Mathematicians handle infinity by decreeing that it's not a number, therefore it's invalid to try to do arithmetic with it. A copout? Perhaps so.

Dan,
Great conversation!!! Just like on the radio! :)
Dawn

Nature or the universe is infinitely boundless and immeasurable, yet I find myself measuring it, and confined by it.
=
MJA

Dan said:
"Mathematicians handle infinity by decreeing that it's not a number, therefore it's invalid to try to do arithmetic with it. A copout? Perhaps so."
I say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_number#Cardinal_arithmetic

If space is infinite, isn't its center arbitrary?

Science explains all things. Creationism is not for lazy thinkers.All things on Earth MUST be explained.
BLOW was trying to comfort Joe from his thoughts and likewise.

If space is infinite, then why cannot the earth be considered its center by us if we so choose?

I've also pondered still ponders about it. I've come to conclusion that there are 3 dimensions (infinite, finite, subfinite) only if we consider we place our self in a decimal point in space just for initial placement purpose! Doing so.. we can say we're at the "finite" existence because we can make applications for substance within the realm of our 6 senses 1.touch, sight, smell, hear, taste, and think. True we can say probability there are other living conscious in this finite existence perhaps capable of more than 1000 senses but let's focus on humans. Consider infinity as endless area of space and humans are among one of the creatures living in it. Even though we are conscious and want to understand, we're no different from fishes swimming in the ocean. Human senses provides us our purpose to understand that which is understandable to us, this process is what we call philosophy to science to numbers or (finite calculations) although science and numbers are limited to forms, Philosophy doesn't limit out imagination, but still our imaginations is within the realm of a fish swimming in water.

Dang, what a bunch of silliness all over the place.
Infinity, when directly experienced, is quite simple and the properties, values and qualities of it are staggeringly obvious in their magnificence. Take a few moments to read about what one human has taken the time to elucidate about his experience of what I am alluding to.
http://actualfreedom.com.au/library/topics/infinitude.htm
http://actualfreedom.com.au/richard/selectedcorrespondence/sc-infinitude...
Below is a snippet from the above links.
Regards,
Trent
"The fundament characteristic, or nature, of the universe is its infinitude ? specifically having the properties of being spatially infinite and temporally eternal and materially perdurable ? or, to put that another way, its absoluteness ... as such it is a veritable perpetuus mobilis (as in being self-existent/ non-dependent and/or self-reliant/ non-contingent and/or self-sufficient/unconditional and/or self-generating/ unsupported).
Having no other/no opposite this infinitude and/or absoluteness has the property of being without compare/incomparable, as in peerless/matchless, and is thus perfect (complete-in-itself, consummate, ultimate).
And this is truly wonderful to behold.
Being perfect this infinitude and/or absoluteness has the qualities (qualia are intrinsic to properties) of being flawless/faultless, as in impeccable/immaculate, and is thus pure/ pristine.
And which is indubitably a marvellous state of affairs.
Inherent to such perfection, such purity, are the values (properties plus qualities equals values) of benignity ? ?of a thing: favourable, propitious, salutary? (Oxford Dictionary) ? and benevolence (as in being well-disposed, beneficent, bounteous, and so on) ... and which are values in the sense of ?the quality of a thing considered in respect of its ability to serve a specified purpose or cause an effect? (Oxford Dictionary)."

Space is infinite.
Time is infinite.
God ( the thing that IS creation -- not a he or him )
is infinite.
What else ??
If and when the "big bang" occured which "big bang" was it and in what part of space did it occur? How many "big bangs" have there been? Was there an initial "big bang" ( how myopic is that )?
If you arrived at the end of space what was it that stopped you -- what was the thing that stopped you -- was it a wall -- if it was a wall ( awfully big wall ) what was the wall made of ( is this a stupid conversation or what? Of course space is infinite!!!

Inifinite things.
Ran out room in previous comment.
Who cares about infinity as it may relate to us ( mathematics ) ?
cb

I felt my mind cave in last night as I looked at the stars and tried to imagine the infinite universe. It's impossible

Infinity is a word associated with time. Without time there would be no need for the concept of infinity. If you believe that god created everything including time, then god is outside of time which is where we will finally understand. As of now we are like the old chinese proverb which says if you want to know what water is, don't ask the fish!!!

After reading the Joe/Blow dialogue and the ensuing list of comments, I have several OEOs (Opinions, Experiences and Observations) to offer. First of all, it appears that Joe and Blow have read and taken to heart Douglas Hofstadter, Daniel C. Dennett and some others. All well and good and laudible. But, as a subject of interest, dismay or distress, infinity just isn't all that compelling. True, it may give physicists and mathematicians much to ponder and ruminate and has probably assisted such mind-boggling research as superconductivity and nanotechnology. But for most of us, it is peripheral at best.
I liked the Truax comments, above most of the rest, and as stated, infinity is important in some circles of thought. Personally, however, I cannot get too worked up over it. Uncertainty has more impact upon most of us I think. Are infinity and uncertainty related to each other or are they simply coasting along, side-by-side? If there is a relationship, what would we do with that knowledge? Probably not much. Could be another discussion, though.
My advice is: don't lose sleep over any of this. Not unless you are a physicist---or mathematician. Working on anti-gravity or some such. If so, good luck with that.