C.P. Snow in his novel "The Two Cultures And The Scientific
Revolution," investigates the lack of understanding, and comprehension
between what he calls "two cultures," that is "literary
intellectuals" and "natural scientists." Snow claims that this
divide between two cultures not only creates a problem for scientific
progression, but is also an obstacle for solving some of societies most serious
problems.
I am a senior Sociology major at UCLA, and the majority of my time
on campus is spent on "North Campus." In other words, my fascination
and understanding is in the social sciences, humanities, liberal arts, and
health and human services.
I found a lot of what Snow theorized to be true in my life and in
particular my relationship with my current roommate. My roommate’s major is
Psychobiology. Contrary to me, she spends most of her time on "South
Campus," that is the science buildings at UCLA. Although, not as extreme
as what Snow illustrates, I can see areas of life and understanding where my
roommate and I cannot see eye to eye. Such as what kind of shows we like, books
we choose to read, language and dialogue used, and even how we both answer
questions (I tend to give longer more abstract answers, where she likes the
straightforward one answers).
(Illustrates the rivalry between North Campus and South Campus)
(My roommate Tara in Science Lab)
Kevin Kelly, in his essay "The Third Culture," dives
deeper into what Snow coined the "Third Culture," that is a third
culture that acts like a mediator between the literary intellectuals and
natural scientists. Kelly claims that the third culture is an offspring of
science, and is also known as the "nerd culture," as it works mainly
through technology. The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize how
prominent the third culture is in my life. Take for example, apple products.
When I come across a problem with any of my devises, whether it is my computer,
phone, or television, I don't have to try and fix the problem on my own or be a
technology expert. Rather, there is AppleCare profession support that I can
reach out to 24/7 to merge the gap between mechanical geniuses and everyday
people.
(AppleCare Support team offering 24/7 technology assistance)
Work Cited
"Apple Customer Service." Customer Service. Apple, n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.
Williams, Christopher. "A Dangerous Divide." The New York Academy of Sciences. The New York Academy of Sciences, 24 July 2009. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.
Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." The Third Culture. AAAS, 13 Feb. 1998. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.
Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.”
Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.
Silverwing. "North vs South Campus UCLA." DeviantArt. DeviantArt, n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015.
Hi Jessica!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you used and pointed out Kevin Kelly's argument about the nerd culture that is starting to appear around us. I am a business-economic major who is interested in entrepreneurship. Currently, the trend of business is all start-ups and the excitement and craze is all over Silicon Valley, the technology hub, which is the perfect example for Kelly's argument of an emerging "third culture." With technology becoming the new focus of the future, I think it's the perfect way to communicate and connect the sciences, which is often very meticulous, rigorous, and technical with the people who may not see always see the science happening behind the scenes. The sciences are also better communicated through technology knowledgeable individuals much like the AppleCare example you have given. With the trend toward technology and society so dependent on it, it may close the gap between traditional sciences and the arts or the public.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI thought your description of the differences between you and your roommate, who is a South Campus major, was really interesting! My current apartment is all South Campus, myself included, so I've never had the chance to live with anyone from North Campus. Do you think that you and your roommate enjoy different TV shows and books because of the divide between humanities and sciences? What genres do you like versus your roommate?
I'd also be interested in if you and your roommate are able to bridge that divide in your conversations to each other. As an engineering major, it might be hard for me to understand someone from the humanities explaining what they do, unless it was a more high level description, and I would imagine that someone from North Campus would feel the same about the sciences.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI like how you personally experience the third culture culminating in your room throughout the interactions between yourself and your roommate. Do you wish you spent more time on South Campus throughout your time here? I agree and love your example relating Apple to everyday people. Since they act as the connection, they work to bring people of different backgrounds together everyday in a manner in which they can work together. Great blog post!
Hello Miss Amaral,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy how you incorporated the ideas from Unit 1 into Unit 2 blog. You make a clear statement in your blog by agreeing with the professor on the connection on mathematics and art. You use specific example which display the math used in art with various artists, solidifying your thesis. I enjoyed the pictures that went with your argument as well.
I think this is a very well written blog, it definitely gave me a new outlook on the connection on math and art.