I was moving among two groups... who had almost ceased to communicate at all, who in intellectual, moral, and psychological climate had so little in common that... one might have crossed the ocean.
C.P. SnowRead
Two polar groups: at one pole we have the literary intellectuals, at the other scientists, and as the most representative, the physical scientists. Between the two a gulf of mutual incomprehension.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the divide between literary intellectuals and scientists, emphasizing their mutual misunderstanding.
C.P. Snow's quote points to a significant cultural and intellectual divide between two prominent groups: literary intellectuals and physical scientists. He suggests that this disconnect leads to a lack of communication and understanding, which can hinder progress in both fields. The 'gulf of mutual incomprehension' signifies not only a difference in focus and methodology but also the importance of bridging these worlds for a more cohesive understanding of human knowledge and culture.
Themes
LiteratureScienceIntellectualsCommunicationUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a TED talk about interdisciplinary collaboration, one might reference this quote to discuss the need for scientists and literary scholars to work together.
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