Is Water Wet?

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The setting

A sunny afternoon on a terrace overlooking the sea. A round table welcomes our participants, who enjoy refreshing drinks while delving into the profound question of the "wetness" of water.

Participants

• Carlos: The philosopher, a passionate defender of the inherent "wetness" of water. He leans back in his chair, gesticulating energetically.

• Gilberto: The scientist, with his white coat slightly wrinkled, observes with calmness and curiosity.

• Luis: The linguist, with a notebook full of etymological annotations, leans forward with interest.

• Ramón: The printer, with ink stains on his hands, provides a practical and direct perspective.

• Sofia: The artist, with a dreamy look, draws abstract lines in the air as she speaks.

• Alan: The artificial intelligence, represented by a holographic screen showing a serene and analytical face.

• Julia: The indecisive one, fiddling with her necklace while listening attentively, hesitating between the different positions.

• Marcos: The skeptic, with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised, questions each argument with sharpness.

• David: The apprentice, with bright eyes of curiosity, takes notes and asks questions eagerly.

Carlos: (Slamming the table with enthusiasm)

I'm not convinced! Saying that water "wets" but is not "wet" is like saying that the sun shines but is not illuminated. It's absurd! Water is the very source of wetness, its essence, its being! Look, (he dips his hand in a glass of water and takes it out) isn't my hand wet? And what made it wet? The water itself!

Gilberto: (Adjusting his glasses)

Carlos, your passion is admirable, but science sees it differently. Imagine water molecules as small spheres that attract each other. That attraction, called cohesion, allows them to join and form the liquid. But "wetness" arises when those molecules interact with other surfaces, adhering to them. It is an emergent property, a result of interaction, not an intrinsic characteristic of water itself.

Luis: (Leafing through his notebook)

Fascinating! The etymology of "wet" gives us clues. In Spanish, "mojado" comes from "malear", which implies softening or transforming with a liquid. Water, being already liquid, cannot "soften" itself. But in English, "wet" is related to "water", which suggests a more direct connection. Could it be that our perception of "wetness" is influenced by language?

Ramón: (In a practical voice)

In my workshop, "wetness" is something I control daily. To print, I need the water to behave in a certain way, to form compact drops or to spread over the plate. Surface tension is key. (Showing his hands) Look, if I wet my hands with water and then rub them with oil, the water no longer spreads, it forms droplets. Does that mean the water is less wet? No, it is simply interacting differently with the surface.

Sofia: (In a soft voice)

For me, "wetness" is more than a physical property. It is a sensation, an aesthetic experience. Water evokes fluidity, freshness, life. A wet canvas is transformed, colors mix and create new possibilities. "Wetness" is a state of potential, of change, of rebirth.

Alan: (In his synthetic voice)

Analyzing the available information, "wet" is defined as the state of an object being covered or impregnated with water. Water, being composed of itself, cannot be "covered" or "impregnated" with water. However, water does possess the properties that cause "wetness" in other objects. It is a matter of perspective and definition.

Julia: (Fiddling with her necklace)

I'm confused... So, is water wet or not? I can't make up my mind. On the one hand, what Carlos says about the essence of water makes sense, but I also understand Gilberto and Alan's arguments.

Marcos: (Skeptically)

This all seems like a meaningless debate to me. What does it matter if water is wet or not? It's word games, Byzantine discussions. There are more important problems in the world to solve.

David: (Enthusiastically)

This is fascinating! I've never thought about the "wetness" of water this way before. I'd like to better understand what Gilberto says about molecules. Could you explain it in more detail?

(Gilberto proceeds to draw a simple diagram of water molecules and their interactions, explaining cohesion and adhesion with simple examples. David listens attentively, asking questions and taking notes.)

Carlos: (Reflecting)

Listening to you all, I think I'm starting to see things differently. Maybe I had too romantic a view of the "wetness" of water. Perhaps it is not its essence, but its ability to generate that sensation in other objects that defines it.

Luis: (Nodding)

Exactly! Language also evolves. We could say that water is "self-wetting", to reflect that cohesion between its molecules. Or "potentially wet", as Sofia suggests.

Ramón: (With a smile)

In the end, the important thing is that the water keeps flowing, wetting and giving life. And that we have enough to toast to this interesting conversation!

(General laughter. Marcos, the skeptic, cracks a slight smile. Julia seems more relaxed, having found a middle ground in the debate. David, with bright eyes, continues to ask Gilbert questions.)

The conversation extends into the night, interweaving philosophy, science, art and personal experiences. The "wetness" of water is revealed as a multifaceted concept, a prism that reflects the diverse perspectives of those who contemplate it.

Listen to a commentary on the discussion or read it in detail above