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[–] 27 points 2 years ago* (9 children)

Lines and planes in the mathematical sense are 1 and 2 dimensional. They don't have any height (and lines also no width). So they can't exist as a physical object made out of atoms as they are already 3 dimensional.

They only exist as a concept.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    The fact that something isn't a 3d object doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Does a line of contrast between 2 colors exist? Does a movie projected at a wall exist?

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago*

    Does a line of contrast between 2 colors exist?

    I'd say no. And even if it did, those colours are made out a material that consists of atoms that reflect light, both of which are "fuzzy" and 3D and can't make a proper line.

    Does a movie projected at a wall exist?

    Sure. There is photons bouncing of a wall and the information they carry we call "the movie". I guess that counts. But the relevant bit is the wall and again it's made out of atoms and therefore is not a proper flat 2D surface.

    So yeah, I'd say not being 3D does mean something can't exist in the physical world.

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  • [+] [S] -8 points 2 years ago (6 children)

    Then, o pedant, do straight or flat objects (thus linelike, planelike) exist?

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