A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert
Thunk 34
If you lived in an infinitely large cage, would it still be a cage? (Alternatively, is the Earth a prison?)
77 comments:
I believe not, since us humans are physically incapable of travelling that far to even discover that we're in cage, we are as free as can be. =]
Thing is, if we were to live in an infinitely large cage, I don't think we'd actually ever consider us being caged in, for the simple reason because like Charlie said we, humans physically couldn't travel to discover the confinement, again simply because there isn't any... Technically it is true that it still remains a cage, no matter the size. However a cage typically means a restriction of freedom, and we are as free as we'd need to be...
Well said Bennyboy. (Y)
We already are in an infinitely large cage. Most scientists believe that they've located the edges of the universe with "Cosmic microwave background radiation". Even though the universe does have its limits, we still don't undergo the sensations that one would within a cage.
I believe that if we we're in a cage, we would feel imprisoned, woeful and stripped of our freedom. But within an "infinitely" large cage, one doesn't undergo any of those emotions, so i doubt wether it should be considered one.
^Excellent responses Charlie, Benedickte, Raya!
Consider also the case of the three cheetahs that spent all their lives in a cage. When after years of confinement they were released into the vast wilderness of the African Serengeti, they took a few tentative steps out of their cage and then crept back into the familiar comfort of their metallic home - in effect, choosing imprisonment over freedom.
No, I don’t think so.
An indefinitely large cage isn’t a cage at all. While there may be things that exists beyond the realms of our imagination, it doesn’t necessarily mean they do not exist at all- we could be (well technically, perhaps we already are) living in a cage and never know, simply because according to ourselves, we aren’t caged. We are free. It’s all about perception.
It would definitely remain a cage, but I believe imprisonment is when a person (or animal is confined) to disproportionately small space as when compared to the space roamed by their free counterparts. So if the cage were as big as the earth and we were allowed to go anywhere within it but not beyond, we would experience the same limits as a large majority of the human race. This may be a cage but it doesn't restrict or alter our daily lives in any way. As Benny said, "we are as free as we need to be"
A cage by definition is 'something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement.'Now if it were an infinitely large cage, infinitely being the key word, I don't see how it would restrict freedom. We wouldn't be confined to the bars of a crate like animals, our liberty wouldn't be limited and so, we wouldn't have to compromise our freedom.
I think the idea of a cage in itself is open go interpretation and understanding. Considering the point of an aspect of freedom, say the freedom of thought, we believe that we have absolute freedom over our thoughts, but our thoughts in itself have mostly been conditioned by society an ideals. Therefore, visiting the absolute extremities would be inviting yet devastating.
But taking into consideration the word infinite, which itself means limitless, the idea of an 'infinite cage' is an oxymoron.
I support the idea that the earth is a cage, not necessarily meaning that we are restricted since we are technically minute beings in an unfathomably and extravagantly large universe, but we are still aware that there is an existence of space beyond our world, which we are not currently welcome to visiting at our will. Here, I'd stress on the word 'will' because if it were not for our will and curiosity as human beings to go 'to infinity and beyond', we would find freedom with where we are right now. (Such as the example Mr. Roberts brought up about the cheetahs)
The topic on whether the Earth is a cage can be debated for hours, with valid arguments from both sides, and is open
to interpretation but can be easily swayed for relevance to subtopics.
A cage is defined as a structure of bars and wires in which birds or other animals are confined.
So we are not in a cage according to the dictionary but the world is so vast that we wouldn't be able to see it all in a life time.
We are not restricted to do anything but some people would feel that they are emotionally in a cage and wish to rest in peace.
I completely agree with Yolany's point of view. If a 'cage' does not restrict one's freedom and confine them to movement, then I dont see how it serves its purpose as a cage.
The dictionary defines a cage as a structure of bars or wires in which birds or other animals are confined. Being an 'infinitely' large cage, we are not held captives and so it wouldn't really be considered as a cage.
I personally believe that no matter how big a cage is you still cannot change the fact that it is a cage. A cage, in my definition, is a confined space that ultimately restricts you from things on the outside.
Now if you really were to think about it for a minute how is a large cage like the one we reside in any better from a smaller one? The difference is that in a smaller cage you are in full view of all the things your being restricted from. However, in a larger cage you cannot view what's on the outside so it gives the feeling of being let loose and free when actually your not.
It's almost like when the new world was discovered, before men were as free as could be advancing in every possible way without any knowledge of a foreign land residing on the same sphere only to realize what the mass body of water had actually restricted them from.
The idea of living in a cage brings to mind a surrounding that restricts movement, in effect restricting freedom. But the cage in question being infinitely large, like our Earth, just takes away all reason for it truly being a cage! We have ample freedom to move, think, act, and for the most part, do as we wish! So no, I do not think think living in an infinitely large cage would, in it's true essence, actually mean living in a cage.
I believe that a cage is something of a barrier that is used to confine or contain. I think that if a cage was infinitely large, it would defeat the purpose of a cage and could not even qualify as a "cage" as it doesn't stop us from escaping to anything.
Rameesa:
To tell you the truth we already are caged in an infinitely large cage. I believe so. And I think we are just not aware YET how small this earth is for the increasing population. We shall soon discover that we are actually in a cage. The earth is round. And we might go around as many times as we want, we can not discover a new part of earth that was or has been added recently. Does that make sense?
My point is the earth is round. NO NEW AREA is being added to it. Hence technically, it is a cage. Infinitely large maybe since its huge and it might be physically impossible in the short run to discover every single part of it. But the fact stays that it is still the same earth. So Yes. If we lived in an infinitely large cage, it would still be a cage. It is always a cage. Physical boundaries maybe far far away, but there are always other boundaries.
Imagine the world as being this cage, the world from its beginning, when nothing existed. If we lived in a infinitely cage humans would make progress, and a start a "new Earth" inside this cage.
Is the universe a cage? Is the universe infinitely large?
The problem is, we will never know for certain whether the universe is a cage. We will never know because we don’t know if there is anything that lies beyond the confines of our universe.
Before we consider what a cage actually is, we must understand what infinity is. In one of my favourite books, the Fault in Our Stars, John Green writes, “there are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.” What does this mean? To me, it means that differently sized infinities can coexist within a system. Therefore, we might think that our universe is infinite, and it may be infinite, but there might be another infinite entity that exists that is a bigger infinity than our universe is. Imagine it like this: imagine our universe enclosed in a bigger multi-verse, a multi-verse that we don’t have access to. Another way to think of this idea of a multi-verse that we don’t have access to is to consider the narrative technique, multi-narration, used in literary classics like Wuthering Heights. The narrators jump from perspective to perspective, each on different levels or times. Although both events seem to be occurring at the same time, they are separate.
Now is the universe a cage? I would say yes: a cage is a structure that confines us, and if there is something beyond the universe itself, some ‘bigger infinity’, then we are confined, per se.
The thing about planet Earth is that we're aware of it. We're aware that we are confined, infact we were aware for quite some time! You could say that this awareness led to the exploration and discovery of the space outside Our Earth, precisely, the discovery of other planets and moons, whacky theories and equations, etc. leading to one of its soul purposes: finding life elsewhere.
