絕地武士真的存在嗎？（《星際大戰》科學）：英語精讀講義

From lightsabers to the Force and mind tricks,

從光劍、原力到心靈控制術，

the Jedi are a force to be reckoned with even against the best of superheroes. 慣用語

絕地武士就算對上最強的超級英雄，也是一股不容小覷的力量。

But with the new Star Wars:

但隨著全新《星際大戰：

The Last Jedi trailer and movie coming out soon,

最後的絕地武士》預告片與電影即將推出，

not to mention EA's Battlefront 2 debacle, 片語搭配

更別提 EA《星際大戰：戰場前線 2》引發的風波，

we started wondering whether or not the Jedi could actually exist hypothetically. 文法

我們不禁開始思考：絕地武士在假想情況下，究竟有沒有可能真實存在。

Could humans ever have or obtain some of these capabilities?

人類未來有可能具備或獲得其中某些能力嗎？

First up are the Jedi's incredible reflexes, 表達脈絡

首先來看絕地武士驚人的反應速度，

which could be linked to seeing the world in slow motion along with their ability of foresight. 片語搭配

這可能與他們能以慢動作看世界，以及預見未來的能力有關。

When you're put in a dangerous or stressful situation,

當你身陷危險或承受壓力時，

time often seems to slow down.

時間往往像是慢了下來。

And this is because your brain begins taking in much more information than normal. 片語動詞

這是因為大腦開始接收比平常多得多的資訊。

But even in these moments,

但即使在這種時刻，

your reflexes and time perception hardly compare to some other animals. 片語搭配

你的反應速度和時間感知能力，仍遠比不上某些動物。

If you've ever tried to hit a fly,

如果你曾經試著打蒼蠅，

you might realize that what is a really quick swat on your part is easily avoided by the fly.

你可能會發現，自己覺得快如閃電的一拍，蒼蠅卻能輕易躲開。

And that's because the fly actually perceives it as slower. 片語搭配

那是因為在蒼蠅眼中，你的動作其實更慢。

Scientists use the point 文法

科學家會找出一個臨界點：

at which a flickering light is seen as one continuous light

也就是閃爍的光開始被看成連續光線的時刻，

as a marker for visual sensitivity.

並以此作為視覺敏感度的指標。

And it turns out flies can see light flickering 表達脈絡

結果發現，蒼蠅能看見光線閃爍，

at a rate nearly seven times faster than we do. 文法

其閃爍頻率幾乎比我們能辨識的快上七倍。

For them,

對牠們來說，

1 second actually feels longer.

一秒鐘實際上感覺更漫長。

Scientists believe that perception of time co-evolved with how fast an animal moves,

科學家認為，時間感知的演化與動物的移動速度、

how quick their metabolism is,

新陳代謝的快慢，

and how big their bodies are.

以及體型大小息息相關。

After all, 表達脈絡

畢竟，

it doesn't make much sense for your brain to take in so much information

讓大腦接收這麼多資訊並沒有太大意義，

if your body can't physically react to it in time. 片語搭配

因為你的身體根本來不及做出實際反應。

As a result,

因此，

leatherback turtles only get about a third of the information that human brains do in 1 second.

革龜的大腦在一秒內接收的資訊量，只有人類大腦的約三分之一。

Dogs, on the other hand, 表達脈絡

另一方面，狗

can see about 25% faster than humans,

看東西的速度比人類快約 25%，

making our TVs look like a set of flickering lights. 文法

所以我們的電視在牠們眼中，就像一組不停閃爍的燈光。

But with improvements in vision sensitivity,

不過，只要提升視覺敏感度，

Jedi-like reflexes could become possible.

