2 . Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing promise in earthquake prediction, challenging the long-held belief that it is impossible. Researchers at the University of Texas, Austin, have developed an AI algorithm (算法) that correctly predicted 70% of earthquakes a week in advance during a trial in China and provided accurate strength calculations for the predicted earthquakes.

The research team believes their method succeeded because they stuck with a relatively simple machine learning approach. The AI was provided with a set of statistical features based on the team’s knowledge of earthquake physics, and then instructed to train itself using a five-year database of earthquake recordings. Once trained, the AI provided its prediction by listening for signs of incoming earthquakes within the background rumblings (隆隆声) in the Earth.

This work is clearly a milestone in research for AI-driven earthquake prediction. “You don’t see earth-quakes coming,” explains Alexandros Savvaidis, a senior research scientist who leads the Texas Seismological Network Program (TexNet). “It’s a matter of milliseconds, and the only thing you can control is how prepared you are. Even with the 70% accuracy, that’s a huge result and could help minimize economic and human losses and has the potential to remarkably improve earthquake preparation worldwide.”

While it is unknown whether the same approach will work at other locations, the researchers are confident that their AI algorithm could produce more accurate predictions if used in areas with reliable earthquake tracking networks. The next step is to test artificial intelligence in Texas, since UT’s Bureau TexNet has 300 earth-quake stations and over six years worth of continuous records, making it an ideal location for these purposes.

Eventually, the authors hope to combine the system with physics-based models. This strategy could prove especially important where data is poor or lacking. “That may be a long way off, but many advances such as this one, taken together, are what moves science forward,” concludes Scott Tinker, the bureau’s director.

3 . How to Avoid an Internet Addiction

It may seem like everyone surfs the web these days. But if you can’t have interest in other aspects of your life because of the Internet, you may be on your way to an Internet addiction. You might fear you’re the only one who has experienced that feeling.    1     Luckily, there are some ways to avoid living your life in front of the computer.

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More and more people in the world are becoming addicted to the Internet, and you are not the only one with this problem. So do not be embarrassed. Just be brave to admit that you are on your way to an Internet addiction. And then find others with the same problem and help each other beat it.

Set aside limited time for computer use.

Make sure not to turn it on too many times a week. If you have a laptop, make sure to put it somewhere that you can remember but not somewhere that you see every day. Try keeping the lid closed when you are not using it.     3       If you have a desktop PC, try not to go near it or put something over it like a sheet.

Call people instead of sending instant messages or texts.

If you are free on weekends, call friends and ask them to go outside to do something you enjoy, like playing a sport. This will take your mind off the computer.     4    

Use an alarm clock or timer (计时器).

Before using your computer, decide on a time limit such as 30 minutes. Set the clock or timer and make sure that you get away from the computer when the time is up. Alternatively create a shutdown timer on your desktop.     5    

5 . If you’re a keen photographer with a passion for making an impact, we’d love to have you join this nonprofit photography workshop in Africa! You don’t need to be a pro to join: you just need to have a good camera, basic photography skills, and an interest in giving back through photography.

The program will be kicked off with a workshop taught by humanitarian photographer Anna Lusty. The first week will be focused on all elements of nonprofit photography, including how to prepare for shoots, how to approach projects in a culturally sensitive way, and how to best capture (捕捉) the essence of projects, etc. Half days will be spent on theory, and during the other half, we’ll visit a nonprofit organization so that we can put skills into practice.

From the second week, you’ll start your photography assignments. Each week, you’ll be assigned to a grassroots organization of your choice. This can have a wide range of focus areas, such as education, animal welfare, sports coaching and more. You’ll spend your time getting to understand the organization’s mission and projects, and you’ll document their work with your camera. At the end of the week, there will be time for post production, and you can donate a selection of your images to the organization.

Accommodation, transport and support are all provided during this photography volunteer project. We’ll pick you up from the airport, provide all necessary transport and support on the ground and supply daily meals.