If I had to define a prison, I would define it as a room that restricts the possibility of exit. However that isn't the case with us humans on Earth. Yes, to an extent we were very restricted, but now we've found so much evidence of life out there, and together with the fact that technology is growing exponentially, hence I feel that soon we'll be able to leave and come back as we like!
To conclude, Earth is not a prison because we were aware and realized that we could be able to leave it, provided we had the technology and proof, which we're very close to achieving.
What is infinity? What does it mean to say something is infinite?
I believe that's one of the most important things we have to consider in order to answer this question.
It is very difficult for humans, with the mental capacity that we have to really be able to fathom the word 'infinite'. But, it infinite means that its not restricted to an amount, it is never-ending.
The second thing that we need to consider is what do we mean by cage?
Usually, a cage is something that confines something else - disabling it from escaping into something bigger.
However, if the cage is infinite, would it still be a cage? It it was expanding, and we could go on forever and soak in its hugeness, would it still be confining? I don't think so.
Plus, the point is to UNDERSTAND that you are in a cage; to acknowledge that you are being confined. If we don't understand, or refuse to understand that we are in a cage, there is probably no way that we would consider it a cage...
The alternative question refers to Earth being a prison. Earth can be a prison, if we deprive ourselves and everyone around us of leaving it.
It can be a prison if we choose to make it one. As far as we know, Earth is not infinitely large, therefore hindering or stopping humanity from escaping its realms makes it a prison.
As of now, because we can decide to transcend the boundaries of Earth (with the adequate resources), it is not a prison.
If the Earth is an ever expanding cage, then it is one I wouldn't mind being in.A prison is meant to restrict the movement and actions of its inmates.Yet Earth is so vast and spacious that if one spent their entire life dedicated to discovering, they would not be able to have witnessed even half of its beauty. To say that is a prison is ridiculous. The universe is indeed infinite.
If the Earth is an ever expanding cage, then it is one I wouldn't mind being in.A prison is meant to restrict the movement and actions of its inmates.Yet Earth is so vast and spacious that if one spent their entire life dedicated to discovering, they would not be able to have witnessed even half of its beauty. To say that is a prison is ridiculous. The universe is indeed infinite.
We do live in a cage, we were born in that cage, our body. We have limitations that restrict us. We can't see more than 95% of the spectrum, can't hear any sound below 10 Hz and above 10000Hz and can't be in two places at once. But this 'cage' is escapable. We've used our intellect to surpass these restrictions and confinements. Similarly, our Earth, our Solar System, our Universe are infinitely large cages that can be broken. We have already liberated ourselves from Earths gravity. Voyager 1 is proof that these 'iron bars' are breakable. For sure we are born in chains and cages, and for sure we'll break them.
There are two things to we need to look at here when pondering upon the answer to this thunk: the first being the meaning of ‘infinity’ and the second being the meaning of ‘cage’. Let’s first look at infinity; infinity can be described as an abstract concept describing something without any limit; something does not have an end to itself and that goes on and on and on; it’s something that we cannot begin to fathom with our brains and its mental capacity. A cage on the other hand is an enclosure; used to limit, confine, contain, protect or constrain the person or thing in it. Having said that, no I don’t think I would be living in a cage if it was infinitely large as I’m not being constrained or confined by it physically. On the other hand, let’s say I was creatively struggling in the infinitely large cage that I’m residing in, unable to pour out my thoughts or imagination into whatever I was doing, then at that point I might possibly say that I’m living in a cage
I think a lot of how free we feel, or conversely, how restricted we feel, is dependent on our attitudes toward these "cages" we live in. Our bodies can be cages, our homes, our classrooms - and often times, their (relative) sizes are not what ultimately constrict us, but our perception of these platforms.
I constantly feel trapped in my own body in many ways, as if I am being punished for being who I am. On better days, however, I feel empowered by it; It builds me a foundation on which I am stable, which leads me to believe that on a personal level, only I am able to restrain myself (rather than more external factors).
Nonetheless, the idea of infinity also plays a role in answering this question: if infinite is ongoing, overreaching, and never-ending, does this cage really exist at all? Infinity is said to be limitless, whereas cages are not - that's the very purpose of cages after all, to entrap you. Thus, perhaps, it can be argued that infinitely large cages really aren't cages at all, as your boundaries are constantly wandering, just as you are as you explore this cage.
However, this idea of infinity is quite naive, and ignores the nuances of the theory of infinity itself. As stated by George Cantor in his studies of mathematical sets and infinity, there are varying degrees of "infinity", separate from the so-called "Absolute Infinite" previously mentioned.
Thus, perhaps an amalgamation of both a more perceptional, and diversely, a more mathematical approach, would be able to accurately answer this question; In the words of Richard Lovelace, "stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage."
We are all animals.
We are caged into our own heads, our bodies, the jails we have invented, the schools we can never escape. The world, the Universe, the limits of creation.
All cages that are infinitely expanding.
Our minds are expanded everyday, even if because they won't shut up. The capabilities of our bodies expand everyday, even if just by becoming older, and discovering you can't do what you used to be able to. The world is expanding as increasingly advanced communication makes it a smaller place. And the Universe is, quite literally, expanding every second, every point racing away from every other point.
I believe cages aren't defined by physical boundaries. They're defined by whether you feel caged in or not. Ultimately, wardens are powerless if prisoners feel "free" within their prisons.
It is impossible to feel caged in by an infinitely large cage, at least for now. Our minds are unable to grasp the concept of infinity, and thus can never truly feel trapped. On the contrary, we are constantly in awe of the true expanse of our observable Universe, let alone what's really out there.
'Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.'
- Stephen Hawking
A cage is defined a structure of wires and bars used to keep something or someone in confinement. To confine means to enclose within bounds; within limits and the verb is usually associated with prison cells and inmates, thus also meaning that if you are confined, you are probably alone. So what does this mean? Space wise, no; an infinite cage is not a cage at all because there is an endless area of land to occupy (you’d die before you could explore it all because it would never end). However in terms of loneliness, it might in fact be a cage because there will be nobody but you. Loneliness can be a cage because there is nobody to talk to, nobody to share and engage with. Of course this can have all sorts of detrimental effects both physically and mentally, for example depression. If I were to live all alone in an infinite cage, I wouldn’t survive long because I hate being in solitude; I can’t stand being all alone. Having said that, I don’t think anybody would survive for long alone even if they are given the basic needs of survival. It is true that oxygen, water and food are essential for life, but so is the company of people, giving and receiving love and exchanging all sorts of other humanly emotions.
"infinitely large cage"
That is one liberating cage.
The purpose of a cage is to provide confinement, withhold, trap, your pick. If the universe is an infinitely large cage, infinite by definition being never-ending, is it really a cage by the definitions put forward from human understanding? If yes, then what is it holding us back from? Even if it is a cage, we don't experience the typical characteristics a cage possesses ( geddit, possesses, cage xD ).
I love how so many of my fellow ghp partners analyzed the human anatomy as being an ever so restricting cage, surely im not the only one singing " my body is a cage" by Arcade Fire right now after reading those comments.
