Business masters' with a ridiculously stupid question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of distance and the speed of light, particularly in relation to the concept of a vacuum. The original poster questions whether distance is a subjective measurement influenced by the medium through which light travels, including dark matter. They express confusion about the implications of light's speed in various mediums and the definition of a true vacuum. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in understanding these fundamental physics concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics principles, particularly related to light and distance.
  • Familiarity with the concept of a vacuum in physics.
  • Knowledge of dark matter and its implications in astrophysics.
  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity, specifically the equation e=mc².
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of light in different mediums, focusing on the speed of light in various materials.
  • Study the concept of a vacuum and its significance in physics.
  • Explore the role of dark matter in the universe and its effects on light propagation.
  • Learn about Einstein's theory of relativity and its implications for distance and speed measurements.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students of physics, amateur astronomers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of light, distance, and the nature of the universe.

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Please don't destroy me I'm utterly out of my league. Totally admit it. Never took a math class beyond college algebra (a proud, passing C) and no physics not even 101. Yes I suck.

Ok so just intuiting but isn't distance always going to be a subjective measurement of space between objects...including the famous e=mc^2...light ALWAYS travels through a medium, space isn't a vacuum. I can slow the speed of light by blocking it; space is chuck full of crap we can't see (dark matter and such). So if light travels through 70% dark matter at x speed, 68% dark matter would make it speed up right so what is the real measurement? And what is a vacuum anyway? No space at all? So is Distance just the measurement of something traveling through a fixed medium? The space between things is therefore a measurement of what literally lies in the way of a beam of light? Take that out and you got what? Nothing, right? That's a true vacuum? Without anything truly lying in the way of light there really isn't such a thing as distance?
Seriously I don't know. And none of my idiot non physics friends here know either. So please take us mensch out of our misery and just tell me. us the 'speed of light' something that is more of a 'moving target'?
 
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