Imagine a line that stretches out in both directions so far out that there is no sign of a beginning nor an end. No matter how far back or how far forward you travel along it, there is always more line in both directions. This is the concept referred to as “infinity”, the idea of something that can be so large it extends beyond any limits, thus, no beginning and no end.
I believe we all once met a hero, one draped in white and green. He has a suit which boasts of flashy buttons, and from his back springs a pair of wings ready to carry him beyond the bounds of the playground. Most know him as Buzz Lightyear, to Andy, he is the coolest space ranger, but to him, he is Andy’s friend. As he stretches his plastic arms towards his plastic head, he boldly declares, “To infinity…and beyond!”
To Buzz, infinity is a representation of an endless journey full of possibilities and new adventures to explore the beyond, pushing him past his limits. Buzz’s infinity is the same as the infinity presented in mathematics, as long as we are referring to it as a concept of no beginning nor end.
This picture might not quite be infinity; however, it can still be a representation of the basic concept. The picture showcases a view of mountains that stretches far beyond our view. At simple sight, one would not have the ability to identify an end, and much less a start, to this stretch of land, which might be represented as a kind of infinity.
I love Buzz Lightyear – and especially, that he says “and beyond!” I like the idea that there is something beyond infinity (maybe a bigger infinity? Is there ever an end to it?)