The Speck of Dust Next to My Keyboard

Something is wrong here and I just don't know what!

The speck of dust next to my keyboard is a particle, 400 micrometers in diameter, of an unknown (although dirty) substance that landed on my desk, approximately three centimeters from the left side of my keyboard in early AD 2006.

History

Since its discovery, it has endured the pain of two wars and countless aggravating outside stimuli, but it perseveres. The speck, though it has not made any direct contributions to its surrounding environment, has impacted numerous people, organizations, and societies around the world. These achievements will be discussed in more detail later.

Early Life

The Speck of Dust

The speck seems to have grown up on its own during a long period which lacked dusting. It never knew its parents; they were probably dusted away while it was but an infant. Its existence was only discovered recently when I found my computer again.

The First War

At first a valiant attempt was made to destroy the speck of dust next to my keyboard. It somehow managed to survive the barrage of finger-based attacks it received. The idea of removing it from its position next to the keyboard (and thereby destroying its identity) failed miserably.

The Second War

After a brief period of peace following the First War, there came a second War of the Dust, which consisted of fierce, water-filled assaults from above which tried to wash the particle into oblivion. This, in turn, failed, probably due to the insipidly eternal nature of the speck of dust next to my keyboard.

Aftermath

Since the second war it has not been destroyed by any means, natural or otherwise; this leads some to speculate that it will live forever.

Statistics

The speck of dust next to my keyboard has proven to be far more enduring than the average dust particle. Though most particles do not live past five minutes of exposure to light, the one next to my keyboard has lived for months, surprisingly without food or water. It is also 20% darker, 15% bigger and 35% heavier than the average dust particle. Its sleep cycle is based on an unconventional 16-hour day.

Philosophical Implications and the Nature of Reality

Due to the unusual nature of its existence, the speck of dust next to my keyboard has opened a Pandora's box of philosophical implications. Some believe that the particle is proof that the universe was created through intelligent design, but how they came to this conclusion is not easily understood or readily accepted. A few outlandish theories claim that the entire universe exists only in the mind of the dust particle.

Consciousness

The speck of dust next to my keyboard was recently proven to be a living, breathing organism. Its consciousness resides in a tiny brain-like organ inside its outer dusty shell. It does not seem, however, to feel the need to assert the truth of its own consciousness in any way.

Controversy

Controversy abounds over the speck of dust next to my keyboard. All accusations of homosexuality (see below) aside, serious evidence that the speck was involved in criminal activities exists. It is strongly believed by some to be a carrier of illegal substances ("dust" being its word for cocaine), but it has not yet been taken to court.

Widespread Hysteria

The idea (and popular threat made by the government of Oceania) that specks of dust will start to appear next to other people's keyboards is a complete fabrication. There is no speck of dust like the one next to my keyboard on Earth, nor is there any chance of any others forming in the future.

Unfortunately this information is not known to the general public, and the speck of dust next to my keyboard has indeed caused widespread hysteria and general discord through much of the eastern United States. Steps to alleviate the problem are being taken by the government, though how long it will take before the public's fears are fully assuaged is not yet known.

Conspiracy Theories

Main article: Conspiracy Theories About the Speck of Dust Next to My Keyboard|Grand Conspiracy|Conspiracy Theories About the Speck of Dust Next to My Keyboard

Enemies of the speck of dust next to my keyboard have repeatedly claimed that it is involved in a number of conspiracies, but with little evidence to support them most of the claims have been withdrawn.

Sexuality

There is widespread speculation over whether the speck of dust was homosexual. It is known that the particle has been living with another male particle for the past month; some see this as proof and have urged it to "come out of the closet," but as it is not in a closet this seems impossible.

In the Media

Details on the private life of the speck of dust next to my keyboard--its relationships, social activities, etc.--continue to fill tabloids and news shows daily.

Pop Culture References

There have been numerous references to the speck of dust next to my keyboard in popular culture.

It was the idea behind the force, as referenced in the classic movie series Star Wars. Its personality was also a model for that of Obi-wan Kenobi.
It is listed in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as one of the ingredients in the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.
It has made numerous appearances on television shows, particularly sitcoms, which include Seinfeld and I Love Lucy. It also had a minor role as an offensive drunk on Cheers, though it claimed it found the role "hard to play".

Legacy

To this day, the speck of dust next to my keyboard continues to have a profound impact on world events, including involvement in the anti-terrorism war and a campaign to aid Third World countries. Its legacy will certainly live on, far beyond the speck's own existence (providing it does eventually die, which is not certain.)

Depictions in Literature, Poetry, Art etc.

The speck of dust next to my keyboard has been alluded to countless times in creative works over the ages.

Its early struggles served as a model for those of Ender in Orson Scott Card's science fiction classic Ender's Game.
Charles Dickens' unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, was supposed to be an allegory for the life of the speck of dust.
Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden was originally titled The Dust Speck's Burden, and was to be a sympathetic poem illustrating its burdens in life. As the public lost interest in the speck of dust next to my keyboard, however, Kipling decided to change it.

"The Birth of the Speck" by Dutha Ongogbalro. This painting recently sold for $120 million.

Bibliography

Spengler, Oswald. The Decline and Fall of Dust Particles. London: Oxford University Press, 1998.
(10 December 1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations.
(10 October 2004). "The Shocking, Life-Changing Truth About That Speck of Dust." Fox News Online.
The Encyclopedia of the Famed Speck of Dust. Vol. XXVIII. New York: Harvard University Press, 1337. Ed. Strauss, Leo.