【推荐1】Do Lobsters Feel Pain?

The traditional method for cooking a lobster — boiling it alive — raises the question of whether or not lobsters feel pain.     1    . Lobsters decay very quickly after they die, and eating a dead lobster increases the risk of food-borne illness and reduces the quality of its flavor. However, if lobsters are capable of feeling pain, these cooking methods raise ethical questions for chefs and lobster eaters alike.

Until the 1980s, scientists were trained to ignore animal pain, based on the belief that the ability to feel pain was associated only with higher consciousness. However, today, scientists view humans as a species of animal. Still, scientists disagree over whether or not lobsters feel pain. Lobsters have a peripheral system (外围系统) like humans, but instead of a single brain, they possess segmented ganglia (分段神经节). Because of these differences, some researchers argue lobsters are too dissimilar to vertebrates (脊椎动物) to feel pain and that their reaction to negative stimuli is simply a reflex.     2    . Lobsters guard their injuries, learn to avoid dangerous situations, and respond to anesthetics (麻醉剂). For these reasons, most scientists believe that injuring a lobster (e. g. storing it on ice or boiling it alive) causes physical pain.

    3    . Currently, boiling lobsters alive is banned in Switzerland, New Zealand, and the Italian city Reggio Emilia. Even in locations where boiling lobsters remains legal, many restaurants choose more human e methods, both to calm customer concerns and because the chefs believe stress negatively affects the flavor of the meat.

While we cannot know definitively whether or not lobsters feel pain, research indicates that it’s likely. So, if you want to enjoy a lobster dinner, how should you go about it? The most human e tool for cooking a lobster is the CrustaStun. This device kills a lobster by an electric shock, making it unconscious in less than half a second, after which it can be cut apart or boiled. In contrast, it takes about 2 minutes for a lobster to die from immersion in boiling water.     4    . Some restaurants place a lobster in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours, during which time the lobster loses consciousness and dies.

【推荐1】How to Fix a Relationship

If you’re having a problem in your relationship, you’re not alone. Most people have trouble in relationships at one point or another.     1     However, you can make it work out if you decide to work together to fix it, starting with trying to understand what’s gone wrong in your relationship.

Recognize the problems. Any number of problems could do harm to your relationship. You should look for signs and symptoms of the problems you’re facing. Listening attentively is the key, which can help you understand what he or she is feeling.     2     Actually think about what the person is saying, and maybe try to understand what is behind the words as well. You also have a right to discuss what you’re feeling and thinking . The key is to keep a calm head.

    3     Once you’re figured out what some of your problems are together, have a conversation to find ways to solve them. How can you solve the problems in a way that both of you can live with?     4     Start with the place you both agree on. Maybe you can both agree on the problem at least, or maybe you can agree on the first step to the solution. For instance, maybe you agree that you are feeling disconnected. Maybe you can take it one step further and agree that you need to spend more time together.

Make a plan together. Once you’re agreed to solutions, it’s time to put them into concrete terms. For instance, if you both agree you need to spend more time together, then maybe the agreement will be that you should make a date at least once a week.

Find ways to compromise(妥协). The key to any relationship is learning to compromise.     5     Compromising is about finding common ground, and both of you giving in a little on the issue.

【推荐3】You wear your mask to minimize your risk of Covid-19. But as you walk in a supermarket, you approach someone who looks familiar. To avoid an awkward exchange, you flash them a friendly smile. It's not until you pass that you remember: Your smile was hidden behind a mask.     1     But you can adjust and enhance your communication by focusing on some of the other pieces that aren't hidden behind a mask.

Do remember the face isn't totally covered. Happiness, sadness, fear and surprise can be communicated through facial expressions alone. But when part of the face is masked, it becomes more difficult to recognize them.     2     If you want to increase understanding with a masked individual, you should look them in the eyes. Bear in mind, eye contact can also make you appear more intelligent and trustworthy.

We communicate through body language. Learning how people use their bodies to convey emotion may help reduce the uncertainty you feel when communicating with someone in a mask.     3     When engaged in a conversation, you can appear more attentive by turning your body toward the individual.

    4     It's not just what you say but how you say it that matters. Along with the actual words, you also use volume, tone and pauses to convey your message. For instance, a lower-pitched whisper may denote sadness or insecurity, whereas a higher-pitched shout could show anger or intensity. Chances are that anyone listening to you could easily identify your emotions without even seeing you. If you feel the need to speak louder, just be aware that raising your voice can alter the message you are trying to send. Changing the tone of your voice can change the whole conversation.     5