The new television season began recently in the U.S. And two writers – Neal Gabler from the Los Angeles Times and David Brooks from the New York Times – wrote about an interesting feature (something you notice) of many of the new shows – the importance of the flock.
When we use the word flock, we’re usually talking about a group of animals – sheep, goats, or birds. But these writers are using it a little differently to refer to a large group of people that are related to each other as friends, family members, or neighbors.
Both writers say that we’ll be seeing “lots of folks (people) spending the better part (most) of their day surrounded by their friends and family….” They will wander (walk without a specific purpose) “into the unlocked apartments and homes of friends, family, and neighbors, at any time of the day or night.” Gabler and Brooks say that television has become a “friendship machine” that distributes, or provides, “groups of people…sitting around living rooms, restaurants, and coffee shops, sharing everything all the time.”
What is different about this? In the past, many American TV programs have been about individuals, close friends, and the nuclear family (husband, wife, and children). The new shows are expanding the circle (increasing the number and kind) of relationships that people participate in.
This trend (the way something is developing or changing) began about 20 years ago, according to the two writers. It began with Seinfeld and moved on through Friends, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, and other shows. Two of this year’s new shows – Raising Hope and Better with You – continue the trend.
This trend is remarkable (unusual or surprising) because scientists tell us that fewer and fewer Americans have close friends. In one recent study, 25% of the people said they had no one to confide in (talk to about personal things). Another study found that the average American has only four close relationships, including family members.
The two writers wonder if the decline (decrease in number or importance) in real friendships may explain why social-networking web sites – like Facebook, where you can be “friended” – have become so popular. But they also worry that virtual (online) friendships are a poor substitute (replacement) for having real people that you can meet, talk to, and share your life with.
At the end of his article, Neal Gabler suggests that “we miss the friendships we no longer have, and we know that Facebook or e-mails cannot possibly compensate for (replace, or take the place of) the loss. So we sit in front of our television sets and enjoy the dream of friendship instead: a dream where we need never be alone, where there is a group of people who would do anything for us, and where everyone seems to understand us….”
I’m curious – do you think these two writers are right? Have these television shows become popular because we have fewer real, close friends? Do we really live in a world where we can only dream about real friendship? How does this compare with what you see in your country? Is it similar, or is it different?
Warren Ediger – ESL tutor and coach; creator of Successful English, where you can find clear explanations and practical suggestions for improving your English.
Photo by Hot Rod used under Creative Commons license.
QUESTION:
Michael from Germany wants to know: “What is the right term for something you do beside your “main” job? This would be something you like to do, even love to do – in my case it is creating comic strips as an author. But like a lot of other creative work (like acting, painting, etc.), it is difficult to have financial success, earning enough money so you can live on it.”
ANSWER:
Many people work at a job to make money, but really love doing something else. The job we do to make money we call our “day job,” even if we work at night. This is your main job–the one that allows you pay your rent or mortgage (money paid on a home loan) and allows you to eat.
There is a very common expression people say related to day jobs: “Don’t quit your day job.” We often use this jokingly, to say that the other person doesn’t do something very well. For example, if we are all at Jeff’s birthday party and I start to sing a song in Jeff’s honor (to show respect to Jeff), my friends would probably say to me: “Don’t quit your day job!” It’s a little insulting (rude), but it’s meant as a joke, and in my case, they would be right!
There are a few terms for things we do “on the side” (not as our main occupation or activity) because we like or love doing them. If it’s done mainly or only for pleasure, then we usually call it a “hobby.” We don’t expect to make money from it, but we enjoy doing it.
Let’s say (let’s take the example) of cleaning. I might be a little strange and enjoy cleaning as my hobby. Obviously I don’t get paid for cleaning my own house, or even cleaning my friends’ houses for fun. If, however, I get a job as a janitor (person who cleans a school, office building, etc.) in addition to my day job, I would be moonlighting. The term “moonlighting” is usually used to mean an additional job we get to make extra money, not to give ourselves enjoyment. We also call this our “second job,” although we don’t call our main job our “first job.”
However, if you are doing something that requires more skill, such as creating comic strips or websites, and you make some money from it or intend to make money from it, that would probably be called your “sideline.” So, if my day job is working at ESL Podcast and I moonlight as a janitor in the evenings, I may also have a sideline as a pianist (person who plays the piano) at a restaurant/bar on the weekends.
Thanks for your question Michael and I hope that’s helpful.
ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 628 – Introducing a New Product
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to roll out” and “to scramble.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about ways that “Technology Companies Test New Products.”
“Companies often want to “test” (see how well something works) their new products before they “release” (make available) them to the “general public” (all people; ordinary people). That way, they can identify and correct problems less expensively and with little or no impact on their “brand image”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 265
Topics: The Extension Courses System; Famous Americans: Lizzie Borden; Boston accent/dialect and the Boston Brahmin; to speak out of turn
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about the educational requirements for “Teaching College/University Extension Courses.”
“To teach in U.S. colleges and universities, there are “minimum” (the least amount allowed) educational requirements for “instructors” (teachers). These requirements change depending on the level of education…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 629 – Being Hungry and Full
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “dish” and “to skip.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about how grocery stores and restaurants offer different types of “Customer Portion Sizes.”
“At a restaurant, someone who isn’t very hungry might want to order “light fare,” or smaller “portions” (the amount of food intended for one person to eat at one time). The “senior menu,” for people who are at least 50 years old, and the “kids menu”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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We’ve had a week of wet, cloudy, and windy weather here in (slightly less) beautiful Los Angeles, and it made me think of this classic song by Bill Withers. It’s also in my mind because, as I’ve mentioned before, Jeff likes to sing in his office throughout the day, and he has been singing it all week, which means I’ve been humming it (singing it with my lips closed) all week. Now, it’s time to get you singing it, too.
~ Lucy
P.S. Here’s a wonderful cover (another version, originally recorded by someone else) of this song by Eva Cassidy.
“Aint No Sunshine”
by Bill Withers
Ain’t no sunshine (direct light from the sun) when she’s gone.
It’s not warm when she’s away (not here).
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone.
And she’s always gone too long, anytime she goes away.
Wonder this time where she’s gone,
Wonder if she’s gone to stay (permanently; not to return).
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone.
And this house just ain’t no home anytime she goes away.
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
Hey, I ought to (should) leave the young thing alone, but ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone.
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone,
Only darkness (being without light; unhappiness) everyday.
Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone,
And this house just ain’t no home anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Anytime she goes away.
Most Americans have either read or heard of a story by Nathaniel Hawthorne called The Scarlet Letter, which takes place in 17th-century Boston. In the story, a woman has to wear a scarlet (red) letter “A” because she has committed adultery (had sex with someone who is not one’s husband or wife). It’s an example of using shame (embarrassment over having done something wrong) to punish and to influence certain behavior in a way that we are supposed to find cruel and unwarranted (done without a good reason). Nowadays, when we say something is like a “scarlet letter” we mean that it is an unfair punishment, a cruel method of changing behavior.
Well, it appears that shame is back, and now it’s good! According to a recent story in The Wall Street Journal, some psychologists are now recommending that the best way to get people to “turn green” (do good things for the environment) is to use peer pressure (the actions and opinions of your friends and family) and shame. For example, you are more likely to reuse (use again) your hotel towels when you are told that everyone else is reusing theirs, rather than because it is “good for the environment.” People use less energy in their homes when their energy use is published on a website and compared to their neighbors, rather than simply being asked to cut back (use less).
The new, 21st century lesson of The Scarlet Letter appears to be this: Shame is actually a good thing if it is used to change a behavior we don’t like.
~Jeff
Image credit: “The Scarlett Letter” by T.H. Matteson, 1860; Wikepedia CC.
ON MONDAY ESL Podcast 626 – Wiring Money to Another Country
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “wire” and “blank.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Getting the Best Currency Exchange Rates.”
“When traveling “overseas” (to another country), travelers want to get the best possible exchange rate to “make their money go as far as possible” (get the best value for their money). “Fluctuations” (changes) in the exchange rate…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 264
Topics: On the Waterfront; Famous Songs: “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”; bet versus wager versus gamble; U.S. versus U.S.A.; can’t help (doing something)
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Popular Drinking Games.”
“In the U.S., friends like to get together at bars or at parties to “socialize” (interact with friends or to make friends). If they are college students or young adults, they sometimes like to play “drinking games,” games that involve drinking alcohol in some way…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY ESL Podcast 627 – Being Spontaneous or Well-Planned
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to play (something) by ear” and “active.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about the famous author “Jack Kerouac and Spontaneous Prose.”
“Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) was a well-known American author and poet. Many people call him the “father of” (the man who led) the Beat movement, which describes the work of a group of American writers…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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Our listeners make ESL Podcast possible. Please consider supporting ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member!
I’ve always admired people who could look at the stuff (objects and activities) of everyday life and find wisdom. My grandfather was one of those people. So is Seth Godin.
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is an elusive (difficult to describe) idea. It’s more than being smart or knowing a lot. To put it (say it) simply, wisdom is the ability to make good judgments (opinions from careful thinking) and decisions. It’s the ability to make appropriate (correct), practical use of what we know. We can learn wisdom from others, but most probably comes from experience, from the knowledge we gain (get little by little) from life.
Splitting wood
This little bit of wisdom from Seth Godin caught my eye (got my attention) because it reminded me of an earlier time in my life. Until I moved to California, I lived in Kansas and Nebraska – in the center of the U.S. – not too far from Minnesota, where Jeff grew up.
For a couple of years, I owned a piece of property (land) in Nebraska with large oak trees. And I cut dead branches off of the trees to burn in our fireplace. If you’re familiar with oak, you know it’s very hard wood. That’s good because it burns longer and hotter than soft woods. But it’s bad when you’re trying to cut it and split it (break or separate them into smaller parts). It’s a lot of hard work.
I would always cut the branches into pieces about two feet long – just right for our fireplace. If the pieces were too big around (the diameter, or distance around, was too large) I also had to split them. There are machines you can use to do this, but I did it by hand (myself), usually with an axe (tool with long handle for cutting trees), just like the man in the picture.
When using an axe to split logs, it’s awfully (very) tempting (looks like a good idea) to aim (choose the place to hit) at the top of the log. After all, if you miss the log entirely, it’s dangerous or at the very least, not effective….
The problem with aiming at the top is that the axe loses momentum (energy) before its work is done and you end up with a stuck (impossible to move) axe and half a split log.
No, the best approach (method) is to focus (concentrate) on splitting the bottom of the log. Split the bottom and the top takes care of itself (happens automatically as a result).
I’m not talking about turning the log upside down or some other trick. I’m pointing out (showing or demonstrating) that if you aim at the top – at getting started – then you don’t split the wood. If you aim at the bottom – starting at the top – then you do. Hitting the top of the log isn’t the goal (purpose), it’s only the beginning of the stroke (movement of the axe through the wood). In other words, don’t focus so much on starting something. It’s the follow-through (continued movement) that will get you there, so the beginning must be with the end in mind. And yes, this actually makes wood chopping far (much) easier.
I think Godin is right – about splitting wood and about life.
*down-home – a simple, unpretentious (not trying to impress) way of life; having simple values or customs (ways of doing things).
~ Warren Ediger – creator of Successful English, where you can find clear explanations and practical suggestions for improving your English.
Photo by Ollie Crafoord is used under Creative Commons license.
QUESTION:
Omid from Iran wants to know what “peer review” means when talking about scientific articles, and what the difference is between peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles.
ANSWER:
When we read about scientific research, we often hear the term “peer review.” Peer review is the process of taking a piece of scientific research, usually in the form of an article, and sending it to knowledgeable people in the same field to get their advice on whether the research is sound (based on good research) and should be published (printed for others to read). Peer review is often used by scientific journals, which are publications containing professional and/or research articles published regularly–monthly, quarterly (every three months), biannually (two times a year) or annually (each year). Peer review is also used by conference (professional meeting) organizers to determine whether a presentation is appropriate for that conference and of a high quality. In theory (the way it is supposed to work), peer review makes sure that only good research is published or presented, so that it can gain the attention of other people in the field and/or the media (news organizations).
For peer review to work well, it is best to have “blind review,” which is when an article or written presentation is sent to reviewers without the name of the author(s) on it. (Sometimes, other identifying information within the article is also taken out.) This way, reviewers can’t be influenced by the name of the author, his or her affiliation (organization that he or she is connected with), or any other factors not associated with the quality of the research and the article itself.
However, even blind review doesn’t always work the way it is supposed to. Having been on journal editorial boards (the groups of people who determine the content of a publication) and having peer reviewed many articles (not to mention having had many of my own articles reviewed), it is sometimes quite easy to know who the author or authors are. How? First, if you are being sent an article to review, it means that you are active in this field. Sometimes sub-specialties (smaller areas of expertise) within a field is quite small, with only a small number of people doing research in it. For this reason, it is easy to see from the topic of the article, the kind of research done, and/or the references (published articles, books, presentations, and other sources) that are cited (mentioned) who the author is or who his/her friends or colleagues are. Second, people in the same field may have an ax to grind, meaning they have some bad feelings against someone or some point of view that influences their decision. If the reviewer does not agree with the author’s conclusions, the reviewer may not like the article and advise the journal to reject (refuse) it, even if the research is done well and the article is written well.
