2018 World Cup in Russia: 5 Ways That "黑科技 (Hēi kējì) Black Technol ogy" Is Being Used

Since 1930, football (or "soccer") fans around the world have gathered to watch the "FIFA World Cup" every four years. The 2018 World Cup is being held for the first time in Russia. While there are no major changes to the rules of the game, there are some ways that technology is changing the way the game is managed, viewed and organized. In fact, many of these technological advances are new and mysterious, defying real world common sense.

In Mandarin Chinese, we call these recent developments in technology "黑科技 (hēi kējì)." Just like the "black market" is the underground, mysterious market for goods and services, "黑科技 (hēi kējì) black technology" is unseen and secretive. Viewers of the 2018 World Cup may be enjoying the advancements of "黑科技 (hēi kējì) black technology" without really even knowing it’s there!

黑 (Hēi) = an adjective, meaning "black."

"黑 (Hēi)" is also used to describe things that are underground or unseen. For example, dark words created by synonyms, or dark matter, means that these things cannot be observed and cannot be fully understood.

科技 (Kējì) = a noun, meaning science and technology.

The application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life.

黑科技 (Hēi kējì) = black technology.

Technological advancements that are changing the ways we live and see the world, yet we are unaware of them.

Now that we know what "黑科技 (hēi kējì) black technology" is, let’s get back to the 2018 World Cup! Here are five ways that "黑科技 (hēi kējì) black technology" is being applied to the World Cup in Russia:

1. 视频助理裁判 (Shìpín zhùlǐ cáipàn) Video assistant referee

"裁判 (Cáipàn)" means "referee" (those often-hated officials in football games) in Mandarin Chinese. Video assistant referee (VAR) is a technology which allows the referees to get a closer look at critical plays. After studying the technology for two years, FIFA officials voted to use in Russia for the World Cup. The VAR technology is said to make play-calling six times more accurate, nearly eliminating referee mistakes. VAR provides the officials with 3D, clear, multi-angle reviews that allow referees to make accurate calls, slowing the game down, but providing fans with far fewer frustrations regarding points and penalties!

The World Cup football "Telstar 18", designed by Adidas, has a built-in "near field communication" (NFC) computer chip, which can be used for data transmission with smart phones. Each use ball has a unique tag. The user can unlock ... Read More

What’s the trendiest thing you can think of? Add a cat and you’ve got a recipe for success. Cats are taking over everything from cafes to the Internet and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. Let’s take a look at China’s cat culture and why this beloved animal is trending.

Recently, China has been capitalizing on the popularity of cat cafes. Cat-theme cafes, which was a new concept two or three years ago, have touched the lives of many people living in first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. Cat cafes in second-tier cities have begun to encounter more and more competition as the trend heats up.

The Cat cafes are aptly named for their café services as well as their abundance of cats. Customers are attracted to these cafes so they can watch and play with a variety of exotic cat breeds they wouldn’t otherwise see elsewhere. There is typically an entry fee so cat cafes are in a way, a stationary pet rental service.

Why cats though? Dogs are popular as well but many people prefer the laid back and charming nature of their feline friends. Although they can be more mischievous, they tend to be less high maintenance and can live in smaller spaces if necessary. Overall cats are more suitable for city people and their busy lives.

游玩指南 (Yóuwán zhǐnán) Play guide:

• 喝咖啡 (Hē kāfēi) Drink coffee
The entry fee is usually free with a purchase of a coffee or other drink on the menu. The prices are often times a little higher than a regular cafe to account for the cost to care for the cats properly.

• 享受手工甜品 (Xiǎngshòu shǒugōng tiánpǐn) Enjoy handmade desserts

• 喂食 (Wèishí) Feeding
The cafes often times have treats for sale to encourage the cats to eagerly interact with customers. If you are lucky, some of the cats have been trained to obey ... Read More

Quiz:
1. Which of the following does not belong to China’s cat culture?