Examples of each of the Ten Variations on Void

After writing my initial post and feeling very proud of it, a couple of people asked for examples, which is fair, since the original is pretty abstract.

I’ve also decided to put them into larger categories:

VOIDS THAT CAN BE USED FOR SOMETHING

A Void that Echoes

This is a very interactive space. The space in a conversation for example, which one person fills, prompting the other person to respond. You put sound/meaning into the space, and expect relevant sound/meaning to come back at you in return. Social media is another major void that echoes.

A Void that can Contain

Say I feel an emptiness inside of me, but then I fill it with love or purpose or some other third thing, and feel less empty. The void which I felt was actually (or seemingly) an X-shaped hole, a hole which is now serving its purpose. The void was a particular lack, whether of love or purpose or X.

A Void that is Transparent

The gap between what I said/did and what I meant. The gap between what I said and what you heard. The gap between my current state and my goal. To become aware of these voids is to become aware of distances not yet crossed.

A Void that makes Room for Possibility

A break in the schedule. Creative destruction. Find new work, a new partner, a new hobby.

VOIDS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED AS VOIDS (and not for some other use)

A Void that does not Contain

Say I feel an emptiness inside of me, and try to fill it with things, but no matter what I still feel empty in that particular spot. It could be that I haven’t found the right thing to put there, or it’s possible that the hole has no bottom, and therefore cannot serve as a container. This could be something like deep, existential insecurity, the kind that exists because I’m mortal. Fear of Death, Fear of Absurdity, etc… they’re much bigger than anything you might put in them to fill them.

A Void that does not Echo

For an atheist (or rather, for someone whose divinity does not take a personal form, or whose god is currently face-hiding), the cosmos is a void that does not echo. Say whatever you want into it, it will not respond. Shout at the stars, shout into the darkness, you’ll only hear your own voice and then silence. This can be peaceful and humbling, or depressing, depending on set and setting.

A Void that is Opaque

Any meaningless event that you wish had meaning. Death. Tragic accidents.

Alternatively, actual darkness or fog.

Or, meaningless events that are fine that way-- a random breeze.

A Void that Crushes the Infinite/Possibility

Pretty much any of the voids in this section fit this description.