My name is Jeff Asher and I am a 4th year aerospace
engineer. My first introduction to C.P. Snow’s article, The Two Cultures, came from my engineering ethics course which
elaborated on the interactions between engineering and society. Snow’s words
that between the two cultures of the literary and scientific lies “a gulf of
mutual incomprehension” promote a concept that is still highly relevant today.
I find myself firmly implanted in the realm of the scientific community. I currently
hold a leadership role in designing and developing UCLA’s first satellite.
Figure 1: After 50 years, Snow's concept of the two
cultures still applies. [http://www.princeton.edu/pei/twocultures/]
The separation of the intellectual and scientific cultures is
made very apparent at UCLA by campus layout and curriculum. UCLA’s north and
south campuses serve as the hubs of these divided cultures. Although there are merits
to this layout, it is ultimately exacerbating the development of two separate
cultures. In addition, the curriculum at UCLA focuses on generating students
with a more specified education, especially engineers. Engineers at UCLA are
required to take only 5 general education courses, half as many as students in
the college of letters and sciences. Although this reduction in general
education allows for more classes devoted to core curriculum, I feel that my
base of knowledge has been restricted. Training engineers with less than four
classes in the arts and humanities does not adequately prepare engineers of the
future to interact with the intellectual community.
Figure 2: A line in the sand [https://www.google.com/maps/place/University+of+California,+Los+Angeles]
I would like to think that the separation imposed upon the
intellectual and scientific communities over the past several decades is mainly
self-imposed. I determine the problem mainly as that of inaccurate definition. Through
my work at ELFIN, I find the creation of this satellite as art. The way the
circuit boards fit into place and the mass of wires threaded throughout all
seem to strike a harmony in order to achieve mission success. That is something
more exquisite than science. This totality and harmony speaks to Bohm’s
definition of creativity and the motivation behind scientific works quite
accurately.
Figure 3: ELFIN CubeSat renderring demonstrates an
artistic beauty through scientific construction. [www.elfin.igpp.ucla.edu]
References
Bohm, D., 1968. On Creativity. Leonardo, Vol. 1, No. 2., pages 137-149.
ELFIN Solidworks model render. [www.elfin.igpp.ucla.edu].
Snow, C.P., 1959. The
Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. Cambridge University Press, New
York, 1961.
The Two Cultures in Environmental Studies. Princeton
Environmental Institute. [http://www.princeton.edu/pei/twocultures/]
UCLA Campus Map. [www.google.com/maps/place/university+of+California+los+angeles].
Hi Jeff! I am a Computer Science and Engineering major, and I agree with you that engineering endeavors are beautiful and often require creativity. I think that the separation between the artistic and scientific communities is driven by the growing tech industry. They want to hire college graduates, and colleges are tailoring their engineering programs to pump out future employees. Employers do not think that it is necessary for engineers to study the human condition. Their ideal engineer has a very strong technical background and good communication skills.
ReplyDeleteI like your insight on the beauty and harmony of the circuitry and wiring of your satellite, but I would also argue that science is exquisite as well. There is something defiantly beautiful about the discovery of new knowledge of the universe, and even when you learn something about science that's new to you it can be an inspiring experience. I feel that brings up another interesting split in our society which is between engineers, mathematicians, and scientists (often clumped together) in which we often don't see each other's point of view or interest in a subject. I think in reality there are much more than two cultures that are often uncertain of what the others are doing, yet all are working in the interest of creating something meaningful.
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