  We say that a C*-algebra is soft if it has no nonzero unital quotients, and
we connect this property to the Hjelmborg-R{\o}rdam condition for stability and
to property (S) of Ortega-Perera-R{\o}rdam. We further say that an operator in
a C*-algebra is soft if its associated hereditary subalgebra is, and we provide
useful spectral characterizations of this concept.
  Of particular interest are C*-algebras that have an abundance of soft
elements in the sense that every hereditary subalgebra contains an almost full
soft element. We show that this property is implied by the Global Glimm
Property, and that every C*-algebra with an abundance of soft elements is
nowhere scattered. This sheds new light on the long-standing Global Glimm
Problem of whether every nowhere scattered C*-algebra has the Global Glimm
Property.
