Unit 1: Two Cultures

In "The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution", C.P. Snow describes the idea of how intellectuals are split into two very different camps: the humanities and the sciences. Although Snow presented his ideas over 50 years ago, we can still see the divide created between these two cultures.
Looking at our campus here at UCLA, the existence of a North and South campus serves as a prominent example of two cultures. Both schools of thought mentally isolated from one another -- they are physically separated based on the geographical locations of their buildings. The difference between North and South Campus has evolved to the stage where both sides have jokes about the other and even their own shirts.

UCLA Main Campus Map

Today, the setting is much different compared to the 1950s and 60s. Although examples for the two cultures exist, we are gradually moving towards a compromise between the two as the world becomes more intermingled. As mentioned by Victoria Vesna in "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between", technology has enabled artists to build a bridge between them and their scientist counterparts. These influences can be seen movements such as STEM to STEAM, where supporters (including the Rhode Island School of Design) call for the association of art and design with science, technology, math and engineering. 

STEM-TO-STEAM Movement Led By RISD’s John Maeda

As an engineering student, I would fall in the scientific category of the two cultures. My sister, who studies art, would on the other hand fall into the artist category. Do our different thought perspectives reflect our respective "cultures"? Sure. Does it create a divide between us or act as reason for us to be able unable to understand each other? I wouldn't say so.

Engineering IV Building

Citations

Engineering IV Building. Digital image. UCLA Energy & Propulsion Research Laboratory :: Facilities. UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering & Applied Science, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. <http://seas.ucla.edu/combustion/facilities/index.html>.

Map of the UCLA Main Campus. Digital image. UCLA - Earth Planetary and Space Sciences. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. <http://epss.ucla.edu/directions/map/>.

McCormick, Tim. STEM-TO-STEAM Movement Led By RISD’s John Maeda. Digital image. Tim McCormick. N.p., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. <http://tjm.org/2012/12/20/public-library-of-humanities-envisioning-a-new-open-access-platform/stem-to-steam/>.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

"STEM to STEAM." STEM to STEAM. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2015. <http://stemtosteam.org/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between." Leonardo 34 (2001): 121-25. Print.