The reason why I believe the universe is a liberating cage is because we havent explored enough, we havent bumped into a brick wall yet. we havent met any force yet that can hold us down for long. that's why, i believe, we're very calm, we believe we're free.
But when we finally meet this brick wall, when we finally realize there's so much more but we cant reach it, then we'll realize we have our limits. But only when it comes to our knowledge.
That the universe is a cage.
That our body is a cage,
That keeps us from dancing with the one we love
But our minds hold the key.
*sings*
It really depends on your perceptions. What is infinite? The universe in a way, is already an infinitely large cage (but is expanding). However, it wouldn't be a 'cage in the traditional sense of being restrictive and confined. Whether or not the universe 'cages' us or the earth is a prison depends on your frame of reference. In the bigger picture, the earth is tiny and for all purposes, we are stuck on this planet. However, most people on earth will not even cover the expanse of this planet in their lifetimes, let alone leave it. From the perspective of the common man, earth is a vast paradise, not a prison. Some people look beyond the horizon of the earth and yearn to cross its boundaries, which has lead to all the technology we have today. Technically, if a cage was infinitely large, it would still be a cage because at some unfathomable point (infinity), you will stumble upon its boundaries.
In all honesty, to me it's exactly the same thing, save for the one difference of not being able to download a real book again after you burn it. I don't see the harm in burning or throwing away a book and really isn't morally incorrect in anyway if deleting an online book isn't. Personally, i wouldn't actually burn a book because that's unnecessary and would simply throw it away if i wanted to get rid of it, but the point is, there's no difference in throwing away a physical copy or deleting an ebook. Either way, you're getting rid of information. Some people may enjoy collecting books but those are exceptions.
So, by definition, what is a cage? An enclosed space perhaps? A space with physical boundaries? A cage can always be looked at in the metaphorical perspective of being constricting and giving its inmates a feeling of insprisonment. So is an infinitely large cage, still a cage? By our physical definition, yes it is, because at some point no matter how far, it still has its boundaries. However, an infinitely large cage would not be constrictive as its inhabitants would have to traverse infinite distances to realize that they are caged in the first place. Case in point: Our universe. The universe is proven to have actual physical boundaries. Yet it doesn't imprison because of its vastness seeing as most of us will not cover even 'a fraction of a dot' in this cosmic ocean. There really is no definite answer to this. It's all a matter of perspective.
What is a cage? Well, conceptually it hold some limitations as to the area one is confined to. One does not have the freedom that they would normally enjoy outside the presence of this cage. It is holding these assumptions that I continue.
OK, so an infinite cage…is sort of, pretty contradictory. But I see a possible philosophical interpretation of the data. An infinite cage can be a model for the observable universe, or vice versa. What we can see is always growing, but we are limited by our perceived empiricism of what can be observed. In this way, we are limited by the fundamentals within this infinite cage, because of our approach to quantitative empiricism. It is the way we choose to interpret the dynamics of this closed, yet open cage that determines what our limitations are. In a way our limitations in this infinite cage are, and will always be, ourselves.
The purpose of a cage is to hold subjects captive and to prevent them from interacting with anything that exists outside of it. Now, if a cage is infinite, nothing can exist outside of it, as nothing can exceed infinity. By this logic, you are not being prevented from interacting with the outside world, as there is none; yet you are still trapped within the parameters of the universe. By recognising the fact that it has a size (infinity), we can also logically infer that this size increases, as infinity is boundless. This could indicate the existence of a cage that grows.
If this cage grows, yet you are still kept within its parameters, and cannot break them, then yes you exist in a cage regardless of its size. An infinitely large cage is still, a cage that holds you within a specific area (even if that area changes due to it constantly expanding).
Presuming you reach the end other the universe, and are now travelling at the same the universe’s parameters are expanding; ultimately you will not be able to pass infinity, and this inability to ‘pass’ highlights the purpose of the universe as a cage.
Infinity is officially defined as limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate.So if a cage was, so to speak, "infinite", it would basically be boundless. A cage, in my opinion, is something which restrains you or limits you in a way. So if one were to consider that a cage would still be a cage even if it were infinite, they would first have to question if they accept the aforementioned definition of infinity. Personally, because I do accept the definition first stated, would undoubtedly think that if a "cage" was "infinite", it would no longer be a cage, because it does not confine me in any way. If I were to aim to walk to the very border of that cage, I would never reach it because I could never walk an infinite amount in the first place.
This rather sinister conundrum skillfully pairs two, almost antipodal ideas together; an oxymoron as it is called in the English language. Infinite, which suggests limitless magnitude or freedom and cage which looks at defined boundaries and thresholds. But are these ideas miscible in our prevalent understanding of reality?
Let's look at the second part of the thunk that deals with our planet being a 'prison' of sorts. Every prison has a cage, so we will begin by mapping it's walls. Gravity is undoubtedly one of them, which gives rise to escape velocity and the like. It is the main force responsible for keeping all Earth-bred forms of mass on the Earth itself. On a more social note, money is another key determinant which dictates who or what leaves the planet. The Apollo 11 program for instance, culminated approximately 200 billion dollars in its entirety, a sum not many would be willing to offer to leave the earth. Thus we can confirm that the Earth is indeed a planetary confinement guarded by these two governing factors; extremely massive in size(relatively) I might add.
Speaking of sizes; infinity is quite a perplexing value to grasp. At times it may be smaller than the number 1 (0.5,0.25,0.125....infinity), other times it surpasses the largest numbers that our brains could conceive. The latter is of particular interest in terms of the question. Say fate had put you in an infinitely large cage. How would you find its walls and more importantly what happens when you step out? Would we then be in another infinitely large cage? In fact how many of them are there? (Mind Blow)
Not surprisingly, this all sounds too familiar. Our universe is in some ways a cage. However its walls, unlike earth, are not conceivable in spacial dimensions as it is ever expanding without end. Yet it is still not infinite because it has boundaries. Boundaries which all of us know a the laws of physics, the speed of light, the plank length, etc. Nonetheless, our brains cannot understand a world without them. Our imagination cannot even do so far as peak beyond the walls this infinite cage. Why? One reason and one reason only. Just like the cheetahs Mr.Roberts mentioned above, we were born in a cage.
The closest thing we have is a large black circle where neither time, light or anything for that matter exists in. A black hole...
What is a prison?
A prison is a vessel in which people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial.
Everyone has done something wrong in their lives, which they need to account for.
No matter how just.
No matter how sincere.
No matter how truthful.
Everyone makes mistakes.
Therefore, there will always be a just reason for calling Earth a prison.
A holding for individuals who have made mistakes they regret.
Because everyone makes mistakes.
And they are held within the ‘walls’ of Earth due to so many barriers to entry.
Example: money, time, commitments.
Otherwise, wouldn’t everyone be taking trips to Mars on the weekends, and Venus to pick up their groceries?
Essentially there are 2 sides of this Earth.
Economically speaking, a communist side, and a capitalist side.
It can easily be interpreted how the communist side can be translated as a prison for Earth; Where the government controls and rations everything you do, from eating to drinking, to going out to even the amount of children you can have.
