Since there are two options for the nub-on or off-and to simplify matters greatly, we will say that there are two formats for midichlorian count-high and low (although please note that in reality there are an infinite number of categories, statistically speaking)-there are four basic categories to determine Force sensitivity.

1) Strong Force users: High midichlorian count/active nub
2) Weak Force users: Low midichlorian count/active nub
3) "Lucky" people: High midichlorian count/inactive nub
4) Ordinary people (the rest of us): Low midichlorian count/inactive nub

The first category would include those who are extremely Force sensitive, or "strong in the Force." The Force speaks loudly and clearly to them. In addition, they have a strong Force presence. Good examples of this grouping are among the most famous Jedi, such as Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Jaina, Jacen and Anakin Solo. Additionally, many Sith could also be placed here, such as Palpatine and Darth Maul. (Please note that this is by no means a complete list of those I would place in the first category.) Each one of these individuals is obviously at the top of his or her game in almost every aspect of Force use.

There are many Force users who could debatably be placed in either the first or second group. Therefore, the best examples of those with a low midichlorian count and an active nub are those with clear limitations in their ability to touch the Force. There are only two that come to mind: Tionne and Tyria Sarkin (later Tyria Tainer). Both of these women had obvious difficulty in touching the Force, but they more than all others I think, put forth the effort to achieve the pinnacle of their potential, however limited that may be. Others could similarly be put in this category, since the terms "high" and "low" are relative to one another. Most other Force users in comparison to those outstanding examples listed in the above paragraph would be comparatively weak.

I find that when I have brought up this idea in the past that most people took issue with the third category. Who are these "lucky" ones and why do you insist that they must have a higher midichlorian count? I've often been asked. I will try to explain this as clearly as possible. Both criteria for Force sensitivity must be controlled genetically. Whenever people of different ethnic background intermarry (and their genes cross), the offspring are an interesting mix, usually diluting the strongest features of each ethnicity. Therefore, if someone with a high midichlorian count mates with one with a low count, it would truly be a genetic anomaly for the resulting child to have a very high count. (Real life example: A very tall person marries a very short person. Although the children may be any height, statistically speaking, they will tend to have a more median height between the parents' heights.)

Who would be examples of this category? Why those famous "ordinary" characters in Star Wars-Han Solo, Wedge Antilles, Baron Fel-the list goes on and on. The reasoning for Han is very simple. Looking at his adventures, which have been remarkably well chronicled, he has had an inordinate number of close calls and lucky breaks. Going back to the previous argument, he also has to have a high count since fathering three children with high midichlorian counts would statistically low if he has a low one. (For example if one parent has dark brown eyes and one parent has blue or green eyes, the likelihood of all resulting children all having green or blue eyes is possible but not probable.) In addition, Han and Wedge are both referred to as having a "strong Force presence." (Please don't ask me where, my memory isn't that good!) It seems likely that while they cannot access the Force consciously, that this may be an unconscious use. Who knows what exactly causes a "hunch"? To me, the data indicates that such persons must have a higher count than normal.

So what about the rest of us (myself included)? We're just regular people, trying to keep our heads above water. I've never had premonitions or been able to levitate a spoon. And when I lose my keys or my glasses, I don't get a vision of where I left them. But being a regular person doesn't bother me much. After all, knowledge, power and privilege all mean increased responsibility towards others. The life of a Jedi is not an easy one, to be sure.

But every rule must have their exceptions, right? The most famous of those exceptions are the Yuuzhan Vong. Why can't these humanoids touch the Force too? Until next time