Aremote control is seemingly capable of invisible magic to most of us. We just a-组卷网

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A remote control is seemingly capable of invisible magic to most of us. We just assume it should. And the longer a given technology exits, the more we take it for granted.

Consider for a moment a split screen showing modern remote control users versus the first remote control users: the original users would be carefully aiming the remote directly at the television, reading the names of the buttons to find the right one, and intentionally pressing the button with a force that adds nothing to the effectiveness of the device. The modern users would be leaning on a sofa, pointing the remote any which way instinctively（本能的）feeling for the button they desired,intuiting（凭直觉知道）its size,shape, and position on the remote.

Humans are known for being handy with tools, so it is no surprise that we get so comfortable with our technology. However, as we become increasingly comfortable with how to use new technologies, we become less aware of how they work. Most people who use modern technology know nothing of its underlying science. They have spent neither mental nor financial resources on its development. And yet, rather than be humbled（使谦逊）by its originality, we consumers often become unfairly demanding of what our technology Should do for us.

Many of the landmark inventions of the twentieth century followed predictable tracks: initial versions of each technology (television, video games, computers, cell phones, etc.) succeeded in impressing the general public. Then, these wonderful new inventions quickly became commonplace. Soon, the focus of consumer attitudes towards them changed from gratitude with respect to discriminating preference.

Televisions needed to be bigger and have a higher resolution. Video games needed to be more realistic. Computers needed to be more powerful yet smaller in size. Cell phones needed to be smaller yet capable of performing other tasks such as taking pictures, accessing the Internet, and even playing movies.

For children of the last twenty years born into this modern life,these technological marvels seem like elements of the periodic table: a given ingredient that is simply part of the universe. Younger generations don't even try to imagine life without modern conveniences. They do not appreciate theunprecedented（史无前例的）technology that is in their possession; rather, they complain about the ways in which it fails to live up to ideal expectations. “My digital video recorder at home doesn't allow me to program it from my computer at work.” “It's taking too long for this interactive map to display on my portable GPS”.

If it sounds as though we're never satisfied, we aren't. Of course, our complaints do actually motivate engineers to continually refine their products. After all. at the root of our tool-making instinct is the notion (观念）that “there must be a better way.” Thus, the shortcomings of any current version of technology are pinned on the limitations of its designers, and the expectation is that someone, somewhere is working on how to make the existing product even better.

【小题1】The second paragraph is used to suggest that______________.

A．modern humans do not pay enough attention to instructions

B．remote controls have become far more effective over the years

C．consumer behavior toward new forms of technology changes over time

D．the first consumers of new technology used new devices with ease and comfort

【小题2】The passage states that original users of remote controls likely__________.

A．have no instinctive feeling for sizes and shapes

B．press the buttons harder than it is necessary

C．don't trust on the effectiveness of remote control

D．have difficulty reading the names of the buttons

【小题3】Which of the following can illustrate people's discriminating preference?

A．People take a given technology for granted.