高考英语《流行话题 语境识词4500》Unit7 The Rules of Game素材.docVIP

Unit 7　　The Rules of Game　　Italians love women. Russians love Vodka. What do Americans love? They love rules. There are thousands of books dedicated to the idea that whatever you are doing, you can learn to do it better. And they all seem to come from the United States. In fact, the rules-based self-help book is one of Americas major cultural exports.　　These books cover every area of life, from love to work and back again. But they can be divided into two basic kinds. The first takes a masculine approach, though not all readers are men, It reduces every one of lifes tasks into an engineering problem. Just follow these rules and your performance will improve. This is like tuning up the engine on the car to make it go just that little bit faster.　　The second kind tells you to change your life on a deeper level. These feminine books ask you to search deep inside yourself fro the answers to lifes problems. They offer rules you can use to change the state of your heart. Change that, and everything else follows.　　How do you change your inner self? California-based self-help guru Deepak Chopra thinks you should teach your molecules to vibrate in tune with the universe. he says that advanced physics proves this idea. Advanced physicists disagree. But Chopra is serious. So are the millions of Americans who buy his books.　　Most self-help books are more in tune with the visible world. A common technique is to apply ideas from foreign cultures and historical figures to modern situation. The wisdom of the famous Chinese general Sun Zi has been repackaged in several books designed to help modern-day businessmen. And it doesnt stop there. Sun Zis wisdom is the basis for a step-by-step program for taking charge, gaining a commitment, sustaining love, enlivening passion in a partnership that is room the Art of War for Lovers by Donald Krause.　　Maybe a famous general is the right person to help in the battles of the sexes. But the real leaders are two middle-aged blonde women.