《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词3500》Unit57:因特网的魅力何在?

　　Unit 57
What Makes the Internet Attractive?
Cyberspace¹ communications, including email discussion groups, chatrooms, bulletin boards and blogs, offer people an opportunity to experience a form of social contact, with no real social presence. Some people find it so attractive that they do not know when to stop. Others might think the Net a cold place, and yet it need not be. In the cold isolation² of our large cities, where people often live separated from kin³ or lonely in the crowds, the Net can become a surrogate social-life -- a vital source of interpersonal contact.
An on-line communication is an easy way to meet new people. Certainly it is very low-risk due to the essential informality of on-line conversation. Rather than being required to keep a single conversation with one or more people, relationships usually form out of numerous, often short exchanges. In a way, it reminds us of commuters who take the bus. They see each other frequently but each meet is fairly short. In situations like this the pressure is minimal⁴. If you'd rather read the paper than chat then you just do it and don't worry about it. But, over time, many people form lasting⁵ relationships this way. In the on-line environment, just like any other social situation, the basic element is human attention. In the public forums⁷, you communicate with groups that may have as many as several hundred people involved -- even if they don't all make comments. Therefore, online communication increases the range of possible social networks that a person can connect to, and adds elements of diversity that are appealing.
There is also a "hyper-personal aspect" to Internet communications, a way to be more selective about how one presents oneself. Images are formed in written words. Perfect self images are above an ordinary level, as users respond to each other's incomplete and selective presentations. Theoretically, this could help account for the flame of wars and love affairs that happen on the net.
In addition, there can be a voyeuristic⁸ aspect to cyberspace contact. People that "lurk⁹", take part in a read-only mode, in chatrooms or email groups, are witnessing the ideas, feelings and interactions of the active users. In some forums, lurking¹⁰ is a means of gaining access to very personal information that no real life forum⁶ can offer.
The features of Internet communication that stand out include: easy and 24 hour access, the wide range of personal connections possible, the hyper-personal nature of interpersonal relationships, the ability to witness others interacting with no risk. Many people may find one or more of these factors attractive enough to become addicted¹¹ to Internet activities. The fascination¹² is understandable, as cyber communications go beyond geographic¹³ borders and expand the ability of people with common interests to share ideas important to them.

1 cyberspace   

n.虚拟信息空间，网络空间，计算机化世界

参考例句：

• She travels in cyberspace by sending messages to friends around the world.她利用电子空间给世界各地的朋友们发送信件。
• The teens spend more time in cyberspace than in the real world of friends and family.青少年花费在电脑上的时间比他们和真正的朋友及家人在一起的时间要多。

2 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

3 kin   

n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的

参考例句：

• He comes of good kin.他出身好。
• She has gone to live with her husband's kin.她住到丈夫的亲戚家里去了。

4 minimal   

adj.尽可能少的，最小的

参考例句：

• They referred to this kind of art as minimal art.他们把这种艺术叫微型艺术。
• I stayed with friends, so my expenses were minimal.我住在朋友家，所以我的花费很小。

5 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

6 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

7 forums   

讨论会； 座谈会； 广播专题讲话节目； 集会的公共场所( forum的名词复数 )； 论坛，讨论会，专题讨论节目； 法庭

参考例句：

• A few of the forums were being closely monitored by the administrators. 有些论坛被管理员严密监控。
• It can cast a dark cloud over these forums. 它将是的论坛上空布满乌云。

8 voyeuristic   

adj.喜好窥阴的

参考例句：

• On the other hand, perhaps the author of the spyware just has voyeuristic tendencies. 不过，也可能程序作者只是有窥阴癖而已。 来自互联网
• Hitchcock also a perverse thrill out of taking audiences on a voyeuristic roller-coaster ride. 希区柯克也有有害刺激的考虑受众的偷窥过山车旅程。 来自互联网

9 lurk   

n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏

参考例句：

• Dangers lurk in the path of wilderness.在这条荒野的小路上隐伏着危险。
• He thought he saw someone lurking above the chamber during the address.他觉得自己看见有人在演讲时潜藏在会议厅顶上。

10 lurking   

潜在

参考例句：

• Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的，想干什么？
• There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

11 addicted   

adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的

参考例句：

• He was addicted to heroin at the age of 17.他17岁的时候对海洛因上了瘾。
• She's become addicted to love stories.她迷上了爱情小说。

12 fascination   

n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋

参考例句：

• He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。
• His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。

13 geographic   

adj.地理学的，地理的

参考例句：

• The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法