TED演讲:便宜、高效的救灾避难所(2)

 　　Now we have instant neighborhoods outside.  现在大家都成了新的邻居。

　　So the Exo is designed to be simply, basically like a coffee cup. 这个房屋系统被设计的很简洁，基本上很像一个咖啡杯。

　　They can actually stack together  它们可以摞在一起

　　so we get extremely efficient transportation and storage out of them. 所以我们可以非常高效的运输和储存它们。

　　In fact, 15 Exos can fit on a single semi truck by itself.  事实上，一个半挂卡车可以装15个这样的屋子。

　　This means the Exo can actually be transported and set up  这就表明这种房屋比目前世界上其他任何住房系统

　　faster than any other housing option available today.  都能更快的运输和安装。

　　But I'm obsessive¹, so I couldn't just stop there,  我对这个项目很着迷，所以我并不止步于此，

　　so I actually started modifying the bunks² 接着我就开始设计床铺，

　　where you could actually slide out the bunks and slide in desks or shelving, 你可以从墙壁上把床滑出来然后耨把桌子和柜子滑进去，

　　so the same unit can now be used for an office or storage location. 这种设计也可以被用为办公室或者储藏室。

　　The doors can actually swap³ out, 房屋的门是可以拆换的，

　　so you can actually put on a rigid⁴ panel with a window unit in it for climate control, 所以你可以换一个带窗户的门来调节气温，

　　or a connector module⁵ that would allow you to actually connect multiple units together, 或者装上连接模块，就可以让你把多个房屋连接起来，

　　which gives you larger and kind of compartmentalized living spaces, 这样生活空间就会变大而且可以分成不同区块，

　　so now this same kit⁶ of parts, 因此同一个屋子，

　　this same unit can actually serve as a living room, bedroom or bathroom,  可以被当做起居室，卧室或浴室，

　　or an office, a living space and secure storage.  或是办公室，居住空间和安全储藏室。

　　Sounds like a great idea, but how do you make it real?  这听起来很不错，但是要怎样才能让这些成为现实？

　　So the first idea I had, initially⁷, was just to go the federal and state governments and go, 我最初的想法是找到政府部门并且跟他们说，

　　"Here, take it, for free." “这个送给你们，拿去吧 。”

　　But I was quickly told that, "Boy, our government doesn't really work like that." 但是我很快被告诉，“亲，我们的政府根本不会这么做的。”

　　Okay. Okay. So maybe I would start a nonprofit  好吧，好吧。我或许应当创立一个非盈利的机构

　　to kind of help consult and get this idea going along with the government, but then I was told, 来使这个想法能得到政府的支持，但之后我却被告知，

　　"Son, our government looks to private sector⁸ for things like this." “亲，我们的政府还指望私营企业来做这样的事情呢。”

　　Okay. So maybe I would take this whole idea 好吧。我也许应该把这个主意

　　and go to private corporations that would have this mutually shared benefit to it, 交给那些能共同获利的私营企业

　　but I was quickly told by some corporations that my personal passion project was not a brand fit 可接着我很快收到一些公司的答复，他们认为来源于我自己倒腾出来的项目和品牌形象不符

　　because they didn't want their logos stamped across the ghettos of Haiti. 他们不愿意让自己的品牌沾上海地贫民区的痕迹

　　Now, I wasn't just obsessed⁹. I was outraged¹⁰. 那时，我就不止是着迷怎么简单了。我愤怒了。

　　So I decided¹¹, kind of told myself, "Oh yeah? Watch this. I'll do it myself."  于是我对自己说，是嘛？等着瞧吧，我自己来做。

1 obsessive   

adj. 着迷的, 强迫性的, 分神的

参考例句：

• Some people are obsessive about cleanliness.有些人有洁癖。
• He's becoming more and more obsessive about punctuality.他对守时要求越来越过分了。

2 bunks   

n.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的名词复数 )；空话，废话v.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的第三人称单数 )；空话，废话

参考例句：

• These bunks can tip up and fold back into the wall. 这些铺位可以翻起来并折叠收入墙内。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• At last they turned into their little bunks in the cart. 最后他们都钻进车内的小卧铺里。 来自辞典例句

3 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。

4 rigid   

adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的

参考例句：

• She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。
• The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。

5 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

6 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

7 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

8 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

9 obsessed   

adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的

参考例句：

• He's obsessed by computers. 他迷上了电脑。
• The fear of death obsessed him throughout his old life. 他晚年一直受着死亡恐惧的困扰。

10 outraged   

a.震惊的，义愤填膺的

参考例句：

• Members of Parliament were outraged by the news of the assassination. 议会议员们被这暗杀的消息激怒了。
• He was outraged by their behavior. 他们的行为使他感到愤慨。

11 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。