Quite an obvious large scale example of a prison.
‘But what about free market?’ you would argue, ‘everyone has free will in a capitalist economy. Everyone can spend and save as they wish.’
True.
But everyone in the economy can only spend and save as much the government wants them to. As long they don’t create problems for them, the government generally lets them do what they want, however if they wanted, the government could take away any amount of wealth they wanted from people, by taxing or fining. In things other than wealth, the government could just put up laws for anything or everything.
Another form of controlling.
And what to jail monitors do?
Control what comes in and out of the cell, which their suspects are held in.
The Earth, and its economy works in the same way, through the basis of governments, who control what comes in and out of their cell. The economy.
Making Earth one big prison cell.
In a jail cell most inmates are not allowed to do what they want or act freely without any consequence whatsoever.When you put it in perspective the earth sound a mighty lot like a huge jail cell It is a place where we are not allowed to perform our actions to the fullest with out any consequence as to what may happen to us As in a jail cell we are not allowed to hurt the other inmates but sometimes when people hurt other inmates the jail wardens turn the other way, the same way human governments tend to do so when certain people get murdered .A good comparison to draw is that of the jail wardens and guards are like various governments .The stricter the jail ward the more it resembles a very authoritian government which exists in some corner of the world .
It depends. If this cage deprives its prisoners from their needs, wants, hopes and in some cases exploits their abilities and youth then it's certainly a cage regardless of its size or the way its people would make it look like.
For instance, fascist and totalitarian countries are in my opinion a prison. They take away the freedom of individuals, fill their lives with despair and reduce the possibilities of them being creative beings and instead transforming them into mind-numbed creatures with mundane lifestyles who abide by the rules set for them to follow. Some also argue that communism is in some way a cage since it doesn't promote innovation nor does it support higher life standards, even though -in theory- this system provides the most basic needs for its people but that still doesn't compensate for lack of curiosity, change and luxury. Not to mention, anti-capitalists also believe that capitalism is a cage for the mind and the soul, for it makes one so busy keeping up with the rapidly growing economy and demands that they forget themselves and never reach their highest potential. It turns everything into a product to sell and exploits the workers' energy and youth. Last but not least, some see religion as a prison as well. It prevents its followers from experiencing the real tastes of life by making them follow unquestionable commandments, under the threat of eternal punishment, that sometimes wouldn't make the least sense to almost anyone if they thought about it well enough.
On the other hand, Earth is not a cage. It's our only habitat -for now. It is not what is stopping us from exploring our universe or what's around us. It is our limited physical ability that created a boundary between us and the extraordinary.
This thunk can be divided into two parts.
If you lived in an infinitely large cage, would it still be a cage?
What is infinity? I could say 9999999999999999999999 is infinity. But there would always be something bigger. Infinity does not have a definite value or a concrete point. It’s a highly vague concept for something bigger than anything else. When there is no end point to infinity, how can you set a boundary?
A cage is a structure (normally made of bars or wires) used for confinement. But if it is infinitely large, every time you think you have reached its end point, there would always be something much further. Thus a cage like this would not really be a cage, because it would never have a boundary.
However, when we consider the Earth, however big it may be it does have an end point. There is a boundary an average person cannot cross. An average person does not have the freedom or resources to just get up and decide to go into space. Thus the Earth’s atmosphere could be considered a boundary we cannot cross and Earth may be called a cage of sorts.
I believe an infinitely large cage cannot be a cage as it is not possible for one to fathom its boundaries thus we don’t feel restricted. The only time we are imprisoned is when we let ourselves be imprisoned. Our body is not a prison instead it is a mechanism to feel infinite. We can use our minds to extend our stay on this planet and thus break the only restraint which is time.
Is the Earth a prison? No, because we can escape to space and explore the infinite opportunities waiting to be explored. Further we are able to think freely and thus escape to magical lands.
In conclusion I would like to quote Dale Carnegie:
“Two men looked out from prison bars,
One saw the mud, the other saw stars.”
The first few thoughts that enter our mind when the word “cage” comes up are related to confinement, lack of freedom, uncomfortable restrictions and so forth. The final image that is constructed is one tipping more to the negative point of view. Such cages could be emotional and virtual, beside the commonplace physical ones.
However, when the meaning of a cage is extended to an infinitely large one, many of the features that characterize a generic cage disappear. An infinitely large cage does not suppress anybody, be it physically, emotionally or virtually. This is because, more than the cage itself, it is our perception of the cage that is of more importance to us, and influences our actions more. We obtain such feelings of suppression and lack of freedom only when we are able to perceive the limits of the cage. However, in the case of an infinitely large cage, we are unable to perceive the boundaries of such a cage, and hence we do not feel constricted by such a “cage”.
The current “universe” that we live in is too humongous for us to comprehend and hence does not serve as a direct cause of constriction. However, we could consider the case for, say the multiverse theory. What if the laws of physics serve as cages from interacting with other “universes? By assuming the multiverse theory to be fact, we could observe how a cage that is seemingly (keyword here) infinite, can still act as a cage.
So if I did live in an infinitely large cage (which is a likelihood), then it would still be a “cage” per se, but not one that would cause any immediate feelings of constriction to myself.
(Interesting to note that the term “infinitely large cage” is a paradox in itself. If something is infinitely large, is it really a cage?)
In the context of this thunk, a ‘cage’ could be interpreted as the physical confinement of movement and activity, or, in a metaphoric sense, as a restriction on thought and imagination. In either case, there lies an underlying motif of constriction and limitation. Which is why, when the word ‘cage’ is linked to the words ‘infinitely large’ the whole thing just becomes an oxymoron and nullifies our preconceived characteristics of a typical cage. Clearly, this is because the very definition of infinity is unending – free of bounds and limits.
If infinity has no bounds, but a cage does have bounds, then what would that make an infinitely large cage? Since ‘infinitely large’ is the modifier in this scenario, the cage is assumed to be bereft of any boundaries. Therefore, it could be argued that such a cage is not actually a “cage” in a typical sense –the very essence of the limits associated with a cage clashes discordantly with the abstract idea of infinity.
The term infinitely large cage is, in the usual sense, an oxymoron, when someone says cage we usually tend to picture a tight space, closed off by bars, somewhere where we would feel confined, stranded of our freedom. So the question is, how can you be confined in an infinitely large space? When I was first thinking about this question, my first response was no, an infinitely large cage is by definition no longer a cage and earth isn't a cage either because we have the freedom to invent our way out of it, we already set foot on the moon and Mars and we are still developing stronger better faster rockets to help us explore the universe. But then I decided the cage doesn't have to be a physical one, I mean our no one on earth has complete and utter freedom. Freedom in my opinion is not possible without quality of opportunities, you can't tell someone they have the freedom to learn when they don't have access to a school. So because of all the segregation we each face in our day to day life, our freedom is consequently being confined.
So I guess in conclusion an infinitely large cage isn't a cage. And it's not earth's size that makes it a cage, it's the lack of equality of opportunities.
