Why are some things"in" and some things"out" Think about a certain force.

IN:paper clip, nail, thumb tacks

Out: paper cup, shoe, carpet

Interesting. I never really thought about it. Nails and thumb tacks have a force holding things together. Same for a paper clip holding several sheets together. Paper cups and shoes hold something inside such as water or feet.

The same force applied to a sharp object makes much more pressure to penetrate. THe force spread out over a large area, as a shoe, will not penetrate. Now think on a woman's high heel shoe, the heel part: small area: does it penetrate soft floors?

The reason some things are considered "in" and some things are considered "out" can be attributed to the forces involved and the way they interact with the objects. In the case of the examples you provided, the difference lies in how the force is applied and the area over which it is distributed.

For objects like paper clips, nails, and thumb tacks, the force they exert is concentrated on a relatively small area. This concentration of force allows these objects to pierce or penetrate through materials. Nails and thumb tacks, for example, have a sharp point that concentrates the force on a small area, enabling them to puncture or hold objects together.

On the other hand, objects like paper cups, shoes, and carpets distribute the force over a larger area. The force applied to these objects is spread out, which makes it more difficult for them to easily penetrate or make an impression on surfaces. Paper cups, for instance, are made of relatively soft material and their wide surface area disperses the force, making them unable to penetrate other objects.

It's also important to consider the nature of the materials involved. Soft and flexible materials like paper cups and carpets are more prone to deformation under force, whereas rigid or pointed objects can exert more pressure and have a higher likelihood of penetrating.

To further illustrate this point, think about women's high heel shoes. The force exerted by the small and narrow area of the heel can apply a higher concentration of pressure compared to the larger surface area of the sole. This can result in the heel penetrating or leaving marks on softer floors.

In summary, whether an object is considered "in" or "out" can depend on the distribution of force, the nature of the materials involved, and the size or shape of the objects.