Event 3: UCLA Meteorite Gallery

For my third and final event, I decided to attend UCLA's Meteorite Gallery on campus with a few of my friends. The UCLA Meteorite Gallery is located in the UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences building, which was helpful for me to see because I have never been there before, and I plan to take a class in that building next fall. Observing the various types of meteorites made me realize that art and science do connect in every aspect of the scientific field, including geology. 

The first meteorite that caught my attention was called the "Old Woman Iron Meteorite," and it is the second largest meteorite from the USA Mass when initially found weighing 2753 kg, which is more than 3 US tons! This meteorite was discovered in 1976 by three prospectors in the Old Woman Mountains, hence how it obtained its name. Additionally, I learned about the distinction of asteroids and meteorites. Asteroids are rocky bodies in orbits between those of Mars and Jupiter, and they range from less than 10 kilometers to more than 1000 kilometers in size. Meteorites are fragments of asteroids that made their way through space to Earth. 

Overall, it amazed me to see how beautiful and unique each and every one of these asteroids meteorites are. I never realized all the components of and small details that are in these artifacts until attending this gallery, and it is astonishing to see that the world and outer space can create such artistic masterpieces so naturally. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend attending the UCLA Meteorite Gallery to observe a "not-so-typical" art gallery and truly take a moment to really appreciate mother nature and its remarkable creations.

Space + Art Week 9

This week's topic was particularly interesting to me because it combines nearly all of the class topics we have learned thus far.  Like Professor Vesna says in this week's introduction lecture, "Space is a place where all of the previous lessons come together." Throughout this lecture, I especially enjoyed learning about the history of the solar system and Copernicus, as well as the creation of several different bombs, Sputnik, and the telescope.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/galex/pia15417.html

While I enjoyed deepening my knowledge on this history of space, what particularly stood out to me this week was all of the artists and organizations that have created projects by using the correlation of art, space, and technology. "The Mars Patent" founded by Helene Von Oldenburg and Claudia Reiche is an interplanterian project that allows users to create art and theories that challenge Earth-culture. The MES (Mars Exhibition Site) offers a free experimental area and invites people to share their ideas, objects, or art that does not necessarily "fit" on earth but leans more toward the MES. This was all made possible by the development of a device called the HRM_10.n, also known as the "High Reality Machine." The HRM_1.0n transforms the vision of a viable martian place to reality through global sharing.

Screenshot taken from a project posted to THE MARS PATENT: Live Report

Another way we see a relationship between space and art is through movies and T.V. shows. From the 1950s on, the amount of space exploration fantasy and fiction increased tremendously. There is so much about space that is undiscovered, and because of this, it has given the film industry endless opportunities to take advantage of the unknown; and use their creative and imaginative abilities to fill in the blanks. Some of the most famous movies that come to mind when I think of space and sci-fi are E.T., Star Wars, and Star Trek. All three of these movies used creativity and imagination through the use of special visual effects to produce films that allowed the audience to experience the depths and mysteries of outer space.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/

Sources:

MARS PATENT: Live Report, www.mars-patent.org/report/report.htm.

MARS PATENT: MES, www.mars-patent.org/mes/mes.htm.

Online, UC. “Space Intro.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Mar. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzN08A6UBoo.

Online, UC. “8 Space pt2 1280x720.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 July 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLZMDpoP-u0.

Online, UC. “Space pt6.” YouTube, YouTube, 30 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYmOtFjIj0M.

“Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 25 May 1977, www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/.

Nanotechnology + Art Week 8 Blog

In this week's lecture, we explore and learn about nanotechnology and how important it truly is. Dr. James Gimzewski, former IBM Researcher and current UCLA professor for over 35 years, educated us that nearly every aspect of science and technology is influenced or affected by nanotechnology.