When given the word cage, we often relate it to a scene where we are placed in a confined area surrounded by bars where you are entirely restricted from the world beyond this confined area. Through our official definitions, yes, we would think an infinitely large cage is still a cage because at some point, regardless of the vastness of the space, it is confining us and hence correlates directly with the purpose of a cage.
However, to me, if all I've ever known was this confined area, would I still feel restricted like a bird trapped in a cage would? I believe the true definition of a cage is not the physical boundary it presents, but instead can only be defined on the basis of whether the individual confined inside does actually feel confined or not.
In our current state I believe it feel caged by our infinitely large earth. Perhaps in the future, during a time when our minds can fully grasp the vastness of the universe and understand the minuscule nature of Earth, we could feel like our years on this planet could be similar to that of a prison or a cage.
To be infinite, a cage would have to be unlimited or immeasurable in the extent of space, duration of time and other peripheral measures.
If there were such a cage, where is the necessary predeterminate of enclosure?
And without any palpable confinement, is our cage even a cage at all?
With all of our scientific and technological advancement, we know that the Earth has barriers. And one could liken those to the bars of a prison or even a cage.
But every caged criminal, animal or experiment pushes against the metallic bars of the cage, testing its boundaries, trying to escape its clutches and the claustrophobia that accompanies being confined within set limits. However, does the average man feel the same on Earth? Can this man even test the boundaries of our measured planet?
If we were to approximate all the touristic spots, major cities and towns in the world with populations of 100,000 and above for a human being to visit on the Earth we would arrive at an estimated figure of 3,200 places. By calculation, that's 3657.14 weeks or 70.3 years to see it “all”!
With epidemic diseases, heinous crimes and the increasing pressures of survival, most humans do not even live that long. How then can one feel imprisoned by a world they cannot fully know? Hence, our prison-like Earth is not at all prison-like to most. And the ever-expanding universe is not even in question.
Naturally, it is quite possible that an individual (other than myself) could feel confined within this infinitely large cage. And so while appearing seemingly liberating, the cage could still be a cage.
I, in all of my limited powers of human perception, just wouldn't feel like it.
The question itself begs another question: what is your definition of a ‘cage’? If it is simply an enclosure – a matter of physical space – I don’t think an infinitely large one would be any different from no cage at all. After all, a cage is only a cage if one knows the limit or boundaries of the said cage. But, if this so called ‘cage’ restricted one’s rights, one’s freedom to do anything, then an infinitely large one would be an absolute nightmare. No matter where they go, there will be no escape.
Now, the matter if earth is a prison. Firstly, it is not infinitely large. We do know it holds 149,000,000 km² of land and its volume is a grand total of 1,080,000,000,000 km³. That is a whole lot of space and I understand why one would think of it infinitely large, but if you compare it to the rest of the known universe, it is just a ‘pale blue dot’ (Sagan), almost insignificant in the cosmos. Earth, in itself, is not a prison. One might argue that it is restricting us from exploring the rest of the universe, but I beg to differ. The Earth is in no way stopping us from just leaving, the fact that it has endured all that we have done to it without destroying itself is a marvel. If there is anything that is currently holding us back, it is our lack of technology – and that problem too is being swiftly rectified. Once a ship that can fly us off to any remote galaxy or star system is invented, the Earth will not stop us from flying away. So, in conclusion, if we are free to leave and live our lives the way we want to (most of us, anyway), I see no reason why the Earth should be called a Prison.
But the question is- what is a cage? It is a designated area, marked off by metals or bars that is conventionally used to confine animals or birds. And technically an infinite area would be impossible to create a boundary around. But I think humans face a cage like no other. One that is moulded by the expanse and intellect of the human mind. The barriers to humans are the ones that mark how far humanity has come, but those borders are ones that can expand and do expand in sync with human development.
Another definition of a cage is a prison or a cell. This is the scarier definition, the idea of being able to decide how far a human can go mentally of physically is overwhelming but mostly frightening. Even if the prison or cell was infinite, the idea of the cell itself can be maddening. Being told what you can and can't do, only enhances the yearning to break the glass ceiling. I believe the concept of the cage and the intangible idea of borderlines are the definitions of why even an infinite cage is a cage nonetheless.
Even scarier, we might be living on one?
An infinitely large cage. Infinite is a number which cannot be defined or imagined by our brain. It is too much to comprehend, so if this is applied to a cage; which is something that entraps a person for a period of time, like an animal in a zoo, would a human even understand that they are trapped?
Considering the question, "Is the Earth a prison?", this is more specific, for we know the boundaries of the Earth, and we know that there may be life beyond these boundaries. However, unlike a cage, the earth does not hinder our exploration of space, and it does not block any of our satellites and rockets from leaving the confined space. Therefore, I don't think that it is right to call the Earth a prison, or an infinitely large cage, because the characteristics of a prison does not match up to the beauty and serenity of the Earth.
A cage in its literal meaning is defined as “a structure of bars or wires” with its primary function being to confine animals. A cage can be looked at into two aspects; in certain cases it can be used to protect from the outside world yet it can also be used to entrap.
It is also important to consider metaphysical cages in the example of the Earth – there are other factors which can contribute to something constituting a ‘cage’, for example a defining aspect of a cage is the psychological entrapment it creates – effectively isolating you from the outside world and preventing escape. A cage’s purpose for the most part is to dehumanise and keep you stranded in one place, if a cage were infinitely large, where would its boundaries be?
Our Earth shouldn’t be labelled a prison due to the freedom it exhorts on us, humanity has already made its venture into space without resistance from Earth, and as such we are not restricted, therefore Earth is not a prison but rather an enigmatic area yet to be explored fully without limits.
Infinity is a very counter intuitive concept for humans to truly understand and justifiably so. Mathematics have remarkably learnt to deal with infinities but for physicists, infinities spell trouble. We have known that there are an infinite number of natural numbers for quite some time but physical infinities are harder to truly understand.
However, physical infinities occur all the time, for example, the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a physical circle is an infinite number or in physics, apart from string theory, all fundamental particles are infinitely small and yet they make up the entire world we see around us.
The concept of an infinitely large cage seemed like quite a fallacious idea to me at first because the words “infinite” and “cage” are contradictory. A cage by definition is supposed to restrict and confine it’s inhabitant(s) to a finite space, whereas an infinitely large space is exactly the opposite, no matter how far you travel, you will never reach the end and hence never be confined to a boundary.
This said, I actually think that it would be a cage in the sense that you could never get out of the cage, no matter how far you go you will always have to travel more, in fact, an infinite distance.
Physicists say the universe is probably finite in space but an infinite universe is perfectly compatible with the laws of physics. If this the case, the universe is our ultimate prison, infinite and inescapable
In order to understand what living in an infinite cage would be like, minds would have to expand to attempt imagining something inconceivable. Furthermore it is necessary to ascertain whether that would relatively still be considered confinement regardless of whether it is boundless or limitless. The human mind works best on perception and unless it is aware that it has bounds it wouldn't feel constrained or limited.
