读趣百科

Some recent developments in the computer industry make scientists predict that the gap between human beings and machines will be closed about the year 20000.To understand the significance of this prediction let us compare the human brain with existing computers. The brain consumes electrical energy at the rate of 25 watts and occupies a volume of one tenth of a cubic foot. The brain houses between 10 billion and 100 billion items of information. Every brain cell is directly connected to many other cells. As a result, the cells in which information is stored can communicate with thousands of other cells.However, the computer consumes 1000,000 watts of electrical power and occupies hundreds of cubic feet of space. Its million items of immediately accessible information. In contrast, the computer memory is like a cell of n pigeonholes, with no thinking capacity and no connections elsewhere.In a word, the electronic brains are hopelessly inadequate in comparison with the human brains.

Chinese history leads us to the conclusion that socialism, not capitalism is best for China. But how a socialist China should look at capitalism and more importantly, make use of the better side of capitalism for its own advantage is of vital(至关) importance to the country.As far as our country's economic construction is concerned, taking advantage of the part of capitalism that is useful to us means we need to develop foreign trade, introduce advanced technology and better management, and make use of foreign funds. It also means we can absorb some of the economic theories, and make use of those economic policies,methods and measures that comply with( 遵循) the law of mass production and a commodity economy. By opening our windows wider to the outside world, people can learn more about other peoples and learn to make sensible judgments.Absorbing the better part of the cultures of other people to enrich ourselves is the best way to safeguard our socialist culture. So taking advantage of capitalism and stepping up economic reforms is the only way to make China strong. Closing the county to international exchanges will only keep it weak.

The human race has experienced a consistent increase in population since the beginning of its history. Famine and disease have done little to offset(抵消) this steady increase. Too many people are added annually to the population of the world. So both the causes of population increase and the results of having more people are worth careful study.Culture evolution is the major factor responsible for population increase.Early in human development, people invented tools to hunt animals. Later they built shelters to protect themselves. Step by step, they made life easier. As a result, fewer died from natural forces, such as harsh climate and disease.In the past, when population grew, there was unexplored territory to inhabit. But now, almost all the habitable land has been explored.The world's population may reach 8.7 billion in 2033. It is clear that world population is a serious issue that needs careful attention. Human beings are unique to solve problems through cultural evolution.( 发展)Facing the world population explosion in the near future. We must carry out the birth control program in order to save the mankind and save the world.

Today the quality of our natural environment has become an important issue. The world population is rising so quickly that the world has become too crowded. We are using up our natural resources and at the same time polluting our environment with dangerous chemicals. If we continue to do this, life on earth cannot survive.Concerned people have made some progress in environmental protection.Governments of many countries have established laws to protect the air,forests and sea resources and to stop environmental pollution.Still more measures should be taken to solve environmental problems.People should be further educated to recognize the importance of the problems, to use modern methods of birth control, to conserve(保存) our natural resources and recycle(再循环) our products. We are sure that we can have a better and cleaner place in the future.

China, as a developing country, is determined to catch up with and even surpass the developed ones. I think that one of the best possible ways to do so is to give first priority(优先)to the development of culture, science and especially education.In modern times, when science and technology are making great progress,the education of the work force is of primary importance. Moreover, many of the success in advanced countries have demonstrated that a nation 's prosperity mainly depends on the quality of its labour force,namely those who have been well educated.In a developing country such as China, our investment in culture,education and science, and especially elementary education, must enjoy top priority. This is crucial(决定性的) for China to catch up with the developed nations in today's surging(汹涌的 ) waves of technological revolution. Otherwise, the gap between China and advanced countries will be widened rather than bridged.