🌻
美國聯準會（Fed）在美東時間22日下午2時（台灣23日凌晨2時）宣布利率維持在趨近零的水準，但暗示升息可能會比預期來得快一些，同時也大幅下修今年的經濟展望。

https://udn.com/news/story/6811/5764746

🌻Adobe(ADBE)電話會議內容讀後感

ADBE前兩天發表財報了.

這次ADBE在財報後下跌, 主要是兩個原因(如下). 不過個人覺得是瑕不掩瑜:
1. 因為之前已經漲了不少(投資人期望太高)
2. 因為Digital Marketing這部分的業務受到季節性的影響, 所以表現不是很突出(沒有比預期高出很多)
a. net new Digital Media ARR (3% beat vs guide, vs 15% beat in 2Q21 vs 35% beat in 3Q20).
b. 有分析師在問(“Maybe just -- can we double-click on the seasonality commentary in the quarter? Because if we look at the beat versus guidance on net new digital media ARR, it looks, at the same time you had the weakest beat, but then the strongest guide in the last three years, which kind of speaks to and confirm some of those seasonality comments that you made.)
i. 高層對此的回答是, 主要是疫情後, 加上正值夏季, 大家的日子回復到正常&放假外出, 所以這部分的業務有受到影響(I think going into the quarter, we had expected that the consumer with a little bit more return to normalcy as what's happening in the environment.)
ii. 高層又說了一些話, 不過重點就是他不認為這是甚麼大事”So, net-net, I would say that the growth prospects for that particular business and the growth drivers remain intact. But again, very much in line. And this is what we feel good about the insights that we're getting on the business.”
iii. 也提到, Q4通常會是digital marketing業務的旺季(表現會不俗的意思)

另外, 覺得這次令我印象深刻的是, 當高層與分析師提到這些事情:
• 常在一些公司的電話會議中提到omnichannel這個字(疫情後, 更明顯了). 這次高層也有提到. ADBE可說是omnichannel概念股:
o “I mean, a big part of that is more and more companies are thirdly doing the multi-channel omnichannel, whatever they want to call it. And I think that's only going to continue to be a driver of our Digital Experience Solutions. Because today that stable stakes and so we just look at it and say whether you're shopping in-store over they are shopping online. You need a solution that treats you like a customer that we know of.”
• 網路上影片(video)的興起, 以及串流影音, 有提高了Adobe的營收天花板(用句分析師的術語, 就是TAM (total addressable market) expansion.
• 當使用者製作了越來越多的內容, 內容管理(content management)的能力就越顯重要, 內容上的流程管理(workflow)也越顯重要. Adobe的產品能夠幫內容製作者解決這樣的問題.
• 而Adobe各產品間的相容性, 標準化, 整合能力, 是它的競爭優勢之一:
o And one of the things we did really well is what we called our named user deployment and how, you know, when we have these enterprise licensing agreements, we offer enterprises the ability to download and distribute within the companies. And the more we do training and evangelism of the products, that leads to adoption. So, I would say there's an element of standardization, there's an element of more content.

而最近ADBE有個新聞, 引起了我的注意, 就是它即將在自己的平台上, 提供付款服務(payment service). 根據之前研究SHOP的經驗, 這有可能會對股價造成一定的漲幅:
On Sept. 15, Adobe announced that it will add payment services to its e-commerce platform this year to help merchants accept credit cards and other ways of paying. The move will deepen Adobe's rivalry with e-commerce firm Shopify (SHOP).
For the service, Adobe has partnered with PayPal (PYPL), which will process a variety of payment types, including credit and debit cards as well as PayPal's own payment and buy-now-pay-later offerings.
https://www.investors.com/news/technology/adbe-stock-adobe-beats-fiscal-q3-targets/

接下來該怎麼辦? 對於基本面良好的公司如ADBE, 我能說的就是buy the dip(逢低買進)了. 供參.

