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221.The torpor of college students
第221課 大學生對學業的漠然態度
U.S. college students have reported torpid feelings toward their studies lately.
據稱，近來美國大學生對學習表現出不積極的態度。
Why such torpor at a time in their lives when learning should be liberating?
為什么在學習應該得到解放的這個年齡段，他們會對學習不積極呢？
The answer can be traced to the fact that a torrent of ideas are running through their heads,
答案可以追究到這樣一個事實：學生頭腦中充斥著思想的狂潮，
like a tornado making its first touchdown, and the ivory tower is not the only place in which they have an interest.
就像龍卷風首次著陸，象牙塔不是他們惟一興趣所在的地方。
For example, college is often the first-place students are touched by love.
比如，大學經常是學生們接觸愛情的始發地。
Touching though it may sound, the experience can be quite tortuous and can torment students for quite some time.
盡管聽起來動人，但愛情的體驗充滿艱辛曲折，會令學生苦惱一陣子。
When asked about love on campus, many students were touchy about the subject.
當被問及校園戀愛，許多學生對這個話題過于敏感。
It is good to remember that young people are very tractable,
應該記住，年輕人可塑性強，
and the barrage of ideas they are presented with can make life seem tough.
他們面對的一連串思想使生活似乎很難熬。
Many students are politically active, handing out tracts on issues students may have never thought about before,
許多學生政治上很積極，常參與分發傳單，這些傳單涉及的問題他們或許從未想過，
such as where and how to dispose of toxic waste or who to vote for in the next election.
比如在何處、如何處理有害垃圾，或者下次選舉支持何人，
Such torrential ideas may only add to the apathy they feel toward their schoolwork.
如此洪水急流般的思潮只能促進他們對學業的淡漠態度。
Towering social pressure is also a factor.
巨大的社會壓力也是一個因素，
While high school conversations may have focused on topics such as the torque associated with Kevin's new corvette.
高中生的談話或許集中于諸如凱文新的輕型護衛艦的轉矩這樣的話題，
No one in college wants to talk about these things.
但在大學里沒有人愿意談論這些事情，
Students tow a lot of personal baggage from their home lives as well.
學生們還從家里帶來大量個人行李。生活在新地方，
Living in new topographical areas, they must accustom themselves to new ways of living and speaking.
他們必須適應新的生活方式和用語習慣
A farm boy from Iowa might be used to talking about the traction on certain tractor tires,
來自衣阿華的農場男孩要適應談論某些拖拉機輪胎的附著摩擦力，
while a young girl from Indonesia might previously have been occupied with averting disaster from seasonal torrential rains.
而來自印度尼西亞的姑娘以前滿腦子想的卻是如何消除季節性暴雨帶來的災難
Sitting in the stands at a basketball tournament in New York is a new experience altogether.
坐在紐約籃球錦標賽的看臺上全新的體驗。
With new experiences awaiting them at every turn, it is no wonder they care less about academics.
處處都能碰上層出不窮的新鮮事物，難怪他們不太關心自身的學業了。
