A system and method to accurately modify the function of a user's electronic device in response to the multiple aspects making up a user's evolving state of mind are presented. Persistent intent objects are generated to represent a user's state of mind and the relative importance of a particular state of mind to a user's instant attention. The intent objects can be related to situations or environments and could exist beyond any specific situations or environments. The collective effect of the intent objects can be used to customize the functions of a user device to match the user's state of mind extending beyond inferences drawn from an individual or instant set of circumstances.