06 Televisions

Television-----the most pervasive and persuasive of modern technologies,
marked by rapid change and growth-is moving into a new era, an era of
extraordinary sophistication and versatility, which promises to reshape our
lives and our world. It is an electronic revolution of sorts, made possible
by the marriage of television and computer technologies.

The word "television", derived from its Greek (tele: distant) and Latin
(visio: sight) roots, can literally be interpreted as sight from a distance.
Very simply put, it works in this way: through a sophisticated system of
electronics, television provides the capability of converting an image
(focused on a special photoconductive plate within a camera) into electronic
impulses, which can be sent through a wire or cable. These impulses, when
fed into a receiver (television set), can then be electronically
reconstituted into that same image.

Television is more than just an electronic system, however. It is a means of
expression, as well as a vehicle for communication, and as such becomes a
powerful tool for reaching other human beings.

The field of television can be divided into two categories determined by its
means of transmission. First, there is broadcast television, which reaches
the masses through broad-based airwave transmission of television signals.
Second, there is nonbroadcast television, which provides for the needs of
individuals or specific interest groups through controlled transmission
techniques.

Traditionally, television has been a medium of the masses. We are most
familiar with broadcast television because it has been with us for about
thirty-seven years in a form similar to what exists today. During those
years, it has been controlled, for the most part, by the broadcast networks,
ABC, NBC, and CBS, who have been the major purveyors of news, information,
and entertainment. These giants of broadcasting have actually shaped not
only television but our perception of it as well. We have come to look upon
the picture tube as a source of entertainment, placing our role in this
dynamic medium as the passive viewer.

Cats never fail to fascinate human beings.They can be friendly and affectionate towards humans, but they lead mysterious lives of their own as well.They never become submissive like dogs and horses. As a result, humans have learned to respect feline independence.Most cats remain suspicious of humans all their lives.  One of the things that fascinates us most about cats is the popular belief that they have nine lives.  Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. A cat's ability to survive falls is based on fact.
Recently the New York Animal Medical Center made a study of 132 cats over a period of five months. All these cats had one experience in common: they had fallen off high buildings, yet only eight of them died from shock or injuries.Of course, New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study, because there is no shortage of tall buildings. There are plenty of high-rise windowsills to fall from! One cat, Sabrina, fell 32 storeys, yet only suffered from a broken tooth. 'Cats behave like well-trained paratroopers.' a doctor said. It seems that the further cats fall, the less they are likely to injure themselves. In a long drop, they reach speeds of 60 miles an hour and more. At high speeds, falling cats have time to relax. They stretch out their legs like flying squirrels.  This increases their air-resistance and reduces the shock of impact when they hit the ground.

[ 本帖最后由 Snakefairy 于 2007-11-26 08:24 编辑 ]

You are enough, just as you are. This moment is enough, just as it is. Everything you truly value is with you always. The power you seek is yours when you choose to act. Those things that seem to limit you and challenge you can also create a path to greater strength. Right now you are already connected to your greatest possibilities. Your achievements and successes do not make you who you are. They are some of the ways in which you most sincerely and lovingly express who you are. The disappointments and setbacks do not take anything away from the value of your life. They give you the opportunity to more fully understand, appreciate and expand that value. Whatever is happening, all is well. Everything that is, is yours to experience, to value, to love and to fulfill. -- Ralph Marston