UPDATE:  SOLVED by Phil at 3:46 pm

Just for you, since I was out of commission last week, I’m running an extra riddle.  Sorry you didn’t have as much notice as I might have liked to give, but I couldn’t make up my tiny mind about running this.

“Discombobulated” is another one of those scientific terms, by the way.

…
I’d like to give you a different kind of challenge, so let’s see if I can get a little evil on this one.  We’re going right into the SciFi genre, so get your geek on.

You’ll be looking for a thing.

This “thing” doesn’t really exist…

… and usually that’s true.

Some people think this thing can be contained and used.

That’s a very bad idea.

It doesn’t always appear in the same form, as different forms have different “tasks”.

It’s well-represented in the SciFi genre.

How’s that?  Quick little riddle for your Sunday.  I hope you like it.  I’m creeping around the comments, so write in and talk to me.

Tomorrow is the bonus riddle, just to remind you.  The person who solves this extra riddle will get their name on the list for the bonus riddle tomorrow, and will of course give me a post subject they want me to write about.  Have fun.