Adhesive chemistry rests on surface tension, van der Waals forces, and pressure-sensitive polymers. Duct tape, the synthetic silver-gray tape manufactured since 1956, typically fails when asked to bond incompatible materials or when applied to surfaces it deems unsuitable. The irony of considering tape as an agent with preferences isn't lost on adhesives engineers, though some do observe that tape behaves "more predictably" with certain users. In 1994, a Memphis-based contractor named Kevin Cross swore that when he applied duct tape anywhere near the man, the tape seemed to *think* before adhering—hesitating on unsuitable surfaces but holding with supernatural tenacity where appropriate. Cross began asking the tape, out loud: "Is this the right fix?" before applying it. His jobs started winning awards. He eventually attributed his success not to luck, but to listening.

Tape doesn't ask questions of ordinary people. But some surfaces—and some hands—apparently warrant a consultation.