Greetings! My name is Jeffrey, and I'm a third-year electrical engineering undergraduate here at UCLA.
I feel that my life experiences, like many of my fellow classmates, have been heavily influenced by both sides of the two cultures dichotomy. These experiences have shaped my approach to studying engineering as one not only influenced by the hard sciences, but also by an appreciation for art and how it can be integrated into science and engineering.
One of the most compelling points to me in this week's readings was the rise of the third culture, in which artists and scientists have actively influenced each other's work. Stephen Wilson claims in his article that this influence is not symmetrical; that "while there are notable exceptions of artists influencing technological research, there is much more influence going the other way." (Wilson 4) This view is further supported by Victoria Vesna, who discusses the scientific community's skepticism about changes to their methodologies as proposed by the literary community. For instance, in discussing the humanities' formation of a field known as science studies, "some theoreticians commenting on the scientific process have infuriated some scientists..." (Vesna 123)
I would argue that this phenomenon is due to the need for scientific knowledge to "mature" and become well understood before artistic elements become introduced to it. Consider the personal computer.
The first computers were created purely for scientific research and had little in the way of artistic expression. However, with the rise of Silicon Valley and the computing era, companies such as Apple Computers began transforming the landscape, turning the perception of computers from being a chunk of metal into being iconic devices with cultural and artistic influence.
The personal computer is but one of many examples of technology originating in purely scientific circles and slowly maturing until its adoption by the mainstream as something with significant cultural potential. As technology becomes synonymous with art, its adoption by the mainstream increases. This can lead to increases in global technological literacy, and potentially addresses the wealth gap brought up by C.P. Snow in his lecture.
Through these readings, I realized the value of integrating art into science and technology as part of what I view as the "third culture", and it is a belief that I fully intend to live by as I continue my engineering career. I look forward to a great quarter of learning about these fascinating ideas!
Sources
Apple Computer Design Evolution. Digital image. Timetoast. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017.
Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Feb. 1998. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
Old-Fashioned Computer. Digital image. CNN. CNN, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017.
Printed Circuit Board. Digital image. Qmax Systems. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017
Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.
Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between." Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121-125., www.jstor.org/stable/1577014
Vesna, Victoria. "TwoCultures Pt1." YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 30 Mar. 2012. Web. 07 Apr. 2017.
Wilson, Stephen D. "Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology." College Art Association Meetings. New York, New York, 2000. Print.
I feel that my life experiences, like many of my fellow classmates, have been heavily influenced by both sides of the two cultures dichotomy. These experiences have shaped my approach to studying engineering as one not only influenced by the hard sciences, but also by an appreciation for art and how it can be integrated into science and engineering.
 |
| A printed circuit board (PCB), commonly found in consumer electronics. Engineers often call upon the expertise of creative professionals to assist in the actual layout and routing of these complex boards. (Image courtesy of qmaxsys.com) |
I would argue that this phenomenon is due to the need for scientific knowledge to "mature" and become well understood before artistic elements become introduced to it. Consider the personal computer.
 |
| The earliest computers were extremely large machines taking up the size of entire rooms. (Image courtesy of cnn.com) |
The first computers were created purely for scientific research and had little in the way of artistic expression. However, with the rise of Silicon Valley and the computing era, companies such as Apple Computers began transforming the landscape, turning the perception of computers from being a chunk of metal into being iconic devices with cultural and artistic influence.
 |
| The evolution of the Apple PC over the years. In later years, one can see the heavy emphasis that industrial design plays in the final product. (Image courtesy of timetoast.com) |
The personal computer is but one of many examples of technology originating in purely scientific circles and slowly maturing until its adoption by the mainstream as something with significant cultural potential. As technology becomes synonymous with art, its adoption by the mainstream increases. This can lead to increases in global technological literacy, and potentially addresses the wealth gap brought up by C.P. Snow in his lecture.
Through these readings, I realized the value of integrating art into science and technology as part of what I view as the "third culture", and it is a belief that I fully intend to live by as I continue my engineering career. I look forward to a great quarter of learning about these fascinating ideas!
Sources
Apple Computer Design Evolution. Digital image. Timetoast. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017.
Kelly, Kevin. "The Third Culture." Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Feb. 1998. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.
Old-Fashioned Computer. Digital image. CNN. CNN, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017.
Printed Circuit Board. Digital image. Qmax Systems. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017
Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.
Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between." Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121-125., www.jstor.org/stable/1577014
Vesna, Victoria. "TwoCultures Pt1." YouTube. Uconlineprogram, 30 Mar. 2012. Web. 07 Apr. 2017.
Wilson, Stephen D. "Myths and Confusions in Thinking about Art/Science/Technology." College Art Association Meetings. New York, New York, 2000. Print.
I can't agree with you more regarding the fascination of art and technology becoming more and more integrated in our generation. As far as the consumer sector goes, the products we see are coming into an age where pure functionality isn't enough. Much as you stated with Apple's initiatives to focus on the design of their products, we see this being very prevalent in other companies that are in the consumer electronics, automotive, and now even in industrial equipment markets.
ReplyDeleteYou make a fair point when mentioning that art tends to serve a bigger influence in technological research/development, but not quite the other way around. I too have been curious of this phenomena, and wonder why it couldn't be of equal influence in both way. Maybe it is due to the literary/artistic intellectual community's inclination to hold onto "traditional" methods, to keep the old culture alive. However, I think we might be on the generational cusp where we'll see the rise of an increasing presence of modern artists, who decide to take full advantage of the technology that is available to them.