🌻The Facebook Files
一個星期前, WSJ上面有個關於FB的大篇幅調查報導. 有興趣的可以看看.
The Facebook Files
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-facebook-files-11631713039

這篇文章挺長, 也沒有看到華爾街中文版本的完整翻譯, 不過可以看看這篇:
https://on.wsj.com/2ZmFimp

"《華爾街日報》的相關調查顯示，這家社交媒體巨頭心知肚明，其平台會傷害用戶，而且是以該公司常常完全了解的方式造成傷害。目前，全球近半數人口都是Facebook旗下平台的用戶。其中一些證據尤其令人不安：據《華爾街日報》報導，Facebook的內部研究顯示，在報告稱有過自殺念頭的青少年中當中，有13%的英國用戶和6%的美國用戶把這種念頭歸結於Instagram。"

另一篇相關新聞:
https://www.thenewslens.com/article/156683

"《華爾街日報》於13日揭露Facebook的XCheck系統，也就是內部系統中的VIP名單，數百萬名人、政治人物與記者等知名公眾人物都在特別的一份「白名單」之內。"

"這些「貴賓」在社群上發布的內容可以躲過一般的審查系統，即使發布明顯的不當內容，也不會立即被刪除。《衛報》報導，Facebook的獨立監督委員會表示，在閱讀該篇報導後，決定要審查XCheck系統，並要求Facebook對其進行報告與解釋。"

🌻我喜歡的Apple TV影集, "Ted Lasso", 是這次艾美獎的大贏家, 很多主要演員都得獎了.

很高興這兩年, 因為有這部戲的陪伴, 讓我撐過了疫情, 家人離世, 以及一些烏煙瘴氣的事情.

前幾天看演員的得獎影片, 一位娛樂記者問得獎的男配角(也是編劇之一)說, 你覺得這部片的核心思想是甚麼. 他說, be curious, not judgemental.

就像得獎的女演員在劇中一開始是很鴨霸很壞心的球隊主人, 但這樣做是因為被前夫傷透了心, 所以想要弄垮離婚後分到的財產(也是前夫的最愛--球隊); 外表看起來永遠陽光燦爛做啦啦隊的男主角, 在青少年時父親自殺, 造成了他心裡永遠的痛&障礙(讓他在球賽時, 會有突發恐懼症).

我們每個人其實都有很多面, 很多個故事. 尤其在社群, 大家都是萍水相逢, 對彼此的了解都是非常片面的; 而有時候在社群裡, 看到有人會因為只看到一個面向, 就去下斷語. 這其實是人之常情很難避免, 所以我們需要常用第二層思考去提醒自己. 社群裡需要更多的同理心.

“Be curious, not judgmental” – Walt Whitman(惠特曼)(美國詩人)

Picture來源:
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/09/apples-global-hit-comedy-series-ted-lasso-sweeps-the-2021-primetime-emmy-awards-scoring-history-making-win-for-outstanding-comedy-series/