Our start dates for 2024 are as follows:

Cape Town: Feb 19/May 14 /July 17 /Oct 16

Livingstone: July 31

Program fees for 2024:

We’d love to receive your application!

6 . More than 40 million Americans move each year,but not always by choice.Whether you’re moving because of work or schooling or for better chances,adjusting to (适应) the life in a new place can be difficult.It is especially true when you don’t love your new city very much.     1    

Treat it as an adventure.

    2     So stay positive and get out there and explore! Taste the local food and visit famous places and museums. Try local activities that aren’t popular in your former city，such as skating if you come from a beach town or surfing if you lived in the mountains.You may discover a talent (才华) or interest you never knew you had.

Get involved with your neighbors.

Introduce yourself to neighbors and everyone else you meet.     3     This is the best way to get advice about living in your area，and to make new friends. Attend local events that interest you，visit the markets or yard sales，take classes and so on. All of these things will help you meet people and feel connected.

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It takes time to get to know a new place, so don’t expect to feel comfortable right away.    5     To help make the process easier, you can meet new people，find a support group near you. A fresh move is also a fresh start. Therefore it is a great time to start realizing a dream you’ve had，whether it is going back to school, starting a new career, or finishing a novel.

8 . Nowadays, we live in a strict and judgmental world where people are quick to point out the faults of others and yet seem to ignore their own ones. Some misguided souls believe they have a moral duty to help you be a better person telling you what a failure you really are.

If you’re the one placing criticism upon others, please stop. Make a conscious decision, rather than focus on the negative aspect of a person’s performance or attitudes, and you can offer helpful suggestions. If I’m painting a living room and making a mess in doing so, I’d have any husband say to me, “This is a tough job. Can I offer a suggestion that might make it easier for you?” rather than have him point out what a careless painter I am.

If you’re on the receiving end of criticism, the “OK” response is a perfect solution. When someone comments negatively on a task you’re doing, the natural response is to defend and attack. However, this approach is rarely effective as it puts both parties on the defensive. It diffuses a potentially explosive situation. It’s important to keep calm and listen without feeling, to be an objective observer. There is much that one can learn from a negative review. You can ask yourself: Could I have done better, and been more thoughtful? Did I give 100% of myself to the task at hand? Is there any truth in what the other person says? If so, how can I improve?

In any event, one should remember the saying, “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning (指责) and you will not be condemned.” One can learn to be “OK” with criticism and not allow it to negatively impact his or her relationship with the other party. Let it go and that will be “OK”.

9 . Adding to the achievements of a remarkable year, Taylor Swift has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023.

Already a superstar before 2023, Swift’s career has reached new heights thanks to the beginning of her Eras Tour that brought her 3.5-hour performance to 66 shows in 23 cities across North America, Argentina and Brazil. Promoted by her tour, Swift has been named the most-streamed female artist in the history of Spotify and Apple Music. According to Billboard, the tour made about $900 million (about 6.4 billion yuan) in 2023. In addition, the tour’s movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the biggest concert movie of all time, taking more than $250

As she was declare a billionaire by Bloomberg in November, a hidden “Taylor Swift economy” also promoted sales for business owners across the US. From soaps to a cruise inspired by her different “eras”, interest in Swift-related products went way up.

Apart from her financial contributions, Swift made a significant cultural impact by taking back control of her music. In 2019, her old record label, Big Machine, sold the master tapes of her first six albums (专辑) to Scoot er Braun. The sale meant that she didn’t have the rights to the albums. In response to this, Swift began re-recording her first six albums, tagging (加标签于) them “Taylor’s Version”. This move stressed her belief that artists deserve to own their work. “It’s all in how you deal with loss,” she told Time. “I respond to extreme pain by resisting.”

Heading into 2024, Swift will start the Eras Tour again in Japan and Australia. As USA Today noted, “Her current top has been a long time coming, but it may also be just beginning.”