anthropology

人类学，原来「-ology」这个词根可以表示「study of」

anthro meaning “human” and –ology meaning “study of”

Each field of anthropology has its focus; cultural (or social) anthropology, which is my main area, focuses on human culture in all its forms. For some of us, it means the traditional idea of going to a different country and living with the people there. For some of us, though, it’s communities closer to home.

Nifty, keen, groovy, cool

一种好像是50年代，60年代人的欢呼方式~

An old friend of mine use to say "nifty, keen, groovy, cool" every time she was excited about something or someone.

It was a very melodic phrase, although a little 60s-ish but it really sounded great out of her and so bubbly. One could hardly resist her enthusiasm.

I keep wondering these days now, even with all the excessively interesting gadgets that one can buy and use, whether today's items are in fact, "nifty, keen, groovy, and cool". Or are today's gadgets just utilitarian and banal.

The seeming age-old unalterable principles of good design are being affected by all this, although good design principles should be ageless and immutable.

So we yearn for a emotional "nifty, keen, groovy, cool" after a product is unveiled. We don't seem to be getting as many these days. Ah, but for the snows of yesteryear as Francois Villon wrote centuries ago. But technology and progress, the twins of seeming illusion, march on. Nifty, keen, groovy, cool.

gig economy

零工经济 the same as 'Temporary work' form wikipedia

With the growth in the so-called “gig economy,” groups of people forming together online will continue to be big business in this sector, for good or for ill.

Temporary work or temporary employment refers to an employment situation where the working arrangement is limited to a certain period of time based on the needs of the employing organization. Temporary employees are sometimes called "contractual", "seasonal", "interim", "casual staff", "outsourcing", "freelance"; or the word may be shortened to "temps". In some instances, temporary, highly skilled professionals (particularly in the white-collar worker fields, such as law, engineering, and accounting) refer to themselves as consultants.

Temporary workers may work full-time or part-time depending on the individual situation. In some instances, temporary workers receive benefits (such as health insurance), but usually benefits are only given to permanent employees as a cost-cutting measure by the employer to save money. Not all temporary employees find jobs through a temporary employment agency. With the rise of the Internet and 'gig economy', many workers are now finding short-term jobs through freelance marketplaces: a situation that brings into being a global market for work.

A temporary work agency, temp agency or temporary staffing firm finds and retains workers. Other companies, in need of short-term workers, contract with the temporary work agency to send temporary workers, or temps, on assignments to work at the other companies. Temporary employees are also used in work that has a cyclical nature, requiring frequent adjustments to staffing levels.

for good or (for) ill

无论好坏

After the war, the country was changed, for good and for ill.