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better and get two new cars: one for his wife and one for himself. The most amusing thing about this game is that Joneses and all the neighbors who are struggling frantically to keep up with them are spending borrowed money kindly provided, at a suitable rate of interest, of course, by friendly banks, insurance companies, etc.

It is not only affluent societies that people are obsessed with the idea of making more money. Consumer goods are desirable everywhere and modern industry deliberately sets out to create new markets. Gone are the days when industrial goods were made to last forever. The wheels of industry must be kept turning. Built-in obsolescence provides the means; goods are made to be discarded. Cars get tinnier and tinnier. You no sooner acquire this year’s model than you are thinking about its replacement. This materialistic outlook has seriously influenced education. Fewer and fewer young people these days acquire knowledge only for its own sake. Every course of studies must lead somewhere. i.e. to a bigger wage packet. The demand for skilled personnel for exceeds the supply and big companies compete with each other to recruit students before they have completed their studies. Tempting salaries and ―fringe benefits‖ are offered to them. Recruiting tactics of this kind have led to the brain drain, the process by which highly skilled people offer their services to the highest bidder. The wealthier nations deprive their poorer neighbors of their most able citizens. While Mammon is worshipped as never before, the rich get richers and the poor, poorer.

8. Communication and Language

One of the first things we think about when we hear the word communication language. There are thousands of languages spoken around the world today. In fact, linguistis say that there may be as many as 10000.

Speaking with others is an important means of communication, but we can also communicate without using words, that is by nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication includes voice quality, eyes movement, facial expression and body movements such as gestures and change in body position. But many people do not realize that everyone uses nonverbal communication. Sometimes, we ―say‖ more with our face and gestures that we do with our voices.

Books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, are other means of communication. Today we can also communicate over long distance with the help of communications satellites. Some scientists say that soon machines will be developed for sending message through the earth. The technology necessary to build these machines is very complex. But the language we speak every day is much more complex than the most modern communication technology.

9. Cooperation Goes with Competition

In our times, cooperation and competition spread over the world. Both of them speed up the wheel of economy and enrich the intelligence of mankind. It is possible to accomplish a complicated program by only one person now. As we know, the more cooperation a company depends on, the more efficient it will become in business.

Furthermore, we can’t avoid competition in our exchanges. From time to time, we compare ourselves with others, expecting to catch up with others. This is the spirit of competition, by which we pursue the highest goal. It is only by competition in the market that a company can raise its reputation. Were it not for competition, say, all of us would not enjoy what we have achieved.

10. The Rise of Intellectual Property Protection

Intellectural property scarcely existed in the vocabularies of academic researchers and administrators even 15 years ago. Now it is an ever-present part of discussions on research policies and directions. This new importance of intellectual property in academia reflects a changing view on ther relationships of research at universities to the surrounding society. Until recently, research at universities has been relatively isolated from demands of economic utility,and education of graduate students has emphasized a career in academic research as the final goal.

Now almost all research universities in the United States have technology licensing operations. The number of U.S. patents granted to American universities in a year rose from about 300 in 1980 to almost 2000 in 1995. The direct economic impact of

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technology licensing on the universities themselves has been relatively small. In contrast, the impact of university technology transfer on the local and national economies has been substantial, and leads to the concusion that the Licensing Act () is one of the most successful pieces of economic development in recent history. It has been estimated that more than 200000 jobs have been created in the United States in product development and manufacturing of products from university licenses, with the number increasing fairly rapidly as the licenses mature.

Intellectual property terms have become vitally important. The company wants to be assured that it can use the results of the research-and that these results will not be available to their competitors. But most universities insist that transfer of research results is key to their identity and mission and will not agree to keep the project results secret. The key to resolving this dilemman is to grant patents: the university will publish the results, but will first agree to file patents that will protect the company’s privilege in the commercial market place.

11. Generation Gap

Despite various improvements in all aspects of social life, the generation gap between the grown-up and the young remains unbridged. Instead, it grows wider apart.

Nowadays, the youths do not blindly follow what their elder say. Owing to widespread edcuation, the influence of western civilization, to certain extent, gives them a new code of philosophy, which is completely different from that of their elders. An invisible cold wall thus appears between the two generations.

Modern youths are trying to be more revolutionary. They have their own interpretation fro different matters; they also have their own ideals. Their reluctance to learn old teaching and sayings becomes the constant friction between the two generations. They always introduce new changes. However, the old people, wedded to everything of the past, are hostile to changes and the generation gap becomes wider and wider.

After all, the young generation, like the old one, is made of flesh and blood. The young also need respect and they also have skills and good ideas. In order to narrow the gap, both groups should try to understand each other. Most probably, these suggestions may help to solve the problem.

12. Should Men and Women Be Equal?

Should men and women be equal? This is a question much talked about by many people. Some hold the opinion that men are superiro to women in many ways. For one thing, many a job men do can hardly be done by women, who are physically not strong enough; and for another, most of the word-famous scientists or statemen are found to be males. Moreover, the whole human society seems to have all along been dominated by men only. Isn’t it evident enough to show that men are a lot stronger than women? Hence, the former should enjoy more rights than the latter.