So you can see that while peer review is widely used, it is far from a perfect system. Still, it is considered the best method we have right now to cull (separate) good research from bad. Keeping in mind the limitations of peer review and blind review, however, we can all be better consumers (readers; receivers) of scientific research.
ON MONDAY
ESL Podcast 624 – Advantages and Disadvantages in Life
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “to make (someone) sick” and “to get a break.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about “Servants Working in Wealthy Homes.”
“Most American families do not have “servants” (people who work in their homes on a regular basis), but some “wealthy” (rich) families have “household help” to “maintain” (continue the operations of) their large homes…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON WEDNESDAY
English Cafe 263
Topics: American Cities: Albuquerque; Survivor Reality TV Show; yet; differentiation versus distinction; so near and yet so far
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear).
In “What Insiders Know,” you will read about “Amusement Rides Based on TV Shows.”
“In this English Cafe, we talked about the popular TV show Survivor. If you are a “fan” (someone who likes something very much), your Survivor experience does not need to end with the TV show. You can actually go on an amusement ride based on the show…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ON FRIDAY
ESL Podcast 625 – Being Famous and Anonymous
In the Learning Guide: Get a full transcript (written version of every word you hear), vocabulary list and sample sentences, and comprehension questions.
In “What Else Does it Mean,” learn the other meanings of “getup” and “plastered.”
In the “Culture Note,” learn about the well-known expression “15 Minutes of Fame.”
“Andy Warhol was a very famous American painter, “illustrator” (one who draws pictures to go with text or words), filmmaker, and author. In 1968, he once said, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” That phrase “inspired”…” – READ MORE in the Learning Guide
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ESL Podcast members make our podcasts possible. Please consider supporting ESL Podcast by becoming a Basic or Premium Member!
I have some good news and some bad news. First, the bad news: my beloved (much loved) Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team did not make (reach; qualify for) the playoffs for Major League Baseball (MLB) this year. Playoffs are games to determine the final two teams that will play in the championship game(s). But there’s also good news: my former favorite team, the Minnesota Twins, did make the playoffs. So I’ll be rooting for (wanting to win; supporting) the Twins during the baseball playoffs this October. Go Twins!
Professional sports in the U.S. is big business; that is, it makes a lot of money for the team owners and the players. The lowest salary (amount paid for working) for an MLB player is $400,000 a year. The average salary is slightly (a little bit) less than $3,000,000 a year. Not surprisingly, a lot of boys and girls grow up dreaming of making it (being successful; being part of) professional sports. But how realistic (practical; possible) is this dream? Should parents encourage their children to pursue (to try to achieve; to try to get) a career (life-long job; working for many years) in sports?
A recent study reported a few months ago in the Wall Street Journalcalculated (determined mathematically) the percentage of high school athletes (people who play sports) who make it to the professional level. Here’s the total percentage of kids who make it, by sport, from lowest percentage to highest:
Men’s Basketball: 0.03%
Women’s Basketball: 0.03%
Men’s Soccer: 0.07%
Football (American): 0.08%
Men’s Ice Hockey: 0.31%
Baseball: 0.44%
The total of all of these combined is less than 1%. In other words, more than 99% of all student athletes will fail to make money playing professional sports (at least in these sports, which are the most popular in the United States).
It’s a good thing I quit playing baseball at the age of 6 . I played one game, got hit by the ball, cried, and never returned – true story!
~Jeff
P.S. A word about the title of the post: To put (someone) in means to begin to use that person in the game, someone who is not currently playing. The coach is the team’s leader, who decides how the team will play and who will be “put in.” The title is from a popular song from the 1980s about baseball (YouTube video here).
The new television season began recently in the U.S. And two writers – Neal Gabler from the Los Angeles Times and David Brooks from the New York Times – wrote about an interesting feature (something you notice) of many of the new shows – the importance of the flock.
I’ve always admired people who could look at the stuff (objects and activities) of everyday life and find wisdom. My grandfather was one of those people. So is Seth Godin.
