1Imagine trying to live in a world dominated by dihydrogen oxide, a 2compound that has no taste or smell and is so viable in its properties 3that it is generally benign but at other times swiftly lethal. 4Depending on its state, it can scald you or freeze you. In the 5presence of certain organic molecules it can form carbonic acids so 6nasty that they can strip the leaves from trees and eat the faces off 7statuary. In bulk, when agitated, it can strike with a fury that no 8human edifice could withstand. Even for those who have learned to live 9with it, it is often murderous substance. We call it water. |