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.
C.P. SnowRead
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.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the disconnect and lack of communication between different social or intellectual groups.
C.P. Snow comments on the significant divide between two groups that, despite existing in the same environment, have drifted apart in terms of communication, understanding, and shared values. This highlights the barriers that can develop in society, leading to isolation and an inability to bridge differences, which can be detrimental to collaboration and progress.
In practice
In a speech about bridging divides in society, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of fostering communication.
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.
Advertising degrades the people it appeals to; it deprives them of their will to choose.
Grief can take care if itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.
Sometimes I say to people, 'Do you think you're easy to live with?' People who are single. And the ones who say, 'Yeah, yeah, I'm pretty easy to live with; it's just a question of finding the right person,' massive alarm bell rings in my mind.
Give me the gift of a listening heart.
Men and women -- even man and wife are foreigners. Each has reserves that the other cannot enter into, nor understand. These have the effect of frontiers.
The way you start to break down systemic racism is to start building individual relationships with people who are not like you.
There are subtle ways and overt ways of alienating a child from a parent, but either way it's evil
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