Commentary on "Seoul Subway 'I-cellation' (Isolation)" Full text below, MP3 at www.teacherbill.com

Commentary on "Seoul Subway 'I-cell-ation' " (Isolation)

(The original short video from the subway is further down the page. MP3 file at www.teacherbill.com )

I took this short video while riding the subway in Seoul, back in September. It was amazing to me that everyone around me was either doing something with their cell phones. This is a common sight, not only in Seoul, but in many cities that I visit.
The word “I-cell-ation” is my creation, and it is a “play on words”; people isolate themselves in public, even in large crowds, by involving themselves endlessly with their cell phones.
Now, cell phones are useful for some purposes—they help us communicate with people at certain times. But the excessive use of cell phones is a little ridiculous. (This is also true of I-pods and other such devices.)
By immersing ourselves in activities involving our gadgets, a couple things happen;
1. We remain strangers to one another. Instead of saying hello to people, greeting them, acknowledging them, we remain strangers, and in some way, lessen our humanity.
2. We don’t develop necessary social skills. Looking at people, talking to them in person, learning new things, all get pushed aside.
3. We’re oblivious our surroundings. I love to notice things, see what is happening in the world, where am I, what’s new, what’s going on in the world.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. I carry a cell phone, and use it when necessary. But it has not become my “life-blood”. I also don’t have earphones plugged into my ears at all times—I like to see and hear what is going on around me. Get this—I actually like to just sit and think sometimes, without any distractions. It gives me a chance to formulate my thoughts.

Question: Do you automatically answer the cell phone every time it rings? Is that necessary? There are many times that I don’t answer my phone when it rings. Often, the situation determines whether I answer or not. So don’t be a slave to your cell phone (or I-pod)—it’s just a piece of technology designed to help you, not dominate you. Take care!

Key Words

Isolation-n-being apart from others, alone.
Amazing-adj-surprising, very interesting.
Play on words-idiom-using a word or phrase to have two meanings.
Excessive-adj-too much, more than needed.
Ridiculous-adj-silly, crazy.
Immerse-v-totally involved in an activity.
Acknowledge-v-to notice something or someone’s presence and greet them.
Humanity-n-our ability to treat people kindly.
Pushed aside-v.phrase-to make something not important, to not give it attention.
Oblivious-adj-not aware of something, to not see or hear something.
Get the point-idiom-to understand an important statement.
Life-blood-n-something that gives us life and meaning.
Distractions-n-things that take our attention away from what’s important.
Formulate-v-to put together thoughts, to figure out something.
Automatically-adv-to do without thinking.
Dominate-v-to totally control something or someone.

"Can You Read My Mind?" (Shanghai, China)

Can You Read My Mind? (Shanghai)

(Sorry that I'm invisible. It looked fine when I taped it, but when I put this video on the Internet, I disappeared. Just call me "Invisi-Bill". My face isn't important--you see enough of me.)

Okay, we’re here along the Bund in Shanghai, the beautiful Bund—very, very interesting to see all of this architecture. I love coming up here, it’s fascinating to see everything here in Shanghai.
Okay, now, I want to share something with everybody. Now, can you read my mind? Probably not—I can’t read your mind. But, we expect people to read our minds, don’t we?
We do this with family members and friends. We do this at work. We expect people to read our minds. And then, when they don’t read our minds, then we get upset with them, right? We need to communicate exactly what we want and what we need to people. If we can’t tell people what we want and what we need, there’s no way we can expect them to give, then, what we need.
So don’t get upset with people when they don’t do what you hope they would do. You need to be very clear in communicating “what do I need”, “what do I want”.
Now, that doesn’t mean they’re going to give you exactly what you asked for, but you need to communicate with them. Don’t expect them to read your mind.
The other thing is, I think of, as far as meeting people—so many people see somebody they would like to meet, but they don’t ever communicate with them. They expect the other person to read their mind. They hope the other person will come and say “Hello” to them.
If you’re in that situation again, just walk over and say “Hello” to people. Don’t worry, they won’t bite you, they probably won’t kill you. At least take a chance.
Okay, figure out what you want and need, and communicate that.
Shanghai!

Key words

Invisible-adj-can't be seen.

Architecture-n-the type of style used in designing buildings.

Fascinating-adj-very interesting, surprising, exciting.

Read (someone's) mind-v.phrase-to know what another person is thinking.

Is It Necessary?

Is It Necessary?

(MP3 file available at www.teacherbill.com )

Well, hello there. Here I am on Taiwan's High Speed Rail System--the "Bullet Train" as they might call it in Japan.
I don't know if Taiwan needs a High Speed Rail System--but I guess now it's a moot point. It is fast, it's very comfortable.
But, I've been here for five years in Taiwan, and the whole process made me think that this was just a big project for, uh, some government and elected officials and also people with connections to make a lot of money.
Because, there was a sufficient rail system in place, and there were also airlines in place, that make it--going back and forth between Taipei and Khaoshung and other cities very easy.
In fact, I flew down to Khaoshung this morning in forty minutes, forty-five maybe, and then, uh, I'm now riding the High Speed Rail back to Taipei this afternoon, because I have some time.
It's a nice ride, but, uh, like I said, I-don't know if it's really necessary--but, it's here. It's not going away, so, I would encourage you to give it a try if you have the opportunity, go for a ride on it. It is fun, um, it's kinda fun going 180 miles per hour.
So, um, I had the opportunity in Shanghai, I did ride the Maglev train there--this is similar to it. It's a little bit different, but it is kind of a fun thing to do. So, here's one more look inside the cabin, and around.
Okay--see you later!

Key Words

Moot point-n-a fact, or point of an argument that doesn't matter anymore, because something has already happened.

Connections-n-strong contacts and relationships that help people make money and exert influence.

Sufficient-adj-adequate, good enough, plenty.

Maglev train-n-a high speed train that levitates (sits or floats on) a magnetic field as it travels, instead of wheel to rail as most trains are.