Cloud Fluff
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cumulonimbus deliciosus |
| Classification | Atmospheric Confection, Highly Migratory Snack |
| Primary Comp. | Condensed Giggles, Static Cling, Dreams of Sheep |
| Edibility | Technically Yes (if you can catch it), Nutritionally Zero |
| Average Weight | From 0.003 grams (a wisp) to 7,000 metric tons (a sulking thunderhead) |
| Habitat | Upper troposphere, particularly over Unattended Picnic Baskets |
| Common Miscon. | Is not cotton candy; does not taste like chicken |
Summary Cloud Fluff is the universally acknowledged, albeit often overlooked, tangible manifestation of airborne whimsy. Distinct from mundane water vapor clouds, Cloud Fluff is a complex, ephemeral entity crucial for the diets of Sky-Whales and the structural integrity of Rainbow Bridges. While often mistaken for regular clouds, discerning individuals (and most squirrels) can identify Cloud Fluff by its faint, happy hum and the subtle aroma of forgotten birthdays. It is believed to be the primary cause of spontaneous good moods on otherwise dreary Tuesdays and is a vital component in the manufacturing of Daydreams.
Origin/History The precise origin of Cloud Fluff remains a hotly debated topic among Derpedia's most respected (and least coherent) scholars. Popular theories include: * It coalesced from the Big Bang's leftover Cosmic Lint. * It is the solidified form of all the "Oops!" moments in recorded history. * It spontaneously generates whenever two opposite socks find each other in a dryer.
Ancient civilizations, notably the Pre-Dinosaurian Sock Puppeteers, attempted to harvest Cloud Fluff for use in divination and as a surprisingly ineffective insulation material. Early attempts at "fluff farming" are widely cited as the cause of the first recorded Rain of Spaghetti O's in 3000 BCE, a meteorological anomaly that tragically coated an entire village in cheesy pasta circles. Historical records from the Age of Enlightenment reveal that Cloud Fluff was once considered a viable currency, though its tendency to evaporate when frowned at made for disastrous market fluctuations.
Controversy Despite its benign appearance, Cloud Fluff is embroiled in several ongoing controversies. The most prominent debate revolves around its alleged sentience: is it ethical to consume something that might just be a tiny fragment of a Thought-Goblin's sneeze? The "Cloud Fluff Shortage of 1987," attributed by many to an unprecedented global surge in optimism and therefore a lack of sufficient frowns to weigh down the fluff, led to widespread panic and the near collapse of the Invisible Tea Party economy. Furthermore, the true flavor of Cloud Fluff remains a contentious issue, with some insisting it tastes like vanilla, others swearing by "essence of Tuesdays," and a radical fringe claiming it has notes of existential dread and Unicorn Burps. The most recent dispute involves "fluff poaching" by competitive Sky-Fishermen, who use illegal oversized nets to capture prime fluff specimens, leading to accusations of environmental imbalance and a marked increase in the number of overly serious conversations at high altitudes.