Only the Good Die Younger

Academy Award nominees1) who go home empty－handed may not have a shiny Oscar to show off，but they may turn out to be the bigger winners in the game of life．According to a study published in British Medical Journal，Oscar－winning screenwriters2) are more successful，more productive，and more respected than losing nominees；however，they die sooner by about four years．

"Because success is usually linked to better health，this is the first occupation ever that success is not associated with improved longevity3)，"says Donald Redelmeier，lead author of the study．Researchers tracked down information about every person who was ever nominated for an Oscar since the awards were first handed out ７３years ago．

To explain the puzzling findings，he offers two theories．The first is the"work－to－death hypothesis4)．"According to Redelmeier，screenwriters are more apt to lead unhealthy lifestyles，meaning they smoke more，exercise less，and work a lot of late－night hours，which translates into not enough sleep．

Screenwriters don't have a boss to report to，which brings into account Redelmeier's second explanation，the"party－hearty hypothesis．""When you become a successful screenwriter，you gain status without daily accountability，and as a consequence your success may lead you to more alcohol，more parties，and more obesity5)，"he says．

成功和健康可以兼得吗？

虽然奥斯卡颁奖典礼上空手而归的编剧们没有金灿灿的奖杯向人们炫耀，但是他们可能会成为现实生活的大赢家。《英国医学杂志》刊登的一项研究成果表明，最终获得奥斯卡奖的编剧们比仅获提名的同行们在事业上更加成功，更加多产，更加受人尊敬，但是他们的寿命平均比后者短大约４年。

该研究报告的第一作者唐纳德•雷德梅尔说："通常身体健康和事业有成总是紧密联系在一起的，但编剧是我们发现的第一种在工作中成功与长寿并没有联系的职业。"研究者对自奥斯卡首次颁奖至今７３年间所有获得奥斯卡提名者进行了跟踪调查。

为了解释这一令人困惑的研究结果，雷德梅尔提出了两个理论。第一个是"鞠躬尽瘁论"。雷德梅尔说，剧本编剧们通常生活方式并不健康，他们烟瘾很大，缺乏运动，经常工作到深夜，睡眠不足。

第二个是"热衷于社交聚会论"，雷德梅尔认为这缘于编剧们不用受上级管束。他说："当你成为一名成功的编剧后，你所获得的地位使你不必每日为生计操心，成功带来的结果是你更多地引酒、参加社交聚会以及身体发福。"

NOTE 注释：

1. nominee n. 被提名的人, 被任命者

2. screenwriter n. 电影剧本作家, 编剧家

3. longevity n. 长命, 寿命

4. hypothesis n. 假设

5. 6.obesity n. 肥胖，发福
关键字:双语阅读
生词表: