Blog 1- 2 cultures

Science, Humanities, Technology, and Communication

In 1959, C.P Snow, a chemist and novelist, wrote in, The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution, that there are 2 cultures- scientists, and literary intellectuals (those who study humanities). He is one of the few that would mingle with both groups. Snow had noticed that although these groups were similar in “...race, intellectuality, and intelligence, it seemed as if they were different cultures” (2). This is interesting since that while there are many similarities, they have split themselves into separate cultures based on their profession. This difference can lead people in one group to have certain views and stereotypes on the other group and prevent them from communicating with one another. Next, Snow believes that the number 2 can be a suspicious thing (10). This makes sense as people must this or that. For example, in America, the Democratic and Republican party are the predominant 2 parties; this can lead to problems as they are both polar opposites. Finally, Snow makes an interesting claim that the British school system is at fault for creating this divide, and the only way to solve this problem is to change the education system, as it is too specialized (19). Through this work, it is seen that most of Britain's elite- politicians, administrators, and those in industry- are those who studied humanities.

(The 2 cultures debate)

    We see a little of this split at UCLA with the idea of North and South Campus majors. Those studying humanities are in North Campus, and those studying sciences and engineering are in South Campus. The buildings itself are different. North Campus has buildings that look different and look older, while South Campus buildings look similar and look like typical modern buildings. I am doing Business econ, and it is different in that it is considered to be a North and South campus major.

(North vs. South Campus)

    Dr. Victoria Vesna’s article, Toward a Third Culture: In Between, claims that there is an in-between and it is not just one group or another. This main bridge is technology. She states that modern artists and scientists use the same tools for their work- technology (121). Now, artists are using more technology for their work. Animation is done by using computers, artists use computers to make art, filmmakers use CGI to give their movies special effects, and even with writers using blogs. Similarly, scientists and use computers to and new technology to study and to do research. Seeing this bridge, makes me realize how much I and others take technology for granted. 

(Murmuration Festival)

                                      Works Sited

Faversham Stoa- The Two Cultures Debate. Photograph.

<https://www.stoa.org.uk/topics/two-cultures/index.html>

Silverwing. North vs. South Campus. Photograph. 2011.

<http://silverwing1310.deviantart.com/art/North-vs-South-Campus-UCLA-199654234>

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961.

Print.

Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo 34.2 (2001): 121-25. Web.

Unknown. Murmuration Festival. Photograph. 2016. <http://murmurationfest.com/>