Other people, however, think quite differently on this question. They firmly believe that men and women are born equal. And women are certainly as talented as men if they are given equal opportunities of education. Isn’t it a fact known to us all that women have been working side by side with men in China and elsewhere in the wordl? Like their men folks, they have been distinguishing themselves not only in research institutions, but in government bodies and other organizations as well.

Personally, I am firmly standing on the side of those women’s rights defenders. Since men and women are playing an equally important role in all human activities, why should not they be on an equal footing? Furthermore, from time immemorial, there have been two sex groups, namely, men and women. Our Human society could definitely not have existed or advanced without either of them. Is it wonder that men and women ought to be equal and enjoy equal rights accordingly?

13. Computer and Man

It is believed that the computer can do almost every thing. At the time the computer was invented, scientists, carried away by its calculating speed, felt that they had created a miracle. It

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Was gradually used not noly in mathematics,physics,chemisry and astronomy, but in places like the library, hospital and military army to replace the work of man. For the work of man. For this reason, the computer was entiled ―Electronic Brain‖ in terms of appreciation.

Can man be controlled by computers? The answer is negative. Although a computer works much faster and accurately than man , a fact is undeniable; it is designed, manufactured and programmed by man, and therefore by human beings. Of course, science fictions have made up many fascinating stories about a computer, or rather robot,who conquers man and the earth, even the whole universe; however, they are only unrealistic imaginatio. A horse helps man a lot runs much faster than we, but it is only a slave.

The future for the computer is very promising. With the help of it, we can do things that could not be done before.Conquering the universe, discovering new things, explaining mysteruiys phenomena puzzling us at present are all made possible by computer.

14. what kind of life to live-realistic or romantic ?

There has always been an argument between the young and the old about what kind of life to live-realistic or romantic. Young people tend to think real think that real lofe is as dramatic and fascimating as it is in the novels and movies while more experiened adults think this na?ve daydream is certain to be broken by later experiences and everyone should learn to get used to the dull routine of his everydy life.

However, there are some inadequacies in the opinions on the part of both sides. Life will be unimaginable if everything we do is only for realistic purpose, and the same is true if what we do everyday is just to enjoy ourselves. So it’s not difficult for us to see that neither way can ensure a happy life.

In my opinion, a real happy lofe can never be separated from either of the two ways. On the one hand, let’s enjoy life-enjoy the excitement of sports. On the other, let’s not forget our work. Happy life can never go without hard work.

15. Fast Food

Fast food is becoming more popular in China, especially among children and teenagers. Today, it's certainly difficult to think of any other single thing that represents the fast pace of modern society as powerfully as fast food.

There are several reasons for its popularity. First, it is very convenient and saves a lot of time. The trends of modern society seem to all point to one ultimate goal--saving time, and fast food well serves this purpose. You just go into a fast food restaurant, order your food, and your food is ready in no time. You can either eat it there or take it away. Second, its popularity is also attributed to the clean and comfortable environment of fast food restaurants, the excellent ervice, and the guaranteed quality of food.

However, in terms of nutrition, fast food is far from satisfactory. It usually does not compose a balanced diet and is low in nutritional value. Thus, doctors suggest that people, especially children, eat fast food as little as possible. Although cooking at home is time-consuming and the following washing-up tiresome, it offers healthy and delicious meals your body likes and needs. Fast food is only a good choice when you are in a hurry and turn to it once in a while.

16. On the Attitude towards Fighting against Criminals

Today crime rate in our cities seems to be rising. Thefts, robberies, and murders are reported to take place even in the broad daylight.

Facing crime tide, people may take different attitudes. Some feel frightened and prefer to turn a blind eye to the criminals. Others are resolute and dare to run risk at the cost of their lives in fighting with the criminals. They take it as their duty to protect the social law and order. As for me, I take the attitude of the latter.

To ensure the social security and protect people’s safety, I may have some suggestions to make. First of all, the government should always keep a continuous law education among the people, especially, in the younger generations. Secondly, criminals

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should be punished severely. And finally, it is imperative to set up a public foundation system to award those who set merits in fighting criminals.

17. Parents are too permissive with their children nowadays

Few people would defend the Victorian attitude to children,but if you were a parent in those days, at least you knew where you stood: children were to be seen and not heard. Freud and company did away eith all that and patents have been bewildered ever since.The child’s happiness is all-important, the psychologist say, but what about the parents’ happiness?Parents suffer constantlu from fesar and guilt while their children gaily romp about pulling the place apsrt. A good old-fashioned spanking is out of the question: no modern childrearing manual would permit such barbarity. The trouble is you are not allowed even to shout. Who knows what deep psychological wounds you might inflict? The poor child may never recover from the dreadful traumatic experience. So it is that parents bend over backwards to avoid giving theie children complexes which a hundred years ago hadn’t evern been heard of. Certainlu a child needs love, and a lot of it. But the excessive permissiveness of modern parents is surely doing more harm than good.

