Posted by chemist on July 17, 2005, at 18:21:45 [reposted on July 22, 2005, at 14:23:29 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Chemical balance: The gift of nature, posted by so on July 17, 2005, at 17:01:32
hello there, chemist here...the body of literature pertaining to equilibria in chemistry - not to mention all other areas - is not relegated to the subdiscipline of organic chemistry. further, the content is not that of opinions: it is fact.
you have taken the liberty of comparing the observation - a ``fact'' not always true, by the way - that the electronic structure of a system is optimised (and energetically favourable) when the valence electron configuration of an atom or molecule is akin to that of the group VIII elements (noble gases) with ``death:'' i fail to see the parallels, yet i will have to shoulder that burden alone. as far as equilibrium in natural systems is concerned, my work here is done.
in reference to the questions you profer in the rest of your post: they do not pertain to your previous assertion that the ``concept of chemical balance'' is an opinion and not well-documented in the literature or my countering of said assertion.
i will politely decline the implicit (or is it explicit?) offer to tackle the associated ruminations, and also take a pass on redirecting this thread: inertia, alas, has taken firm hold on this fine sunday evening...
all the best, chemist
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> I understand there is a significant body of literature about equilibrium in organic chemistry, but based in part on the opinions of many scientists, I do not have as much confidence in literature that attempts to correlate well-defined tendencies toward equilibrium with preferred subjective sensations.
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> As I understand it, chemical equilibrium -- especially the tendency of molecules to seek a balanced contingent of 8 electrons -- eventually leads us all to a condition we call "death" and which is nothing to fear or regret, according to many faiths.
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> Is the subjective sensation of happiness a result of equilibrium or of an upset equilibrium? What about sorrow? Would you describe depression as "serontonin deficiency" or "monoamine oxidase poisoining"? What imbalanced chemicals tell us the difference between appropriate situational sadness and conditions described as temporary chemically induced depression? Which condition is chemically balanced - happiness or stoicism?
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> Perhaps you can redirect your reply to the drugs board, where I or others can reply with further questions if we feel we can gain information from your answer.
poster:chemist
thread:529166
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050718/msgs/531626.html