像絕地武士一樣的反應速度便有可能實現。

But it would only matter if you could physically react fast enough. 文法

但前提是你的身體反應也得夠快，這才有意義。

Otherwise,

否則，

you would just be seeing something come towards you slowly with no means to actually stop it. 片語搭配

你就只會看著某樣東西慢慢朝你逼近，卻完全無法阻止它。

While the Force is a somewhat mystical and elusive concept in the movies,

雖然電影中的「原力」是個有些神祕又難以捉摸的概念，

it touches on some ideas that scientists have long tried to explore. 片語動詞

但它觸及了科學家長久以來試圖探索的一些想法。

Ancient Greeks actually believed in a fifth element that connected everything in the universe,

古希臘人其實相信，有一種第五元素連結著宇宙萬物，

and even Isaac Newton proposed a concept of our brains

就連艾薩克・牛頓也曾提出，大腦可以

interacting with something called ether that was all around us, 文化背景

與環繞在我們四周、稱為「乙太」的物質互動，

which could potentially give us psychic powers.

而這可能賦予我們心靈超能力。

And while the Force is described in many different ways,

雖然原力有許多不同的描述方式，

Obi-Wan suggests,

歐比王是這麼說的：

"It's an energy field created by all living things.

「那是由所有生命創造出的能量場。

It surrounds us,

它環繞著我們，

penetrates us,

貫穿我們，

it binds the galaxy together." 片語搭配

也將整個銀河系緊緊連結在一起。」

This sounds, in some ways,

從某些角度來看，這聽起來

like the electric fields that exist in and all around us.

很像存在於我們體內與四周的電場。

Human brains,

人類的大腦，

for example,

舉例而言，

emit brain waves,

會發出腦波，

a form of electromagnetic radiation that travels at the speed of light.

那是一種以光速傳播的電磁輻射。

This is released from the activity of thousands of neurons

這是數千個神經元活動時所釋放的，

simultaneously firing at the same frequency.

這些神經元會以相同頻率同步放電。

And many animals are actually optimized to sense this electricity,

而且許多動物其實已演化得非常適合感知這種電，

like the platypus.

鴨嘴獸就是一例。

It catches prey in murky waters at night with their eyes,

牠在夜間混濁的水中捕獵時，會把眼睛、

ears,

耳朵

and nostrils all closed,

和鼻孔全部閉上，

and instead using its bill covered in nearly 40,000 electroreceptors

轉而使用布滿近 4 萬個電感受器的嘴喙，

to detect the microvolts of electricity that their prey emits.

偵測獵物所發出的微伏級電訊號。

Even human cells have the ability to detect electric fields,

甚至人類細胞也有偵測電場的能力，

though not consciously. 文法

只不過並非有意識地感知。

But perhaps with some genetic engineering,

但或許透過某些基因工程，

our acute awareness of this force could become more pronounced. 片語搭配

我們對這股力量的感知，或許能變得更加敏銳。

Speaking of electricity, 表達脈絡

說到電，

many members of the Sith are able to shoot lightning out of their hands.

許多西斯成員都能從手中射出閃電。

And there are certain species of fishes that do something similar. 用詞

而有些魚類也能做到類似的事。

Consider the electric eel,

以電鰻為例，

capable of producing up to 600 V of electricity. 文法

牠能產生高達 600 伏特的電壓。

These fish have evolved electric organs

這些魚類的發電器官

at least 100 million years ago

至少在一億年前就已演化出來，

by converting muscle cells to electrocytes. 文法

方法是將肌肉細胞轉變成電細胞。

Instead of simply contracting to release 文法

一般肌肉細胞只會透過收縮，

a small amount of voltage like normal muscle cells do,

釋放少量電壓；電細胞則不同，

electrocytes actually push ions across a membrane

它們會把離子推送穿過細胞膜，

in order to create a large flow of positive charge,

藉此形成大量正電荷的流動，

ultimately creating an electric current,

最終產生電流，

allowing them to release a shock at will from several feet away. 慣用語

讓牠們能隨心所欲，從數英呎外施放電擊。

Perhaps through gene modification technologies like CRISPR,

或許透過 CRISPR 之類的基因改造技術，

a version of these electrocytes could be created in humans,

我們也能在人類身上造出某種版本的電細胞，

allowing for electric capabilities.