Not knowing that this so called infinite area has held you captive wouldn't make you feel as though you were entrapped. Even if you were to know that the 'cage' is infinitely large and you would deceive your conscious self into believing there isn't anything beyond this, the human mind as it were is built to continually seek, explore and cross boundaries, so just the idea of confinement is enough to arouse the human curiosity into wondering what lies beyond. Therefore ‘infinite’ and ‘cage’ are both contradictions in terms and relative at the same time to each and every human.
Considering the alternate question of whether earth was a prison? From what I understand the Earth is colossal. With an area of 510.1 million km² to be precise, I wouldn't technically deem this to be a prison because it takes an average person most of their lifetime to cover the Planet. However, for those who are keen on exploration beyond these limits (Earth) and lack either the inclination or resources to do so, the earth could be considered a place of captivity.
On the other hand, would it feel like a prison? I wouldn't think so. The Earth is beautiful with its natural wonders, its vibrancy, flora and fauna, and these cannot be considered in any form sharing characteristics of a prison. In order to understand what living in an infinite cage would be like, our imaginations would need to go above and beyond realms of reality into something inconceivable. Even so, at which depth of perception confinement as a term is extremely relative, irrespective of how limitless, or ‘infinite’ it is perceived as.
Infinity is the idea of something that has no end.
A cage is anything that imprisons an animal or human, with the help of steel bars.
If we're kept in an infinitely large cage, we wouldn't call that place we live in a cage, we would start calling that place home. We would have to walk numerous kilometeres to find out that we all actually living in a cage. It'd take numerous years to find the steel bars covering the area we live in, and realise that we all are imprisoned in this steel bared cage.
We can not say that the Earth is a prison, as it is not surrounded by these steel bars and guards the same way any prison would be. We are able to explore and even send a countless number of satellites and even people to space. The characteristics of Earth can not and should not be compared to a prison.
The average person would say that a cage is a box like confinement tool, to prevent its contents escaping a given area, however, if we were to live in a cage that was infinite, it wouldn't physically be a cage at all. However in saying that having the knowledge that this area was in fact a cage, regardless of the fact that it was infinite,could put a cap on what we as humans think we could achieve. The awareness that there is a some form of confinement upon us, although nottechnically true, would limit our ability to develop as a species, we inevitably would end up being the thing that stop our growth, even though physically there is no such thing.
Infinitely large cage..... Isn't that something we all are a part of?
The universe itself is an infinitely large cage, a cage which we are constrained to for the rest of our existence or atleast until something catastrophe results in the end of the universe. A cage is not necessarily something with bars, wires or a bunch of high tech laser gizmos. It is simply an area to which an something is confined to. Now counteracting this with the accurate definition of cage would be futile, as again regardless of wires or bars the main purpose of a cage is confinement.
The question posed here is if I lived in an infinitely large cage, would it still be a cage?
Well, it would still be a cage as although infinitely large, it would still have a barrier that I am confined to. Its another matter whether I will be able to reach that barrier considering the cage is infinitely large, but the barrier is there nonetheless.
To live in a cage implies for one to live not just within a structure of bars and wires but virtually as well, under confinement. One caged would be immured as well as restricted to both, freedom and liberty. However, the question posed here was that if i were living in an INFINITELY LARGE cage, would it still be a cage? Of course, because i'm still technically incarcerated. Nonetheless this alleged cage is infinite which again means limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate. So i'm simply living with confined space yet uncertain whether girded or not, if girded, then knowingly unaware of the incalculable perimeter; i'm unaware of the outlying periphery.
Alternatively.
Can this radical yet bodacious sphere we're situated at be called a prison? Even though it is undoubtedly strait especially if you compare it to the planets nearby, (or even the distant stars) it may seem like we are inevitably confined within it. So, are we imprisoned within this astonishing sphere? Candidly so. Although, we're untrammelled & free from plenty of the incommodiousness & we are living in with disenthrallment. It is just that we humans are constrained of exploring and thoroughgoing the cosmos. Evidently, in that way, we are.
This entire question itself is a paradoxical statement because the word cage, defines onto; anything that confines or imprisons; prison.
While infinite refers to never-ending; boundless.
Therefore it contradicts itself; the statement being an oxymoron and disagrees with itself.
But when we look on the other hand, human perception contradicts. Cages, subjectively, is something that holds back the freedom of thoughts and actions. The universe could be called an infinitely large cage, ascribable to it expanding exponentially and infinitely. And it does restrict actions, action being for example; moving outside the universe or even understanding the entire universe, because, of its rapid and infinite increase.
On the other hand, the earth can be called a prison, due to it holding us back, caging us in.The bars are gravity, which effectively keep all creatures in. However, as it is possible to break out of prison, it is possible to break out of gravity’s grasp.
However, some people may not agree due to the fact that they have no wish or thoughts about moving outside the earth and they are completely content with their lives on earth.
Therefore, to them, earth is not a prison, but home.
Is Earth a prison?
A building or structure to which people are legally committed as a punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial.' This is the Google definition for what prison is. It should be right then, right? We often believe whatever Google says, or what our teachers say, or what our mom says.
Thats a form of imprisonment in itself. As you go through your entire life. You've been drilled to follow rules, whether its your mom at 5, your teacher at 10, your professor at 21, your boss at 30, and the government at 50.
During your life you do not just work under people, but under conditions too. The rules, regulations and laws will always be something that confines our deeds. Our governments, presidents, monarchies, and politicians will always leave their marks on the planet with their new laws and demands, making the cage tighter and tighter for humans.
Your life will always be confined to this planet's rules and people.
Making Earth your very own large scale prison cell.
Is Earth a prison?
We can start answering this question only by defining certain terms. What is a prison exactly? By definition, a prison is a building to which people are legally committed as a punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial. So on the surface level, we could safely say that the Earth is indeed not a prison.
However, with further thought, I believe that they Earth may be considered a prison. To explain this, I must explain what goes on in a prison. In a prison, prisoners are forced to conform to particular rules. If they do not conform to these rules, they are punished. How is society any different from this? In the world that we live in, we, like prisoners have constraints. Though we are not bound by physical constraints, we still face both moral and social constraints. In society today, we are very particular about what we wear, how we look and other matters similar to this. We don’t generally do these things purely out of free will, but we do them as we are conforming to the requirements of society.
Overall, I believe that though the Earth may physically not be a prison, it still acts as one due to the fact that humans are forced to conform to societal norms. Those who don’t are outcast.
A cage can be thought of anything that confines or imprisons. Infinity can be defined as the unlimited extent of time, space or quantity. An infinitely large cage would therefore mean that the size is large by an unlimited quantity, not changing the fact that it is still a cage.
Knowing this, I would say that yes, an infinitely large cage would still be a cage. The sole purpose of imprisonment is fulfilled and no matter how expansive it is, we still cannot ignore the fact that a cage has boundaries, even though we cannot see them.
Coming to the alternative question. I think the earth is not a prison, it is more of a maze through which mankind must navigate to find a sort of key to leave this planet (in the context of this question, of course). If it was a prison, it would imply that we are not able to get out, or that we are not authorized to. Also, since a prison is also a sort of confinement area, restricting people to go beyond the boundaries, earth cannot be a prison because of the fact that we can leave it to explore space.
