In the society that we live in, the
population can be more or less split down the middle into two different
cultures. There is a lot of gray area to this statement, but for the most part
the individual tends to lean either toward the arts or the sciences. I
understand that there are millions of people in the world that will identify
with both cultures, but what I am saying is that there are two clear-cut
cultures in our society and the majority of society will classify themselves in
at least one category. The artists tend to have a more abstract and linear way
of thought, whereas the scientists have a very rigid, definite approach in
their line of work.
Snow, in "Two Cultures", explains
that the two cultures have very skewed views of their counterparts. “The
non-scientists have a rooted impression that the scientists are shallowly
optimistic, unaware of man’s condition. On the other hand, the scientists believe
that the literary intellectuals are totally lacking in foresight, peculiarly
unconcerned with their brother men…” (5, Two Cultures and Scientific
Revolution)
At UCLA,
there is a perfect example of the subtle differences between the two cultures
right on campus. The disconnect between south campus and north campus at UCLA
is noticeable. South campus is home to the science majors, and north campus is
home to the artistic and abstract majors. The south campus is lined with a lot
of right angle architecture, making it seem very rigid similar to the majors
that study there. The North campus has a number of abstract pieces of art,
including quite a few sculptures on its grounds.
As a 3rd
year at UCLA I have taken at least one class from both points of view, and from
my experience there is a noticeable difference between the two. The south
campus classes tend to study concepts and questions that will have a
well-defined answer. The north campus class will be more open to personal
opinion and creativity.
"The Implicate Order." YouTube. YouTube, 07 July 2008. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.
Bohm, D. JSTOR. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.
"Academy EBriefings." A Dangerous Divide. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.
"The Third Culture." The Third Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.
"University of California, Los Angeles." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2013. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.
I believe that there are two clear cut cultures in todays society and that he used his own life experience in his educational career at ucla on both north and south campus.
ReplyDeleteHey Shane,
ReplyDeleteI was a bit confused when you said artists have a "more abstract and linear way of thought". I think you meant to say non-linear?
Also, next time, please watch the formatting. I'd have the sources be single-spaced with an extra space between each source.
Rita