We frequently see a contrast drawn between what is “natural” and what is “chemical.” Sometimes products are described as “chemical-free” even though every physical object is made of chemicals.
As much as this suggests a problem with our science education, it speaks to a missed opportunity for wonder. Nature is not some sort of cosmic mother figure; on the contrary, nature is composed of diverse biological and physical processes, including some pretty amazing examples of chemistry continually taking place. If we indulge the human personification of nature and its “children” a bit, we could say the following about these “chemists”:
- They are extremely creative.
- They can make really complex molecules.
- Some of their chemicals last a really long time – which is sometimes good and sometimes bad.
- They are really good at making polymers.
- They make some extremely toxic things.
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