Unit 1: Two Cultures

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TWO CULTURES

According to the findings of C.P. Snow, it is clearly evident that society, today, encompasses two overwhelmingly popular cultures: those of literary intellectuals and those of natural scientists. To put it into more elementary understandings, literary intellectuals accept the idea that an individual utilizes and implements creativity, and imagination in the midst of their free-flowing ideas. On the other hand, natural scientists include those individuals that crave to discover the more direct, or clear solutions to problems and situations — there are less open-ended ideas/options; instead, there is more black and white material.

For a long while of my life, I viewed my living as a water polo player as both free flowing (literary intellectual) accompanied with scientific or direct explanations (natural science). It wasn’t until I discovered the opinions and findings of Snow, that I began to fully understand the two dramatically different “worlds” that existed amongst society — and how I so easily intertwined these cultures. 

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In my innocent and naive mind, it never occurred to me that various other individuals viewed the world with a completely different lense than I wore. I understood both cultures — without even realizing there was this ‘great’ distinction in the world, according to Snow. With one filter on my eyes, I saw water polo as an artistic outing. I could be creative, expressive and passionate, without limits. This is where I could let my mind free, and let my sorrows drown. Concurrently, water polo required a more tactical approach in order to be successful. Simply put, the laws of physics would not allow me to perform certain moves or techniques. So, the only way to jump this hurdle, would be to solve the equation, and fulfill the laws of science. For instance, timing and measurements. If I am able to get up to a certain speed before I reach the end of the 25 meter pool, then the opponents will not be able to tackle me…physics simply allows for these situations. 

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However, even being a college student-athlete, I remained oblivious to the apparent two cultures existing in our society. Most individuals are either exposed to the more literary intellectual culture, while other people witness the more naturally scientific areas of life. Few, however, are able to experience both cultures in one specific area of their life. This is what I was lucky enough to grow up with. So, in contrast to most, I was able to develop a more mature lense of the world with a perspective that accepted both cultures. After the discussion Snow provided, I was encouraged to further understand why certain people choose to believe one culture rather than the other. Instead of altering my view on society or just trying to become accustomed to the differing culture, Snow has left my curiosity navigating both cultural paths in order to deepen my knowledge on the two main belief systems throughout humankind. 

References 

A crack in the floor Turbine Hall, Tate Modern in London | Art | Tate modern art, Turbine hall, Modern art. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216032113349355953/

My Views Stock Illustrations – 224 My Views Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/my-views.html

Water Polo Ball Wall Mural • Pixers® • We live to change. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://pixers.us/wall-murals/water-polo-ball-81426039