Group 1 - Renowned director Ang Lee will direct a new film titled "Old Gold Mountain," adapted from the novel "How Much of These Hills Is Gold" by Chinese-American author C Pam Zhang [1] - "Old Gold Mountain" is set to begin filming in August this year in California, with Emmanuel Lubezki, a three-time Oscar-winning cinematographer, serving as the director of photography [1] - "How Much of These Hills Is Gold" is Zhang's debut novel, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize and the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award, focusing on the survival struggles of a Chinese immigrant family during the Gold Rush [1][9] Group 2 - C Pam Zhang was born in Beijing in 1990 and moved to the United States at the age of four, experiencing a childhood marked by frequent relocations [2][6] - The simplified Chinese version of "How Much of These Hills Is Gold" will be published by Shanghai Translation Publishing House in April 2024 [3] - Zhang's writing reflects her immigrant experience and the search for belonging, often exploring themes of identity and the immigrant narrative in her works [17][18] Group 3 - The novel begins with the line, "Dad died at night, and for this, they had to find two silver coins," depicting the journey of two orphaned siblings in the American West [10] - Zhang's narrative style incorporates elements of her family's language, blending English with Pinyin to capture the immigrant experience authentically [38] - The book draws parallels between the historical Gold Rush and the modern tech industry, highlighting the inequalities and false promises of the American Dream [36][37]

Group 1 - The White House's tariff policy is expected to increase consumer prices in the U.S., raising concerns about the affordability of goods and the realization of the "American Dream" [1][2][3] - Major retailers like Walmart have warned that a wide range of products, from groceries to car seats, will become more expensive due to tariffs, affecting 90% of American households [2][5] - The cost of achieving the "American Dream" is projected to rise to $4.4 million in 2024, a $1 million increase from 2023, primarily driven by high inflation [3][5] Group 2 - Experts suggest that the tariff policy may make economic security harder to achieve for many middle-class families, as it raises costs for essential items like housing and vehicles [5][9] - The National Retail Federation (NRF) highlights that small businesses, which make up 98% of retailers and provide over 13 million jobs, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of tariffs [5][10] - The tariffs could lead to a decrease in consumer confidence and spending, as businesses pass on the increased costs to customers [5][10] Group 3 - The debate continues over whether access to affordable goods is a fundamental part of the "American Dream," with some officials arguing it is not, while others assert that it is essential for the quality of life [6][7][9] - Historical perspectives indicate that post-World War II consumerism was tied to national identity and economic prosperity, suggesting that rising prices could undermine this connection [8][9] - The tariffs may exacerbate wealth inequality and hinder upward mobility for ordinary Americans, as the cost of living increases [9][11] Group 4 - Polls indicate that a significant portion of the American public disapproves of the tariff approach, particularly among younger voters and those with lower incomes [11][12] - Despite a preference for American-made products, consumer behavior shows a stronger inclination towards low prices and availability, suggesting potential backlash against high tariffs [12]

Group 1 - The report highlights a growing gap between income and actual living costs for low-income families in the U.S., with a shortfall exceeding $29,000 for the bottom 60% of households [1] - The study indicates that traditional inflation metrics fail to accurately reflect the economic pressures faced by these families, as their spending on necessities is disproportionately high compared to wealthier households [1][2] - Since 2001, the median household income in the U.S. has decreased by 4% when adjusted for the "Minimum Quality of Life Index," while the commonly used Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows an 11% increase in income during the same period [1] Group 2 - The rising cost of child-rearing has significantly contributed to the economic strain on low-income families, with expenses for raising children more than doubling since 2001, exceeding $30,000 for a typical family of four in 2023 [2] - High-income families have experienced stable economic surpluses, maintaining over 60% above the minimum quality of life standard, with an average annual income of approximately $200,000 in 2023, leaving a surplus of nearly $128,000 after basic living expenses [2]

【环球时报综合报道】编者的话：今年以来，随着特朗普政府不断削减美国高校及研究机构经费，越来 越多美国科研人员将目光投向海外，欧洲各国政府及研究机构掀起被美国"政治新闻网"欧洲版形容 的"知识淘金热"，争先恐后地增加自身对美国顶尖科研人才的吸引力。比如，根据欧盟现行政策，移居 欧洲的美国研究人员最高可获得450万欧元的资助。美国目前的人才流失情况如何？哪类研究人员最受 欧洲国家欢迎？欧洲各国能否把握住这波"淘金热"的机会呢？针对上述问题，《环球时报》记者近日进 行了调查，发现欧洲各国对美国研究人员的吸引侧重点各有不同，砸重金"抢人"的模式也面临一些争议 和质疑。 所谓的 " 美国梦 " 已不复存在 "我有一个朋友不得不开启线上众筹来维持她在美国实验室的运转。"目前正在立陶宛维尔纽斯大学工作 的美国生物化学博士斯蒂芬·琼斯告诉《滚石》杂志，2020年美国总统选举期间，他在得克萨斯大学完 成了博士后工作，尽管当时特朗普没有赢得选举，但在新冠疫情暴发期间，反科学情绪在美国社会蔓 延，对比之下，欧洲更有吸引力，因此他和妻子选择离开。 时至今日，琼斯很庆幸自己的选择，他说他的研究资金比以往任何时候都要稳定，他不需要把学生 ...

导 语：无论是否喜欢，美国梦已离不开廉价商品，而涨价比消费机会的消失更显残酷。 如今，新电视的价格之低令人惊叹不已。十年前，一台65英寸的液晶电视可能要花1500美元甚至 2000美元，而现在售价却不到500美元。 在这个一切都很昂贵的世界——无论是汽车、房子还是鸡蛋——知道你仍然可以在一天结束时，以 较低的成本享受高质量的"有罪快感"节目，这多少让人感到一丝安慰。如果你负担不起一场奢华的 度假，至少可以通过观看《白莲花度假村》来间接体验一下。 多年来，美国消费者不情愿地接受了这样的交易。所谓的"美国梦"中的许多要素价格高昂，以至于 对许多人来说遥不可及。医疗费用高得离谱，大学学费更是让人咋舌，无论是买房还是租房，房地 产市场都令人焦虑不已。 然而，消费品仍然是触手可及的。玩具、服装和电子产品等商品的价格一直在下降。我们容忍那些 大件商品的高价标签，一方面是因为我们别无选择，另一方面是因为至少我们还能享受娱乐，保持 联系，并且可以用各种物品填满我们的家和衣橱。 也许你无法在生活中更上一层楼，曾经唾手可得的机会也已不复存在，但至少你可以在Temu上花5 美元买到一些有趣又奇特的东西。 "物质主义是我们消费公民身 ...