Psychologists have succeeded in undermining parents’ confidence in their own authority. And it hasn’t taken children long to get wind of the fact. In addition to the great modern classic on chidcare, there countless articles in magazines and newspapers. With so much un solicited advice flying about, mum and dad just don’t know what to do any more. In the end, they do nothing at all. So, from ear;y childhood, the kids are in charge and parents’ lives are regulates according to the needs of their offspring. When the little dears develop into teenagers, they take complete control. Lax authority over the years makes adolescent rebellion against parents all the more violent. If the young people are going to have a party, for instance, parents are asked to leave the house. Their presence merely spoils the fun, what else can the poor parents do but obey?

Children are hardly creatures(far hardier than the psychologists would have us believe) and most of them survive the harmful influence of extreme permissiveness htat is the normal condition in the modern household. But a great many do not. The spread of juvenile delinquency in our won age is largely due to parental laxity. Mother, believing that little Johny cvan look after himself, is not at home when he returns from school; so little Johnny roams the streets. The dividing –line between permissiveness and sheer negligence is very fine indeed.

The psychologists have much to answer for. They should keep their moths shut and let parents get on with the job. And if children are knocked about a little bit in the process, it may not really matter too much. At least this will help them to develop vigorous views of their own and give them something po9sitive to react against. Perhaps there’s some truth in the idea that children who’s had a surfeit of happiness in their childhood emerge like stodgy puddings and fail to make a success of life.

18. Adveriser Perform A Useful Service to The Community

Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this is why thery’re always coming in for criticism. Their critics smm to resent them because they have a flair for self-promotion and because they have so much money to throw around. ―It’s iniquitous,‖ they say, ―that this entirely unproductive industry (if we can call it that ) should be absorb millions of pounds each year. It only goes to show much profit the big companies are making. Why don’t they stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it’s the consumer who pays.‖

The poor old consumer! He’d have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn’t create mass markets for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose the knowledge we have about household goods derives largely from the advertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you would obtain details regarding perfromance, price, etc., from an advertisement.

Lots of people pretend that they never read advetisments, but this claim may be seriously doubted, it is hardly possible not to read advertisments these days. And what fun they often are too ! Just think what a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank wall or reading railway bye-laws while waiting for a train? Would

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you like to read only closely-printed columns of news in your daily paper? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a difference to drab wall or a newspaper full of the daily reation to calamities.

We must not forget, either, that advertising makes a positive contribution to our pockets. Newspapers, commercial radio and television companies could not subsist without this source of revenue. The fact that we pay so little fro our daily paper, or can enjoy so many broadcast programmers is due entirely to the money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price !

Another thing we mustn’t forget is the ―small ads.‖ Which are in virtually every newspaper and magazine. What a tremendously useful service they perform for the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the ―hatch, match and dispatch‖ columns; but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or agony column. No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining reading or offers such a deep insight into human nautre. It’s the best advertisement for advertising there is !

19. Only Stricter Traffic Laws Can Prevent Accidents

From the health pointg of view we are living in a marvelous age. We are immunized from birth against many of the most dangerous diseases. A large number of once fatal illnesses can now be cured by modern drugs and surgery. It is almost certain that one day remedies will be found for the most stubborn remaining diseases. The expectation of life has increased enormously. But though the possibility of living a long and happy life is greater than ever before, every day we witness the incredible slaughter of men, women and children on the roads Men versus the motor-car! It is a never-ending battle which man is losing. Thousands of people the world over are killed or horribly mutilated each year and we are quietly sitting back and letting it happen.

It has been rightly said that when a man is sitting behind a steering wheel, his car becomes the extension of his personlity. Ther is no doubt that the motor-car ofter brings out a man’s very worst qualities. People who are normally quiet and pleasant may become unrecognizable when they are behind a steering wheel. They swear, they are ill-mannered and aggressive, willful as two-year olds and utterly selfish. All their hidden frustrations, disappointments and jeaslousies seem to be brought to the serface by the act of driving.

The surprising thing is that society smiles so benignly on the motorist and seems to condone his behavior. Everything, is done for his convenience. Cities are allowed to become almost uninhabitable because of heavy traffic; towns are made ugly by huge car parks; the countryside is desecrated by road networks; and the mass annual slaughter becomes nothing more than statistic, to be conveniently forgotten.

Is high time a world code were created to reduce this senseless waste fo human life. With regard to driving, the laws of some countries are notoriously lax and even the strictest are not strict enough. A code which was universally accepted could only have a dramatically beneficial effect on the accident rate. Her are a few examples of some of the things that might be done. The driving test should be stadardized and made far more difficult than it is; all drivers should be made to take a test every three years or so; the age at which young people are allowed to drive any vehicle should be raised to at least 21; all vehicles should be put through stringent annual tests for safety. Even the smallest amount of alcohol in the blood can impair a person’s driving ability. Present drinking and driving laws (where they exist) should be made much stricter. Maximum and minimum speed limits should be imposed on all roads. Governments should lay down safety specifications for manufacturers, as has been done in the USA. All advertising stressing power and performance should be banned. These measures may sound inordinately harsh, but surely nothing should be considered as too severe if it results in reducing the annual toll of human life. After all, the world is for human beings, not motorcars.

20. Population Control

Progress in science and the improvement of living conditions have led to the rapid growth of world population. Modern medicine,

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