什么是雷鬼音乐？ | 酷我新专辑更新！（191-192附文案）

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One of the most important developments in recent music history has been reggae. Formed in the late 1960s, it gave the islanders of Jamaica a new beat to move their hips to after gaining independence from Britain in 1962. Reggae's unmistakable sound comes from many influences, most notably ska, considered the original "music of Jamaica" with its danceable rhythm, as well as jazz and R&B. The music is unique for its emphasis on the upbeat, giving it a relaxing sound that's easy to follow. A few seconds of listening to reggae and you almost feel as if you're vacationing in the Caribbean.

One of the most important figures in reggae was Robert Nesta Marley, better known as Bob Marley. It was Bob Marley and the Wailers who brought hits such as "I Shot the Sheriff" that pleased the ears of so many globally. The lyrics in reggae songs told of hard times in the ghettoes of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, as well as the political instability and social unrest throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The songs also shared their joys and hopes. This combined with their melodic tunes, easy rhythm and distinct local English made it all the more unique. Today, reggae groups can be found in many parts of the world.

雷鬼音乐在近代音乐史的发展中一直扮演着重要角色。起源于20世纪60年代后期，它提供一种全新节奏，使1962年才脱离英国独立的牙买加岛民们得以摇个过瘾。风格鲜明的雷鬼音乐受到许多影响，其中最显著的是被视作纯正牙买加音乐、节奏令人闻之起舞的ska音乐，以及爵士和节奏蓝调。这种音乐独特之处在于强调轻松愉快，让人们随着懒洋洋的音乐起舞。听了几秒钟雷鬼音乐之后，你几乎就会以为自己正在加勒比海度假。

雷鬼音乐的灵魂人物之一，就是以别名Bob Marley为人所熟知的Robert Nesta Marley。Bob Marley和 the Wailers乐团唱了《I shot the Sheriff》等热门金曲，让全球乐迷一饱耳福。雷鬼音乐在歌词中提及牙买加首都金斯敦民窟的困苦，和上个世纪60至70年代不稳定的政治和动荡的社会，但歌曲中也分享了他们的喜悦和希望。这些主题结合了动人的旋律、简单的节奏和独特的当地英语，更增添了雷鬼音乐的独特性。今日，雷鬼音乐在全世界到处可见。

Boing Boing 跳跳豆

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It is not unusual to see beans jumping on the sides of streets as you approach the US-Mexico border. As a tourist, you're likely to be summoned by street vendors to purchase the jumping beans. If you do find yourself in Mexico, make sure you go to Alamos, known as the "jumping bean capital of the world." Here, one can witness how this living creature adapts to the give-and-take cycle of nature.

The truth is, jumping beans actually have nothing to do with beans. And what can be more disappointing is that they don't jump at all. In reality, jumping beans come from a shrub with dark green, leathery leaves that turn red in late winter and shed seasonally. The shrub grows in desert regions of Mexico as well as the southwestern part of the US. The jumping bean is a section of the shrub's seed capsule housing the larva of a small gray moth called the jumping bean moth. After eating the seed inside the capsule, the hungry larva has a habit of throwing itself against the walls of the "bean," causing it to jump. The bean continues to jump for weeks to months before the larva inside goes through metamorphosis in winter when there is no movement. Often during this time, children grow tired of their beans and forget about them. Six months later, though, the patient ones will find adult moths pushing a circular door to find their way out. The rest of the seeds that are not infested with the moth larvae blossom in spring and summer.

当你接近美墨边境，若在路边看见豆子蹦蹦跳跳一点也不稀奇；而身为一个观光客，你很可能会在路边摊的推销下去买这些跳跳豆。如果你在墨西哥，一定要去“世界跳跳豆之都”阿拉墨斯，在这里，你可以亲眼目睹生物如何顺应自然循环中相互依存的法则。

事实上，跳跳豆跟豆子一点关系也没有，而且更令人失望的是，它们不会跳。这些跳跳豆其实来自于一种灌木，这种灌木的叶子呈深绿色，似皮革般坚韧，在晚冬转变成红色，并随季节凋落；此灌木生长于墨西哥的沙漠地区和美国西南一带。而跳跳豆即是这灌木果荚的一部分，果荚中藏着一种小灰蛾的幼虫，这种蛾便叫作“跳跳豆蛾”。吃完果荚内的种子以后，饥饿的幼虫习惯冲撞果荚内壁，使“豆子”跳起来。豆子会持续跳动几星期到几个月之久，一直到冬季时里头的幼虫经历蜕变，不再有活动为止。通常在此时，孩子们都已玩腻他们的跳跳豆，忘了有这回事。六个月之后，比较有耐心的小孩会发现这些蛾破开圆形的壳挣扎而出，而其他没被幼虫寄生的种子，则会在春夏时分开花。