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Most value me above their brain
or seek me for arms that are great
Maxwell introduced me yet again
As did Ward, though a century late

One word and the cloud I will reach you
or get to your house on the ice
If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes
I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

What/Who am I?

(Hmm... it sort of got away from me at the end there. I swear it's nothing dirty.) This should be pretty easy, so preference goes to the answer that explains all the clues.

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  • $\begingroup$ Some of these clues seemed familiar to me, so let me know if I am repeating. I couldn't find the answer by a simple search, but perhaps spoiler tags are shielded(?). $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 13, 2016 at 22:12
  • $\begingroup$ "One word and the cloud I will reach you" ... kind of grammatically ambiguous. Any reconsideration on that line? $\endgroup$
    – feelinferrety
    Apr 13, 2016 at 22:47
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    $\begingroup$ Something to do with Electromagnetism? Maxwell gave the Classical theory of electromagnetism(1865) while Ward's Identity helped in Quantum ElectroDynamics in the 1950s(?) $\endgroup$
    – Arcane
    Apr 14, 2016 at 5:51
  • $\begingroup$ @Arcane Each clue/line is from a different realm. Maxwell is correct, but I was thinking of a different Ward. (Very good observation, though.) $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:34
  • $\begingroup$ Hint: Most people picked up on the fact that each line is a separate clue. I should note that each line is from a different realm or way of referring to the same word. People so far have come close on many of the clues without hitting on the actual word. Looking at other people's answers might help you narrow down the right realm: 1(ivanhoe kinda), 2 (cst1992), 3(Arcane/Lafexlos), 4 (this one is hard), 5 (Edd), 6 (no one), 7 (Lafexlos), 8 (this one is hard, but Lafexlos has a handle on it) $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:42

9 Answers 9

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Plausible answer:

Curl

Most value me above their brain

Two possibilities here:
1.

This can refer to the use of a curling iron. Nearly always used ABOVE one's head, rather than elsewhere on their body.

2.

Curly head hair, rather than...other....curly...hair..
Additionally, curly hair seems to be more expensive to maintain, than others.
Examples:
https://phoebeparke.com/2012/11/13/expensive-curls-the-price-scale-of-curly-hair-rinse-out-conditioners/
http://www.curlynikki.com/2011/08/is-natural-hair-more-expensive-response.html
There's more that you can look up 

or seek me for arms that are great

Curls for bodybuilding

Maxwell introduced me yet again

Maxwell's equations include equations regarding circulation and curls $\triangledown$

As did Ward, though a century late

Steve Ward designed the Curl programming language

One word and the cloud I will reach you

You can use the REST API and simple cURL messages to get data from an online cloud.

or get to your house on the ice

Curling is sport involving sliding stones towards a circular marked area, called a house, on a sheet of ice.

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

A good surfer can shoot the curl without falling off of a wave.

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

Robert F. Curl, of Rice University, shared the Nobel Prize, for Chemistry with two others, for the discovery of $\large c_{60}$, a.k.a. buckminsterfullerene or "bucky ball."

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Are you

Electromagnetic wave

Most value me above their brain

The radiation emitted from cellphones (or other electronic devices) cause brain damages yet we still use them.

or seek me for arms that are great

There are hair removal techniques that uses electromagnetic waves

Maxwell introduced me yet again
As did Ward, though a century late

In comments @Arcane explained it really well, so I am just copy/pasting it.
Maxwell gave the Classical theory of electromagnetism(1865) while Ward's Identity helped in Quantum ElectroDynamics in the 1950s(?)

One word and the cloud I will reach you

When you talk on phone, waves carrying the info transmits through air.

or help you get home on the ice

No idea. Maybe electromagnetic skates?

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

A reference to waves at sea/ocean.

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

There is a belief that rice plant can absorb radiation(couldn't find the article so I wrote there is belief)
or maybe a reference to Rice University but other than random electromagnetic wave theory courses, couldn't managed to find connection.

p.s. since English is not my first language I probably missed some technical terms. If you know any, feel free to edit them in.

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  • $\begingroup$ Not the answer, but I like your thoughts and explanations. Like Arcane, you are very close on the third line/clue. Every line is from a different realm, though. The answer is one word. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:30
  • $\begingroup$ You are also the closest of anyone so far on 8, and your 7 is very good. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:45
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One possible answer:

Good body, fitness, or muscles, use whichever one you like

Most value me above their brain

Many people in the world are fitness-cravers, even some who are not very well-educated

or seek me for arms that are great

Obviously.

Maxwell introduced me yet again As did Ward, though a century late

Both Maxwell and Ward are gym and fitness brands.

One word and the cloud I will reach you

No idea.

or help you get home on the ice

A fitter person will have a higher chance of wading through thick snow.

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

Guys like to sport their bodies at the beach

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

No idea.

