SPACE

The first thing I think of when I hear space is...


Planets, stars, galaxies, meteorites, asteroids and the void between them.


According to Cambridge Dictionary, space is the empty area outside Earth's atmosphere, where the planets and the stars are.


More scientifically, space is an almost perfect vacuum, nearly void of matter and with extremely low pressure, where sound doesn't carry because there aren't molecules close enough together to transmit sound between them. Not quite empty, bits of gas, dust and other matter floats around "emptier" areas of the universe, while more crowded regions can host planets, stars and galaxies.



The astronauts prepared for their mission to explore the mysteries of space beyond our solar system.

Let's find a meaning at a smaller scale, closer to us...


We often use space to refer to our reality, to the world we interact with daily, or to the fact that in between everything we see, there is always "something". It could also refer to the distance between two objects or people.


More formally, this can be defined as the dimension of height, depth, and width, within which all things exist and move.


Or, a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction.



In architecture, understanding how light interacts with space is crucial to creating functional and aesthetically pleasing designs.


This space has been decorated beautifully!


The space between the two colleagues allowed them to pass documents back and forth with ease.

Maybe even smaller...


Space can indicate an empty area that is available to be used.


In other words, a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.



There is space for one more chair at the table.


I cleared some space on the kitchen counter to start preparing dinner.


They found a quiet space in the park where they could sit and enjoy the afternoon.

And smaller...


Could a meaning of space be somehow tied to people...?


So far, all meanings of space were about things that are external to us, but we often use the word space to talk about human behaviours/needs/tendencies etc.


The distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable.


She values her personal space and does not like to be hugged.



An opportunity for privacy or time to oneself.


I need some space to think about this matter.



A metaphorical area for ideas, discussions, or creativity to unfold.


The event created a space for open dialogue on important social issues.

Space can enhance and be enhanced by other words...


Space as a verb...


To arrange things or people so that there is some distance or time between them.


The event organizers decided to space the tables evenly across the hall to ensure everyone had enough room.


The teacher spaced the exams a week apart to give students enough time to prepare.



To fail to remember something.


I totally forgot to write last week. I had planned to do it, I had it all figured out, and I spaced.



If used with out it means to become inattentive, distracted, or mentally remote.


I spaced out halfway through the lecture.

What about "spacing"...?


In printing or writing, spacing is the amount of space between successive words, letters, or lines.


The default setting is single spacing.



The distance between any two objects in a usually regularly arranged series.


The appropriate spacing of the plants ensures they get enough resources.



The arranging of the amount of time between things.


The plan offered several options for the spacing of payments.

Sometimes, the meaning of a word changes because of our experiences...


Space is also within us...


I discovered this video some time ago, and it made me think about our relationship with outer space, how we have this innate curiosity about what's beyond the Earth's atmosphere, how we look up at the night sky and are left in awe by the beauty in front of us, how we named the stars and the planets because we understood their importance, and how we dream about someday reaching them.


It is quite well known that remnants of the Big Bang make up the chemistry of everything around us, from Earth to our own bodies, and maybe it is why we have such a fascination towards space, as it is essentially the birthplace of our existence.

THANK YOU!