Joe,
Your essay has interesting examples illustrating the inherent imperfection and imprecision in practical measurement procedures, and the apparent arbitrariness in systems of thought that divide up reality. It would have improved the essay to structure the arguments and relate them more clearly to the theme question of the contest.
Also, I noticed that the second paragraph of your essay has remarkable resemblance to the following passage from the bahiya sutta:
"In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen. In reference to the heard, only the heard. In reference to the sensed, only the sensed. In reference to the cognized, only the cognized. That is how your should train yourself. When for you there will be only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the cognized in reference to the cognized, then, Bahiya, there is no you in terms of that."
Regards,
Tom