從而獲得放電能力。

Now,

接下來，

theoretical physicist Michio Kaku thinks that

理論物理學家加來道雄認為，

we do have the materials and technology now to make a lightsaber, 文法

我們現在其實已擁有製造光劍所需的材料和技術，

just those technologies need to be upgraded.

只是這些技術還需要進一步升級。

Lightsabers are weapons of powerful compact energy

光劍是將強大能量壓縮而成的武器，

that can cut through anything with a few exceptions,

除了少數例外，它幾乎能切開任何東西，

like another lightsaber.

例如另一把光劍。

Dr. Kaku's design consists of a blade made from superhot plasma, 片語搭配

加來道雄博士的設計，是以超高溫電漿打造劍刃，

one of the four fundamental states of matter,

電漿是物質的四種基本狀態之一；

where air is sucked into the base of the blade and is superheated to create a 6,648°C

空氣會被吸進劍刃底部，再加熱至 6,648°C，形成

plasma. An electromagnetic coil would be used to control the plasma,

電漿。接著利用電磁線圈控制電漿，

while a telescopic ceramic rod,

同時搭配一根可伸縮的陶瓷棒，

which shoots out of the handle and can resist the plasma's temperature, 片語動詞

它會從劍柄中伸出，而且能承受電漿的高溫，

holds the blade altogether. 用詞

藉此固定並支撐整個劍刃。

Where does the energy come from?

那麼，能量從哪裡來？

In the handle of the lightsaber 文法

光劍的劍柄內

are trillions of nano batteries that power the plasma generator.

裝有數兆顆奈米電池，為電漿產生器供電。

And Dr. Kaku thinks that this technology could be ready in the next 50 years.

加來道雄博士認為，這項技術可望在未來 50 年內實現。

Star Wars films state that those with a high midi-chlorian count

《星際大戰》電影提到，迷地原蟲數量較高的人

are actually much more in tune with the Force. 慣用語

其實更能與原力產生共鳴。

Midi-chlorians are a microscopic life form that resides within all living cells.

迷地原蟲是一種存在於所有活細胞內的微小生命體。

They live inside me.

它們就住在我體內。

George Lucas has suggested that this was based on the idea of mitochondria, 片語搭配

George Lucas 曾表示，這個概念是以粒線體為基礎，

an organelle found in all eukaryotic organisms that helps supply energy,

粒線體是所有真核生物都有的胞器，能協助供應能量，

cellular differentiation,

促進細胞分化、

cell growth,

細胞生長，

and many other tasks.

並執行許多其他任務。

And while most of your cells have their own DNA in the cell nucleus,

雖然你大多數細胞的 DNA 都位於細胞核中，

mitochondria actually have their own genome and DNA,

但粒線體其實也有自己的基因組和 DNA，

which is more similar to a bacteria. 文法

而這些 DNA 更接近細菌的 DNA。

Lucas used this as a metaphor for how without symbiosis, 文法

Lucas 用這點來比喻沒有共生會是什麼情況：

whether it's cells or entire organisms working together, 文法

無論是細胞或完整生物體，只要彼此不合作，

life couldn't exist.

生命就不可能存在。

Now,

那麼，

if being more in tune with life simply meant having more mitochondria,

如果更能與生命共鳴，只代表擁有更多粒線體，

it could be as simple as doing more exercise. 文法

那方法或許就只是多運動而已。

A study that had seniors complete a 12-week exercise program 文法

一項研究讓年長者完成為期 12 週的運動計畫，

found that skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA increased 53% after training.

結果發現，訓練後骨骼肌中的粒線體 DNA 增加了 53%。

Of course,

當然，

we have no real reason to believe this would do much else, 片語搭配

我們完全沒有理由相信這還會帶來其他效果，

unless George Lucas knows something about the mitochondria that scientists don't.

除非 George Lucas 知道某些連科學家都不了解的粒線體祕密。

George?

George？

Many Jedi are able to employ a type of telekinesis through the Force.

