CROSSROADS Language Studio’s Newsletter April, 2022
Do you sometimes wonder why it is thatyour parents’ tools and equipment still works
despite their age and years of use, while yourshiny new household gadgets break down assoon as the warranty no longer applies?
It’s not just your bad luck or the costperformance factor at play. What many of us
experience, in practical terms, is an industry
practice called “planned obsolescence.” The
aim is to intentionally design a product towear out prematurely and cause the device
to cease functioning properly, warranting a
repair or, all too often, a replacement of theentire product. Back in the days when ourdaily technological commodities weredesigned to last as long as possible, people
fully expected them to do their intended task
without fail. The choices were limited andthe cost of products was directly transferred
to longevity and robustness of the design.
Nowadays, however, we are neck-deep inthe world of fast fashion and disposable
electronic devices, which are replaced withthe latest model. Planned obsolescence
Elladrives consumption, and thatis its main reason
for Janisexistence.

Government policymakers are now
focusing on this subject, introducing
new regulations for manufacturingindustries, making it difficult or impossible
to produce goods that cannot be repaired or
their components replaced. People will also
be informed about the expected productlifespan, so they can make more educatedpurchasing decisions.
In Scandinavia, many start-up companies
are spearheading ideas for repairing existing
devices and creating new ones that can beeasily fixed by an average consumer.
Additionally, more and more people are keen
to share many possessions, such as cars,
washing machines, power tools, etc.

This shift of thinking of ownership will
have a great impact on how we behave as
consumers and hopefully this will lead tobetter models of recycling and waste
management – which are currently in direneed of restructuring – extending all the way
to a new economic system that doesn’theavily rely on consumption. Getting rid ofplanned obsolescence is the first big step tocreating better economy and a better world.

Article by Marek

Fortunately, people are slowly becoming
appreciative of quality over quantity,
demanding more durable and sustainableproducts.

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
For more info and more details, please visit:https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160612-heres-thetruth-about-the-planned-obsolescence-of-tec

Joshua Says: Well, guess what! The TV in our open house is now working
perfectly! This means that you can now watch the news, the latest movies andTV whenever you have some free time – lesson day or not. It will be on all day
while we remain open and everyone is welcome to come in and use this chance
to “soak-up” some English. Catching up with the news from overseas is a good
way to get that “extra perspective” on what’s going on out there.
Junko Says: As you know, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) device is one of the mostcommon systems for connecting computers to other devices. The “Bus” in its name refers
to a set of wires that carry information to and from different devices just like a city bus
transports people from one place to another. And if you’re not careful you can catch thewrong bus! Recently, I bought the wrong USB cable. The ports that receive these cables
have different colors indication different data transfer rates, ranging from 0.19Mbps to10Gbps. If you don’t catch the right bus, get the right cable speed, watch out!
Marek Says: Recently I read an article about a winemaker from Norway,
who successfully grows grapes and produces quality wine. A couple of decades
ago this would be unimaginable, but now climate change opens up new
possibilities to farmers in the northern and southern regions of the planet. It
also creates new challenges to existing vineyards closer to equator, forcing
them to adapt in order to survive.
Mandcy dit: Joyeuses Pâques à tous ! C'est la fête du chocolat. Et vous ?
Quel est vôtre chocolatier préféré ? Personnellement, j'aime beaucoup
Pierre Hermé et ses petits macarons au chocolat. A cause de Pâques, j'ai
mangé trop de chocolat et j'ai eu une crise de foie. J'ai mangé des oeufs,
des lapins et des cloches en chocolat. Je suis trop gourmande ! Et vous,quel est vôtre pêché mignon ?
ACROSS
1 long lasting4 no longer
useful or out of date
6 influence strongly
10 being strong and healthy
13 long lived
15 expressing or feeling gratitude
16 planned or designed for
17 on purpose
18 requiring, causing, justifying
DOWN
1 designed to be discarded after use
2 too soon
3 actual, real
5 moved to a different location
7 very, greatly involved
8 parts of something
9 regardless of
10 making forming
newly
11 leading
12 a useful device
14 a written guarantee

1234567891011

1213

15

16

171814

A simile uses “like” or “as” to compare two different things that
express a common quality. Below, you will find some commonlyused similes. Finish them by selecting the correct missing word:
He can never hide his feelings. “His heart is like an open ____”
A: door.
B: book.
C: bag of potato chips.

Everyone was in a panic, but he remained “as cool as a ____”
A: movie star.
B: banana.
C: cucumber.

The dancer

flew high into the air. It was as if she was “as light at a ____”
A: feather.
B: balloon.
C: breeze.

His friends tried to convince him, but he would not change his mind. He was “asstubborn as a ____”
A: rock.
B: mule.
C: brick.
I wouldn’t trust a word he says. He’s “as cunning as a ____”
A: snake.
B: monkey
C: fox.
S I G N I F I C A N T L YNCE P I S O D E SC O N C E P TIU
A N T H O L O G Y
A F F O R DNA
M U L T I P L E
TT
C O M E B A C KYBPPARIUM O D EN
C O M P O N E N T SSDPISO
D E R I V A T I V EENIINEEA B B R E V I A T E DTLIC O M P I L A T I O N
H A T T E RRYL

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
1 in an important way
4 parts of a broadcast serial
5 idea6 a collection of various things
7 able to pay for
8 many of
9 restored or returned
14 how something is done
16 parts of something
17 based on or imitating something
18 made shorter
19 things gathered together
20 someone who makes and sells hatsDOWN
2 insult to one's self-esteem
3 true, correct
10 left behind
11 the owner of a business
12 a humorous play on words
13 at the beginning
15 absolutely necessary

Don’t forget… Our SPECIAL 1+1 Campaign offer! Up to 50% off!!
See our notice board, or ask Junko in our office, for the details.