Question: Designing ways to protect
computers from hackers represents the boring
side of the security industry.
Passage: While reading a certain amount of
writing is as crucial as it has ever been in
industrial societies, it is doubtful whether a fully
extended grasp of either is as necessary as it was
30 or 40 years ago.
Question: Our literacy skills need to be as
highly developed as they were in the past.
Passage: The laboratory studies similarly show
less mental stimulation, as measured by brain-
wave production, during viewing than during
reading.
Question: People's brains show less activity
while watching television than when reading.
Passage: Australian notions of privacy mean that
areas such as financial matters, appearance and
relationships are only discussed with close
friends. While people may volunteer such
information, they may
resent someone actually
asking them unless the friendship is firmly
established. Even then, it is considered very
impolite to ask someone what they earn. With
older people, it is also rude.
Question: It is acceptable to discuss financial
issues with people you do not know well.
Passage: But most modern humour theorists have
settled on some version of Aristotle's belief that
jokes are based on a reaction to or resolution of
incongruity, when the punchline is either a
nonsense or, though appearing silly, has a clever
second meaning.
Question: Current thinking on humour has
largely ignored Aristotle's view on the subject.
Passage: Physical exercise helps control insulin
levels, while ingesting fat combined with sugars
and starches can cause surges in insulin levels.
