When people listen to music today, they typically use streaming services like YouTube or Spotify. However, traditional formats like vinyl records have regained popularity in recent times. Vinyl records are circular discs that store music in grooves on their surfaces and are played on a turntable. As the turntable’s needle runs along these grooves, it picks up vibrations and translates them into sound.
The history of vinyl records dates back to the late 1800s, but material and technological challenges delayed mass production until the 1950s. Despite early versions having short playtimes and poor sound quality, vinyl records introduced a new era in entertainment by allowing people to enjoy music at home. Their popularity peaked in the 1970s, but then declined with the successive arrival of cassettes, CDs, and digital music. Surprisingly, in the past two decades, vinyl records have made a substantial comeback. Many fans contend that they provide a more authentic listening experience than digital formats. This comeback has led contemporary artists like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to release their music on vinyl records.
However, this revival also has its disadvantages. The production of vinyl records involves the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is hard to recycle, and their packaging often includes single-use plastics. Furthermore, the trend of releasing multiple editions and colored vinyl records also has a negative environmental impact. Fortunately, some musicians are using their influence to make a difference. Billie Eilish has spoken out against releasing numerous vinyl record editions and advocates for sustainability. She now uses recyclable materials for her vinyl records and their packaging. Similarly, the members of Coldplay have adopted eco-friendly practices for their latest releases, with each vinyl record being made from nine recycled plastic bottles.
Photo: Pexels 照片：Pexels
As the music industry becomes more eco-aware, we as consumers should also contemplate the environmental impact of our choices. Let’s embrace sustainable music consumption for a greener future.
現今人們聽音樂時，通常會使用像 YouTube 或 Spotify 這樣的串流服務。然而，黑膠唱片等傳統格式近年來又重新流行起來。黑膠唱片是一種圓形的光碟，它儲存音樂在其表面的溝槽中並在唱盤上播放。當轉盤的針頭沿著這些溝槽移動時，它會捕捉振動並將其轉化為聲音。
黑膠唱片的歷史可以追溯到西元 1800 年代末，但材料和技術的挑戰將大規模生產推遲到西元 1950 年代。儘管早期版本的播放時間短且音質較差，但黑膠唱片透過讓人們在家中欣賞音樂而開啟了一個新的娛樂時代。它們的流行在西元 1970 年代達到巔峰，但隨著卡帶、CD 和數位音樂的相繼問世而沒落。令人驚訝的是，在過去二十年裡，黑膠唱片大幅捲土重來。許多樂迷認為它們提供了比數位格式更真實的聆聽體驗。這股復興潮流促使如泰勒絲和火星人布魯諾等當代藝人將他們的音樂發行成黑膠唱片。
然而，這種復興也有其缺點。黑膠唱片的生產涉及難以回收的聚氯乙烯（PVC），且它們的包裝通常包含一次性塑膠。此外，發行多個版本和彩色黑膠唱片的趨勢也對環境產生了負面影響。幸運地，一些音樂家正在利用他們的影響力來做出改變。怪奇比莉公開反對發行多個黑膠唱片版本並倡導永續發展。她現在使用可回收材料來製作她的黑膠唱片及其包裝。同樣，酷玩樂團的成員在他們最新發行的唱片中採用環保作法，每張黑膠唱片均由九個回收塑膠瓶製成。
隨著音樂產業變得更加有環保意識，我們身為消費者也應該仔細思考我們的選擇對環境的影響。讓我們擁抱永續的音樂消費，共創更綠色的未來。
KEY VOCABULARY
1. format n. 格式；模式；安排方式
Rupert doesn’t buy CDs anymore because he stores his favorite songs in digital formats.
魯伯特不再買 CD 了，因為他把他最愛的歌曲儲存為數位格式。
2. translate v. 轉化為；翻譯
Mark worked hard to translate his ideas into a practical business plan.
馬克努力將他的想法轉化為一個可行的商業計畫。
3. substantial adj. 大量的；可觀的
Make sure to eat a substantial breakfast so that you don’t get hungry halfway through the road trip.
確保你有吃一頓豐盛的早餐，這樣你在這趟公路旅行途中才不會肚子餓。
4. contemporary adj. 當代的；同時期的
The book is old, but it still has importance to contemporary readers.
這本書年代久遠，但它對當代讀者仍有重要性。
5. disadvantage n. 缺點；劣勢
A disadvantage of online learning is the difficulty of staying focused for long periods.
線上學習的一個缺點是很難長時間保持專注。
6. recycle v. 回收
recyclable adj. 可回收的
You should recycle all of your bottles, cans, and paper products.
你應該回收你全部的瓶子、罐子及紙製品。
7. fortunately adv. 幸運地；湊巧
Melvin’s car ran out of gas, but fortunately there was a gas station close by.
馬文的車沒油了，但幸運地，附近有加油站。
8. sustainability n. 持續性；永續性
sustainable adj. 永續發展的；持久的
The company is committed to sustainability by using renewable energy in all its factories.
這家公司致力於可持續性，在所有工廠中使用可再生能源。
9. consumer n. 消費者
consumption n. 消費
Our company is coming up with ideas for new ways to get consumers to buy our products.
我們公司正在發想新方法來讓消費者購買我們的產品。
MORE INFORMATION
vinyl n. 乙烯基塑料（用於製造唱片、服裝、家具……等，此課意為早期流行的「黑膠」唱片）
groove n. 溝；槽
turntable n. 唱片轉盤
vibration n. 振動；顫動
successive adj. 接連的；連續的
cassette n. 卡式磁帶
polyvinyl chloride 聚氯乙烯
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