work meetings. People will have advanced 3D printers that will let you download a design for furniture or a food recipe and then 'print' the sofa, table or pizza at home. There will also be less need for visits to the doctor. We will all have a home health capsule that will tell us what the problem is and give us treatment. We will also be going into space for holidays and to get resources that we have used up on Earth. A prediction that was missing was whether people would still need to study English.

Read more: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160218-the-future.html#ixzz41iH1k32K

---

Super-skyscrapers, ‘bubble’ cities and ‘origami’ furniture 

are all likely to be reality in 100 years

February 16, 2016

Super-skyscrapers which will dwarf the Shard, underwater ‘bubble’ cities and ‘origami’ furniture are all likely to be reality in 100 years’ time, according to a team of top scientists. That’s the verdict of a new study which paints a vivid picture of our future lives, suggesting the way we live, work and play will change beyond all recognition over the course of the next century.

The SmartThings Future Living Report was authored by a team of leading academics including TV presenter and one of the UK’s leading space scientists, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, award-winning futurist architects and lecturers at the University of Westminster Arthur Mamou-Mani and Toby Burgess, as well as pioneering urbanists Linda Aitken and Els Leclerq. 

The report was commissioned on behalf of SmartThings, a system which easily allows people to make their home smarter, meaning that at any time and from anywhere it is possible to switch on lights, turn up the thermostat or unlock the back door, all via a simple app. 

The predictions have been brought to life via detailed animated architectural renders which show a futuristic London skyline where high-rise apartments dwarf Europe’s highest building, The Shard, and show drone transportation and bubble-like underwater cities.

Many of the predictions were influenced by environmental conditions, with growing populations leading to the development of structures that are better able to cope with space constraints and diminishing resources.

As city space becomes more squeezed, we will burrow deeper and build higher with the creation of: 

• Super skyscrapers: carbon nanotubes and diamond Nano threads will help us create towering megastructures

• Earth-scrapers: just as we build up we will also dig down – huge structures will tunnel 25 or more storeys deep

• Underwater cities are likely to become a reality – using the water itself to create breathable atmospheres and generating hydrogen fuel through the process

• Personal flying drones replacing cars: some of us will be travelling skyways with our own personal flying drones, some strong enough to carry entire homes around the world for holidays

As technology develops, we’ll see: 

• 3D printing of houses and furniture: we will be able to print exact replicas of large scale structures like houses out of local, recyclable materials so that we really can have all the comforts of home while we are away  

• Flexible, smart walls and 3D printed Michelin starred meals: smart walls will mean you won’t need to decorate your home – LED room surfaces will adapt to suit your mood. 

When it comes to entertaining, there will be no more botched recipes or pizza deliveries – instead we will be downloading dishes from famous chefs that we will tailor to our personal needs.  We will be able to 3D-print a banquet or a favourite cake in minutes

 • Virtual meetings: our working lives will be transformed with the use of holograms which will allow us to attend meetings virtually, without leaving the comfort our homes 

• Stepping into home medi-pods will confirm‎ if you really are ill, providing a digital diagnosis and supplying medicine or a remote surgeon if needed

And finally, it’s predicted we will colonise space: first the Moon, then Mars and ultimately far beyond into the galaxy.

On top of looking at how we will live in 100 years’ time, SmartThings surveyed 2,000 British adults to pinpoint the predictions the nation thought were most likely to become a reality in the future.  

The survey shines a spotlight on the public perception of the future and suggests that building further into the sky, and colonising oceans are believed to be the biggest future trends as space and resources become scarce.

The top ten predictions for future living:

1. Virtual work meetings – the ability to work from anywhere and attend meetings remotely via avatars/holograms 

2. Commercial flights into space 

3. Virtual interior decoration so that you can program your own surroundings/ LED walls that adapt your surroundings to your mood 

4. 3D printed houses/furniture/food – meaning you can download and print these things at home 

5. At-home scanning capsules/pods that can diagnose health problems and administer medicines/treatments 

6. Colonising other planets as we use up resources on Earth 

7. AI becoming a normal part of daily life – taking over from humans in many industries 

8. Giant skyscrapers that can house entire cities: the construction of which is allowed for by the development of new super strong materials 

9. At-home hydroponic farms (that don’t require soil) where you can grow your own food 

10. Earth-scrapers – buildings that are built down into the ground, so entire cities are subterranean due to space constraints and also to provide further shelter.

Space Scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who co-authored the report, said: “Our lives today are almost unrecognisable from those a century ago. The internet has revolutionised the way we communicate, learn and control our lives. “Just 25 years ago, technology like SmartThings would have been inconceivable, yet today, developments like this let us monitor, control and secure our living spaces with the touch of a smartphone. “Over the next century we will witness further seismic shifts in the way we live and interact with our surroundings – working on The SmartThings Future Living Report with a panel of industry experts, has allowed me to explore what these could be. “We are likely to see the emergence of towering megastructures as well as sub-aquatic cities and transportation via advanced flying drones – some of which could be strong enough to transport entire houses on holiday.” 

James Monighan, UK MD of Samsung SmartThings, which commissioned the report, said: “The smart home revolution will have massively positive implications on how we live.  Our homes are becoming smarter and can now detect the presence of things like people, pets, smoke, humidity, lighting, and moisture.  And this is just the beginning.

Just as the technology driving the Internet has spread to smartphones and smart homes, the smart home revolution is destined to spread to larger communities and countries.  

By simply turning lights and heating off when we don’t use them, we can reduce emissions.  By being able to better monitor and secure our homes, we can reduce crime. By better monitoring the habits of aging relatives, we help them to achieve greater independence and a higher quality of life.”

The report has been published to coincide with the announcement that from the start of 2016, SmartThings will work with hundreds of products from a wide range of brands, as well as working with all of Samsung’s TVs as well as refrigerators, washer machines, ovens, and robot vacuum cleaners. 

The full SmartThings Future Living Report is available to read and download at www.samsung.com/uk/smartthings/

To find out more about Samsung SmartThings, visit www.samsung.com/uk/smartthings/

Category: Tech, Uncategorized

Article source : http://swns.com/news/super-skyscrapers-bubble-cities-and-origami-furniture-are-all-likely-to-be-reality-in-100-years-71333/

---

<Questions>

Q1. How do you think about holidays in space for summer vacation? 

Q2. If your housing can be built in anywhere, where do you want to live? City in the space, under the water, on the sky or just current home in the nature? 

Q3. With 3D printing technology, you can print whatever you want. For instance, if you have design file, you could create furniture, food or even your car if you want. Do you have any item you want to design and produce? 

Q4. Do you enjoy having a business trip? If you can attend a virtual meeting with avatars/ holograms, would you use this technology instead of long and tiring journey schedule or would you enjoy your business trip as a short excursion escaped from your office? 

Q5. Why people need new challenges or stimulus? 

Q6. What are the merits and demerits of technological development?