《語言教學》當代中文課程：第十一課－水果真好吃【20210515】
Joey Chestnut never planned to become the world’s most famous competitive eater while studying engineering at San Jose University. However, a lobster-eating contest changed his life, leading him to a career in competitive eating. With 56 records, including devouring 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, Chestnut sees eating as a sport, dedicating rigorous training to expand his stomach capacity. Kobayashi and Chestnut attend the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019.Monica Schipper/Getty Images for 2019 Tribeca Film FestivalHis legendary rivalry with Takeru Kobayashi began in 2007 when Chestnut dethroned the six-time champion at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Now, after 15 years, the two are set to face off again in Netflix’s ‘Chestnut vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.’Despite his success, Chestnut acknowledges the health risks associated with his profession, including potential long-term consequences. As he enters his 40s, Chestnut plans to limit competitions and focus more on maintaining his health while continuing to enjoy what he loves most: eating.
A team led by Cornell University has developed biohybrid robots controlled by king oyster mushroom mycelium, which blend living organisms with machines. By integrating mycelium into the robot's hardware, these robots can sense and respond to their environment using the electrical signals produced by the fungus, showcasing biohybridization — the merging of biological and synthetic components.The mycelium's electrical activity, when processed, allows these robots to move, adapt to light, and change their behavior. This innovation exemplifies the growing field of biohybrid robotics, which seeks to use biological materials for enhanced functionality. These fungi-controlled robots highlight potential applications in agriculture and environmental monitoring, such as sensing soil chemistry or mitigating agricultural impacts.Andrew Adamatzky, a professor of unconventional computing at the University of the West of England, helped grow from fungus a self-healing skin for robots that can react to light and touch that was described in a separate January study./Antoni GandiaWhile biohybrid robots hold exciting possibilities, experts caution about the ethical implications of integrating such technology into natural ecosystems, emphasizing the need for careful consideration as these technologies evolve.
Mong Shuan started working at a betel nut stand in northern Taiwan at 16, earning around $670 a month plus bonuses for dressing provocatively to attract male customers. Betel nut vendors like Mong, often called “betel nut beauties,” emerged in the 1960s when the Shuangdong Betel Nut Stand popularized the concept. Photographer Constanze Han documented these women, capturing the lives of betel nut sellers in neon-lit roadside booths during a month-long journey across Taiwan. Han’s photos, reminiscent of fashion editorials, reveal the mundane reality behind the stereotype, aiming to challenge preconceived notions about these women.Han photographed 12 women, mostly in their late teens and early 20s, with some appearing in scanty outfits under neon lights. Among them was Ju Ju, a young mom in Taoyuan, who started selling betel nuts to make ends meet and has since been promoted to managing two booths. Despite regulations, like the 2002 Taoyuan dress code mandating modest attire, concerns about exploitation persist. However, Han’s project highlights their resilience and offers a nuanced portrayal of a fading cultural phenomenon in Taiwan, where betel nut usage is on the decline.A betel nut stall in Taipei. Constanze HanThe photo series reflects the changing habits and declining use of betel nuts, a stimulant that’s losing popularity due to health concerns. By documenting these betel nut beauties, Han seeks to provide a deeper understanding of their lives, hoping to shift perceptions and inspire curiosity about Taiwan beyond the typical judgments. She wants viewers to appreciate this unique aspect of Taiwanese culture before it potentially disappears altogether.
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