McCabe Week 1: The Two Cultures



This week’s articles’ focus is the idea behind two cultures: intellectuals and scientists. Moreover, the scientists are described as being mainly physical scientists who are more practical, versus the creative intellectual artists. Snow believes that the two are polar opposites and that because of their differences there is a “practical and intellectual and creative loss,” to our society (Snow 12). Snow later states how it would not be fair to only make two categorized cultures, and mentions a third consisting of more contemporary scientists in the middle ground.
 

From my own experience, I have noticed this divide between the sciences and arts. From a young age as early as elementary school, my classmates and I declared whether we preferred a language arts or math class. From there on I have noticed people around me getting deeper into educational specialization which Snow discusses where some students lose their creativity in the science path, but the other students may never fully understand unusual physics concepts. Specifically at UCLA, the division is clear; North campus is for humanities, while South campus is the sciences’ territory. However, many students do cross paths, but not all that often.


Personally, I have not yet decided what specific major I would like to do for sure. I started with a very science and math heavy major, computer science, but now am trying out business economics which I feel is a combination of both humanities and math. After reading the articles, my thinking has shifted a lot. I always believed I was only good at math and bad or worse at reading, writing, and art. In my new perspective I am seeing how it is beneficial to be adequate at both, and try to lessen the gap. I think I will benefit from being in the middle ground because it grants me the opportunity to connect with people from the two different cultures, as well as come up with new ideas that can satisfy all sorts of needs like a “Something Else” (Vesna 122).  








References

Mambrol, Nasrullah. “Analysis of C. P. Snow's Novels.” Literary Theory and Criticism, 13 Apr. 

2019, literariness.org/2019/04/13/analysis-of-c-p-snows-novels/. 

Phutela, Bhumika, et al. “Humanities With Maths: Is It the Right Stream Combination for You?” 

Mindler Blog, 16 Sept. 2019, www.mindler.com/blog/humanities-with-maths-stream/. 

Snow, Charles Percy. The two cultures and the scientific revolution: The Rede Lecture, 1959. 

University Press, 1959.

“Ucla Map.” Ucla Campus Map (California - USA), 

maps-los-angeles.com/maps-los-angeles-others/ucla-map. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, 

pp. 121–125. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1577014.


Comments

  1. UnknownApril 4, 2021 at 12:18 PM

    I liked your perspective on choosing a major, as I am in the same boat and still trying to between a science heavy neuroscience path and a more humanities based business path. I definitely agree that from a young age students are encouraged to specialize and that specialization can lead to a close minded attitude when it comes to learning about the other discipline. In response to Snow's writings about “practical and intellectual and creative loss", I would be curious to know his views on the present day divide between intellectuals and scientists. It seems like that stark divid he described 50 years ago is somewhat more flexible nowadays. To an untrained eye, more recent professions like computer science seem to blend a greater level of creativity into an otherwise science and logic heavy discipline.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 4, 2021 at 12:32 PM

    Sorry for commenting again, I forgot to log into my UCLA account for the last post.

    I liked your perspective on choosing a major, as I am in the same boat and still trying to between a science heavy neuroscience path and a more humanities based business path. I definitely agree that from a young age students are encouraged to specialize and that specialization can lead to a close minded attitude when it comes to learning about the other discipline. In response to Snow's writings about “practical and intellectual and creative loss", I would be curious to know his views on the present day divide between intellectuals and scientists. It seems like that stark divid he described 50 years ago is somewhat more flexible nowadays. To an untrained eye, more recent professions like computer science seem to blend a greater level of creativity into an otherwise science and logic heavy discipline.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ethan WarrenApril 4, 2021 at 7:57 PM

    Hi Lauren!! Great blog post!! I loved your unique perspective on the theme of two cultures and I thought the way you connected the articles we read to choosing a major at UCLA was really cool. I definitely agree with what you said about how its beneficial to be a part of both cultures and to lessen the gap because I think both art and science are important parts of our society. Can't wait to see what you write about next week!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andrae C.April 4, 2021 at 8:33 PM

    Great post! I definitely feel the divide in disciplines at UCLA with the North and South Campuses which does highlight the idea of separate cultures. Interests change, and sometimes you are amidst finding your passion. In my first two years I was also wondering what I wanted to major in. I had my eyes in a tech-focused major at first but then as I started taking classes about Japan I found my passion and decided to pursue a Japanese degree. I do agree that being in "the middle ground" helps with a more balanced perspective in your interests.

    ReplyDelete

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