A cage is usually something that confines something else. In some cases, like zoos, they are thought to take away freedom and are therefore frowned upon . In other cases, however, a cage could be good. Think about a hamster, for which a cage is home. It contains everything that the hamster could ever need; food, water, one of those wheels that hamsters are always running in, and maybe even a mate. This lucky hamster would have no reason to ever leave the cage.
In a much broader sense, humans are somewhat like this hamster; confined to the boundaries of earth and space. On this planet is everything that we need and more. So although this infinitely large cage may still be a cage, we pale in comparison to its size and therefore do not feel limited by it. We are instead, endlessly fascinated and always eager to discover and explore.
If we were to put an ant in the center of a cage that covers 50 km² of ground, it would most likely never reach the cage's boundaries so it wouldn't really care. But to us humans, the same cage would be a big deal and we would desperately want to leave it. Therefore, I believe a cage would only be a cage if whatever is inside feels restricted by it in any way.
Another way to put it is that if you cannot go everywhere inside the cage due to its size, it's not a cage. So, if I was alive around 200 years ago or before, it would be almost impossible for me to visit every single place on Earth. But today, it in fact is possible so perhaps technology has caused our planet to become a cage. At least by my definition.
Lastly, it would be impossible to go everywhere in an infinitely large cage no matter how developed technology becomes so it wouldn't really be a cage.
A cage is anything that confines or imprisons, therefore if we think of it like that, the earth is not a cage because we do not feel confined. We have all that we need and therefore do not feel the need to go anywhere else. However maybe in the future, if the earth does not have everything we need anymore because there are too many people or that we have destroyed to much, then yes, it becomes a cage because we feel confined and imprisoned in it.
Technically, yes we are confined to the earth however with technology, we are able to go further and further into space so we are breaking the boundaries of the earth, or the cage. There in this case the earth would be a cage as we are not able to leave it unless we are able to create technology that breaks the boundaries of the cage.
No, it would certainly not be a cage. Like many above me mentioned, a cage by definition: ‘a structure of bars or wires in which birds or other animals are confined’. Unlike a prison, a cage doesn’t restrict us from performing any activity, hence rules are out of the way and the only purpose of a cage is to hold someone or something inside. But doesn’t infinity mean ‘NEVER ENDING’? So even if we walk and walk and walk for thousand of centuries, we would never actually see the bars, since it’s an infinite distance away, and the fact that we are not restricted from so much movement shows that we are not trapped, hence proving that it is not a cage.
But then again, if we are in a cage, we are not able to cross from one place to another, we are stopping from entering another place. How can one cross infinity? If we can’t move from that specific place to another, aren’t we trapped? Aren’t we in a cage then??
It’s a lot to think about, and once again a thunk is driving me nuts.
Well, this is definitely one of the most intriguing thought provoking questions that I have come across. However, a cage, as defined by Oxford, is a structure of bars and wires in which animals are confined, or a prison cell/camp. Therefore, an infinitely large cage would have ambiguous interpretations on whether it really is a cage or not. In a more obvious interpretation, it would seem that an infinitely large cage would not be considered one as cages usually are small and have visible confinement eg. Steel bars around it. However, cages’ main principle is to confine who is inside it. Take for example, the Black Mirror Christmas special, White Christmas. In it, Humankind has processed to the time where a person’s conscience can be downloaded onto a computer and placed into a simulation of another world. This could be an infinitely large cage where indeed the person is confined, as he is kept away from the world, which is confinement. Moreover, in the movie The Truman Show, Jim Carrey as Truman, believed that the world he lived in, was in fact, true and legitimate. However, as we progress into the movie we see that in reality his world is only an extremely large set, and his life, his day to day activities are recorded and made into a show for the world to watch, with all the ‘citizens’ in his world being actors. Again, it may not physically be infinite as it was a set, however according to Truman it was an infinitely large area, basically the Earth, and the universe and so on. Moreover, he was also kept within the set like an animal, which proves that even if a cage is infinitely large, at the end of the day, it still is a cage; it keeps its contents in. The only difference between a cage and an infinitely large one is that the larger one is in more detail and area, and frankly a much more horrifying factor for the person inside it to discover.
When we think of a cage we think of confinement. When one is confined, he/she can't explore beyond a certain point, there's always a limit, always restrictions. Hence, when we consider an infinitely large cage, we are forced to reevaluate our definition of a cage since there is no apparent “limit.”
I think a striking anecdote might be the Earth. For ages, people believed that the Earth was the only place we could explore and Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin and his team proved them wrong in 1961. Until then everyone was under the assumption that the Earth was like our cage, but now after decades of research we know that is not the case. Similarly, now, it may seem like the observable universe is a cage with a limit on how much we can explore, however, as years pass we know technology will eventually help us learn more about the ever-expanding universe. The closer we get to the “edge” of the observable universe the farther it gets from us, extending the “limit.”
Whether we consider ourselves confined in this infinite cage depends on our perspective as a cosmic citizen and our current resources. If you are optimistic about the future, you are more likely to enthusiastically anticipate the answers beyond the edge of the infinite cage.
Being bound by limitations has always aroused human curiosity, it's always inspired us to push forward these boundaries. We have found ways to advance ourselves and go beyond. So rather even if earth was a prison we would find a way to escape it. Which speaks volumes about the inquisitive nature of mankind.
It also brings to light the fact that even if the earth was a cage we wouldn't feel it so much due to the fact that our planet is quite big and a mere regular human wouldn't have been able to explore the entire earth by themselves in a lifetime, also due to the fact that we are self sufficient kind we live and fend for ourselves by using merely our own planet's resources.
Therefore it would not feel like we are trapped however as of recent times human ideologies have changed and our visions have shifted as cosmic citizens we continue to wander outside our own planet instead of being confined to our own .
No.
The purpose of a cage is to contain, to prohibit movement to another place. An infinitely large cage would contain all the places there are to move to, it would encompass all of everything, and therefore prohibits nothing. The boundaries of the universe are an infinitiely large cage, and yet we do not feel trapped because all of everything exists within the cage.
Earth being a prison is an interesting question, however I do not think it is a prison. Mainly because we can leave. It is difficult, requiring a lot of science and resources and training, but we can always leave. Instead I'd consider the earth to be a safe haven, an oasis away from the coldness, darkness, and emptiness of deep space. We aren't trapped here, but for the time being it is the safest place we have available to us.
To me, I think of a cage as a confinement in which the prisoner is restricted from free movement, will and, on a figurative level, freedom of thought and speech. Physically speaking, no, it would not be a cage; infinite is defined as endless -- if we cannot see the borders of the so-called "cage", how can we accurately assign the label? Furthermore, an infinitely large cage would mean that no matter the direction you travel in, you will still be able to move without restraint since the borders of the cage are not observable. In the perspective of Earth-dwellers, once again physically speaking, we are technically not restricted. Several humans so far have stepped foot into the vastness beyond. At this point in time, we are majorly restricted in inhabiting another planet or from intergalactic travel primarily due to our technological shortcomings and lack of sufficient funding. The option is there in our reach, we simply have to advance forward to nab it.
