Week 1 -- Two Cultures

My two cultures

fdfdffThe Lebanese Civil War of 1975 took the lives of 131,104 people and drove my parents out of their homeland (Lebanese). It introduced them to the safety and opportunity of the United States. Here, they began a family, with the expectation that their rich Lebanese culture would still be a pivotal aspect of the lives of their five children. However, being raised in the United States, I have always felt the pull between both cultures – where do I belong? Which culture represents myself and my values? Do I need to choose?

Schools breeding conformity

This idea of contrasting cultures also translates into my college experience. UCLA is geographically split on the lines of humanities and sciences – North campus and South campus. As explained in Changing Education Paradigms, our outdated education system fosters this division through the separation and batching of curriculum and students. It merely breeds standardization and conformity (RSA). I feel this idea in the colloquial language used at UCLA when I say, “I’m a South campus major.” This blanket statement completely discredits the other interests that I have in the arts.

The future

 CP Snow, in his work, “The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution” believes this separation of cultures prevents us from reaching our full capability for creativity (Snow), and I believe he speaks the truth. The ability to fuse these two cultures has bred the most advanced thinking. For example, 3-D printing, the integration of art and science, is now considered by the Huffington Post to “enable a new kind of future” used for life-saving purposes (Mellgard).

This Third Culture has had differing perspectives. John Brockman expanded on the idea of the Third Culture, believing it to be a relationship between contemporary scientists and the public (John).  This leads me to question where society is now and whether we have truly reached an inclusive Third Culture. However, I feel like I can make gestures in my life, such as taking this course, to bridge the two cultures together in my life, and hopefully inspire those around me to do the same.

References:

"John Brockman: Matchmaking with Science and Art (Wired UK)." Wired UK. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.

"Lebanese Civil War - the Polynational War Memorial." Lebanese Civil War - the Polynational War Memorial. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.

Mellgard, Peter. "Medical 3-D Printing Will 'Enable a New Kind of Future'" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York:        hhhhhCambridge UP, 1961. Print.

"RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms." YouTube. YouTube, 2010. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.