Language Point 1
Buck the recession, spend a buck. (Para.1)
Meaning: Spend a dollar to fight against the economic crisis.
buck: vt. resist or oppose
It is no use trying to buck the leader's decisions. 企图反对领导的决定是徒劳的。
The growth of the firm has bucked the recessionary trend in the industry. 公司的发展顶住了该行业的衰退趋势。
n. a dollar
She worked overtime to make an extra buck. 她加班是为了挣点加班费。
He always dreams to make a quick buck. 他总是梦想挣一笔来得快而易的钱。
Language Point 2
On what? It didn't say. Just get out there and buy. (Para.1)
Meaning: What should we buy? The sign did not tell that specifically. It might mean that we should go and buy whatever is available there.
Language Point 3
I found this deeply confusing. Wasn't our problem that we didn't save enough? (Para.1)
Meaning: I found it very hard to understand. Our problem was that instead of saving enough money, we spent too much and might run into debt.
Language Point 4
As soon as I send in the check, another letter comes back saying, in prose designed to flatter,... (Para.2)
Meaning: As soon as I have paid my credit card by sending in the check, I get a reply in the format of a compliment letter, ...
send in: send sth. to a place where it will be dealt with
It would damage the environment, hygiene, and quietness if a restaurant is opened in our residential building. Let's send in a letter of protest. 如果在我们居民楼内开饭馆会严重影响环境，破坏卫生，还会产生噪音。 咱们写一封抗议信吧。
Today's focus is on game theory; you may also send in your own questions. 今天主要讲博弈论，你们也可以把自己的问题递上来。
prose: n. ordinary writing, as opposed to poetry
He is a prose writer. 他是一位散文作家。
I love Hemingway's prose, and I think his short stories are some of the best in the language. 我喜欢海明威的散文风格，我认为他的短篇小说是英语文学作品中的佳作。
flatter: vt. praise excessively and often insincerely, esp. in order to win favor
Most inferiors flattered their superiors, with the exception of Mr. Park. 大多数部下都奉承领导,惟有帕克先生例外。
We all flattered her on her cooking after we were given a dinner at her home last week. 她上周在她家宴请我们之后，我们都说她烹饪手艺高超。
Language Point 5
The paradox is that we get two sets of messages coming at us every day. (Para.3)
paradox: n. a person, thing or situation displaying inexplicable or contradictory aspects
It is a paradox that in such a rich country there should be so many poor people.一个如此富足的国家中竟有那么多穷人，这是自相矛盾的怪事。
It's a paradox, but the older he gets the more active he is. 说起来好像矛盾，但他确是越老越活跃了。
Language Point 6
... "enjoy yourself" message, saying, "buy, spend, get it now, indulge yourself"...(Para. 3)
indulge: vt. allow (oneself or sb. else) to do or have whatever they want
indulge oneself in delights of leisure 一味贪图安逸
She indulged herself in idle daydreams. 她让自己沉溺于无聊的白日梦中。
Language Point 7
The other we could call, for lack of a better word, a "discipline" message, which says, "work hard, save, postpone pleasure, curb your impulses". (Para.3)
Meaning: For lack of a better word, we could call the other message a "discipline" message, which says, "work hard, save money, do not seek pleasure now, control your sudden and whimsical desires".
curb: vt. prevent (sth.) from getting out of control
The boy curbed his anger. 男孩忍住了怒气。
This will not do one thing to curb obesity. 这对控制肥胖无济于事。
Language Point 8
What are the psychological and social consequences of getting messages that so totally contradict each other? (Para.3)
contradict: vt. be contrary to; be inconsistent with
Your actions contradict your principles. 你的行为与你的原则相矛盾。
Civil servants found it very difficult to contradict their ministers. 公务员发现反对部长们的意见十分困难。
Language Point 9
I think this is what you would call "cognitive disagreement", and the psychological consequence is a deep anxiety, upon which political conservatives have been very skillful at mobilizing and building. (Para.3)
cognitive: a. connected with recognizing and understanding things
Thinking in terms of dualisms is common in our cognitive culture. 在我们的认知文化中，我们通常用二元论思考。
He believed that children, by exploring their environment, create their own cognitive conceptions of reality. 他认为，孩子们通过探索环境可以建立起他们自己对于现实的认知概念。
mobilize (also mobilise): v. (cause sb. /sth. to) get ready for action
mobilize the masses in an emergency在紧急情况下动员群众
She is trying to mobilize all the supporters she can get for her new decision. 她试图为她的新决定争取一切支持者。
Language Point 10
...from school, from church, often from parents, and every so often from political figures when they preach about "traditional values".（Para.4）
preach: vi. (about) give unwanted advice on morals, behavior, etc., esp. in an annoying manner
My mom has been preaching at me again about my bad sleeping habits. 我妈妈又唠叨我，要我改掉睡眠的坏习惯。
Don't always preach at others. You'd better mind your own business. 不要总是唠唠叨叨地劝诫别人，最好管自己的事。
Language Point 11
Hard work, family loyalty, the capacity to wait for reward — these are supposed to be core American values that have existed since colonial times, the traits that made our country great. (Para.4)
Meaning: According to the core American values, man is supposed to work hard, to be loyal to their family, to be able to wait for their reward — these values have existed since colonial times, and they are the qualities that made our country great.
