Questions 31~33

    Ice ages, those periods when ice covered extensive areas of the Earth, are known to have occurred at least six times. Past ice ages can be recognized from rock strata that show evidence of foreign materials deposited by moving walls of ice or melting glaciers. Ice ages can also be recognized from land formations that have been produced from moving walls of ice, such as U-shaped valleys, sculptured landscapes, and polished rock faces.

    Another program instrumental in the popularization of science was Cosmos. This series, broadcast on public television, dealt with topics and issues from varied fields of science. The principal writer and narrator of the program was Carl Sagan, a noted astronomer and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

    Today, the speed with which we communicate and the rate at which knowledge becomes available make information literacy a critical skill for the workplace. The Internet and other global communication systems have greatly increased access to information, creating a corresponding need to quickly process it, make decisions about it, and exercise flexibility when dealing with it. Technology has increased the pace of research and development, requiring a continual readiness to adapt to change. Your ability to use, process, and evaluate information has a direct bearing on your capacity to function efficiently.

     In addition to the quantity of information and the rate at which it is received, the variety of media (auditory, graphical, electronic, and hard copy, to name a few) requires proficiency in using a variety of formats to obtain information. Being able to use various media for retrieving and presenting information, as well as having a basic understanding of the technology needed for doing so, is critical. 

     Regardless of the rate at which or the format in which information is received, making wise choices about the information you need and use is critical to your success. Information comes from numerous sources (many of which are unfiltered), so it is essential to be able to judge its quality and legitimacy. You must ensure that information comes from reliable sources and be able to think critically about the information that you receive and use.

     Someone once said that technology is a double-edged sword. Fire, probably mankind’s earliest technology, is a case in point. Fire keeps us warm, provides protection against animals, and cooks our food. Fire can also hurt us, by burning down our homes or as a weapon against us. The latest technology is not different. The Internet, for example, is at once a savior and a villain. 

    The advantages of the Internet are legion. Communication with others on-line has reduced our long-distance telephone bills to zero. It provides more information than any library can. Some teachers and companies use the Internet for long-distance education, helping others learn what they need to know in the comfort of their own homes. 

    The drawbacks of the Internet are also well known. Internet addiction is now a recognized mental problem. Dating over the Internet has resulted not only in people being fooled, but also in people harmed. With the existence of e-mail has come the scourge of spam, a kind of on-line pollution. Lately, another problem has arisen: identity theft. 

    People known as hackers find out personal information such as credit card numbers and use it to their advantage and at their victims’ cost. Some seven million people had their on-line information stolen and used against them last year in the U.S. As this crime grows, so should people’s understanding of the technology they use, or they will understand－the hard way－the meaning of a double-edged sword.

    Money. Fame. Excitement. It sounds like celebrities have the perfect life. Millions look up to them as idols. And yet, the life of a star isn’t as easy as it looks. They face a lot of pressure on a daily basis－from studios, the media, and fans. We expect them to be perfect in every way. Yet, deep down, they’re people just like the rest of us. Sometimes, the pressure is too much to handle.

     For many celebrities, the trouble begins early in their careers. As soon as singers and actors become famous, they lose all privacy. Their lives become public stories for the world to read about. So, stars learn to be careful about what they say and do. Many hire publicists－professionals who help them maintain a good image. 

    Part of living a public life is the pressure to look flawless. While the rest of us may have wrinkles and a bit of extra weight, stars often see natural flaws as career killers. So, they turn to plastic surgery to try and stay perfect. That goes for men and women. Sometimes, their surgeries become a big part of their fame. Other times, they become major gossip topics, such as Michael Jackson’s many operations. 

    Living under the spotlight day after day can be harmful to anyone. Some celebrities, unable to deal with it all, suffer from depression. A related problem is drug and alcohol abuse. A number of stars have died far too young. Some die from a drug overdose. Others take their own lives.