Philosophy Wire: New phases… Nothing changes…

Most people think of water as existing in only one of three phases: Solid ice, liquid water, or gas vapor. But matter can exist in many different phases -- ice, for example, has more than ten known phases, or ways that its atoms can be spatially arranged. A new study finds that a metal oxide has a "hidden" phase, one that gives the material new, ferroelectric properties, the ability to separate positive and negative charges, when it is activated by extremely fast pulses of light. [1] New phases. A fluid cosmos changing shapes. Shouting in the cold crisp evening of existence: there are no shapes! There are no phases! I never change! Can't you see? I am taking different forms not because I have many forms. But only because I cannot take any other form than the one I already have…

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