英文短篇故事（纽约）448 How Important Is "The News"?

 　　Daniel was watching the TV news with his daughter. A "white guy on the loose" had stabbed¹ 14 people. Daniel said, "You know, every day we see or read about many events that mean nothing to us personally. For example, perhaps the biggest news story in my life was 'man steps on the moon.' But that news didn't affect my life one bit. So, what was the importance of it to me? Nada. Zilch." His daughter said, "But news about Hurricane Sandy helped us prepare for it. That was important." Daniel said, "Yes, it was. But strictly² speaking, that wasn't news—it was the weather. The weather does affect us personally. It is important. But news has little value except as entertainment. It's something to talk about. It's not personal. Media news is about what happens to others. For us, its major importance is to satisfy our need to gossip³."

1 stabbed   

adj. 刺中的, 中伤的, 刺穿的 动词stab的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• He was stabbed to death in a racist attack. 他遭到种族主义者的袭击，被刺死了。
• The woman stabbed at her attacker with a pair of scissors. 那个妇人手持剪刀向攻击者刺去。

2 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

3 gossip   

n.流言蜚语，爱说长道短的人；vi.传播流言

参考例句：

• She broadcast the gossip all over the town.她将这个流言传遍全镇。
• They spread a lot of tacky gossip about his love life.关于他的爱情生活，他们散播了许多不堪的闲言闲语。