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完美主义的危险性(上)
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"你最大的缺点是什么？"这是世界上最陈词滥调的面试问题。
双语精读
The perils of perfectionism
完美主义的危险性
It is the world's most tired interview question: what is your greatest weakness?
"你最大的缺点是什么？"这是世界上最陈词滥调的面试问题。
And Rishi Sunak, one of the two remaining candidates in the race to become Britain's prime minister, gave the world's most tired answer--perfectionism--when he was asked it at an online hustings earlier this month.
本月早些时候，英国首相竞选最终角逐出的两位候选人之一里希·苏纳克在一次网上竞选中被问及这个问题时，给出了世界上最俗套的答案——完美主义。
No interviewee would answer this question with an unambiguous negative ("stupidity", say, or "body odour").
没有一个面试者会在回答这个问题时给出一个明确的缺点（比如"糊涂"或"体臭"）。
Like all those who have reached for it before, Mr Sunak will have intended his reply to signal that his flaws are virtues, especially compared with the shambolic style of Boris Johnson's outgoing government.
就像之前所有这么回答的人一样，苏纳克的回复意在表明，他的缺点也是优点，这与即将离任的鲍里斯·约翰逊混乱的管理风格形成了尤其鲜明的对比。
But this classic response is riskier than it once was.
但这种经典回答比从前更有风险了。
In Mr Sunak's case that is because the job of prime minister is largely to triage problems and make decisions at a relentless pace; even his supporters worry that his deliberative style would be a problem.
拿苏纳克的例子来说，这是因为总理的工作主要是对问题进行分类，并迅速做出决定；所以就连他的支持者也担心，他的慎重风格会是一个问题。
More generally, perfectionism is increasingly out of step with the ways that products are developed, employees are treated and workforces are organised.
从更广泛的意义上来说，完美主义与产品研发、员工待遇和员工组织的方式愈发不合拍。
Start with product development. Lots of digital types embrace the concept of the minimum viable product (MVP), in which companies ship prototypes that can be refined, or indeed scrapped, on the basis of feedback from early adopters.
先来说产品研发。许多数码公司都信奉最简可行产品（MVP）的概念，即公司推出产品原型，再根据早期用户的反馈改进原型，甚至废弃原型。
The essence of the MVP approach is anti-perfectionism: don't procrastinate, don't spend time sweating the tiniest details, get your product into users' hands and see how it does.
MVP策略的本质是反完美主义：不要拖延，不要花时间去操心最微小的细节，先把产品送到用户手中，看看效果如何。
Fussing about font sizes and nice-to-have features is a waste of time; the market will hone things for you, dispensing its judgments cumulatively and dispassionately.
纠结于字体大小和可有可无的功能是在浪费时间；市场会为你打磨产品，不断给予你客观评价。
A growing emphasis on employees' well-being is another reason why perfectionism is out of favour.
对员工心理健康的日益重视是完美主义失宠的另一个原因。
The trait is on the rise: a study published in 2017 found that it had been steadily increasing among American, British and Canadian college students between 1989 and 2016 (before you blame Instagram, one big reason is rising parental expectations).
这种追求完美的特质正不断上升：2017年发表的一项研究发现，1989年到2016年间，美国、英国和加拿大的大学生在心理健康方面追求完美的这一特征一直稳步上升（先别急着指责Ins，父母的期望不断提高是很重要的一个原因)。
The tyranny of excessively high expectations is not good for you: a big literature review in 2016 concluded that perfectionism is associated with a string of mental-health disorders, from depression and burnout to stress and self-harm.
