Similar to Snow's personal experience that on the surface people seem similar, but otherwise experience vastly different cultures, I noticed this on UCLA's campus: the divide between north campus and south campus majors. Students who are otherwise similar are separated between humanities and STEM. On the surface we are both UCLA students, we have school pride, we eat at the same dining halls, we have the same dorms, but what's different is the classes that we take and who we interact with. Vesna's article mentions that efforts to bridge cultures have been ineffective, she uses science studies as an example of this further alienating science and humanities. Similarly, UCLA requires students to take general education courses, so we get to experience both sides of campus, however, students continue to alienate themselves. There are superstitions on either side, such as north campus major classes being all easy A's, or south campus majors are introverted and all they do is study all the time. Even though north and south campus majors are both students at UCLA, we are alienated and divided.
https://luskinconferencecenter.ucla.edu/your-guide-to-visiting-the-ucla-campus/
Another example by Williams is the divide between the scientific community and the general public. I've seen this first hand, especially in current times with Covid-19. Regulations and mask mandates were put in place by the scientific community to protect the general public, however, oftentimes, I've seen clashes between people caused by these regulations. Or how people refuse to take vaccines because they are afraid of adverse side effects. This divide in culture has changed my thinking. I wish to enter the medical field in the future, even if I provide people with the materials to prevent sickness, it is ultimately up to them to either follow or disregard them. If I want to help people I need to bridge the scientific community and the general public by educating them.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/texas-becomes-biggest-u-s-state-to-lift-covid-19-mask-mandate-1.5330765
Similar to Kelly's article, I initially believed that science was superior and elite. Engineers, doctors, researchers, they all seemed like the best of society. However, when people think of a society's culture, they think of books, language, art, which are humanities. This contrast made me that society requires a blend of both if it to be good. Just because I don't see something being immediately beneficial, does not mean it does not have any impact behind the scenes. This made me more appreciative of the work that other people do.
https://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/images/a-rollins-college-student-talks-to-a-nasa-scientist-about-sensor-technology/
References
Graham-Rowe, Duncan. “John Brockman: Matchmaking with Science and Art.” WIRED UK, WIRED UK, 4 Oct. 2017, www.wired.co.uk/article/matchmaking-with-science-and-art.
Kelly, Kevin. “The Third Culture.” Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Feb. 1998, science.sciencemag.org/content/279/5353/992.full.
Snow, Charles Percy. The two cultures and the scientific revolution. Martino Publishing, 2013.
Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a third culture: Being in between." Leonardo 34.2 (2001): 121-125.
Williams, Christopher M. “A Dangerous Divide: The New York Academy of Sciences.” Nyas, 24 July 2009, www.nyas.org/ebriefings/a-dangerous-divide/?tab=overview.
I enjoyed reading your blog Kent. I especially agree with your point that just because something does not seem beneficial , does not mean it does not have any impact behind the scenes. It is similar to the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover".
ReplyDeleteI believe that in society, there are many underappreciated things and as a south capus major at UCLA, I sometimes hear the disrespect that some of my peers put on the north campus majors. A majority of the time, it is something along the line of north campus majors being easy. I believe that this devalues the worth of arts and humanities when in fact they are equally as diffciult and important as the sciences. South campus majors might become engineers, doctors, and etc. North campus majors might become historians, artists, etc. While both leads people to different career paths, each one of these careers are important for society to function.
I appreciate how you realized that the arts are just as important as the sciences and wish to educate others about this realization as well. By having more people such as yourslef realize that the sciences and the arts are equal, a new society can emerge that better understand the importance and utilize the strength of the sciences and the arts to further technological societal advancements.
Hi Kent,
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog post was very well thought out and fluid. It seemed like the progression of your writing was very natural, and you seamlessly tied in examples such as the connection with COVID-19 and some of the disagreements over the policies set in place. I think you really effectively showed your personal connection to the issue of the two cultures, yet tied it to the bigger picture as well in how although something may initially seem like it does not have significant contributions to society, often times there can be less explicit benefits of a certain field that are underappreciated. I similarly used to think in the manner you described, and admittedly still do a bit, ultimately affecting the subjects I choose to study and my future in the workforce. However, it is important to at least be self-aware when in comes to this mindset as you have, as it can lead to unrealistic expectations set for yourself and others