Two Cultures

Hello!

My name is Madison Moneymaker and I am a senior double major in Political Science and Public Affairs. However, as I initially came in as a Biology major my freshman year, I have had the opportunity to explore the sciences and humanities and appreciate each field's unique perspectives. 

                                          

Dialogue of Sciences: Natural versus Social | https://meongrtcj.wixsite.com/bluegreenpolitix/single-post/2018/07/12/dialogue-of-sciences-natural-versus-social

This week's readings from Vesna, Snow, and Wilson helped me better understand the concept of cultural separation and its impact on society. Moreover, they have emphasized the significance of interdisciplinary approaches and open-mindedness to learning. I intend to apply these insights in various areas of my life, including connecting with people from different backgrounds and fields of study. 

As I stroll around UCLA's campus, the cultural divide becomes apparent to me. While South Campus is dreary and utilitarian, North Campus boasts beautiful architecture, verdant greenery, and stunning artwork.

Nitya Tak and Justin Jung's UCLA North VS South Campus | https://prime.dailybruin.com/justinnorth&southcampus

   

      Molecular Sciences Building----Photo Credit: Photograph © 2003                       UCLA Murphy Sculpture Garden |  

      by Alan Nyiri, courtesy of the Atkinson Photographic Archive.                         https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019_UCLA_Murphy_Sculpture_Garden.jpg

C.P. Snow's 1959 Rede Lecture argued that the divide between the sciences and the humanities was not just an intellectual problem, but a social and political one as well (Snow 21). This can create a sense of division between the two fields, perpetuated by societal expectations and the education system, with some students feeling more comfortable in one world than the other (Snow 19).

I believe that my switch from a scientific field to a social science/humanities field positions me in the "in between" space that Vesna describes (Vesna 122). At times, I felt like an outsider in both worlds, with one foot in the world of empirical data and quantitative analysis, and the other in the world of critical thinking and subjective interpretation.

   Living on the Same Planet but from Different Worlds | https://aaagnostica.org/2019/09/08/living-on-the-same-planet-but-from-       different-worlds/

Though, ultimately I believe that the "two cultures" dichotomy is not an insurmountable obstacle and agree with Wilson's argument of the interconnectedness of science and art (Wilson 4). By embracing the "in-between" space and working to bridge the gap between the sciences and the humanities, we can create the integrated third culture described by Vesna- a robust and inclusive intellectual community that is better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of our time (Vesna 121).

References

Snow, C. P. (1959). The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. Cambridge University Press.

Vesna, V. (2005). Third Culture: Being in Between. MIT Press.

Wilson, S. (2002). Myths and Confusion in Thinking About Art/Science/Technology. Leonardo, 35(4), 433-438.