When you feel upset, there is a tremendous urge to defend yourself and argue. The key to resolving this is to back off and try a different approach. The bottom line is to never defend the “truth.” When you give up the idea that you have a monopoly on the “truth” and instead understand the other person’s viewpoint, people will be more willing to understand yours and hear you out.

Changes in vocabulary, on the other hand, happen more quickly. English has grown by adopting words from other languages, such as French, Spanish, and Arabic, to name a few. These changes are mostly applicable to foods. For instance, “tofu” and “sushi,” even “edamame” are listed in English dictionaries. Slang, terms that enter and leave the vocabulary every year, are becoming well-known, too.

English is spoken by many people worldwide. Although American and British versions are always changing, so are other types like in Canada, Singapore, and elsewhere. In a way, learning English is a never-ending process for everyone, even native speakers.

For example, a map is folded at the right angles into a small size. Once unfolded, it is uneasy to fold it back. We may end up tearing the map after it is repeatedly folded and unfolded. The solution lies in Miura-Ori: we can open and close a map with a single pull at two diagonal corners. One-pull maps are also available at stores. Another example is drink cans. The diamond-shaped patterns in drink cans save material while maintaining the same structural strength. Miura-Ori can be found in nature as well. After a bud breaks, leaves spread out to get as much sunlight as possible. Additionally, flying insects take out and unfold their wings from their outer shells to fly. If Dr. Miura Koryo had not invented Miura-Ori, these wonders of nature would be unnoticed.

People can learn the folding technique through a website, though much practice is needed. On the other hand, people will be impressed by the state-of-the-art origami engineering once we master it.

The history of English began around 1,500 years ago. European groups invaded England, bringing their languages with them. These languages gradually developed into Old English. In 1066, the country was again invaded by the Normans from France, causing the language to go through a shift, leading to what we now call Middle English. Over the next 500 years, the English language underwent more shifts, eventually evolving into Modern English.

Pronunciation is one of the most distinct areas of change in the language. For example, people used to say “hus” and “mus” in Old English, but these words are now pronounced “house” and “mouse.” Additionally, there are variations of English pronunciation in the US, the UK, Australia, and elsewhere. When people who speak the same language live in different places, it undergoes a rapid change in each location.

You may be completely unaware that you are doing this. A woman’s husband once said, “Sarah, you always do exactly what you want without considering my needs.” Sarah denied and explained that she had to prioritize her studies to prepare for big exams. Sarah may think she is being honest and reasonable, but she made the mistake of arguing that she is correct and her husband is wrong by denying his statement. She was not trying to understand his point of view and focused only on her needs. This was what exactly her husband was complaining about.

It was made possible by Dr. Miura Koryo’s invention in the 1970s. While studying the structural strength of rockets, he tried to find a way to make the objects strong but light. Finally, he came up with a special folding pattern that makes folding and unfolding stable. This pattern became known as “Miura-Ori.”

Dr. Miura applied the folding pattern to the solar panels for the Space Flyer Unit (SFU) that are used for unmanned experiments in space. The solar panels needed as much surface area as possible to maximize the energy they got from the sun. At the same time, they must be packed down to the smallest size possible to fit in the SFU. Additionally, the panels could be reused. All were made possible by Miura-Ori.

In 1995, the SFU was launched on the H-II rocket. The experiment was a success, and the solar panels were folded back into the SFU. The Space Shuttle Endeavor retrieved and brought the SFU back to the Earth. It is on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo.

The Institute of Medicine, however, assures that this does not mean we lose too much water. Physically active people drink more water. This is the same case for those who live in hot climates. Depending on heat and activity, people may drink twice as much as others.

Still, this does not answer why people believe we are required to drink eight glasses of water daily. It may have started with a misunderstanding. In 1945, the American National Academy of Science published in its Food and Nutrition Board that it was ideal for adults to drink 2.5 liters of water a day. This study was based on an average of one millimeter for each kilocalorie of food eaten. Additionally, it was also stated that most of the amount of water we consume is contained in prepared foods.