Mind and matter

To classify people under various groups has always been my favourite pastime. I allot people to different categories based on a number of facts and observations. Judging people is always decisive. And the practice of this law regularly has now become a habit. Of course there is no single litmus test and only practice can make one perfect in this interesting game.

Every one of us has apprehensions regarding meeting new people. I categorize people based on Height (short / tall), Weight (thin\fat), appearance (handsome /beautiful /ugly /pretty/cute/smart/pretenders), clothes (clean/dirty), etiquette (courteous/rude), and choice of words (smart/dumb/talkative/silent), perfume (manly/feminine/rough/dirty), zodiac signs, and lineage (rich/poor/wannabe rich). The list continues. And to this new list I would like to add one more basis of classification. Based on the state of matter – as solids, liquids and gases. Eyebrow rising will not help. And I definitely remember our bodies don’t flow like rivers or envelop whole the room when we walk in. But our minds do follow certain properties of the state of matter willingly or un-willingly. I support my statement with a brief introduction to my theory:


1. Solid state: In reality, molecules in solid state are arranged compactly like a pack of cards inside a box. They have fixed positions and are arranged in a precise manner. Too much force when applied can disrupt its arrangements. Rigidity is its property. Accordingly, there are among us people who seem to be chiseled, single minded and absolutely rigid. Extra ordinary forces are required to influence them. They seem independent, self sufficient and in a few extreme situations narcissistic and megalomaniacs. It’s very easy to identify a solid person. Usually alone, doesn’t like shaking hands when introduced, talks a great deal about him/her, doesn’t talk nonsense, intellectual, introvert, doesn’t get emotional, homely, sticks to rules, knows exactly what he/she wants in life and how to get there, hates weakness, doesn’t cry, stern and adamant.





2. Liquid state: Molecules in liquid state can move or slide past one another like a pack of cards just opened out of the box. They usually take the shape of the container and flow easily. Not easily compressible but it’s not impossible. Fluidity is their special property. People who belong to this state of matter are deliquescent, soft spoken, cautious, friendly, a little deceptive, escapists ( you almost think you caught them but they continue to flow through your fingers ), romantic, not easily influenced, day dreamers, Platonists. They believe to move along the direction of the flow, seen in a group star gazing while the others converse feverishly. They have an identity crisis since they think they can identify with everyone.




3. Gaseous state: Molecules can move past one another and there is lot of free space between the particles just like when the fan is switched on and the pack of cards fly everywhere. The molecules occupy the whole of the container. Compressibility is their special property. People belonging to this category are the most easiest to identify. As you are still reading your mind reflects upon the images of such people. Unforgettable and un-forgivable. Amusing, bubbly, free spirited, highly energetic, volatile, crowd pullers, chaotic, un-methodical, elusive, extroverts. Easily influenced by the words and actions of others. And most importantly, they are avid travelers – wanderers, itinerants, vagabonds, beggars, pilgrims, voyagers, adventurers, soldier, sailor, and hippie. They seldom like staying at one place.







When an ice cube is melts, it changes to water and water when warmed evaporates thus passing through all the states of matter. Similarly our minds areinfluenced by the environment, culture, lifestyle and several other external factors and keep passing through different phases of matter. In our personalities there are glimpses of few properties of all the three types but we primarily exhibit almost every time under normal conditions properties of one particular state of matter. Be it solid, liquid or gas.