The idea of distance can refer to a path in space that separates two points.
From the Latin distantia , distance is the spatial path or time period that separates two events or things. It is about the proximity or distance that exists between objects or events. For example: “Marta's house is four blocks away,” “Don't worry, we will be separated by a very short distance,” “The next gas station is more than fifty kilometers away.”
Science has different ways of considering the notion of distance. For mathematics , the distance between two points on a two-dimensional plane is equivalent to the length of the line segment by which they are joined. In a more complex space (non-Euclidean), the distance is the shortest path that can be found between both points.
In the field of physics , meanwhile, distance is known as the scalar magnitude that can be reflected in units of time or length.
Distance in video games
Three-dimensional video games, for example, usually use different techniques to take work off the processor when an object is at a certain distance from the camera and cannot be seen closely.
One of them is known as Mipmapping , and consists of using images of different levels of detail.
Symbolic uses of the concept
The concept of distance is also used in everyday language . Distance can be the obvious difference between different things : “There is a great distance between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: the Argentine makes the team play, while the Portuguese is individualistic,” “In terms of specifications and performance, there is a great distance between these two computers” .
Distance, on the other hand, is the separation or detachment between people: “I regret that this distance has been generated between us, because I still think about you” , “I want to put distance with Lisa since she is hurting me” , “The distance arose after the New Year's fight.”
The distance between two people can be an emotional or sentimental distance.
Distance according to culture
Within this same context, it is difficult to judge when two people are distant, since it is a subjective matter that depends on many factors, such as culture , the personality of each person and the type of upbringing they have received. There are families where the hug is common currency, a connector that articulates everyday life and that represents a small but great gesture that helps express how important others are to one. There are others for whom shaking hands is the greatest example of physical contact they have ever known.
If we interviewed a person from each of these theoretical families, what would their conception of emotional distance be? What would you consider a sign of affection , or contempt? Needless to say, the answers would be very different from each other. Furthermore, it is not common for someone to be proud to admit that they have a very distant and cold relationship with their parents and siblings; Yes, it is, on the other hand, that when hearing about how wonderful the friendship between two people is, some disagree, pointing out that in reality it is a superficial and circumstantial relationship, since when contrasted with their own notions, the result does not coincides with what was stated by the other.
The repercussions of the aforementioned conceptual differences are considerable. In many cases, a person who has received abuse in his childhood from his family manages to take a certain distance , to heal and be able to lead a life more consistent with his needs, and what he receives from his parents is incomprehension and reproaches. , demonstrating that they are not really aware of the damage they have caused or that their perception of the events is different from that of their son to a worrying level.