[時事英文] Trees can talk!
　
今天是地球日，讓我們了解一下我們的星球吧。太神奇了，我從來不知道樹有可以跟彼此溝通的網路，而且竟然是透過真菌！最神奇的是，樹還能透過這個系統幫助彼此，甚至排擠不受歡迎的植物。
　
在閱讀的同時也享受一下森林的照片，來深呼吸！
　
Forest Sounds：https://youtu.be/d0tU18Ybcvk?t=280
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
《ＢＢＣ報導》：
　
It's an information superhighway that speeds up interactions between a large, diverse population of individuals. It allows individuals who may be widely separated to communicate and help each other out. But it also allows them to commit new forms of crime.
　
1. the information superhighway 資訊高速公路
2. speed up（使）加速；提高（……的）速度
3. diverse 多種多樣的
4. help each other out 互相幫助
5. commit a crime 犯罪
　
這是一條資訊高速公路，可使龐大且多元的族群互動加速。這讓相距甚遠的個體得以交流並相互協助。但這也使它們犯下新的罪行。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
No, we're not talking about the internet, we're talking about fungi. While mushrooms might be the most familiar part of a fungus, most of their bodies are made up of a mass of thin threads, known as a mycelium. We now know that these threads act as a kind of underground internet, linking the roots of different plants. That tree in your garden is probably hooked up to a bush several metres away, thanks to mycelia.
　
6. fungus 真菌*
7. mycelium 菌絲體
8. A be made up of B Ａ是由Ｂ組成的**
9. act as 充當；起⋯⋯作用
10. be hooked up to 連接
11. thanks to sb/sth 幸虧；由於
　
不，我們不是在說網際網路，我們說的是真菌。儘管蘑菇可能是真菌中最為人熟知的部分，但它們的主體大部分是由許多被稱為菌絲體的細絲所組成。如今，我們知道這些細絲就像地下網路，聯繫著不同植物的根。得益於菌絲體，你花園中的那棵樹可能已與幾公尺外的灌木叢相連了。
　
*「fungus」為單數名詞，其複數形在英式英文中作「fungi」，在美式英文中則為「funguses」。詳參《劍橋詞典》：https://bit.ly/3cRxoTt
　
**在「A be made up of B」中，Ｂ通常為複數，表示Ａ是由許多Ｂ所組成，如「This group is made up of 40 girls.」。而「A be made of B」則為「Ａ是由Ｂ製成的」，意即物理變化，在製作過程中原料的本質不變，可以從成品Ａ中辨認出原料Ｂ，例如：「木椅」顯然是由「木頭」製成的——「This chair is made of wood.」。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
The more we learn about these underground networks, the more our ideas about plants have to change. They aren't just sitting there quietly growing. By linking to the fungal network they can help out their neighbours by sharing nutrients and information – or sabotage unwelcome plants by spreading toxic chemicals through the network. This "wood wide web", it turns out, even has its own version of cybercrime.
　
12. the more…the more… 愈⋯⋯愈⋯⋯
13. nutrient 養分
14. sabotage 蓄意破壞
15. toxic chemical 毒性化學物質
16. it turns out 原來；結果表明
17. cybercrime 網路犯罪
18. wood wide web 森林資訊網*
　
我們愈瞭解這些地下網路，便愈需改變對植物的想法。它們並不只是靜靜地坐在那裡長大。透過真菌網路的連接，它們可藉由共享營養與資訊來幫助它們的鄰居——或者利用此一網路來散播毒性化學物質以破壞不受歡迎的植物。原來這種「森林資訊網」甚至有它們自己的網路犯罪版本。
　
*由於網址總以「World Wide Web」（全球資訊網）的縮寫「www」開頭，作者遂以「wood wide web」為諧音，來形容植物間的溝通網路。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
It has taken decades to piece together what the fungal internet can do. Back in 1997, Suzanne Simard of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver found one of the first pieces of evidence. She showed that Douglas fir and paper birch trees can transfer carbon between them via mycelia. Others have since shown that plants can exchange nitrogen and phosphorus as well, by the same route. Simard now believes large trees help out small, younger ones using the fungal internet. Without this help, she thinks many seedlings wouldn't survive.
　
19. piece together 拼湊
20. Douglas Fir 黃杉（道格拉斯冷杉）
21. Paper Birch 美洲樺（紙皮樺）
22. nitrogen 氮
23. phosphorus 磷
24. by the same route 藉由相同的途徑
25. seedling 幼苗；苗木
　
拼湊真菌網路的作用已花費數十年。１９９７年，溫哥華英屬哥倫比亞大學的蘇珊・西馬德發現了首要證據的其中之一。她證明黃杉與紙皮樺可藉由彼此間的菌絲體轉移碳。此後，其他人證明了植物亦可以相同途徑交換氮和磷。西馬德現在認為，大樹可以真菌網路幫助年紀較輕的小樹木。她認為，沒有這種幫助，許多幼苗或將無法生存。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
Another report suggests that tomato plants can 'eavesdrop' on defense responses and increase their disease resistance against potential pathogen. So not only do the mycorrhizae allow plants to share food, they help them defend themselves. It's not just tomatoes that do this. Broad beans also use fungal networks to pick up on impending threats – in this case, hungry aphids. It was found that broad bean seedlings that were not themselves under attack by aphids, but were connected to those that were via fungal mycelia, activated their anti-aphid chemical defenses. Those without mycelia did not.
　
26. eavesdrop on 竊聽
27. defense response 防禦機制
28. disease resistance 抗病性；抗病力
29. pathogen 病原體
30. mycorrhizae 菌根（複數）；mycorrhiza 菌根（單數）
31. broad beans 蠶豆
32. pick up on 注意到（他人未注意到的事物）
33. an impending threat 迫近的威脅
34. aphid 蚜蟲
35. under attack 遭受攻擊
36. chemical defense 化學防禦
　
另一份報告顯示，番茄植物可以「竊聽」防禦機制，並增強它們對潛在病原體的抗病力。因此，菌根不僅可使植物共享食物，還可幫助它們保護自己。不是只有番茄能做到這點。蠶豆也會利用真菌網路來探知即將來臨的威脅——在此一情況下，是飢餓的蚜蟲。蠶豆幼苗本身並不會受蚜蟲攻擊，但藉由真菌的菌絲體與受到襲擊的蠶豆相連接，則會啟動其抗蚜蟲的化學防禦。那些沒有菌絲體的植物並無此一機制。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
But just like the human internet, the fungal internet has a dark side. Our internet undermines privacy and facilitates serious crime – and frequently, allows computer viruses to spread. In the same way, plants' fungal connections mean they are never truly alone, and that malevolent neighbours can harm them. For one thing, some plants steal from each other using the internet. Some of these plants, such as the phantom orchid, “steal” the carbon they need from nearby trees, via the mycelia of fungi that both are connected to.
　
37. have a dark side 有黑暗的一面
38. undermine 損害
39. facilitate 促使
40. in the same way 同樣地
41. never truly alone 從未真正獨自一人
42. malevolent 有惡意的；歹毒的
43. for one thing 首先；一方面
44. steal from 偷竊
45. the phantom orchid 雪蘭（幻影蘭花）
　
但就像人類的網路，真菌的網路也有黑暗的一面。我們的網際網路破壞了隱私並助長了嚴重的犯罪——使電腦病毒經常得以傳播。同樣地，植物間的真菌連結意味著它們並非形單影隻，因此歹毒的鄰居便可傷害它們。一方面，一些植物透過網路相互偷竊。其中如雪蘭，藉由連接彼此的真菌菌絲體從鄰近樹木「竊取」自身所需的碳。
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
Overall, these fungal networks make communication between plants, including those of different species, faster, and more effective. We don't think about it because we can usually only see what is above ground. But most of the plants you can see are connected below ground, not directly through their roots but via their mycelial connections.
　
46. overall 總體而言
47. fungal networks 真菌網
　
總體而言，這些真菌的網路使植物（包括那些不同種類的植物）之間的通訊更快、更有效率。我們沒想過，因為通常我們只能看見地面上的東西。但多數你可見的植物並非逕由根部而是透過菌絲體的聯繫在地底下相互連接。
　
《ＢＢＣ報導》： https://bbc.in/2zCsLOR
　
圖片出處：之前在溪頭和阿里山拍的 🙂
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
我們的星球是不是超棒的！下次可以試著跟樹木說話。
　
Video：https://youtu.be/yWOqeyPIVRo
　
★★★★★★★★★★★★
　
CLIL（Content and Language Integrated Learning）是將學科內容和外語學習相結合，用外語教授科學、地理、歷史、藝術等內容，從而促進語言和學科知識的雙重學習：http://bit.ly/2K5l3PM
　
CLIL英文詞彙——Math：https://bit.ly/2YdERbc
　
Earth Day 2019：https://bit.ly/2ShSjY4

