Critical Mass Defined: We’re on the Edge!

When someone asked me the other night if I knew what critical mass was, I stated something similar to the definitions below.

The online Encarta Dictionary defines it as:

crit·i·cal mass (noun)

1. point of change
   a point or situation at which change occurs
   * Support for the measure has reached critical mass.
2. necessary size or amount
   the size or amount of something that is required before an activity or event can take place.
   * For our world vision of peace to be attained, enough people must join together in a critical mass.

If you break the word down, critical is defined as:

1. crucial
   extremely important because of being or happening at a time of special difficulty, trouble or danger, when matters could quickly get either worse or better
2. essential
   absolutely necessary for the success of something
3. undergoing change
   relating to a property of a system that is undergoing a sudden change

and mass is defined as:

1. collection
   a collection of many individual parts
2. great unspecified quantity
   a large but unspecified number or quantity
3. major part
   the greater part or majority
4. collect (verb)
   to be gathered in a mass

I gave an example of the well-known Critical Mass bicycle rides. The unified effort started in San Francisco in the 1990’s and has spread across the nation. I explained that my vision was more of a spiritual nature as we join together, either privately or with a group, to focus on world peace.

He, in turn, gave me a physics definition -- something along the lines of when atoms build up enough they begin to reach the tipping point. “And when you reach that point,” he said, “you’re on the edge!” I agreed saying, “We’re approaching that edge, and we need others to join us.” He responded, “I’ll be thinking peace at 11:11 with you.” His co-worker, the one who was into things exploding (see blog entry "Synchronicities Abound"), smiled behind him.

Thanks, guys, for doing your piece for peace! You’re helping push our numbers to the edge of something really wonderful.