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/11621-nanotechnology-being-proactive

So, what exactly is nanotechnology? Well, the word nano is the Greek word for Dwarf, but looking at it from a scientific standpoint, it refers to a billionth of a meter. The nanometer is smaller than the wavelength of visible light and a hundredth thousandth of the width of a human hair, and the nanoscale generally refers to the size scale of 1-100 nm. (1 nanometer (nm) = 10^-9 m) Nanotechnology is a field of research that involves building materials and products through the scale of atoms and molecules and has become especially beneficial to scientists from all different types of expertise.

http://www.trynano.org/pdf/whatisanano.pdf

After watching the lectures and doing the readings, I gained a better understanding of the principals and concepts of nanotechnology, but I still struggled to find its connection with art. This was up until I discovered Cris Orfescu, a degreed scientist, self-taught artist, and the creator of NanoArt. Orfescu has spent over 40 years experimenting with different mechanics and various art forms to develop this transition from science to art through technology. The way he makes the production of this colorful, abstract art possible is by the manipulation of chemicals and the creation of nano-sculptures. He then captures these monochromatic scans he designed into a computer and furthermore manipulates them with scientific imaging and abstract coloring. Lastly, to make these pieces visual to the public eye, he enlarges the final product onto canvas or certain types of fine art paper.

http://www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/Cris-Orfescu.htm 

Additionally, Cris Orfescu has created an organization called NanoArt 21, with the hope to promote the technological movement of NanoArt throughout the world continuously. His goal is to raise the public awareness of Nanotechnology, and the impact it has on our everyday lives. I believe his goal is hugely achievable, mainly because this is a relatively new scientific advancement that has come upon technology, and has a substantial amount of potential to grow steadily.

 Sources:

Online, UC. “Nanotech Jim pt1.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE.

Cris Orfescu, crisorfescu.com/.

 “NanoArt - Atomic / Molecular Sculptures and Landscapes.” Interalia Magazine, 27 Aug. 2015, www.interaliamag.org/articles/cris-orfescu-nanoart-atomic-molecular-sculptures-and-landscapes/.

The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm.

Online, UC. “Nanotech Jim pt4.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHCuZetAIhk.

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Neuroscience + Art Week 7 Blog

Starting this lecture, I was quite confused on this week's topic and was struggling to figure out what I was going to write my blog post about. It wasn't until I watched Victoria Vesna's Neuroscience-pt2.mov where I found a greater understanding on this week's topic. Fortunately for me, I have done an abundance amount of recent research on the state of consciousness and unconsciousness in the brain, due to the fact that my recent midterm project was based on the study of dreams that occur in our minds.

http://time.com/4921605/dreams-meaning/

Have you ever wondered, "Why did I dream about that last night?" Well, Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist and founder of the psychoanalysis approach to psychology might have an answer for that. He developed an interesting theory that divided the mind into three parts: the preconscious mind, the conscious mind, and the unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is all the processes of the brain, which are not available to consciousness. In his book The Interpretations of Dreams, Freud explains that the unconscious mind is an accumulation of thoughts, urges, feelings, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness, and a majority of these unconscious contexts are socially unacceptable or represent displeasing feelings. He believed that these thoughts and feelings of the unconscious part of the mind are expressed through human dreams. This is where the art of psychoanalysis therapy comes in; the investigation of the unconscious thoughts and the attempt to bring them into the conscious mind, ultimately to help the individual understand their own feelings better.

https://www.amazon.com/Interpretation-Dreams-Complete-Definitive-Text/dp/0465019773

Another type of dreaming is called lucid dreaming, where we are fully conscious that we having a dream. In order to have a lucid dream, the person must be aware that they are experiencing a dream while they are dreaming. Like 95% of all dreams, lucid dreaming occurs in the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) state, which is the state of the deepest sleep. There are several different types of reactions to lucid dreaming, some people can recognize that they are in a dream and wake up right away, or some others actually have the ability to influence their actions and manipulate parts of their dreams. Essentially, I believe lucid dreaming is a type of creativity ability that certain people possess.

https://therooster.com/blog/lucid-dreamer-reveals-benefits-and-risks-controlling-your-dreams

Sources:

Cherry, Kendra. “How Psychoanalysis Influenced the Field of Psychology.” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, 30 Mar. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychoanalysis-2795246.

Online, UC. “Neuroscience-pt2.Mov.” YouTube, YouTube, 17 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFv4owX3MZo.

Cherry, Kendra. “What Are Freud's 3 Levels of Mind?” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, 11 Mar. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/the-conscious-and-unconscious-mind-2795946.

Cohut, Maria. “Lucid Dreams: What They Are, and How to Experience Them.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 14 Sept. 2018, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323077.php.

Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretations of Dreams. China Social Sciences Pub. House, 1999.

Event Two: Sound + Science 2.0 Symposium

For my second event, I attended the Sound + Science 2.0 Symposium. This symposium was held at the California NanoSystems Institute on campus here at UCLA. First, I got to see a DIY experimental electroacoustic instrument performance/sculpture by Dillion Bastan, and then I attended Carol Parkinson's talk shortly after. It was a really fascinating event for me, because I had never experienced an exhibit like this before.

Prior to the event, I did some research on Dillion Bastan and some of his previous work. I noticed a common theme, and it was really interesting to see his approach on art; his work does not fit under the category of paintings or drawings, but he uses the collaboration of sound and technology to create unique performances. This particular display was extremely captivating because of how interactive it was. Bastan had a projection up on a screen and a small platform to stand on, and each time you stepped on a different part of the platform, the images on the screen would change and this movement would link with various different sounds.

As for Carol Parkinson's presentation, I became educated on the New York Electric Art Festival. It was so interesting to learn about an event that specializes in showcasing interdisciplinary work and technological virtuosity. This event has been going on for over ten years, emphasizing a focus on how technology is correlating with art in several different disciplines. One particular exhibit that she spoke about was the Marco Donnarumma and Heidi Boisvert; a multi-disciplinary, interactive dance performance. Music is generated from dancers' muscles and blood flow via biophysical sensors that CAPTURE sound waves and TRIGGER complex neural patterns projected onto multiple screens as 3D imagery. 

Overall, this event was very enlightening to me from experiencing Bastan's exhibit, to learning about the New York Electric Art Festival and it's variety of different displays. In the future, I hope to experience another one of Dillion Bastan's creations, and one day, eventually attend the New York Electric Art Festival. 

Biotech + Art Week 6 Blog

Before starting this week's lecture, I had very to little knowledge of biotechnology and what it entailed. Being the extreme animal lover I am, I immediately took an interest to discover how animals were used in this field of science. As I began researching and learning about how animals were used in medical experiments, art, and technology; I was informed on several benefits that can come from animal biotechnology, but several negatives that come along as well. Animal testing is a very controversial topic in today's society, and it was interesting to learn more about the pros and cons, and ultimately shaped my opinion on this matter.

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/large-animal-biotechnology/index.aspx

I started by watching the very informative video Animal Biotechnology, and learned about some benefits of biotechnology within animals. For instance, artificial insemination is used to improve the genetics of farm animals. One of the main benefits of artificial insemination is that the use of one semen collection can be dispersed and spread into several females instead of just one, so it creates a greater efficiency.

https://www.afimilk.com/afiblog/cow-insemination-how-does-it-work

Where I feel that Biotechnology with animals gets very controversial is when animals are used in experimental lab testing. For example, several cosmetic companies use animals in toxicity testing to assess whether their products and ingredients are safe to sell to consumers. These animals, such as rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc., go through all sorts of tests like having chemicals put down their throats, placed into their eyes, or directly onto their skin at extremely high doses to see if the product causes any irritation or negative reactions. Unfortunately, in these labs, there is no pain relief of any sort if an animal reacts badly to the chemicals administered. Lastly, the International Humane Society reports that approximately 100,000-200,000 animals suffer or die from the testing of these cosmetics every year.

https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/cosmetic-household-products-animal-testing/

Another experiment I question is Eduardo Kac's "genetic art" biotechnology bunny Alba. Kac genetically engineered a new species by injected green fluorescent protein from the Aequorea Victoria jellyfish into an albino rabbit's fertilized egg, and once the bunny was born, it would glow a green color when it was in a certain light.

http://scribol.com/science/biology/what-became-of-the-glowing-green-bunny/

Although Kac said there was no harm to the bunny in this experiment, was it really worth the risk of killing another innocent animal in lab testing as a creation of art? I believe Biotechnology with animals can be beneficial if used in the right way, but if there is danger in harming these animals I believe it is cruel and unethical.

Sources:

“Cosmetics Testing on Animals.” National Anti-Vivisection Society, www.navs.org/the-issues/animals-used-in-cosmetics-testing/#.XNTKy-tKjOQ.

