Infinity is a concept that stretches beyond ordinary understanding, representing something that has no end or limit. In mathematics, it’s often symbolized as “∞,” a number larger than any finite quantity we could ever reach. But the concept of infinity is much more than numbers; it also appears in everyday life and nature, suggesting the boundlessness of time, space, and even ideas. When we try to understand infinity, we’re stepping into a realm that our minds struggle to fully grasp, where the limitations of what we know dissolve, and we’re left with only the wonder of endless possibilities.
Beyond the mathematical, infinity represents endlessness in many areas of life. The sky, the ocean, or even the passage of time all hint at this idea of an unending flow, with each moment leading into another, each wave rolling in just to be replaced by the next. This broader concept of infinity shapes how we think about the universe and our place within it, offering a perspective that is both humbling and intriguing.
One of my first experiences with the idea of infinity happened on a plane as I looked out at the endless stretch of clouds. The clouds seemed to blend into the horizon without any clear boundary, making me think about the vastness of the world and my place in it. As I later learned about infinity in math and philosophy, I kept returning to that view from the plane. Infinity wasn’t just an abstract concept anymore—it was something I could see and feel in that boundless sky.
For this post, I chose a photo I took from the plane window, capturing clouds extending to the horizon. This image, to me, shows infinity as a limitless view, where the clouds and sky seem to go on forever, evoking that same sense of wonder and mystery that defines infinity.
Hi Medina,
I like how you link the infinity to not only one but many examples that many of us can relate to. I also had a similar realization my first few times on a plane. Not being able to see the end of the stretch of clouds just made me wonder what was on the other side all the time! Even though I knew the sky wasn’t limitless, I just think it would be so much fun to imagine a possibility where there is actually no end to it.
Hey Medina,
I enjoyed hearing about your first experience with infinity; I can truly relate to it. I find it is in those blissful moments where you take the time to soak in the view and kind of internalize it that you capture how vast the concept of infinity is. When you look at the horizon and see the clouds clip off at the edge, knowing that the end is nowhere near in sight, that’s what infinity is. It is so cool that we get to experience it each day without even knowing; it’s like you said, “something we can see and feel.”
I like the idea that infinity is something you can “see and feel” in the sky. How old were you when you took that flight? Where were you going?