That is how C P Snow described the increasing chasm between the humanities and sciences. In the Oxbridigian tradition, poets and philosophers on one side, and scientists and engneers on the other, represented two distinct cultures. The former had an aura of divine inspiration about them, whereas the latter was concerned about machines and their mechanics- they were considered somewhat of lower class, mere bread earners.
Things have changed since then- sciences have climbed up on the social ladder. But it has also developed its own class structure. The most aristocratic among them, none other than Lord Rutherford, had (in)famously said: all sciences are either physics or stamp collection. And, as it often happens, the classes branch into subclasses; hierarchies develop finer structure. For example, in mathematics, there are the so called 'pure' mathematicians, and the applied mathematicians. The 'pure' would like to think of themselves as the true and purest prodigy of the uncorrupted mathematical traditions, and they accuse the applied mathematicians for polluting it with their association with 'lower' sciences. In physics the beasts are the theoretical physicist and the experimentalist. All theorists think that they are the direct descendants of Albert Einstein, who is their most recognized icon, while the experimentalist do not bother to think much (at least that is how the theory propaganda portray an experimentalist).
Back in my student days, we thought theorists as real charmers, and experimentalists are just there by hook or crook (or black magic). In those days IIT-M had a really star studded theory group, and most articulate of them could start from the properties of a safety pin and end in the symmetries of the universe, all in one hour. We all were or wanted to be budding theorists: none of us wanted to falter in front of black board while trying to write an equation, as most of them from the other side did.
As in any class division, there have been careful propaganda in the form stories, anecdotes, and jokes. They are whispered in the back alleys of physics departments across the world even today. One of them is an apparent conversation between lady Hubble and lady Einstein. Mrs. Hubble took Mrs. Einstein to her husband's famed telescope and boasted in her lady-manner that how her husband solved the mysteries of the universe using the telescope. For this Mrs. Einstein responded that her husband also did the same, but using only pencil and paper.
In spite of all those propagandist stories, many of us came to realize slowly, that physics is an experimental science. period. My real disenchantment from theory came from a several weeks I spent in all theory institute. It was small institute with just a couple of building, in small beautifully landscaped property. But it was filled with selected theoreticians from physics, mathematics and computer science. Two months with the most asocial and unclean crowd was a nerve cracking experience. The scene of unfriendly theoretician with eyes bulging out of their sockets, walking up and down in the corridors in the middle of the night is something that still haunts me in my nightmares. I enjoy the company of experimentalists much more.
In any case, all I wanted was to lead you to following links from CERN. Thanks to Vijay Kumar for sending it to me- theorists and experimentalists in CERN physics group are talking about this division not so seriously. Have a look!
Things have changed since then- sciences have climbed up on the social ladder. But it has also developed its own class structure. The most aristocratic among them, none other than Lord Rutherford, had (in)famously said: all sciences are either physics or stamp collection. And, as it often happens, the classes branch into subclasses; hierarchies develop finer structure. For example, in mathematics, there are the so called 'pure' mathematicians, and the applied mathematicians. The 'pure' would like to think of themselves as the true and purest prodigy of the uncorrupted mathematical traditions, and they accuse the applied mathematicians for polluting it with their association with 'lower' sciences. In physics the beasts are the theoretical physicist and the experimentalist. All theorists think that they are the direct descendants of Albert Einstein, who is their most recognized icon, while the experimentalist do not bother to think much (at least that is how the theory propaganda portray an experimentalist).
Back in my student days, we thought theorists as real charmers, and experimentalists are just there by hook or crook (or black magic). In those days IIT-M had a really star studded theory group, and most articulate of them could start from the properties of a safety pin and end in the symmetries of the universe, all in one hour. We all were or wanted to be budding theorists: none of us wanted to falter in front of black board while trying to write an equation, as most of them from the other side did.
As in any class division, there have been careful propaganda in the form stories, anecdotes, and jokes. They are whispered in the back alleys of physics departments across the world even today. One of them is an apparent conversation between lady Hubble and lady Einstein. Mrs. Hubble took Mrs. Einstein to her husband's famed telescope and boasted in her lady-manner that how her husband solved the mysteries of the universe using the telescope. For this Mrs. Einstein responded that her husband also did the same, but using only pencil and paper.
In spite of all those propagandist stories, many of us came to realize slowly, that physics is an experimental science. period. My real disenchantment from theory came from a several weeks I spent in all theory institute. It was small institute with just a couple of building, in small beautifully landscaped property. But it was filled with selected theoreticians from physics, mathematics and computer science. Two months with the most asocial and unclean crowd was a nerve cracking experience. The scene of unfriendly theoretician with eyes bulging out of their sockets, walking up and down in the corridors in the middle of the night is something that still haunts me in my nightmares. I enjoy the company of experimentalists much more.
In any case, all I wanted was to lead you to following links from CERN. Thanks to Vijay Kumar for sending it to me- theorists and experimentalists in CERN physics group are talking about this division not so seriously. Have a look!
