Online Class Notes (Mike)

When you encounter animals, do you wonder what they’re thinking? Seeing a newborn lamb or a cute puppy might stir up happy emotions in us, but what are they thinking? Does the look on their face and how they behave indicate how they’re feeling – or are they feeling nothing at all?

Humans have a complex range of emotions, but it’s hard to tell what’s going on inside the heads of animals, mainly because they can’t verbalise their feelings. Perhaps it’s pets we think we understand most – as they are the animals we spend a lot of time with and therefore get to know best. Some of us own dogs because they are good companions, are loyal and seem to connect with us. We might even think they love us, although love could just be a human emotion. Professor Kim Bard, an expert in comparative developmental psychology from the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC: “We have a few studies now that actually show, scientifically… that [some] dogs will respond with empathetic concern when their owner – but not a stranger – pretends to cry.” The empathetic ability of cats, however, is harder to work out.

Other non-domesticated animals might have feelings too. Giraffes and whales, for example, are known to experience grief when someone in their group dies. Farm animals we often eat, such as cows and chickens, are also believed to experience pain, joy and other emotions. Their wellbeing is now taken into consideration more. And in the UK, new legislation means all vertebrate animals and crustaceans will be recognised in law as sentient beings. It’s believed even tiny creatures like insects might have emotions as well. Research is beginning to show they experience a wide range of feelings. Writing for BBC Future website, Zaria Gorvett says “they can be optimistic, cynical, or frightened, and respond to pain just like any mammal would.”

Dr Barbara J King, Emerita Professor of Anthropology at the College of William and Mary, told the BBC: “If we understand the profound depths of emotions animals can feel, this should make us question the existence of zoos and slaughterhouses around the world, and rethink those systems.” It does seem all creatures feel emotion, but what is not clear is do they feel the same way as us?

stir up 激起（情感）
emotion 情感，情绪
feel 感觉
a range of 各种，不同的
verbalise 用语言表达
feelings 情感，感情
companion 同伴，伙伴
connect with 与…合得来，情感相通
empathetic 有同感的，通人情的
concern 担忧
experience 感受，体会
grief 悲痛，悲伤
pain 疼痛，痛苦
joy 喜悦
sentient 有感知能力的
optimistic 乐观的
cynical 持怀疑态度的
frightened 害怕的

On June 1, 2022, the lockdown in Shanghai was over. This is comparable to the Chinese New Year for the Shanghainese. Many people set off fireworks and dance in the complex to celebrate their freedom. For the first time in 2 months, there is no time limit to go out. When I stepped out of the gate of the complex, I felt the warm wind. Yes, it is summer now. I haven’t gone out for 2 months, the outside world has changed from spring to summer.
If you ask me what I want to do after lockdown is over. Actually I have no idea. When I’m at home, I want to eat the most expensive Japanese food in Shanghai, go to the cinema, and go to a spa. But when I really go out of the complex, I don’t want to do anything. I just want everything to go back to normal.
A few days ago I read a joke about a man who asked his policeman friend. He said, “I’m about to leave the complex. Why do I have such a nervous feeling lately? His friend said, some prisoners are about to be released from prison is also like this.

On June 1, 2022, the lockdown in Shanghai was lifted. It feels like Chinese New Year for people in Shanghai. Many people set off fireworks and danced in the complex to celebrate their freedom. For the first time in 2 months, there is no time limit for going out. When I stepped out of the gate of our complex, I felt the warm wind. Yes, it is summer now. I haven’t gone out for 2 months, the outside world has changed from spring to summer.
If you ask me what I want to do after the lockdown, Actually I have no idea. When I was at home, I wanted to eat the most expensive Japanese food in Shanghai, go to the cinema, and go to a spa. But when I was actually out of the complex, I didn’t want to do anything. All of my desires/cravings have vanished. I just want everything to go back to normal.
A few days ago I read a joke about a man who asked his policeman friend, “I’m about to leave the complex. Why do I have such a nervous feeling? His friend said, some prisoners who are about to be released is also like this/share the same feeling.

Vocabulary

in person: face to face
I prefer to have class in person.

lift (v) 取消，解除

limit (n)
under/over the limit
to do sth within limits: 在一定的限度内做某事
In May, we could walk in our compound/complex within limits.
(v) to be limited to (doing sth) 限制于做某事
We must limit the budget to 100 USD.
We must limit ourselves to one cake.
We must limit ourselves to having one cake.

complex
(n) 情结，建筑群
Oedipus Complex 俄狄浦斯情结/恋母情结
(adj.) 混杂的，复杂的，错杂复杂的，难懂的

paragraph (n) 段落

normalcy (n) 常态 = normality
normal (adj.)
normally (adv.)

craving (n) 渴望，渴求，迫切需要
Right now, I have a very strong craving for pizza.

desire (v/n) 欲望

vanish (v) to disappear 消失
Many species have vanished from the earth. 许多物种都从地球上消失了

I will be back to the office next Thursday.
I will work in the office starting from Thursday.