“About Cosmetics Animal Testing.” Humane Society International, 3 May 2019, www.hsi.org/news-media/about_cosmetics_animal_testing/.

Online, UC. “5 Bioart pt1 1280x720.” YouTube, YouTube, 18 Sept. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg.

(UCTV), University of California Television. “Animal Biotechnology.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 July 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCIvAuwaf-o.


GFP BUNNY, www.ekac.org/gfpbunny.html#gfpbunnyanchor.

TAYLOR_JOHNSON_DESMA9_MIDTERM

file:///Users/taylorjohnson/Downloads/TAYLOR_JOHNSON_DESMA9_MIDTERM.pdf

MedTech + Art Week 4 Blog

In this week's lecture, Victoria Vesna strengthened my knowledge on the rapid modernization of technology; and how it has allowed us to depict the anatomy of the human body, in a non-invasive way.  As an athlete, MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays have been crucial in diagnosing my several injuries over the years. One specific time I remember was when I was playing tennis and fell on my ankle. I immediately went to the doctor to see what had happened, but they ran no imaging tests and said my ankle was excellent and in perfect condition. It wasn't until three months later when I still had excruciating pain that they decided to run an X-ray test. In result, the image illustrated that I had not one, but three fractures throughout my ankle.

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/ankle-fractures-broken-ankle/

Without the development of noninvasive imaging programs, there would have been no way to diagnose my severely injured ankle without actually cutting it open. I believe that advancements in medical technology has also created a massive promotion in art. For example, Casini mentions in his medical paper that MRI and imaging scans can be considered almost like a "portrait of an individual." This proves that medicine and art go hand-in-hand while presenting results from imaging scans.

https://dissolve.com/stock-photo/Doctor-using-ray-machine-examine-patient-royalty-free-image/101-D23-21-054

However, I believe there can be a fine line between the correlation of art and medicine. Living in the heart of Los Angeles, plastic surgery is a common thing you see amongst the population. As I learned in Lecture Part 3, Orlan was an artist who endured nine different surgeries to attempt to embody the vision of "beauty" created by renowned painters throughout history. Another example of this is Michael Jackson. He underwent an abundance amount of surgeries in an attempt to make himself "look better." Even though these are examples of art in medicine, I believe that these operations go past the point of art and limit an individual's natural beauty and uniqueness. 

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4816435/ns/health-cosmetic_surgery/t/artists-plastic-surgeries-defy-beauty-standards/

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/celebrity-plastic-surgery-disasters/5/

                                                                          Sources:

Online, UC. “Medicine pt2.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ.

Online, UC. “Medicine pt3.” YouTube, YouTube, 22 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=450&v=FIX-9mXd3Y4.

MutleeIsTheAntiGod. “Orlan - Carnal Art (2001) Documentary.” YouTube, YouTube, 13 Mar. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_66MGu0Oo.

Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations Between Science and Arts.” (n.d.): n. pag. Web. 28 Apr. 2019.

“Ankle Fractures (Broken Ankle) - OrthoInfo - AAOS.” OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/ankle-fractures-broken-ankle/.

Event One: California Science Center

Today, I visited the California Science Center. It was an exciting experience for me because I have never been to a science museum before. The exhibits that I saw helped me understand the topics and ideas we have been learning in class thus far. One display that stood out to me was the Simulator Ride. The simulator ride creates virtual reality and generates test conditions approximating actual or operational requirements. This particular simulation ride took you on a high-intensity, fast-paced, vivid adventure throughout the solar system. It relates closest to what we learned in week one and shows a secure connection between science and art.

As I boarded the "spaceship," I honestly had no idea what to expect. Shortly after I fastened my seatbelt, detailed graphics of the solar system came up on the screen joined with loud sounds and swift motions to replicate a real-life space takeoff would be like. The simulator fools your brain by enclosing you in the capsule, so you can only receive images and sounds that support the illusion. A simulator is a complex machine that is made up of several different parts that work in unison, all controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Not only did the simulation give me a life-like spacecraft takeoff experience, but it made me realize how much art, science, and technology had to collaborate to produce this "virtual reality." In fact, NASA uses these simulators to prepare astronauts to live and work in outer space, and also to teach pilots to fly new aircrafts.