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  • $\begingroup$ You are closer than others on the second clue, but this is not the answer. Sorry. (Interesting observation on the gym equipment brands. I didn't know that.) $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:27
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I think, it might be:

a plane

So...I'm new at this, so don't hit me too hard pls :( Explanation:

Most value me above their brain=> planes fly in the sky, above most of the brains (not the pilot/passenger's ones tho)
or seek me for arms that are great=>has good arms, as in weapons
no clue about these 2 lines:
Maxwell introduced me yet again
As did Ward, though a century late
One word and the cloud I will reach you=>fly, and the plane is above the clouds
or help you get home on the ice=> if there is ice, surely you can fly to avoid it from cracking? :D
If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes=> D-Day reference?
I'll be playing with balls here at Rice=>Hiroshima Reference?

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  • $\begingroup$ You can add two spaces behind each line to make a multi-line spoiler / quote block. >! Line 1 & >! Line 2 . $\endgroup$
    – Kevin Cruijssen
    Apr 14, 2016 at 11:19
  • $\begingroup$ I've edited it. Have a look. $\endgroup$
    – cst1992
    Apr 14, 2016 at 11:21
  • $\begingroup$ The "cloud" clue fits, but the others don't. Thanks for the effort, though. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:25
  • $\begingroup$ Clarification for those constructing the answer from other answers: the "cloud" clue here fits, but not in the manner I intended. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:38
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My guess is

Power

Most value me above their brain

People value power over knowledge

or seek me for arms that are great

Power lifting or otherwise being strong (powerful)

Maxwell introduced me yet again

Maxwell's power equations

As did Ward, though a century late

Not entirely sure about this one

One word and the cloud I will reach you

Electrical power makes "the cloud" work

or help you get home on the ice

Either 4WD power helping with icy roads, or a reference to the ICE (German electric train)

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

Powershot underwater camera

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

Something to do with Powerball? (non-US here so maybe a reference I don't get)

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  • $\begingroup$ Good thoughts and explanations here, too; but not the right answer. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:31
  • $\begingroup$ You are getting to the right idea for the 5th line, btw. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:40
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The answer could be:

Steel

Most value me above their brain

Steel helmets protect your head (and indirectly your brain)

or seek me for arms that are great
Maxwell introduced me yet again
As did Ward, though a century late

Might be a reference to the coat of arms of noble families. As a matter of fact searches for "Maxwell coat of arms" and "Ward coat of arms" reveal 2 coat of arms that share an identical feature: a steel helmet

One word and the cloud I will reach you

I have no idea

or help you get home on the ice

The blades of skates or sleighs are made from steel

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

Probably a reference to World War II D-Day fighting where soldiers of both parties shot (steel) bullets.

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

Ball shaped rice cookers made from stainless steel, a way more peaceful use of the material as opposed to making bullets (I feel this connection is enforced by the if/else pattern of the last 2 verses)

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  • $\begingroup$ You are the closest of anyone so far with regards to the first line. The other explanations are interesting, but not in the right direction. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 14:36
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Perhaps:

Gravity

Most value me above their brain

Woe to he who doesn't pay attention to things falling on him!

or seek me for arms that are great

Curls, presses, flys, etc. use gravity as resistance for weight training.

Maxwell introduced me yet again

Maxwell's equations are peripherally related to space-time and thus gravity.

As did Ward, though a century late

Not sure about this one.

One word and the cloud I will reach you

Rain falling?

or help you get home on the ice

Assuming you live downhill, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

Waves crashing on the shore.

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

This dude in a ball pit at Rice University.

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  • $\begingroup$ Two, 3, 7, and 8 are in the right direction, yet the answer is not correct. Though, in a certain sense, you are infinitely closer than anyone so far. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 16:59
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Not an answer

I've collected the bits and pieces that OP says are closest to the solution for the sake of easy reference.

  1. Most value me above their brain

    (ivanhoe kinda) Steel helmets protect your head (and indirectly your brain)

  2. or seek me for arms that are great

    (Dan Russell) Curls, presses, flys, etc. use gravity as resistance for weight training.

  3. Maxwell introduced me yet again

    (Dan Russell) Maxwell's equations are peripherally related to space-time and thus gravity.

  4. As did Ward, though a century late

    (this one is hard)

  5. One word and the cloud I will reach you

    (Edd) Electrical power makes "the cloud" work

  6. or help you get home on the ice

    (no one)

  7. If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

    (Dan Russell) Waves crashing on the shore.

  8. I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

    (Dan Russell) This dude in a ball pit at Rice University.

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  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Dan Russel has surpassed these in 2, 3, 7, and 8. $\endgroup$
    – Solocutor
    Apr 14, 2016 at 17:40
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I think you are:

A Wave

Most value me above their brain:

Wavy hair

or seek me for arms that are great

Not sure but this could be listening to music?

Maxwell introduced me yet again As did Ward, though a century late

Maxwell's EM wave theory which Ward expanded on.

One word and the cloud I will reach you

Say something and the sound waves will travel everywhere

or get to your house on the ice

an ocean wave pushing the ice? not too sure

If I'm not being shot by the beach dudes

also explained by Lafexlos, taking pictures of the ocean/waves?

I'll be playing with balls here at Rice

? no idea

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