2015年2月3日火曜日

レアジョブ:New Electric Barrier Repels Sharks

こうしたテクノロジー系の話題は、結構苦手です。

でも、毎日レアジョブ!となると、やらざるを得ない(出てしまうイヤイヤ感)。
苦手なトピックについて読む事は必要ですよね。

今日のお題:New Electric barrier Repels Sharks.

覚えたい単語:
repel:寄せ付けない
electric current:電流
pore:毛穴


Summary of the article

Some researcher developed a way to repel sharks. 
The way is a new method to keep sharks at bay by using a cable that emits electric current

The electric current can be effective only for sharks, which are sensitive to electric current because of their special pores around their noses. Therefore, no other fish will not feel electric current and a person who touch a electrode will only feel a sting. 

Q: What is your opinion about using electricity to repel sharks?

I believe this is a good tool to keep them at bay because
the tool takes advantage of sharks' traits like special pores, that can sense electric current. 
Considering the safety for other sea animals, the way is environment friendly and harmful. 
They won't destroy the ecological chain since it doesn't hurt anything. 

Q: Do you feel safe if that barrier is available in your country’s beaches? 

I rarely hear sharks attack human in Japanese sea. But safe is better than sorry.

Q How else can we ensure safety against attacks of wild animals?

First, we need to know the basic traits of each wild animal. Then we should take precautionary measures. When it comes to a shark, they have a special pores. That's why the researchers was able to develop an appropriate tool to repel sharks.

Q What is your opinion about the humans' killing of wild animals such as sharks?

I think that killing wild animals easily is a selfish behavior. Human is invading their habitat and they have no choice but to move to the city and neighborhoods for some foods.

They don't intend to hurt human at all and they are just looking for food. However, we consider them dangerous enemy and kill them as soon as we find them.

Basically, the earth or planet is not only for human, but also for other creatures. We should recognize how we can share habitat with others.















2015年2月2日月曜日

レアジョブ: Women in High Positions, More Likely to Suffer Depression

今日で52回目の受講となりました。

ほぼ毎日受けていますが、
毎回違う記事を読むと、ボキャブラリーが豊富になる気がしますし、
色んな事に関心が向くようになります。

なかなかいいです、レアジョブ。

今日のお題:Women in High Positions, More Likely to Suffer Depression

関連記事

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30127275

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?section=todaysfeatures&xfile=/data/todaysfeatures/2014/November/todaysfeatures_November26.xml

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/entertainment/20-Nov-2014/job-authority-spells-depression-for-women-study


使えそうな表現

*masculine behavior 男っぽいふるまいをする
ex) Women in authority position need to adopt masculine behavior.

* feminine characteristics 女性らしい特徴
ex)Colleagues would not believe the women were good leaders if they saw only their feminine characteristics.


Summary of the article

According to a recent study, the risk of falling into depression is higher for women in executive positions compared with men.

The female corporate leaders have an authority like hiring and firing employees and deciding the salaries of their workforce. It seems that such authority makes them feel stress in the workplace. 


Aside from the stress of authoritative power, the study said that stereotypes and prejudice were still common in the workplace. So, unlike men, women in authoritative positions constantly face high expectations because of their gender. 

Q Do you think that stereotypes and prejudice in the workplace is an issue in your country?

Yes. Stereotypes and prejudice against working women are still common in Japan. 
Some companies tends to think that women easily quit jobs after getting married or pregnant.
Therefore, they don't have company policies to improve the working environment for women.
There are some companies which have no policies of maternity leave. 
Because of these unpleasant working condition, the number of working women  is decreasing.
However, a lot of women keep motivation to work even after they get married or pregnant and recognize the necessity to balance between their work and life. 

When it comes to women in executive positions, some of men think that women are not good leaders because women lack the assertiveness or confidence of strong leaders. 
But when women display such characteristic, they are judged negatively for being unfeminine. 
It could be a stress for women. 

Q What other forms of stress do bosses usually have to deal with?

This article is mainly talking about the depression by mental stress. 
However, there is a chance that women in an authority position suffer from insomnia and mood swings. 

Q What do you think would be a good way to deal with stress in the workplace?

First of all, I think companies need to establish company policies to protect working women to some extent as long as they suffer from negative stereotypes and prejudice in the workplace. 

Secondly, as another idea, to give them a chance to talk with a staff counselor. 
It might be not usual to provide the opportunity to talk with a counselor in Japan and  I don't know how effective it is. However, leaders tend to be isolated, so talking with someone might be a big help for them.