1 . Depending on your job, you may have the chance to make a kid’s day while at work. Or even better, you may have memories of an adult going the extra mile just to make you smile. For a group of construction workers, the opportunity popped up in the form of a toy truck. Excited to see some building work being done in the area, a small boy paid a visit with his tiny truck as if to join the action. What happened next is something that the little one will surely value forever.

The heart-warming moment was shot in a video that has since gone viral. Wanting to be a part of it all and hoping to see the big excavator at work, the kid placed his wheeled toy under the big metal machine. The machine operator, moved by it all, was grateful and filled the toy truck with earth. With careful precision, as if it were a crucial part of the construction work being done, he made the little boy’s dreams come true. While it’s hard to find the location or the time from the video alone, the excitement of the kid as the machine slowly fills the mini dump truck is universally lovely. Even the other construction workers stop for a while to witness the cute scene. All the while, the kid’s mom holds him firmly to keep everyone safe until the toy truck is full and the machine is still.

While anyone can appreciate the sweetness of a group of adults taking a few minutes to put a smile on a child’s face, the video has had all kinds of positive responses. For some, it brought back memories of seeing construction work and big machines when they were little and being blown away. For others, it allowed them to enjoy the unexpected delicacy of the great machine. If there’s one thing we all can agree on, it’s that the boy wasn’t the only one who benefited from this tiny action. As one editor wrote, “I used to work in the field. I can tell you it made everyone’s day.”

Yours,

Li Hua

3 . Do you ever hear a friend speak on a topic with the belief that “everyone”thinks the same way? Do you often find yourself surrounded in a social media feed that is completely tailored to you and your beliefs, reading along without the immediate realization?

A social media echo chamber (回声壁) is when one experiences a tailored media experience that leave out opposing viewpoints and differing voices. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube connect groups of like-minded users together based on shared content preferences. As a result, people see and take in information according to our preexisting beliefs and opinions. Social media companies therefore rely on algorithms (算法) to assess our interests and flood us with information that will keep our attention. The algorithms focus on what we “like”, and “share” to keep feeding content that makes us comfortable.

In order to truly get access to all information and to evaluate our media, we must give ourselves the opportunity to step out of our comfort zone. While this becomes increasingly challenging, there are things we can do. The first step is to beef up your media consumption sources. Adding in a few media sources with differing opinions will allow you to at least understand what people are saying outside of your echo chamber. Next, read each thing you see with a critical eye. Make sure that each thing you accept as truth is truly fact. Lastly, attempt to search out reliable new sources that are known for trying their best to leave out false information. By accepting that our media buffet on social media is a product of our present beliefs and opinions, we can work to make sure we are not simply stuck in a social media echo chamber.

Man Ho, a branded (名牌的) Chinese restaurant managed by Marriott International hospitality group, shares its taste for Cantonese cuisine with a new marketing video. The restaurant has released the video     1       (title) The Taste of Man Ho.

The Taste of Man Ho is interpreted through eight signature     2     (dish) to “tell the emotional connection between food and people”. “We understand that food in China     3     (be) more than just a meal,” said Michael Malik, senior area vice-president of Chinese operations at Marriott International. “The relationship between people and food is inseparable (不可分的) and affects our     4     (society) life.”

Since     5     (it) opening in 1989, Man Ho has “created recipes that respect tradition while enhancing flavors for the modern palate (品尝力), and been     6     favorite place for guests’ reunions” , Malik said.

Embodying the brand DNA of staying timeless, crafted and storied, Man Ho wants to offer guests unforgettable moments with    7     (thoughtful) organized dining experiences incorporating high quality ingredients, refined cooking techniques and beautiful presentation.

The Taste of Man Ho-themed menu promises to take diners on a Lingnan    8     (culture) experience journey     9     it is being offered at 25 Man Ho restaurants across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The dishes     10    the menu can be ordered online via the Marriott International Food and Beverage Mall’ s Wechat mini-program.