过高期待带来的苛刻对你没有好处：2016年的一个长篇文献综述得出结论，完美主义与一系列心理健康障碍有关，包括抑郁、崩溃、压力和自残。
词汇预习
increasingly [高考]
美[ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli] | 英[ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli]
adv. 逐渐地；越来越多地
response [高考]
美[rɪˈspɑːns] | 英[rɪˈspɒns]
n. 反应；回答；响应；答复
largely [高考]
美[ˈlɑːrdʒli] | 英[ˈlɑːdʒli]
adv. 大部分；主要地
parental [高考]
美[pəˈrentl] | 英[pəˈrentl]
adj. 父母的
feedback [高考]
美[ˈfiːdbæk] | 英[ˈfiːdbæk]
n. 反馈；反馈意见
steadily [高考]
美[ˈstɛdəlɪ] | 英['stedɪlɪ]
adv. 稳定地；稳固地；逐步地
well-being [高考]
美[ˈwel biːɪŋ] | 英[ˈwel biːɪŋ]
n. 康乐；安宁
depression [高考]
美[dɪˈpreʃn] | 英[dɪˈpreʃn]
n. 沮丧；萧条
font [高考]
美[fɑnt] | 英[fɒnt]
n. 字体；圣水盆；源泉
embrace [高考]
美[ɪmˈbreɪs] | 英[ɪmˈbreɪs]
v. 拥抱；包含；包围；接受；信奉 n. 拥抱
prime [高考]
美[praɪm] | 英[praɪm]
adj. 主要的; 基本的; 最好的; 首选的 n. 鼎盛时期 v. 事先指点; 事先准备
emphasis [高考]
美[ˈemfəsɪs] | 英[ˈemfəsɪs]
n. 强调；重点；[语]加强语气
tyranny [高考]
美[ˈtɪrəni] | 英[ˈtɪrəni]
n. 暴政；苛政；专制
approach [高考]
美[əˈproʊtʃ] | 英[əˈprəʊtʃ]
v. 接近；建议；接洽；着手处理 n. 方法；接近；路径；道路
mental [高考]
美[ˈmentl] | 英[ˈmentl]
adj. 思想的；心理的；精神的；脑力的 n. 精神病患者
concept [高考]
美[ˈkɑːnsept] | 英[ˈkɒnsept]
n. 观念；概念；想法
weakness [高考]
美[ˈwiːknəs] | 英[ˈwiːknəs]
n. 软弱；弱点；嗜好
pace [高考]
美[peɪs] | 英[peɪs]
n. 速度；步伐；(一)步 v. 踱步；(用步)测；(马)溜蹄走 prep. 用在人名前(礼貌的表达不同意见)
classic [高考]
美[ˈklæsɪk] | 英[ˈklæsɪk]
n. 杰作；古典作品；第一流艺术家 adj. 最优秀的；传统的；古典的
minimum [高考]
美[ˈmɪnɪməm] | 英[ˈmɪnɪməm]
adj. 最少的；最低程度的 n. 最低限度；最小量
minister [高考]
美[ˈmɪnɪstər] | 英[ˈmɪnɪstə(r)]
n. 外交使节；部长；大臣；牧师 v. 照顾；给予帮助
self [高考]
美[self] | 英[self]
n. 自己；本性；自我 pron. 我自己；你自己；他或她自己 adj.同一的；纯净的；单一的 v. 近亲繁殖；自花授粉
favour [高考]
美[ˈfeɪvər] | 英[ˈfeɪvə(r)]
n. 恩惠；支持；喜爱；偏爱 v. 支持；偏袒；有利于；长得像
emphasis on [高考]
美[ˈɛmfəsɪs ɑn] | 英[ˈemfəsis ɔn]
着重于, 强调
on the basis of [高考]
美[ɑːn ðə 'beɪsɪs əv] | 英[ɒn ðə 'beɪsɪs əv]
根据； 在 ... 的基础上； 基于
on the rise [高考]
美[ɑn ði raɪz] | 英[ɔn ðə raiz]
在上涨； 在增长
reply to [高考]
美[rɪˈplaɪ tu] | 英[riˈplai tu:]
答复，回答，回复
basis [高考]
美[ˈbeɪsɪs] | 英[ˈbeɪsɪs]
n. 基础；根据；基底
would [高考]
美[wʊd , wəd] | 英[wʊd , wəd]
aux. 将；可能；大概；总会；愿意；will的过去式
odour [四级]
美[ˈoʊdər] | 英[ˈəʊdə(r)]
n. [英]气味（尤指不好闻的）
excessively [四级]
美[ɪkˈsɛsɪvlɪ] | 英[ɪk'sesɪvlɪ]
adv. 过分地；过度地；极度地
essence [四级]
美[ˈesns] | 英[ˈesns]
n. 精髓；本质；要素；香精
trait [四级]
美[treɪt] | 英[treɪt]
n. 特征；特点；少许；一笔
anti [四级]
美[ˈænti] | 英[ˈænti]
n. 反对者 adj. 反对的 prep. 反对
out of [六级]
美[aʊt ʌv] | 英[aut ɔv]
prep. 离…一段距离；从…里；离开 ...；出于
viable [六级]
美[ˈvaɪəbl] | 英[ˈvaɪəbl]
adj. 能生存的；可行的
relentless [六级]
美[rɪˈlentləs] | 英[rɪˈlentləs]
adj. 冷酷无情的；不间断的
unambiguous [考研]
美[ˌʌnæmˈbɪɡjuəs] | 英[ˌʌnæmˈbɪgjuəs]
adj. 不含糊的；清楚的
interviewee [考研]
美[ˌɪntərvjuːˈiː] | 英[ˌɪntəvjuːˈiː]
n. 被接见者；被访问者；被面试者
don [托福]
美[dɑn] | 英[dɒn]
n. 先生（西班牙用语）；(牛津、剑桥大学的)指导教师 v. 穿上
procrastinate [雅思]
美[proʊˈkræstɪneɪt] | 英[prəʊˈkræstɪneɪt]
v. 延迟；拖延；耽搁
重点讲解
The perils of perfectionism
完美主义的危险性
peril n. 巨大的危险，危难
【例】In spite of great peril, I have survived.
