【推荐3】Dan Dolderman started his talk with a story. His daughter was filling containers with snow. When he asked her what she was going to do with the snow, she said, “I’m putting it in the freezer. This summer I’m going to mail it to the Arctic, so the polar bears don’t die.”

His daughter’s twin brother gave Dolderman another shock when they were watching an IMAX movie about the oceans. As a child fond of all fishy things, the boy listened to warnings about ocean pollution and suddenly said to his father, “Daddy, we have to leave now. We have to go pick up garbage and save the oceans.”

Dolderman’s older daughter also worries about the future. When she asks, “What can we do?” He does not give the standard advice of reducing, reusing and recycling. He knows how difficult behavior change is. He also knows it could never happen fast enough or widely enough to make a difference. As he says, “Expecting most of us to change our lifestyles is highly unlikely.”

He is right. Anyone following climate change and environmental research knows we are not just going toward disaster. We are experiencing it. Extreme weather events, species extinction, disastrous droughts and declining water tables are not from science fiction movies. These are our everyday realities. We do not have another minute to futz around and pretend we have all the time in the world to change this.

Although he does not call his solution storytelling, that is what Dolderman proposes when he tells the audience he and his friends are starting a program he calls the “Unstoppable Snowball”, a reference to the snow his daughter was collecting to save the polar bear. Dolderman is doing his part to influence environmental action, as a parent, an educator and a researcher. He is only one man, but he is a man making a difference. He gives me hope.

【推荐2】After 18 years of devotion to rhythmic gymnastics, Fanni Pigniczki claimed the gold medal on the international stage. The 23-year-old Hungarian topped the podium (领奖台) not just once but twice!

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, she secured victories in both the individual all-around and Ball at Chengdu Sport University Gymnasium. “It was an amazing feeling to see the Hungarian flag rising up,” Pigniczki said after the medal ceremony. At the Chengdu games, Hungary has secured three gold medals, with Pigniczki, the country’s only rhythmic gymnast then, responsible for two of those. But it was not without a sense of regret — her errors in the concluding pose denied her a medal in another round. Pigniczki vowed to learn from that setback. “I need to improve my stability in the coming training.” she said.

Actually, this positive attitude should be credited to her psychology background at Karoli Gaspar University in Budapest. This major benefits her athletic pursuits, helping her to better manage her emotions. “I have learned to stay calmer and think less during competition. I have also learned that I need to relax and concentrate on the ‘now’ of competition,” added Pigniczki.

“When I was a kid, I tried all kinds of activities like swimming, basketball, and ballet. Seeing the sparking outfit, I fell in love with rhythmic gymnastics instantly. But what truly attracts me is the feeling of readiness in the sport, as I could always improve more.” she said. It is this feeling that has motivated her to set numerous records for Hungarian rhythmic gymnastics. Her outstanding performances at the 2021 European championships earned her a spot at the delayed Tokyo Olympics. Pigniczki became the first Hungarian rhythmic gymnast to grace the Olympic stage since Viktoria Frater at the Sydney 2000 Games. At the Olympics, she finished 20th in the qualification round for the individual all-around. Last year, she continued to make history by becoming the first Hungarian to claim a World Cup medal in rhythmic gymnastics.

Her role in inspiring the next generation of gymnasts was recognized in May when she was honored with the Smart Scoring Shooting Star award.

【推荐3】In recent times, the marriage between technology and art has rekindled a new age of theatre, ushering (引入) in an era known as Digital Theatre. This concept has broken traditional boundaries, offering an immersive experience that overcame geographical and social limitations. The integration of digital elements within theatrical performances has not only enriched the narrative but also expanded the audience reach globally.

The foremost contributor to this revolutionary movement is the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality(VR) technologies. These technologies provide a gateway for the audience to step into the narrative, experiencing the storyline in a more personal and engaging way. For instance, a play based on ancient Rome could transport the audience to the Colosseum, with digital recreations of the ancient ruins, giving a firsthand experience of the historic setting.

Moreover, the digital platform has opened doors for more people. Streaming performances online has made theatre accessible to individuals who were previously unable to attend due to physical or financial constraints. This digital shift has also encouraged a new generation of playwrights and actors, who now have a global platform to show their talents.

On the negative side, some people argue that digital theatre dilutes the essence of traditional theatre, taking away the authenticity (真实性) and the human connection that live performances offer. Despite the criticism, many believe that digital theatre is not a replacement, but an evolution that allows for a combination of tradition and modernity.

The digital theatre movement also raises questions about the preservation of cultural integrity. As digital elements become more and more popular, there is a fear that the traditional theatre may be overshadowed or forgotten. Yet, others argue that this combination of technology and art is a celebration of cultural evolution, presenting an opportunity to introduce traditional theatre to a modern audience in a refreshing way.