I think that this exhibit and experience was very beneficial in furthering my knowledge of the connection between arts, science, and technology. Seeing topics that we learned about in week one's lecture in real life gave me an even better understanding of the impact that art places in science and vice versa. So if you get a chance, I highly recommend visiting the California Science Museum!

Robotics + Art Week 3 Blog

https://science.howstuffworks.com/10-evil-robots1.htm

In this week’s lecture, Victoria Vesna points out several ways that art has influenced industrialization and the creation of robots. As I learned in the Robotics pt 2 lecture, the first time a “robot” was mentioned was in “Rossum’s Universal Robots” (R.U.R) by Karel Capek, a theatrical play created in 1921. Capek invented the term “robot” which came from the word “robota” which means “work” in the Czech language. If not for his inventiveness, scientists may have never invested their efforts in the development of cyborgs as they do today. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU0kC1nHPd/

Since the creation of the word “robot” in 1921, the progression of these machines and artificial intelligence has advanced tremendously quick. A prime example of the influence of art in robotics is the creation of “Lil Miquela,” an artificial person who was generated with digital renderings to make her composition look exactly like a real woman. Lil Miquela became an Instagram “influencer” sensation nearly overnight, reaching 1.5 million followers and signing advertising campaigns with substantial brand names like Ugg boots and Prada. Not only was she artistically created, but she also possesses a lot of artistic abilities of her own. Miquela has released several hit singles that have reached over one million views on Spotify and AppleMusic. 






As for how mechanical reproduction affects art, Walter Benjamin, a literary critic, and philosopher has an interesting outlook on the subject. In his essay, "The Work of Art in Age of Mechanical Reproduction," Benjamin claims that there has been a loss of an "aura" in film and photography due to the mechanical reproduction of art itself. He believes that original art has lost its "aura" because a majority of the world's population experiences it through mass-production copies. To a certain extent, I agree with his claim. Originality is something you cannot compete with. On the other hand, I firmly believe that mass-production copies are beneficial in spreading art and film to people globally, especially in today's society. 

https://www.crcpress.com/Walter-Benjamins-The-Work-Of-Art-in-the-Age-of-Mechanical-Reproduction/Dini/p/book/9781912284757

Sources:

Online, UC. “Robotics pt2.” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=255&v=oAZ8bo9T_Pk.

Koh, Yoree, and Georgia Wells. “The Making of a Computer-Generated Influencer.” The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Company, 13 Dec. 2018, www.wsj.com/articles/the-making-of-a-computer-generated-influencer-11544702401.

Kiger, Patrick J. “10 Evil Robots Bent on Destroying Humanity.” HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 8 Mar. 2018, science.howstuffworks.com/10-evil-robots1.htm.

“Walter Benjamin's The Work Of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” CRC Press, www.crcpress.com/Walter-Benjamins-The-Work-Of-Art-in-the-Age-of-Mechanical-Reproduction/Dini/p/book/9781912284757.

Online, UC. “Robotics pt1.” YouTube, YouTube, 15 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=775&v=cRw9_v6w0ew.

“The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” (1936) Benjamin, Walter file:///Users/taylorjohnson/Downloads/BenjRepro%20(1).pdf

Math + Art Week 2 Blog

I have been fortunate enough to watch someone learn the principles of art and math first hand, which has given me insight about how math goes into the production of art. My sister graduated from The ArtCenter College of Design with distinction and honors; while achieving her master's degree in graphic and environmental design. Prior to talking to her about graphic and environmental design I simply thought that math had no involvement in the creation of graphic and four-dimension projects. Even though seeing her spend countless hours attempting to find the calculations to create her artistic vision and designing beyond the third dimension was extremely interesting to me, I still did not have a deep understanding on what the true meaning of the "fourth dimension" was.

