VOA标准英语2012--Internet Week Conference Tackles Information Overload

 

Internet Week Conference Tackles Information Overload¹

Thomas Stimpson is attending Internet Week to learn the latest trends in information technology for his job as a tech-marketing consultant². For personal use, he relies on a laptop and tablet.

"Since I purchased an iPad [tablet], my video consumption has gone through the roof, because it's very easy for me to sit on the couch at night or lie in bed and peruse³ YouTube," said Stimpson.

Stimpson says his choice of device also changed the way he consumes news.

"I visit a lot fewer news web sites and general interest web sites than I did in the past, simply because I can now have that information come to me via Twitter on my phone. When I'm waiting around, I'll check Twitter quite a bit," Stimpson noted⁴.

Stimpson and millions of people like him are but a click away from yet another source of information. Melissa Lafsy Wall, iPad editor of Newsweek Magazine, told an Internet Week panel that her news organization is counting on quality to hold reader attention. 

"It's our job to give a fantastic mix of excellent editorial, original reporting, beautiful photography and wonderful interactives that will keep you engaged and involved," said Lafsy Wall.

But the Internet allows Stimpson to be his own editor; to curate or select content according to personal interests.

"What I love is that all of a sudden, the things that I'm interested in can all be right next to each other and they're not segmented in silos," added Stimpson. "I don't have to go and search for art news and go somewhere else to search for ideas for my next trip."

Information on demand is also challenging television manufacturers. They are responding with sets that combine traditional broadcasting with computer software.

"We're making it easier from a hardware perspective to search with an easy magic motion remote, for example," said Georg Rasinki who represents LG Electronics in New York. "You can type in with a keyboard or with a voice function as to search for the content that you need. Yes, the hardware is getting smarter to address all of the software advantages." 

Modern electronic devices have unleashed⁵ a torrent⁶ of information. New York's Internet Week showcases some of the city's 500 digital companies involved in managing the torrent with better devices, aps and software.

1 overload   

vt.使超载；n.超载

参考例句：

• Don't overload the boat or it will sink.别超载，否则船会沉。
• Large meals overload the digestive system.吃得太饱会加重消化系统的负担。

2 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

3 peruse   

v.细读，精读

参考例句：

• We perused the company's financial statements for the past five years.我们翻阅了公司过去5年来的财务报表。
• Please peruse this report at your leisure.请在空暇时细读这篇报道。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 unleashed   

v.把（感情、力量等）释放出来，发泄( unleash的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press. 政府的提案引发了新闻界的抗议浪潮。
• The full force of his rage was unleashed against me. 他把所有的怒气都发泄在我身上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 torrent   

n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发

参考例句：

• The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
• Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。