Phunny Phobias
If you met someone who was afraid of paper or wax statues, wouldn't you tell them to stop being so ridiculous and get over it? Every Monday, Null editor Hayley hand-picks another bizarre phobia and tries to work out whether it's real or rubbish.
This week:
Apeirophobia: fear of infinity
What's so scary about it?
If you regard infinity as the biggest number or furthest distance you can imagine, that's pretty scary. Any number that needs a x10 to the power of something after it is enough to scare me, and infinity is far bigger than that.
What do the scientists say about it?
Thespians and those interested in Greek mythology - not scientists - are more likely to have heard of apeirophobia. It seems "infinity" refers here to living for an infinite amount of time, i.e. immortality.
Hayley says:
"Okay, big numbers and the vastness of space - frightening if you think too hard, but a phobia that applies exclusively to superheroes and Greek gods? That can't be a proper phobia. Rubbish."
So far: Real 1 Rubbish 3
Find phunny phobias from other weeks here.
Null's other regular features (more coming soon):
Tuesday: Nutty Nomenclature
Thursday: Peculiar Periodicals
Image: Patrick Nijhuis
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