The Hodgepodge 外文外聞 Issue03

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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