Module 1: Two Cultures

C. P. Snow’s perspective is that social issues such as the wealth gap are caused by the separation between literature and the sciences, even to the point where his lectures were originally titled “The Rich and the Poor”, emphasizing the economic divide over the cultural divide (UC Online).  Similarly, Aldous Huxley also recognized the divide between the literate elite and scientists. He pointed out that both cultures have their own precise language and students of one culture must be well enough versed in the other to enable sufficient communication (Barzun). John Brockman disagreed. He claimed that this communication was unnecessary for progress to be made, being that contemporary science transcends that divide. As an aerospace engineering major, my job strongly leans toward scientific culture. In both my academic work and my internships in industry, I use science daily. Meanwhile, I must focus on literature in my general education classes and my singular engineering ethics class. However, engineering as a subject could greatly benefit from the implementation of literature. As a collaborative discipline, being able to communicate effectively is key for progression.

A diagram of an effective engineering study AI-generated content may be incorrect.

(Bradshaw)

This communication may not be literature in the standard sense. Huxley’s perspective on the difference in language amongst the literate elite and scientists suggests that scientific literature, written in scientific language, would not be recognized as a part of literate culture. But while scientific progression may not require a recognized influence from literature, ethical scientific progression does. My field is largely made up of technology to be used in warfare, and it is part of an engineer’s oath to progress technology in a way that makes the world better (Obligation).

US Army UHM60 medical helicopter

(SOURCE RTX)

A certificate of completion AI-generated content may be incorrect.

(Obligation)

If we cannot understand literature, we cannot understand how our work impacts the world.

 

Sources:

Barzun, J. “Literature and Science. Aldous Huxley. Harper and Row. New York. 1963. Viii + 118 Pp. $3.50.” Science, vol. 143, no. 3601, Jan. 1964, pp. 33–33, doi:10.1126/science.143.3601.33.

Bradshaw, Lauren. “A Few of My Thoughts on Why Writing In Engineering Is Important.” Ideas for Students from All Over the World | CustomWritings.ComTM Blog, 29 Aug. 2023, https://www.customwritings.com/blog/writing-engineering-important.html.

“Obligation.” Order of the Engineer | Upholding Devotion to the Standards and Dignity of the Engineering Profession, 15 Feb. 2021, https://order-of-the-engineer.org/about-the-order/obligation/.

SOURCE RTX. “RTX’s Collins Aerospace to Provide U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopters with Modular, Third Party-Capable Avionics.” United Technologies, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.rtx.com/news/news-center/2025/03/17/rtxs-collins-aerospace-to-provide-u-s-army-black-hawk-helicopters-with-modular.

UC Online. TwoCultures Part1. 30 Mar. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNI7dF3DIAM.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Module 8: NanoTech + Art

Image
  Nanotechnology can be found throughout art in both exciting futuristic applications and in applications that have been used for decades. Certain materials made up of complex chemical compounds use nanotechnology to enhance material properties and increase potential uses of the material. (Zurutuza) A chemical compound that is recognizable to most people is graphite. Commonly used in pencils, graphite was a revolutionary material that provided a less toxic substitute to lead but still provided a smooth writing and erasing experience. Graphene, discovered in 2004, is a specific form of carbon atoms that has unique mechanical properties. It can be thought of as a thinner version of graphite, (Pogue and Wickline) that theoretically has additional artistic properties. Currently, it is mainly used in electronics. (Repsol) Nanotechnology in electronics constantly intertwines with art. Nanotechnology advances the mediums we can use to create art. An example of which is a digital camera, w...
Read more

Module 9: Space + Art

Image
  The rise of the internet and our constant connection with each other prompted questions about the existence of humans in isolation. The Makrolab is a sort of “living laboratory” that was created to host crews, which include artists, performing research in various areas. “Mounted in desolate environments, it looks like a meteorological research center, or even more, like a stranded space station” (Holmes).  (Holmes) The emergence of space travel provided a new mental image to people when they thought of isolation. While a cabin in the woods is often viewed as isolated, it is still much more within reach of the public than another planet altogether.  The Ars Ad Astra project was an exhibition for artists who were interested in outer space themed artworks. They had to make a painting within required size and material specifications so that the artwork could go into space and be exhibited on the Mir space station.  (OURS Foundation) As an aerospace engineer, I wonder h...
Read more

Module 3: Robotics + Art

Image
  At a time when religion dominated so much of society, the invention of the printing press was extremely influential. The ability to produce copies of religious texts, including the Bible and Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, on a mass scale aided the dissemination of what were considered at the time to be radical ideas (Jaiprakash).  (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica) (Taylor) Walter Benjamin wrote of how the mass production of art challenged traditional beliefs, and turned art from ritualistic to political (Benjamin). Both of these phenomenons are seen with the rise of Protestantism, which clashed with the beliefs of the governing Catholic Church. As Protestantism became more popular, society began to reject Catholic rule, altering how people worshipped and conducted their day to day lives.  This shift also affected the artwork produced during the era. “Wealthy merchants and civic leaders replaced the Church as main art buyers,” (Bahr). With art being commiss...
Read more