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综合教程3unit3Unit 3: Living in the Digital AgeThe rapid advancement of technology has revolutionized the way we live, communicate, and work. We are now living in the digital age, where the Internet and digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. In this unit, we will explore the benefits and challenges of living in the digital age.One of the greatest advantages of living in the digital age is the ease and convenience it offers. With just a few clicks, we can access a wealth of information, communicate with people from all over the world, and complete tasks in a fraction of the time it would have taken in the past. The Internet has made it possible for us to shop online, pay bills, book flights, and even learn new skills without leaving our homes. This convenience has undoubtedly improved our quality of life and saved us valuable time and effort.Another benefit of the digital age is the connectivity it provides. Through social media platforms, we can connect with friends and family who are far away, share experiences, and keep up with the latest news. The Internet has also opened up new opportunities for collaboration and networking. It is now easier than ever to connect with like-minded individuals, join online communities, and participate in global conversations. This connectivity has fostered a sense of global citizenship and unity among people from different parts of the world.Additionally, the digital age has brought about significant advancements in the field of education. Online courses and e-learning platforms have made education accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Students no longer need to be physically present in a classroom to learn. They can access educational materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments from anywhere in the world. This has expanded educational opportunities and democratized learning, allowing more people to gain knowledge and skills.However, living in the digital age also presents its share of challenges. One of the main concerns is the issue of privacy and security. With the amount of personal information we share online, there is an increased risk of identity theft, cyberbullying, and other forms of online harassment. It is crucial for individuals to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their privacy and security in the digital world.Another challenge is the digital divide. While many people have access to the Internet and digital devices, there are still those who are left behind due to various factors such as socioeconomic status or geographical location. This divide prevents equal opportunities for everyone to benefit from the advantages of the digital age. Efforts should be made to bridge this divide and ensure that everyone has access to the digital tools and resources they need. Furthermore, the constant use of digital devices and the Internet has led to a decline in face-to-face interactions and physical activities. People spend more time in front of screens, leading to sedentary lifestyles and health issues such as obesity and eye strain. It is essential to find a balance between the digital world and the real world and to prioritize human connections and physical well-being.In conclusion, living in the digital age has greatly transformed our lives, offering convenience, connectivity, and educational opportunities. However, it also poses challenges such as privacy and security concerns, the digital divide, and the impact on personal interactions and health. It is important for individuals and society as a whole to navigate the digital age responsibly, taking advantage of its benefits while addressing its challenges.。
Unit 3 Active readingVincent van Gogh1 Between November of 1881 and July of 1890, V incent van Gogh painted almost 900 paintings, but never achieved fame. Y et since his death, he has become one of the most celebrated painters in the world.2 The two most important but apparently independent features about van Gogh which most people know about are his spectacular, almost explosive, use of colour and the poor state of his mental health, which brought his life to a sad end.3 Y et, according to medical resear ch since van Gogh’s death, it now seems that these two features may be linked, and that his mental health may have contributed to his artistic style, not just at the end of his life, but at earlier times as well.4 V an Gogh was born in Holland in 1853, and his early career working for an international art dealer took him to London, Paris and Belgium. When he decided to become a painter in 1880 with the support of his brother Theo, his early work was, not surprisingly, filled with the gloomy light of Northern Europe.5 In Paris van Gogh met many of the artists later known as Impressionists, such as Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pissarro and Gauguin. His style changed under their influence, and became lighter and brighter. He used small strokes of primary colours (red, blue and yellow) and complementary colours (purple, orange and green). He was also sensitive to the more abstract style of Gauguin’s paintings, where shapes of objects are represented by distinct zones of colour.6 Y et despite working in such an enco uraging atmosphere, van Gogh could not equal his friends’ growing success. He was unable to pay for models, and so he painted a large number of self-portraits, which may indicate his potential for soul searching.7 V an Gogh soon grew discouraged with his life in Paris, and moved to Arles in the south of France, where, drawn by the sunshine, he hoped to establish an artists’ community. He felt liberated by the people, the buildings and the scenery there, and painted them with vivid, passionate colours and a cheerfulness which was new to him and his career. He was keen for Gauguin to visit him, and finally persuaded him to make the journey. The paintings of Sunflowers and his home were partly intended as a welcome to Gauguin, partly a reflection of his happiness. But because of the intensity of van Gogh’s friendship for him and hostile disagreements about their working methods, Gauguin left Arles. At this event, van Gogh cut off part of his own right ear.8 V an Gogh spent several desperate periods in a mental hospital over the next two years because of his depression and his concern that he had heard voices. His style became more experimental, with stronger lines and sharper colours, always dominated by the green of the olive trees, the blue of the sky and the spectacular yellow of the sun. This was the period of his greatest output and some success, with the famous The Starry Night and other paintings being well-received by critics at the annual exhibition in Paris.9 But these very productive periods were matched by moments when despair prevailed, during which he doubted his ability to create a work of value. In a delicate state of mind, van Gogh returned to a friend near Paris and continued his work. In 1890 he shot himself, taking two days to die.10 So what is the link between his love of intense colour and his destructive mental state?11 We now know more about mental and physical illness, and their effects. V an Gogh suffered from epilepsy, an illness which leads to fits, and which may have been caused by a defect in the brain at birth. This was made worse by drinking absinthe, a popular but dangerous alcohol often drunk by artists at the time. His doctor prescribed a drug which can cause the patient to see everything in yellow or to see yellow spots. This may have been why van Goghloved the colour.12 V an Gogh experienced a surge of activity, after which he became tired and depressed. We now recognize these to be symptoms of bipolar disorder. He also used lead-based paints, exposure to which can lead to lead poisoning. One of the symptoms of lead poisoning is a swelling of the retinas in the eyes, which can cause one to see light in circles around objects. We can see this effect in paintings such as The Starry Night.13 Another condition linked to epilepsy and manic behaviour is the spontaneous need to write continuously. V an Gogh wrote over 800 letters to his brother, Theo, which might be the result of this condition.14 V an Gogh wanted his paintings to be realistic, so he worked outdoors. Some of the episodes of aggressiveness and feeling sick may be the effects of sunstroke.15 Finally, hearing voices is a well-established symptom of schizophrenia, a serious mental illness which changes the relationship between what you think and reality.16 We talk about the genius necessary to produce great works of art. In van Gogh’s case, his genius, especially in his use of colour, may be due to his mental health. As art lovers, we acknowledge that van Gogh produced some of the greatest paintings the world has ever known, and gave inspiration to so many later artists. But we should not overlook the mental torture he suffered for his art.文森特·凡·高1 在1881年11月至1890年7月之间，文森特·凡·高大约画了900幅画，却没有成名。