Here is an example of an idea board she created filled with equations, thoughts, and connections:

 The article that particularly stood out to me in this week's readings was The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion by Linda Henderson. This article provided a vast amount of detail and history of how the "fourth dimension" evolved, which strengthened my understanding of the importance of not only of my sister's countless hours of calculations and pushing past the one-point perspective system, but every other artist who is seeking to reach fourth dimension art as well. Henderson states,"The belief in a fourth dimension encouraged artists to depart from visual reality and to reject completely the one-point perspective system that for centuries had portrayed the world as three-dimensional."

https://nathanselikoff.com/works/four-dimensions

After looking through several different pieces of art, the specific piece that caught my eye was Four Dimensions created by Marc Pinsky and composed by Keith Lay. Conceptually, this piece creates a journey through mathematical dimensions while incorporating music and visuals. I chose this piece because my sister has created several similar projects, and I have seen the work that goes into the production of it all. The creator, Marc Pinsky said,"We conceptualized the piece together as an imaginary exploration of the mathematical dimensions." This piece is a prime example of how mathematics goes into the production of beautiful art visuals.

https://www.goldennumber.net/art-composition-design/

The material that gave me the most insight on the juxtaposition of mathematics, science, and arts was found in Victoria Vesna's lecture video: Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean. Before viewing this lecture, I had never heard of the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio is a mathematical formula that creates a sense aesthetically pleasing divisions and proportions in artwork.
In the picture above, Leonardo Da Vinci uses the Golden Ratio to achieve balance and proportion in The Last Supper. If he hadn't of used the mathematical formula of the Golden Ratio, the piece would have turned out imbalanced and un-proportional.


Sources:
“Four Dimensions - Real-Time Audio-Visual Performance.” Nathan Selikoff, nathanselikoff.com/works/four-dimensions.

Online, UC. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=mMmq5B1LKDg.

Meisner, Gary, et al. “Golden Ratio in Art Composition and Design.” The Golden Ratio: Phi, 1.618, 24 Sept. 2016, www.goldennumber.net/art-composition-design/.

Linda Dalrymple Henderson, "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion" Leonardo, Vol. 17, No. 3. (1984), pp. 205-210.

Week 1: Two Cultures

The existence of two cultures has a significant impact on the world and the society we live in today. CP Snow was the first to introduce this idea of two cultures in his 1959 lecture about literary intellectuals and natural science. Growing up a high-level tennis player, I can say with confidence that my forte was never in the literary intellectuals or scientific fields. I never realized how much the two cultures influenced an individual until I began seeing a sports psychologist in an attempt to enhance my mental skills and abilities.

Before starting this class, I have to admit I am guilty of “Contributing to the stereotypes that increase the division between the two cultures” as Victoria Vesna said in Two Cultures pt 2 video. I saw literary intellectuals and scientific fields as two completely different things, but once I started seeing a psychologist, I realized how significant of a role science and art play in the profession. Psychology has components of it that are strictly devoted to understanding the human brain through experimentation, but there is also a notable amount of judgement and intuition involved which makes it an art as well.

https://blog.admissions.ucla.edu/2012/05/17/an-interesting-approach-to-therapy/img_1476/

I believe psychology is a perfect example of a bridge that combines the two cultures together. In fact, UCLA's Franz Hall (the department of psychology) is commonly known as the middle ground between North Campus (arts and humanities) and South Campus (math and sciences.)

In 1963, Snow added a new essay, "Two Cultures: A Second Look" where he suggested that a third culture would emerge and close the gap between scientist and literary intellectuals. According to Kevin Kelly, This new third culture is "an offspring of science. It's a pop culture based in technology, for technology." In my opinion, this culture is going to be the most beneficial to me and my classmates at UCLA. Being millennials, we are growing up in an era where technology is excelling at a high-speed rate, which is creating endless opportunities for us to shape the future.

Sources:

Kelly, Kevin. “The Third Culture.” Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 13 Feb. 1998, science.sciencemag.org/content/279/5353/992.full.

Wong, Deborah. “The Inverted Fountain in Front of Franz Hall-Photo Credit: UCLA Undergraduate Admissions.” Your Insight into UCLA Admission, Campus Life, and Our Students!, 17 May 2012, blog.admissions.ucla.edu/2012/05/17/an-interesting-approach-to-therapy/img_1476/.

Online, UC. “TwoCultures pt2.” YouTube, YouTube, 31 Mar. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUr4xxZ_0gw.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

taylorjDESMA9

This is my first blog post

Thought I would put a little introduction about myself on here!

My name is Taylor Johnson and I am a freshman at UCLA. I started in January so this is my second quarter! I am a tennis player on the UCLA women's tennis team and I am so excited to take this class!