Week 1: Two Cultures
The idea of different cultures can be viewed through many different lenses. For example, the relationship between art and science may seem vastly different, but in reality there are similarities between the two that bring both cultures together. In his text, "The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution," C. P. Snow explains how the hostility among the arts and science stems from lack of knowledge. It is a barrier, or lack of understanding, between the two cultures that leads to a "distorted image of each other" and limits the ability for both cultures to thrive intertwined (Snow).
[Figure 1] Two Cultures, or Many?
I am a fourth-year English major who spends 99% of my time on the North side of Campus. I have only stepped foot onto the South Campus once, and I have to say that the ambiance and atmosphere is very evident between both. In Justin Jung's article "A campus divided," he expresses the "atmospheric" change between the North campus and South campus. Jung describes the South campus as "bustle" or more active, while North campus seems more like a vacation where students are "Usually reading a book, having a picnic or tossing a ball, students there seem more relaxed."
Victoria Vesna's essay, "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between," identifies this division between these cultures, and expresses how both art and science can communicate with one another efficiently. Eva Amsen writes about efficiency in her essay, "Sixty Years After 'The Two Culture', Is Science Still Isolated From The Arts And Humanities?" Amsen explains how during climate/environmental protests or "school strikes," non-scientists speak out about these issues in which scientist consensus is acknowledged and respected. Kevin Berger emphasizes this mutual respect in his analysis, "Who Said Science and Art Were Two Cultures?" Berger focuses on Snow and his "infamous thesis," particularly on the idea of "imaginative experience," in which we are able to educate ourselves on art and science. The "'imaginative experience,' though, is an astute phrase. It represents the place in the human mind where science and art meet" (Berger). There are similarities among both cultures, and I think that common ground can be found if the arts and sciences are willing to understand one another and their respective work, rather than judge.
[Interactive Figure 3] North vs. South Campus
Works Cited
Amsen, Ema. "Sixty Years After "The Two Cultures", Is Science Still Isolated From The Arts
And Humanities?" Forbes. 10 May 2019.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/evaamsen/2019/05/10/sixty-years-after-the-two-cultures-is-science-still-
isolated-from-the-arts-and-humanities/?sh=618b37811984 . Accessed 5 April 2024.
Berger, Kevin. "Who Said Science and Art Were Two Cultures?" Nautilus. 17 November 2021.
https://nautil.us/who-said-science-and-art-were-two-cultures-238351/ . Accessed 5 April 2024.
Jung, Justin. "A Campus Divided." Prime. https://prime.dailybruin.com/justinnorth&southcampus
Accessed 5 April 2024.
Snow, C. P. Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. Cambridge University Press, 1961. Accessed 5
April 2024.
Vesna, Vicotoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being in between." Leonardo, vol. 34, no 2, 2001,
Accessed 5 April 2024.
Images Cited
[Figure 1] "Two Cultures, or Many." letstalkaboutsciene. 13 October 2016. Accessed 5 April 2024
https://letstalkaboutscience.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/lr-brain.jpg
[Figure 2] "A Campus Divided." Prime. https://prime.dailybruin.com/justinnorth&southcampus
Accessed 5 April 2024.
[Figure 3] "Campus Consensus: North vs. South Campus" Daily Bruin. Youtube. 28 Feb
2019. https://youtu.be/wpAcgEPkVk0?feature=shared . Accessed 5 April 2024.
Hello Martin. I agree with you, common ground can be found between the arts and sciences when people are willing to understand one another. I have experienced both cultures in the pursuit of my major in Biology and minor in History. I was surprised to see connections I could make in what I learned in both fields. For me gaining knowledge in one helped me with knowledge in the other in unique ways. I also agree on the "atmospheric" change between the North campus and South campus. Every time I go to North Campus it feels very relaxing with the greenery scenery while South campus is full of city like foot traffic. I like that you incorporated a video showing the different perspective of students from both sides of Campus. It was a great addition.
ReplyDeleteHey Martin!
ReplyDeleteI was really captivated by your insights on the "Two Cultures" and how you've experienced this divide firsthand as an English major. Your exploration of the distinct atmospheres of the North and South campuses at UCLA struck a chord with me. It's fascinating to consider how physical spaces can reflect deeper cultural divides and, conversely, potential bridges between disciplines. The dynamic between the campuses, as you and others have described it, serves as a microcosm for broader societal tendencies to compartmentalize knowledge and expertise. Yet, as your post suggests, there's so much potential for growth and innovation when we bridge these divides. The example of climate/environmental activism you mentioned is a powerful testament to the impact of interdisciplinary understanding and cooperation.
Hi Martin, it was really interesting to read about your experience in terms of "two cultures" as an English major. Something that particularly resonated with me is the stark difference in atmosphere between north and south campus. Although they look aesthetically different, I hadn't realized the general atmosphere and how people behave are different on both campuses. It's interesting to really dive deeper into the cultural divides of both north and south campus, and I think that learning about "two cultures" has really enabled us to analyze this further. Additionally, I really enjoyed how your post shows so much potential for this bridge of connection between the humanities and the sciences. By reading more about how the two disciplines interact, we can better understand each other and hopefully heal the disconnection that currently exists.
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