The uncanny valley is a term used to describe the uneasyfeeling people experience when they see the human-like appearance of a roboticobject. In 1970, roboticistMasahiro Mori first wrote an essay about the uncanny valley. He proposedthat as robots look more human in appearance, people tend tofind them more likable. However, when robots become too human-like, it can make people feel uncomfortable and scared.
There are a number of theories about why the uncanny valley effect occurs. One theory suggests that the uncanny valley happens because people are sensitive tothe positioning and size of human facialfeatures. When they pick up onmismatchesbetween robots and real humans, they become uncomfortable. For example, a human-like face that doesn’t move like a real person’s can cause discomfort.
From anevolutionaryangle, the mismatches give people a warning that the robots may pose a threat. Another similar theory suggests that the unnatural movements of robots lead people to believe they wouldn’t make good partners. To avoid the uncanny valley, perhaps roboticists should focus more on the functionsof robots instead of their appearances.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
uneasy
[ʌnˋizɪ]
adj. 不安的
Paul felt uneasy about his daughter staying out so late.
保羅對他女兒這麼晚還不回家感到很不安。
多益藍色
英檢中高
●
propose
[prəˋpoz]
vt. 提議，建議
vi. 求婚
=
suggest
We proposed that the concert be held indoors.
我們提議把演唱會辦在室內。
Duke proposed to Betty last night.
杜克昨晚向貝蒂求婚了。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
function
[ˋfʌŋkʃən]
n. 功能，職責
vi. 運作
I think one of the functions of art is healing.
我認為藝術的功用之一是療癒。
The computer stopped functioning after the power failure.
停電之後，電腦就停止運作了。
Rick is an accountant and also functions as a dance teacher.
瑞克是會計師，同時也是名舞蹈老師。
The basement also functions as a gym.
地下室也可當健身房使用。
多益藍色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
uncanny
[ʌnˋkænɪ]
a. 怪異的;可怕的
●
robotic
[roˋbɑtɪk]
a. 機器人的
●
roboticist
[roˈbɑtəsɪst]
n. 機器人專家
●
likable
[ˋlaɪkəb!]
a. 討喜的
●
facial
[ˋfeʃəl]
a. 臉的，面部的
n. 面部美容護理
Sue had a strange facial expression when she tasted this dish.
蘇吃這道菜時臉上有奇怪的表情。
To keep young and beautiful, the lady goes to the beauty parlor for a facial massage every week.
為了永保青春美麗，這位女士每週都到美容院做臉部按摩。
My wife does a facial every now and then.
我太太偶爾會做臉。
高中 Level 4
●
mismatch
[ˋmɪsmætʃ]
n. 不匹配;不協調
●
evolutionary
[͵ɛvəˋluʃən͵ɛrɪ]
a. 進化的
Practical Phrases
●
tend to V
容易......；有……的傾向
= be prone to
= be prone to V
= be inclined to V
= be likely to V
We tend to take natural resources for granted nowadays.
現今，我們往往將自然資源視為理所當然。
●
be sensitive to / about sth
對某事物很敏感，很容易因某事物而被 冒犯
Fred is sensitive to others’ remarks.
弗瑞德對別人的話很敏感。
Don’t mention Donald’s missing dog―he’s very sensitive about that.
不要提到唐納德走失的狗 — 他對那件事非常敏感。
●
pick up on...
注意到⋯⋯
Only Fred picked up on the mistake in this article.
只有弗瑞德注意到這篇文章的錯誤。
●
from a(n)... angle
從⋯⋯角度來看
If you can't find the answer, try to see things from a different angle.
如果你找不到答案,試著從不同的角度來看事情。
●
pose a threat
造成威脅
George is afraid that his strange neighbor may pose a threat.
喬治害怕他奇怪的鄰居會帶來威脅。
♦ that 形容詞子句 vs. that 名詞子句
1. that 可當作關係代名詞，取代 which、who、whom，引導形容詞子句並修飾先行詞。 例: Maggie really likes the dress that / which her mother gave her on her 16th birthday.
瑪姬很喜歡她母親在她十六歲生日時送她的洋裝。 例: Jamie has an aunt that / who teaches English at Harvard.
潔咪有一個在哈佛大學教英文的阿姨。
2. that 也可作連接詞，引導名詞子句作同位語，補充或描述前面的名詞。
that 子句作同位語時，其所修飾的名詞常見的有：
fact（事實）
idea（想法）
news（消息）
belief（信仰）
feeling（感受）
warning（警告）
possibility（可能性）
conclusion（結論）
例: The fact that Jane’s boyfriend cheated on her made her really sad.
珍的男友對她不忠，這個事實讓她非常難過。 例: Leo is bothered by the possibility that he may fail the final exam.
李歐對期末考可能不及格感到困擾。
本文中，除了第一天第三段第一句中的 that 子句為名詞子句作同位語外，其餘劃底線的 that 皆為關係代名詞，引導形容詞子句修飾先行詞。