有人話我唔應該恥笑陳偉霆啲英文。就咁，我已經話過，佢紅唔係因為英文好，我接受，我係唔明 Chanel 廣告團隊點俾呢段片喺冇修正下出街。我亦唔係針對口音問題，係發音錯誤。之但係William 哥讀 St Jo 再加耀中，都幾名校出身。

講起名校，以下落黎呢位就最把炮。拔萃、普林斯頓、哈佛、賓州，我睇係香港高官裡面最高學歷嗰位。點知，我發現佢英文水平好水皮。近日佢喺立法會講咗段英文，瀨曬嘢：

//As I have said in the opening statement in Chinese, we have always upheld our political neutrality. Over the past many many years ever since the secretariat has come into existence, we have always worked against this principle. We have dealt with very controversial issues. We always endeavour to use our best professional judgement and independent thinking to serve the Council and all its committees. What we have done last Friday was to issue a letter to the Security Bureau hoping to clarify a number of questions relating to the details of the Bill. As everybody would understand from those list of questions, those details are important to be orally thought through. //

錯誤百出：

Political neutrality - not po-litical. 我會拍一段正確發音片段解釋。

Worked against this principle. - 佢癲咗，話秘書處一直反對政治中立呢個原則。佢係想講 worked according to this principle. 反轉咗黎講，自打嘴巴，呢個高官level，實在係seven。

'Over the past many many years... 港式英語 「過去好多好多年」。英文角度黎講係又多餘 (redundant) 又繁瑣 （cumbersome)。Delete。

Very controversial - very not fery. 香港人有發唔到 v 音邊漏風嘅 f 音問題。必須狠狠地咬住下唇。Con-troversial is wrong. 我會拍片解釋該如何發音。

'Those list' is grammatically wrong。係 those lists。單數複數都未識分。

'Orally thought through' makes no sense。呢個唔係語言問題係邏輯問題。翻譯成中文：「口頭考慮一下」。啲官究竟係想點....

唔想好似佢咁（我唔認為係佢嘅語言問題咁簡單。佢個腦有問題），請盡快聯絡我。PM我你嘅電話及名，我會今個禮拜或最遲下禮拜將新英式英文口語課程嘅資料俾你。我地會做一對一練習！

六月開波。

#林作英式英文口語教室 #陳維安 #立法會 #秘書處 #政治中立 #秘書處原來一直反對此原則 #workedagainstworkedaccordingto傻傻分不清楚