Dublin to NYC Video 'Portal' Paused After Bad Behavior
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
portal
Noun
ˈpɔːrtl
a gateway to another place or world in science fiction; a doorway or entrance
In the story, Sam awoke to find that a magical portal to another world had appeared in the living room.
installation
Noun
ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən
an art exhibit, typically one made within a gallery
The exhibition featured a number of art installations made from recycled materials.
conceive
Verb
kənˈsiːv
to develop a plan or an idea
Mark Zuckerberg conceived the idea for Facebook while studying at Harvard University.
swastika
Noun
ˈswɑːstɪkə
a symbol in the form of a cross with its ends bent, used as a symbol of the German Nazi party
Displaying swastikas and other Nazi symbols in public is against the law in Germany.
inappropriate
Adjective
ˌɪnəˈprəʊpriət
not acceptable or suitable
Using your phone while watching a movie at the cinema is completely inappropriate.
unscripted
Adjective
ʌnˈskrɪptɪd
said or performed without a prearranged plan or script
The reality show "Big Brother" is entirely unscripted.
Article
Dublin to NYC Video 'Portal' Paused After Bad Behavior
A video screen "Portal" that lets people in New York and Dublin look into life on opposite sides of the Atlantic in real time has been a source of delight for sidewalk crowds in the two cities, but also a magnet for bad behavior that's prompted officials to hit "pause" for now.
The livestreaming public art installation made its debut on May 8, with a circular screen set up below New York City's famous Flatiron Building and another screen on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland.
"Portals are an invitation to meet people [across] borders and ... to experience our world as it really is — united and one," said Benediktas Gylys, the Lithuanian artist who conceived the installation, when the screens were first opened.
But just days later, the portals were shut down on May 13 after videos spread on social media of people behaving badly — such as Dubliners holding up swastikas and displaying images of New York's Twin Towers burning on 9/11.
The screens, which broadcast video with no audio, were back up the next morning but were powered down again that evening.
Michael Ryan of the Dublin City Council, said organizers are looking into "possible technical solutions" to address the inappropriate behavior. The displays are expected to return later in the week, he said.
Zac Roy of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership, a local Manhattan business group, said the majority of people interacting with the city's portal have behaved appropriately.
And on the morning of May 14, crowds on both sides of the portals were mostly well behaved. Some gave a friendly wave or made heart signs with their hands. Most took a selfie.
In New York, Lynn Rakos waved and blew a kiss toward the screen.
"I think it's sweet, as long as we all behave," said the 60-year-old Brooklyn resident, who previously lived in Dublin. "We have all these connections on our phone and Facebook, but here it's unscripted. You don't know who is there and you're just saying hi."
Discussion
ions.
1.
What are your thoughts on the portals being paused because of bad behavior?
2.
Would you like a similar portal to be installed in your town or city?
3.
Would you rather visit New York or Dublin? Why?
4.
How often do you see people behaving badly in public where you live?
5.
What countries do you imagine have the most polite and well-behaved people?