尽管危险巨大，我还是活了下来。
【搭配】be in peril 处于极度危险中
【例】The country's economy is now in grave peril.
现在，这个国家的经济陷入了严重危机。
at the peril of 冒着...的危险
【例】At the peril of her life, she ran to save the child from being hit by the car.
她不顾生命危险跑去救差点被车撞的小孩。
It is the world's most tired interview question: what is your greatest weakness?
"你最大的缺点是什么？"这是世界上最陈词滥调的面试问题。
peril n. 巨大的危险，危难
【例】In spite of great peril, I have survived.
尽管危险巨大，我还是活了下来。
【搭配】be in peril 处于极度危险中
【例】The country's economy is now in grave peril.
现在，这个国家的经济陷入了严重危机。
at the peril of 冒着...的危险
【例】At the peril of her life, she ran to save the child from being hit by the car.
她不顾生命危险跑去救差点被车撞的小孩。
And Rishi Sunak, one of the two remaining candidates in the race to become Britain's prime minister, gave the world's most tired answer--perfectionism--when he was asked it at an online hustings earlier this month.
本月早些时候，英国首相竞选最终角逐出的两位候选人之一里希·苏纳克在一次网上竞选中被问及这个问题时，给出了世界上最俗套的答案——完美主义。
be in the race 有希望赢，有成功机会
（英文释义：To be in a position of having the opportunity to succeed or win; to be in contention.）
【例】I know you hoped to dance better today, but they didn't cut you, so at least you're still in the race.
我知道你今天本想跳得更好，但是他们没有让你出局，所以至少你还有赢的机会。
No interviewee would answer this question with an unambiguous negative ("stupidity", say, or "body odour").
没有一个面试者会在回答这个问题时给出一个明确的缺点（比如"糊涂"或"体臭"）。
signal n. & v.
1. 作名词
（1）信号；暗号
【例】The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building.
警报器一响，就是要所有人离开大楼。
（2）标志；预示
【例】Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.
胸部疼痛可能是心脏病的报警信号。
2. 作动词
（1）发信号；发暗号
【例】The referee signalled a foul.
裁判鸣哨示意犯规。
（2）标志；表明
【例】This announcement signalled a clear change of policy.
这个声明显示政策有明显的改变。
Like all those who have reached for it before, Mr Sunak will have intended his reply to signal that his flaws are virtues, especially compared with the shambolic style of Boris Johnson's outgoing government.
就像之前所有这么回答的人一样，苏纳克的回复意在表明，他的缺点也是优点，这与即将离任的鲍里斯·约翰逊混乱的管理风格形成了尤其鲜明的对比。
signal n. & v.
1. 作名词
（1）信号；暗号
【例】The siren was a signal for everyone to leave the building.
警报器一响，就是要所有人离开大楼。
（2）标志；预示
【例】Chest pains can be a warning signal of heart problems.
胸部疼痛可能是心脏病的报警信号。
2. 作动词
（1）发信号；发暗号
【例】The referee signalled a foul.
裁判鸣哨示意犯规。
（2）标志；表明
【例】This announcement signalled a clear change of policy.
这个声明显示政策有明显的改变。
But this**** classic response**** is**** riskier than**** it**** once**** was.****
但这种经典回答比从前更有风险了。
In**** Mr**** Sunak's case**** that**** is**** because the job of**** prime minister**** is**** largely to**** triage**** problems**** and make**** decisions at**** a relentless**** pace****;**** even**** his supporters**** worry that**** his deliberative**** style would be**** a problem.****
拿苏纳克的例子来说，这是因为总理的工作主要是对问题进行分类，并迅速做出决定；所以就连他的支持者也担心，他的慎重风格会是一个问题。
More generally, perfectionism is increasingly out of step with the ways that products are developed, employees are treated and workforces are organised.
从更广泛的意义上来说，完美主义与产品研发、员工待遇和员工组织的方式愈发不合拍。
out of step 不合拍，步调不一致
（英文释义：not in time to a rhythm or corresponding to the step of others；not moving in conformity with a specified pace or in accordance with others）
【例】They are out of step with the others in their group.
他们与小组里的其他人步调不一致。
Start with product development. Lots of digital types embrace the concept of the minimum viable product (MVP), in which companies ship prototypes that can be refined, or indeed scrapped, on the basis of feedback from early adopters.
先来说产品研发。许多数码公司都信奉最简可行产品（MVP）的概念，即公司推出产品原型，再根据早期用户的反馈改进原型，甚至废弃原型。
sweat n. & v.
