We Are Molecules

Though we are much more than the atoms that compose our bodies, we are at root fancy concatenations of the elements. We are manipulated by, and manipulate, the formation and deformation of electron orbitals. Bonding and breaking, in turn, set the internal soup of personal physiology. The molecular soup du jour interfaces with the human psyche, tilting feeling states toward sleep or alertness, pleasure or pain. All subjective experiences--joy and depression, interest and boredom, comfort and anxiety--are in part chemistry. Our feet are planted on the earth, identifying Homo sapiens with the realm of oceans and soil, trees and animals. It's a humble aspect of being human. We soar though the stratosphere of scientific discovery, artistic insight, and spiritual transcendence, yet our feet remain muddy. Muddy magnificence.