关于 Valentine’s Day 的起源
有两种说法，一种说是来自于罗马时候的酒神节（a Roman Bacchanal）【这种说法相对比较主流】
The most common explanation for how Valentine’s Day came to be is the ancient festival of Lupercalia, a raucous, wine-fueled fertility rite in which Roman men and women paired off. This theory has appeared in news articles for decades.
另外一个说法是这个节日是庆祝春天的到来（ a chance to celebrate spring in February）
14世纪的英国人觉得这是春天开始的日子
... on Feb. 14, took place at a time when Britons in the 14th century thought spring began, with birds starting to mate and plants beginning to bloom
至于为什么要叫Valentine这个名字，其实庆祝春天的节日当时有很多不同的名字，只是 Valentine 这个名字读起来比较好听，所以人们留下来这个名字
... Europeans at the time thought “Valentine” was a nice-sounding name. Other saints who were celebrated in mid-February had names with less poetic appeal: St. Scholastica, St. Austrebertha, St. Eulalia and St. Eormenhild.
这是一个花钱的日子
It’s also a day to spend money. Americans are projected to spend $26 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, up from $23.9 billion in 2022, according to the National Retail Federation. More than half of consumers plan to celebrate and will spend an average of $192.80, the group said.
花店一年近1/3 的收入来自于这一天
Valentine’s Day accounts for some 30 percent of annual cut-flower sales — more than the holiday season does, more than even Mother’s Day ...
人们的伴侣选择影响着社会财富分配
有个社会学名词叫assortative mating，类似传统定义的“门当户对”
“It” is assortative mating, in which creatures tend to couple with those that are most like them.
assortative mating 会导致社会的贫富拉大，这个好理解，引入如果rich 的找rich，财富就会越来越积聚在某个特定人群。
... assortative mating appears to contribute to societal inequality when people use education or income as one of their sorting criteria. When a doctor marries a nurse or a teacher or a mechanic, societal inequality is lessened. When a doctor marries another doctor, the rich get richer.
让ChatGPT 来写点节日寄语吧
用Taylor Swift 歌词的腔调
My love, your heart so sweet / My love, I can’t compete / Your stunning eyes, my heartfelt sighs / I’m forever yours, our love will never die.
用Yelp 点评的腔调
My experience with my partner has been nothing short of magical. From candlelit dinners to romantic strolls, the connection between us is undeniable. I’m grateful for their understanding and compassion and for their ability to always make me laugh. I’m excited for a lifetime of making memories and I’m thrilled to have them as my valentine! 5 stars all the way!
用学前班小同学的腔调
Roses are red, violets are blue, I love you, and I like hugs too! Happy Valentines Day!
参考文章
Liam Stack. "Did Valentine’s Day Start as a Roman Party or to Celebrate an Execution?" The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/article/valentines-day-facts-history.html.
Margaret Renkl. "I Love You, Too, but Let’s Skip the Roses." The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/13/opinion/flowers-valentines-day-sustainability.html.
Peter Coy. "Studies Show How Cupid Isn’t Fair." The New York Times, Feb. 13, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/13/opinion/marriage-assortative-mating.html.
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