1. 作名词
（1）汗水、汗液
【例】She wiped the sweat from her face. 她擦去脸上的汗水。
【搭配】be in a sweat (about) sth 为某事担心、焦虑
【例】He breaks out in a sweat just at the thought of flying.
他一想到飞行，就浑身冒汗。
（2）繁重的工作
【例】Growing your own vegetables sounds like a lot of sweat.
自己种菜吃，这恐怕很累吧。
2. 作动词
（1）出汗、流汗
【例】Both horse and rider were dripping with sweat within five minutes.
马和骑手不到5分钟都大汗淋漓。
（2）艰苦努力；辛苦地干
【搭配】sweat over sth 努力干...
【例】Are you still sweating over that report?
你还在为那篇报道伤脑筋吗？
The essence of the MVP approach is anti-perfectionism: don't procrastinate, don't spend time sweating the tiniest details, get your product into users' hands and see how it does.
MVP策略的本质是反完美主义：不要拖延，不要花时间去操心最微小的细节，先把产品送到用户手中，看看效果如何。
sweat n. & v.
1. 作名词
（1）汗水、汗液
【例】She wiped the sweat from her face. 她擦去脸上的汗水。
【搭配】be in a sweat (about) sth 为某事担心、焦虑
【例】He breaks out in a sweat just at the thought of flying.
他一想到飞行，就浑身冒汗。
（2）繁重的工作
【例】Growing your own vegetables sounds like a lot of sweat.
自己种菜吃，这恐怕很累吧。
2. 作动词
（1）出汗、流汗
【例】Both horse and rider were dripping with sweat within five minutes.
马和骑手不到5分钟都大汗淋漓。
（2）艰苦努力；辛苦地干
【搭配】sweat over sth 努力干...
【例】Are you still sweating over that report?
你还在为那篇报道伤脑筋吗？
Fussing about font sizes and nice-to-have features is a waste of time; the market will hone things for you, dispensing its judgments cumulatively and dispassionately.
纠结于字体大小和可有可无的功能是在浪费时间；市场会为你打磨产品，不断给予你客观评价。
fuss about
1. 发牢骚、抱怨
（英文释义：To complain or gripe about someone or something.）
【例】She hates the cold weather, so she'll be fussing about it until spring.
她讨厌寒冷的天气，所以她会一直抱怨到春天。
2. 过分关心、瞎忙一气、忙乱
（英文释义：To do something in a hasty or energetic manner.）
【例】Mom wasn't expecting us, so she fussed about and prepared some snacks as we settled down in the living room.
妈妈没想到我们会来，所以她忙前忙后，在我们在客厅安顿下来时准备了一些零食。
【拓展】make a fuss about sth. 小题大做，大惊小怪
【例】It's human nature. There's no need to make a fuss about it.
这是人的本性。没必要为此大惊小怪。
A growing emphasis**** on**** employees'**** well****-being is**** another reason**** why perfectionism is**** out of**** favour****.****
对员工心理健康的日益重视是完美主义失宠的另一个原因。
The trait is**** on**** the rise****:**** a study published in**** 2017**** found that**** it**** had been**** steadily**** increasing**** among American****,**** British and Canadian**** college students**** between 1989**** and 2016**** (before you blame Instagram,**** one big reason**** is**** rising**** parental**** expectations****).
这种追求完美的特质正不断上升：2017年发表的一项研究发现，1989年到2016年间，美国、英国和加拿大的大学生在心理健康方面追求完美的这一特征一直稳步上升（先别急着指责Ins，父母的期望不断提高是很重要的一个原因)。
The tyranny of excessively high expectations is not good for you: a big literature review in 2016 concluded that perfectionism is associated with a string of mental-health disorders, from depression and burnout to stress and self-harm.
过高期待带来的苛刻对你没有好处：2016年的一个长篇文献综述得出结论，完美主义与一系列心理健康障碍有关，包括抑郁、崩溃、压力和自残。
a string of 一系列，一连串
【例】She wore a string of pearls at her throat.
她那时脖子上带着一串珍珠。
课后练习
Mr. Sunak’s answer of perfectionism shows that ____.
A. he tries to understate or hide his real weakness
B. he intends to show his superiority to Boris Johnson
C. he seeks to obtain trust and support from voters
D. he means to depict his weakness as a virtue
Which of the following is true about perfectionism?
A. It is one of the essential qualities of a prime minister.
B. It enables a person to make correct decisions.
C. It is likely to have negative impacts in many areas.
D. It is universally acknowledged to be a merit.
The minimum viable product is used to ____.
A. reduce the cost of product development
B. help customers get rid of procrastination
C. provide a base to make further improvements
D. test the user’s acceptance of a new design
One of the causes of perfectionism is ____.
A. social isolation
B. high hope
C. academic competition
D. mental disorder