Subjectively speaking, however, I do believe to some extent that the Earth is a prison in terms of the way we humans create our society. Some social constructs and traditions here are clearly outdated, yet they are ubiquitous and overbearing. For instance, several times have I felt overwhelmed and frustrated by how old-school people think, especially when it comes to the education system present and the routine "go to school; go to university; get a job; get married; have kids; retire". It is a convenient path to take, agreed. Nevertheless, an individual should have a choice to opt for their own path in life and, most importantly, should not be scorned or disdained for choosing to do so. In addition, several countries to this date lack freedom of speech and thought, which is highly detrimental to our progress as a species. This is the prison I believe that we need to break free from.
No. The very definition of a cage is a small structure in which we confine something or someone. A cage prohibits that something or someone to move freely and do as they wish. An infinitely large cage would would defeat this very purpose, since the confined person or animal will be able to move freely and do as they please. An example of an infinitely large cage could be the cosmos as it has boundaries unknown to the humans for which we say are infinite. But do we feel confined and prohibited from movement in this gigantic cosmos? Of course not, because the cosmos is so huge that our freedoms are limitless.
I do not consider the Earth as a prison but rather as a foster home. The Earth enable humanity to grow and progress by providing us with the tools to become an intelligent species and one day when our technology allows us, we will become a space-bearing species conquering different solar systems. If the Earth were to be a prison we would not be able to leave it, but have already disproven that with missions/projects such as the ISS and Apollo 11.
If you lived in an infinitely large cage, would it still be a cage?
The question's ambiguity intrigues me.
Would it still be a cage?
A cage is something that confines someone to an area. And a cage implies that there is something out there. However it is stated in the prompt that the cage is infinitely large. This contradicts my earlier line that there is something outside of a cage; and is why it's called a cage. This implies there is something outside of infinity. A paradox.
Is the Earth a cage?
Poetically put, we are caged in the confines of our Earth, the Earth that raised us and moulded us to become how we are. We love Earth, but we feel it is time to take off and find our own way in the universe. We are in a cage and it is up to us to forge a key out of our amalgamation of intellect and innovation. The Earth is not cruel, it does not seek to crush our efforts. However, the Earth is not willing to lend us more of a helping hand than assuring us that all of what we need is with us, confined in the cage with us.
The nature of a cage is, at its essence, to contain. At first glance, the most intuitive understanding of this would be a one-sided one; it is merely sufficient for bars, either literal of figurative, to exist for an enclosure to be considered a cage. Consider an ant, however, or any other miniscule being of your choosing; if it travels at speed ‘v’ and its lifespan is time ‘t’, and it is placed in a cage at a distance greater than ‘v’ x ‘t’ from any of the walls in such a manner that even if it were to single-mindedly travel in one direction, it would die of age before it arrived, is it caged in any meaningful way? I think not; the ant – assuming it is capable of coherent thought – does not, at any point feel that it is caged, nor is it capable of learning that it is caged despite the fact that it is effectively living in an infinite cage and, thus, it is not caged in any meaningful way. A true infinitely large cage can be thought of in a similar manner – that is, only for the ant (or other tiny creature, I won’t discriminate).
Insofar as the feeling or knowledge of being caged is a prerequisite to being in a cage in any meaningful way, it follows that one who lives in a cage with the knowledge that they are in a cage is, in fact, in a cage. The reason for this is the second role a cage plays when in relation to sentient minds: they establish an at least theoretically tangible area or space that can be navigated or explored. The best – and only – example for an infinitely large cage is the universe; we know of its rapidly expanding edge, and we know that we will not be able to travel beyond it and, thus, we live in an infinitely large cage.
The word ‘prison’ has far more connotations than the word cage, despite being functionally the same at their core. To use it with the connotations – in that it is cage where one is held as punishment – I think it depends upon your perspective; if you follow the Biblical narrative of Adam and Eve (or any of its historical predecessors) and the idea that they and their descendants were cast to Earth as a North Korea-esque punishment, I suppose the Earth is a prison, and we are all awaiting early release for good behavior.
Otherwise, for both with the connotations and using it interchangeably with ‘cage’, I’d say that if at all the Earth is a prison, it is one that we have now broken free of with space travel, in a similar fashion to how continents were prisons that we’ve broken free of with faster land and sea travel. In fact, all of humanity’s major hurdles can be spoken of as cages, with language, co-operation, technology and education being the keys we used to break free. Had we not sought an exit and innovated, created and grown, we might have remained within the cage in a world before, unaware of the world that lies beyond and of our ability to move beyond it, and we would have been all the worse for it.
A cage confines. It limits and restrains; it imprisons.
But what if it didn’t?
The question pivots around whether a cage can be called a cage if it doesn’t do what cage is supposed to do. (meta, I know)
A man can be in shackles, his wrists wounded by the chains and his knees rusting like old gears on an abandoned tractor. Yet he is happy. He is free. He can escape off into the world he is writing. A pen, a pad of paper, and a different mindset rendered his physical cage powerless.
Is this cage then, still a cage when it has no change on this person’s outlook?
Likewise, when a person who is seemingly free traps himself in a cage of inferiority—a cage that is not physically present—is he truly more free than the man in a physical cage mentioned above?
I believe a cage becomes a cage not by its sheer size, rather, the perspective of the one in it.
A cage, a cage where you can do anything, you have everything, - this can be still classified as a cage. As the definition of cage states, "A structure of bars or wires whose primary function is to support and hold something". If you are stating "is it still a cage" once it has been stated it is a cage, it is a cage no matter how big, what you can do - it's been said it is a cage. Alothugh it hasn't been classified under the natural stereotype of a cage, "having bars, wires" it still supports and hold something. For example the planet, the universe is so vast and although the planet earth, each individual is so different from one another - the prisoners we can still do everything but we are limited from the extended atmosphere and the universe around us. Therefore, the earth is a simulated prison cage with everything you want to do but with restrictions from the outer universe.
The basic definition of cage states, "A structure of bars or wires whose primary function is to support and hold something". The same applies to the word prison, except we feel more strongly when we use words that trap us within our own boundaries. As mentioned above, the best – and only – example for an infinitely large cage is the universe; we know of its rapidly expanding edge, and we know that we will not be able to travel beyond it and, therefore, we live in an infinitely large cage. The closer we get to the perceivable boundaries of the observable universe the farther it gets from us, making us question the existence of the cage, thus, making us true cosmic citizens.
I think referring to the earth as a prison is misleading, as it implies that there is a prisoner, that someone or something has intentionally conspired to keep us trapped onto the surface of our little blue dirtball. If someone kidnapped you from you house and locked you in a cellar, you’d very likely describe the situation as “being imprisoned”. Conversely, if you were exploring an abandoned house and fell into a cellar, you wouldn’t refer to it as a prison in anything other than the metaphorical sense. I think there might be more merit to the suggestion that we’re trapped on Earth. Sure, we’ve figured out how to reach send probes into the farthest reaches of space, and we’ve also human beings on the moon. However, if you or I wanted to leave other, it’s not exactly as simple as strolling into an airport. Even then, a trap does not stop being a trap just because you’ve found a way out
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