Is Darkness Really the Opposite of Light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether darkness is the opposite of light, exploring various interpretations of "light" and the concept of opposites in general. Participants engage in a conceptual examination, considering definitions and implications of the terms involved.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the answer depends on how "light" is defined, with responses varying based on interpretations.
  • One participant proposes that the opposite of light could be a phase shift of pi/2.
  • Several participants express skepticism about the existence of an opposite to light, questioning the validity of the question itself.
  • Some responses include "darkness" as a straightforward answer, while others explore alternative interpretations like "heavy" or even abstract concepts like "stasis."
  • A humorous response suggests that the opposite of light is a fictional entity, the "great fork of evil."
  • One participant mentions the practical experience of controlling light and darkness through switches, adding a personal anecdote to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether darkness is the opposite of light, with multiple competing views and interpretations remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants emphasize the need for clear definitions when discussing opposites, indicating that the question may lack clarity without specific context.

What's the opposite of light?

  • Darkness

    Votes: 20 62.5%

  • Heavy

    Votes: 3 9.4%

  • Light is its own antiparticle.

    Votes: 6 18.8%

  • Fang!

    Votes: 3 9.4%
  • Total voters
    32
Char. Limit
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When I ask "what's the opposite of light", what's the first answer that comes to your mind?
 
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The obvious answers is "it depends how you define light to begin with".

If we're talking about the weight of an object I won't be thinking of darkness.

Off the top of my head, I'd say 'Darkness'. Purely because it's on my mind more than weight.
 
I thought, "The opposite of an electromagnetic wave...whaaaa :confused:?" Seriously.
 
the opposite of light is light of a pi/2 phase shift.
 
The first thing that came to mind was "not light". Then it tried to narrow things down, but hit a snag and had to reboot.
 
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The question doesn't make sense to me unles you take "light" as an adjective. So the only two answers it could be is dark or heavy.

I don't think you can have an opposite of an object?
 
middlj said:
The question doesn't make sense to me unles you take "light" as an adjective. So the only two answers it could be is dark or heavy.

I don't think you can have an opposite of an object?

in my mind "opposite" means the sum of two things add to zero.

So my definition is correct :biggrin:
 
stasis
 
Call me shallow, darkness was the first word that came to mind.
 
  • #10
pergradus said:
in my mind "opposite" means the sum of two things add to zero.

So my definition is correct :biggrin:

touché
 
  • #11
I guess I'm in a sciency state of mind since I didn't understand the answer "heavy" until I thought about it.
 
  • #12
A black hole... :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
Dark is the first thing that came to mind, followed by criticism and skepticism that light has an opposite in the first place.
 
  • #14
ds^2 \ne 0

Damn it, read the stupid poll wrong.
 
Last edited:
  • #15
In my house I can turn on the lights with the flicks of some switches and I can turn on the darks with the opposite flicks of the same switches.

(All experiments on light must be done in the dark.Was it that geezer Goethe who said that?)
 
  • #16
Dadface said:
(All experiments on light must be done in the dark.Was it that geezer Goethe who said that?)

:smile:

More than likely.

I'd add I read that last part with a hard East London accent!
 
  • #17
Pythagorean said:
criticism and skepticism that light has an opposite in the first place.

It doesn't - that was my point
 
  • #18
The spaghetti monster is light, so the opposite of light is the great fork of evil

Muaghhhhh!
 

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