colonial: a. of or relating to a colony or colonies
The Latin American and African people have successfully fought against colonial rule. 拉丁美洲和非洲的人民成功地进行了反对殖民统治的斗争。
During the colonial period, the access to open land helped scatter settlements. 殖民地时期，占有土地资源很容易，这就分散了人们的拓展地。
Language Point 12
Advertising is impossible to avoid; it is fed to us in a never-ending banquet,...(Para.5)
Meaning: It is impossible to avoid advertising, for we are exposed to it as if advertising is given to us in a never-ending banquet.
feed to: give to; provide for
Please feed paper to this box when the machine runs out of paper. 机器里的纸用完了，请往这个盒子里添纸。
Universities feed their excellent graduates to the business world, not only of local market, but also of the international ones. 大学既向本地商界，也向国际商界输送优秀的毕业生。
banquet: n. a formal meal, esp. for a special event
After the wedding banquet, there will be a ball. 婚宴后将举行舞会。
A banquet was given in honour of the distinguished guests. 为尊贵的客人举行了宴会。
Language Point 13
Now, of course, we don't remember what exactly they said or even what the product was, but a composite message gets through: that you deserve the best, that you should have it now, and that it's okay to indulge yourself, because you deserve the compliments, sex appeal, or adventure you are going to get as a result of buying this car or those cigarettes. (Para.6)
Meaning: Of course, we can't remember now what the ads said exactly or even what products were advertised, but all the ads have passed a shared message: you have the right to enjoy the best, and you should have it right now, and that it's okay to satisfy yourself to an excessive degree, because as a result of buying this car or those cigarettes you will have the compliments, sex appeal, or adventure you wish to get.
composite: a. made up of different parts or materials; compound
The police artist made a composite picture of the murderer. 警察局的绘图师合成了一幅杀人犯的图片。
A composite photograph is a picture composed of a group of photos of a scene taken by several cameras at the same time from different angles. 组合照片是由多镜头对同一场景从不同角度同时拍摄的一组照片。
get through: reach somewhere or sb.
I started as soon as your message got through to me. 我一接到你的信息，马上就动身。
The letters got through despite the bad weather. 尽管天气不好，信件还是到了。
compliment: n. an expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation
She received many compliments on the design of her new dress. 她那件新裙子的式样受到许多人称赞。
She was showered with compliments on her outstanding ability. 她出众的能力使她大受赞扬。
Language Point 14
Our consumer-based economy makes two absolutely reciprocal psychological demands on its members. (Para.7)
Meaning: Our economy, which is based on consumption, makes two absolutely interactive psychological requests on its members.
reciprocal: a. given and received in return; mutual
Although I gave him many presents, I had no reciprocal gifts from him. 虽然我给过他很多礼物, 但我没有收到过他的礼物。
The two countries made reciprocal trade agreement. 两国签订了贸易互惠协定。
Language Point 15
One author was disturbed about the "enjoy yourself" side, but acknowledged that "without a means of stimulating mass consumption, the very structure of our business enterprise would collapse". (Para.7)
Meaning: One author didn't feel at ease with the "enjoy yourself" side, but he admitted that the very structure of our business enterprise would break down without a means of encouraging mass consumption.
Language Point 16
The interesting question has to do with the psychological consequences of the discrepancy between the dual messages. (Para.8)
Meaning: The problem that causes our concern is the psychological effects of the difference between the double-purposed messages.
discrepancy: n. divergence or disagreement, as between facts or claims; difference
There was a discrepancy in the two reports of the accident. 该事故的两个报告有不一致之处。
This discrepancy in results coincides with methodological differences between the two groups of studies. 结果中反映的差异与两组研究之间方法上的差异相吻合。
dual: a. having a double character or purpose
He has dual nationality. 他有双重国籍。
We want to see more dual use of school playing fields and halls and will give schools more freedom in their management. 我们希望学校体育场馆更充分地利用双重功能，还要给学校更多的管理自由。
Language Point 17
The "discipline" or "traditional values" theme demands that one compartment of the personality have a will strong enough to keep the individual doing unpleasant work at low wages, or to stay in an unhappy marriage, and, in general, to do things for the good of the commonwealth. (Para.8)
Meaning: The "discipline message" or theme of "traditional values" demands that man have a section of personality strong enough to put up with unpleasant work at low wages, or to stay in an unhappy marriage, and, in general, to do things for the common interest of community.