許多絕地武士都能透過原力施展某種念力。

And while there's been a lot of interest in the idea of moving objects with your mind, 片語搭配

雖然人們一直很著迷於用意念移動物體的想法，

scientific research has not produced reliable, 用詞

但科學研究至今仍未提出可靠、

repeatable demonstrations of telekinesis.

且可重複驗證的念力實例。

So you can't levitate an object with your mind,

所以，你無法只靠意念讓物體懸浮，

but we have been able to manipulate the Force with technology.

但我們已經能運用科技來操控「力」。

Though it goes against intuition, 片語搭配

雖然這有違直覺，

non-magnetic substances can be levitated within a magnetic field.

非磁性物質也能在磁場中懸浮。

Physicists have been able to levitate animals

物理學家已成功讓動物懸浮起來，

like this frog using a high magnetic field.

例如利用強磁場讓這隻青蛙浮在空中。

As living things consist of diamagnetic molecules like water,

由於生物體是由水等反磁性分子、

proteins,

蛋白質

and bones,

和骨骼組成，

and the tiny forces these molecules give off allow them to levitate. 片語動詞

這些分子所產生的微弱作用力，便能讓生物體懸浮。

Finally,

最後，

the Jedi are able to use Jedi mind tricks to implant suggestions, 片語搭配

絕地武士還能施展絕地心靈術，向他人植入暗示，

which is perhaps most closely linked to hypnosis in our world.

而這在現實世界中，最接近的或許就是催眠。

The ability to respond to suggestions.

也就是對暗示做出反應的能力。

Though it typically takes time to induce a person into a hypnotic state,

然而，通常需要一段時間，才能讓人進入催眠狀態，

and hypnotizability itself is a spectrum where not everyone responds. 慣用語

而且每個人的可催眠程度不同，並非所有人都會有反應。

But as we move into the future

但隨著我們邁向未來，

and start potentially putting technologies into our brain,

並可能開始把科技裝置植入大腦，

another route may actually be possible.

或許真能走出另一條路。

This mouse has fiber optic cables wired into its right motor cortex, 片語動詞

這隻老鼠的右側運動皮質被接上了光纖，

which controls movement to the left.

這個區域控制身體向左移動。

As soon as the light is shot into its altered neurons,

只要光線射入經過改造的神經元，

it cannot help but run to the left. 文法

牠就會不由自主地向左跑。

Its thoughts and actions have been hacked. 慣用語

牠的思想和行動都被駭入了。

As humans continue to enhance their bodies and brains through technology,

隨著人類持續透過科技強化身體與大腦，

brain hacking akin to Jedi mind tricks may become a major concern. 用詞

類似絕地心靈術的腦部駭入技術，可能會成為一大隱憂。

Connect to the reward centers of the 文法

只要接上大腦的獎勵中樞，

brain, and now you can control how someone feels.

你現在就能控制一個人的感受。

Hey everyone,

大家好，

just wanted to say thank you so much for watching. 語氣意圖

只是想好好謝謝大家收看。

We don't communicate that often with you guys on this channel,

我們在這個頻道上不常跟大家聊天，

but we just wanted to say thank you so much

但還是想由衷地說聲謝謝，

for watching our videos for almost 6 years.

謝謝你們將近 6 年來一直收看我們的影片。

We really appreciate it,

我們真的非常感激，

and we are just so happy that you guys are interested still in learning with us.

也很開心大家到現在仍然有興趣和我們一起學習。

If you want to check out our Star Wars acapella, 片語動詞

如果你想看看我們的《星際大戰》阿卡貝拉演出，

we'll put a link to that as well.

我們也會附上連結。

And also click the bell.

另外，別忘了按一下鈴鐺。

We've been told people don't get notified if they haven't clicked the bell,

聽說如果沒按鈴鐺，大家就收不到通知，

and it really helps our channel.

而這對我們的頻道真的很有幫助。

Otherwise,

那麼，

subscribe,

別忘了訂閱，

and we'll see you soon for more videos.

我們很快會帶著更多影片和大家見面。

See you.

再見。

Thank you so much.

真的非常謝謝大家。