Nobility

To the far right of the periodic table lies the so-called ‘noble gases’ – those elements that have a full outer shell of electrons, are thereby stable, and therefore virtually non-reactive with other elements (save Xenon, in some instances, but more on that later).  These elemental gases were given the label of being ‘noble’ since the etymology of the word ‘noble’ connotes one that is of an upper echelon of society and by virtue does not interact with the commoners – perhaps, not necessarily because their outer shell was full of electrons but because their outer pockets were already full.  That is the temperament most associated with nobility:  that they are removed and non-interactive with society and the common man.  O sure, they may appear in parades or give public speeches (or if you’re the 21st century equivalent of nobility in the U.S., kiss your baby as they walk through your factory with their tuxedo on), but they never truly resonate with the common man, embracing his struggles and feeling his pain.  Some argue that necessity dictates that there be one removed from the daily trappings of ordinary life to make clear-headed and wise decisions for the good of the rest, and that this pressure is pressure enough.  Others rally with pitchforks and torches, demanding that tyrants be overthrown in the name of justice.  Can there be a compromise between the two extremes – having a wise and sovereign authority who still interacts with the lowliest of men, a servant-king, so to speak…I can think of at least one:  “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth” (John 18:37).  

Some say xenon is the coolest element because, though being a noble gas, it does indeed interact with more ‘common’ elements, such as fluorine or oxygen.  I say that helium is the ‘coolest’ element, since it boils at a meager 4.2 degrees above absolute zero.