TED演讲：拥有大脑的真正原因(11)

 　　But we've got a problem. Tasks are symbolic¹ -- I want to drink, I want to dance -- but the movement system has to contract 600 muscles in a particular sequence.  但在这里出现问题了。动作任务是符号性质的--我要喝水，我要跳舞--但是运动系统需要按特定顺序收缩600块肌肉。

　　And there's a big gap between the task and the movement system.  况且有一个巨大的鸿沟横在动作任务和运动系统之间。

　　So it could be bridged in infinitely² many different ways.  意思是我们有无穷多种方式越过这个鸿沟。

　　So think about just a point to point movement.  来考虑仅仅是点到点的移动。

　　I could choose these two paths out of an infinite number of paths.  我可以在无穷条可能的路径中选出这两条。

　　Having chosen a particular path, I can hold my hand on that path as infinitely many different joint³ configurations⁵.  选定一条特定路径之后，我可以把手放在这条路径上，但是又有无穷多种关节构型。

　　And I can hold my arm in a particular joint configuration⁴ either very stiff or very relaxed.  另外我把的胳膊固定在某一种构型之后，我可以紧张，也可以松弛。

　　So I have a huge amount of choice to make.  所以我有非常多的选择余地。

　　Now it turns out, we are extremely stereotypical⁶. We all move the same way pretty much. 不过结果是，我们都特别典型。都基本上用同一种方式移动。

　　And so it turns out we're so stereotypical, our brains have got dedicated⁷ neural⁸ circuitry to decode⁹ this stereotyping¹⁰.  我们典型到我们的大脑已经开辟出特定的神经回路，来解码这类典型。

　　So if I take some dots and set them in motion with biological motion, your brain's circuitry would understand instantly what's going on.  因此如果我拿一些点，然后让它们按生物动作形式来运动，大家的大脑回路会立即知道怎么回事。

　　Now this is a bunch of dots moving.  好了，这仅仅是一堆点在动。

　　You will know what this person is doing, whether happy, sad, old, young -- a huge amount of information.  我们就知道这个人在做什么，是喜还是悲，是老还是少--很大量的信息。

　　If these dots were cars going on a racing¹¹ circuit, you would have absolutely no idea what's going on. 如果这些点是赛车在赛道上绕圈，我们对发生了什么就完全没有概念了。

1 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

2 infinitely   

adv.无限地，无穷地

参考例句：

• There is an infinitely bright future ahead of us.我们有无限光明的前途。
• The universe is infinitely large.宇宙是无限大的。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 configuration   

n.结构，布局，形态，(计算机)配置

参考例句：

• Geographers study the configuration of the mountains.地理学家研究山脉的地形轮廓。
• Prices range from $119 to $199,depending on the particular configuration.价格因具体配置而异，从119美元至199美元不等。

5 configurations   

n.[化学]结构( configuration的名词复数 )；构造；（计算机的）配置；构形（原子在分子中的相对空间位置）

参考例句：

• Such configurations, obtained theoretically by calculation, are called models of a star. 通过理论计算得到的恒星结构称为恒星模型。 来自辞典例句
• The other two configurations have overriding advantages for special applications. 其它两种接法对特殊应用具有突出的优点。 来自辞典例句

6 stereotypical   

n.常规

参考例句：

• Personas should be typical and believable, but not stereotypical. 人物角色应该是典型和可信赖的，但不是一成不变的。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Anything could be stereotypical, so I guess it could be criticism. 任何东西都可以变的老套，所以我猜那就是一种批评。 来自互联网

7 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

8 neural   

adj.神经的，神经系统的

参考例句：

• The neural network can preferably solve the non- linear problem.利用神经网络建模可以较好地解决非线性问题。
• The information transmission in neural system depends on neurotransmitters.信息传递的神经途径有赖于神经递质。

9 decode   

vt.译（码），解（码）

参考例句：

• All he had to do was decode it and pass it over.他需要做的就是将它破译然后转给他人。
• The secret documents were intercepted and decoded.机密文件遭截获并被破译。

10 stereotyping   

v.把…模式化，使成陈规( stereotype的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I realize that I'm stereotyping. 我认识到我搞的是老一套。 来自辞典例句
• There is none of the gender stereotyping usually evident in school uniforms. 有没有人的性别刻板印象通常是显而易见的。 来自互联网

11 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。