Week One: Two Cultures
In the article by Snow C.P, "The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution'', Snow is
communicating how there is a difference between scientists and individuals who are involved in
literature. This culture is even witnessed in the UCLA campus, where the north side is dedicated
to linguistic classes, while the south is dedicated to STEM related classes. Due to online lectures,
I did not have the chance to literally walk from one side to the other side of campus.
Due to the covid pandemic, I have not had the opportunity to experience the real college experience.
During my first quarter, I had a Life science class( as I am currently majoring in Biology), and I had
to take an English composition class(for college entry-level English). As a freshman, I am still in
the process of completing GE requirements, and English courses are no exception. English classes
and STEM classes have different mechanics. From personal experience English consists of arguing
and supporting your views, while STEM classes are more about understanding systems
(ex. understanding how neurons interact with other neurons) and experimenting with these
systems(via mathematical systems).
This divide mentioned by Snow has kind of brought me more aware of how a topic can always
have two sides of the coin. Consider the covid vaccine as an example of a topic. There is scientist
publishing and collecting data on how effective the vaccines are, bloggers who vent out how they
feel unsafe on taking a vaccine. Literature can be based more on the opinionated side of people while
the science side of the coin consists of scientists doing research. A combination of both of these sides
can be powerful in educating people. For example, a person can decide to write an article for the
public on why they should not fear the covid vaccine, utilizing data and research from scientist.
Great communication from science and literature is necessary to educate others. After reading
Snow's arguments, it has brought me into looking at topics with this new perspective.
This knowledge brings awareness to me as a future worker in the biology field. The future will be
competitive, so there is no doubt that people have to adapt with better skills. A skill that may one day
be necessary is to be able to work effectively in both cultures. For example, as a scientist living in
a era of technology, where communication among people is easy, there is more awareness of
other's views in the forms of online articles and social media.
Davis, Madison, et al. “UCLA's North V. South Campus: The Debate Debunked.” The Odyssey Online, 5 Aug. 2020, www.theodysseyonline.com/north-south-campus.
Dizikes, Peter. “Our Two Cultures.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 Mar. 2009, www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/books/review/Dizikes-t.html.
“A Dangerous Divide: The New York Academy of Sciences.” Nyas, www.nyas.org/ebriefings/a-dangerous-divide/?tab=overview.
Kelly, Kevin. “The Third Culture.” Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Feb. 1998, science.sciencemag.org/content/279/5353/992.full.
“C. P. SnowThe Two Cultures.” C. P. Snow - The Two Cultures Debate Controversy Rede Lecture 1959, www.age-of-the-sage.org/scientist/snow_two_cultures.html.
Hi, Andres,
ReplyDeleteYour example of the covid vaccine got me into thinking how effective it can be to combine science and literature in the aspect of informing people about the newest things, whether it's a new technological product or even just a new way of food. Data and research results can always be used in advertisement to increase people's desire of buying or using a product.
Also, I think similarly about the part where you say your future career in the biological field can be associated with the other culture. I'm a math major and same to you, I think my future career in studying mathematics will be related to the study of art or literature as well since I need that type of skill to be more competitive and more creative in whatever I will be doing in the future.
Lastly, I wish you a great college life after the pandemics.
-Wangzi Gao
Hi Andres, I found your blog a very interesting read and found myself agreeing a lot with what you said, especially about communication. In a time where information can be spread over the world in span of milliseconds, I completely agree that in order effectively communicate, sufficient practice in the field of science and literature are needed.
ReplyDeleteI guess this is what stands out to me the most, given the fact that many people in todays society tend to refute whatever they hear, regardless of it being a hard fact.
Just like yourself, I have not had the "typical" college experience due to the pandemic. Hopefully we will all be back on campus shortly!
-Colin Squire