對政府的不信任
In an emotional end-of-year note, Microsoft founder Bill Gates reflects on the triumphs and calamities of the year 2021 and expresses optimism for 2022.
微軟創辦人比爾蓋茨發表年終感言，回顧了2021年的成就與災難，並對2022年表示樂觀。
reflect on 反省calamity(n.)災難、災禍=disaster=catastrophe
However, he also voices concern about heading into the new year, cautioning that public distrust of governments could hamper development.
然而，他也對進入新的一年表示擔憂，警告大眾對政府的不信任可能會阻礙發展。
voice(v.)表達;傳達=express=aircaution(v.)告誡;提醒hamper(v.)阻礙、妨礙=obstruct=hinder=impede
In his blog post titled “Reasons for optimism after a difficult year,” the healthcare philanthropist says last year’s achievements suggest that the world may be able to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end and prevent the next one.
在一篇標題為「在經歷艱難的一年後保持樂觀的理由」的部落格文章中，這位醫療慈善家說去年取得的成果顯示，世界可望在新的一年結束新冠疫情，並預防下一次的疫情。
philanthropist(n.)慈善家bring sth. to an end使…結束
For example, the progress that scientists have made in vaccine development, especially mRNA vaccines, and the experience of governments implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as lockdowns, mask mandates and quarantine procedures, will improve our preparedness and response for the next pandemic.
例如，科學家在疫苗開發方面取得的進展，尤其是mRNA 疫苗，以及政府實施非藥物干預措施，如封城、強制戴口罩、隔離程序等的經驗，將提升我們對下一次疫情的應變能力。
make progress進步implement(v.)實行;執行=carry outnon-pharmaceutical interventions非藥物干預、介入quarantine(n.)(v.)隔離preparedness(n.) 準備狀態;預備狀態
Despite that hopefulness about the future, Gates notes that an increasing lack of confidence in public institutions worldwide represents a significant hurdle to growth.
儘管對未來充滿希望，但蓋茨指出，全球各地對公家機關日益缺乏信心是進步的重大障礙。
despite(prep.)儘管=in spite ofpublic institutions公家機關hurdle(n.)障礙、難題=setback=obstacle=hindrance
Such distrust has become manifested in the circulation of misinformation since the onset of the pandemic.
自疫情開始以來，這種不信任已經體現在假消息的傳播。
manifest(v.)體現=showcirculation(n.)流傳;散播=spreadmisinformation(n.) 錯誤的資訊、假消息=false or inaccurate information=fake news
He says while government agencies should play a pivotal role in addressing climate change and preventing epidemics, there is a limit to what they can do when citizens reject their guidance on principle.
他說，雖然政府機構應該在應對氣候變遷和疫情防治方面發揮關鍵作用，但如果民眾拒絕政府的領導，那政府實際能做的就有限了。
pivot(n.)關鍵人物;樞紐pivotal(adj.)關鍵性的;核心的=central=core
Gates attributes the root of the problem to the 24-hour news cycle, politically incentivized headlines and social media.
蓋茨將問題的根源歸咎於每天24小時不斷更新的新聞、政治化的頭條新聞和社交媒體。
attribute A to B 把～歸因於～=ascribe A to Bincentivize(v.)激勵;刺激
He suggests that governments should regulate online platforms to effectively dispel misinformation.
他建議政府應監管線上平台，以有效澄清假消息。
regulate(v.)管制dispel(v.)消除(恐懼);掃除(疑慮);打消(錯誤念頭)dispel rumors澄清謠言
He warns that without prompt intervention, Americans may be more inclined to cast their votes for politicians who fuel government distrust.
他警告，若不及時干預，美國人可能更傾向把票投給那些助長對政府不信任的政客。
prompt(adj.)迅速的;敏捷的;及時的be inclined to RV=tend to RV傾向於fuel(n.)燃料(v.)助長
The snowball effect could then result in disenchantment among ordinary people.
滾雪球效應可能會使老百姓對政府感到破滅。
the snowball effect滾雪球效應result in…=lead to…造成;導致disenchantment (n.)破滅;失望=disillusionment=disappointment
At the end of the note, Gates says that he has never been “a big New Year’s resolution person,” and hence he does not have specific goals in mind for 2022.
在感言的結尾，蓋茨說他從來都不是「很愛許新年願望的人」，因此他對2022年沒有具體的目標。
resolution(n.)決議;正式決定、決心;決定
But he does hope that the following year will be “more settled” than the last one.
但他真心盼望新的一年會比去年「更安定」。
settled(adj.)定居的;安頓下來的;(生活)穩定的
“I think 2022 will be a year when many of us finally settle into a post-pandemic new normal,” says the tech mogul.
這位科技大亨說：「我認為2022年將是我們許多人總算適應疫後新生活的一年。」
settle into…安頓下來;習慣於新環境(=settle down)a post-pandemic new normal疫情後新的常態;疫後新生活
Quoting his favorite author, Yuval Noah Harari, Gates encourages people to embrace the changes created by the pandemic: “People are usually afraid of change because they fear the unknown. But the single greatest constant of history is that everything changes.”
蓋茲引用他最喜歡的作家哈拉瑞（Yuval Noah Harari）的話，鼓勵人們接受疫情帶來的改變：「人們之所以不願改變，是因為害怕未知。但歷史唯一不變的事實，就是一切都會改變。」
Quoting…引用…的話;引述=While he quotes…constant(n.)(數學)常數、恆量、不變、恆定