compartment: n. a separate division or section
Her life was divided into two watertight compartments, unofficial and official. 她的生活分为互不影响的两部分：私生活一面和做官生涯的一面。
for the good of: in the interest of; for the benefit of
She does everything for the good of the whole family. 她所做的一切都是为全家人着想的。
We all work well together for the good of the community. 为了社区的利益，我们合作得很好。
Language Point 18
As an illustration, I can't resist reciting one of my favorite ads of all time, an ad from a psychology magazine. (Para.9)
recite: vt. relate in detail
The worker recited his complaints. 这个工人一一列举了他的不满之处。
Please recite the names of all the books you have ever read. 请一一说出你曾读过的所有书的书名。
v. repeat from memory or read aloud before an audience
The kids complained that the recited passages were too boneheaded. 孩子们抱怨要求背诵的段落太枯燥。
Language Point 19
I used to sit around, putting things off till tomorrow. (Para.9)
sit around: idle about
We sit around and tell each other stories to pass time. 我们闲坐在一起讲故事，消磨时间。
His only hobby is to sit around watching TV, doing nothing else apart from having the necessary meals. 他惟一的爱好是闲坐着看电视，除了吃饭什么也不干。
put off: delay, postpone
Any thought to put off an offensive against the enemy state was wrong. 任何要推迟进攻敌国的想法都是错误的.
He will put off until the autumn any decisions about further study. 他会等到秋天再做出任何有关进修的决定。
Language Point 20
Tomorrow I'll drink champagne, and buy a set of pearls, and pick up that new stereo. (Para.9)
pick up: come to have; gain, buy, learn, etc.
She picked up some beverages on the way home. 在回家的路上，她买了一些饮料。
He picked up the first edition of the book at a bookstall.他在一个书摊上买到了一本首版书。
Language Point 21
So what happens to us as we take in these opposing messages, as we are, in fact, torn between the opposite personality types that our society seems to require of us? (Para. 10)
be torn between: make a painful choice between two things or people
Indeed, he was torn between the headaches of the adventurous job and the promising pay scales the chance offered. 他既对这项工作的冒险性感到头疼，又不想错过提薪的机会，的确为此感到左右为难。
Every morning she was torn between the ideas of wearing this or that skirt, and there were just too many choices to be settled at once. 每天早晨她都不知道穿哪件裙子好，衣服太多，很难一下子想好。
Language Point 22
We want more things, we want to indulge ourselves, and not just because advertising tells us to — who wouldn't relish owning a new stereo? (Para.10)
Meaning: We want more things, we want to satisfy ourselves to an excessive degree not just because advertising tells us to do so, but because we enjoy having a new stereo or other property by instinctive greed.
relish: vt. take pleasure from; greatly enjoy
He didn't relish having to make speeches in public. 他不喜欢公开发表演说。
Nobody will relish taking exams so frequently. 没人喜欢这么频繁地参加考试。
n. great pleasure or enjoyment
He takes on the role as band spokesman with relish and enjoys being interviewed. 他担任乐队的发言人，乐此不疲，喜欢接受采访。
She is reading the interesting book with relish. 她正津津有味地读有趣的书。
Language Point 23
The fear of being sucked in and dragged down by our consumer culture is real: the credit card company is not friendly when you default on your bills. (Para.12)
Meaning: It is a real fear that our consumer culture will get us involved and ruin us, for the credit card company is not friendly when you delay your payment on your bills.
suck in: involve sb. in sth., usu. unwillingly
The fear of being sucked in made him remain silent when a dispute occurred. 他担心自己会被卷进去，因此争论开始时，他保持沉默。
I really don't want any part of the whole argument but I can feel myself being sucked in. 我实在不想加入这场争论，但我感到自己正被卷进去。
drag down: reduce (sb.) to a lower level, socially or morally; ruin
If you marry that man, he'll drag you down. 如果你嫁给那个男人，他会降低你的身份。
The criminal dragged his wife and children down with him. 这个罪犯使妻儿跟着他倒霉。
default: vi. (on) fail to do what is required, esp. fail to pay a debt
default on hire purchase payments 未付应分期付的款
She defaulted on her payments for support of the child. 她拖欠给孩子的抚养费。
Language Point 24
And we all know that the path of pleasure-seeking and blind acquisition is a recipe for financial ruin — for most of us, anyway — and that, in American society, there isn't much of a safety net to catch you if you fall. (Para.12)
Meaning: We all know that our pleasure-seeking and blind consumption will bring about financial ruin to most of us, and in American society, if we fall down, there isn't a safety net large enough to catch us.
be a recipe for sth.: be likely to cause a particular result
The fall in oil prices is a recipe for the increase in business activity. 石油价格下跌导致生意增加。
Her plans are a recipe for disaster. 她的计划后患无穷。
