Discussing Things We Find Scary: Depths vs. Cosmos

Before you and me even existed, scientists from all around the world have explored and studied these two things: Ocean and Space. According to scientists, we have mapped approximately 20% of the ocean, but only have been to 5% of it, and don't even get me started about space. Despite their immense scale and inherent dangers, understanding both the deep sea and space is crucial for expanding our knowledge. I mean, aren't you curious too?

"Which is much scarier? Deep sea or space?" Most of you have probably been asked this question. I think this is actually a great conversation starter. It's one of those topics that makes you think about your deepest fears, the fascination with the unknown. and how much we do not know about these two big things at all. It can reveal a lot of things about someone. You guys will know my answer later on. Let's discuss these two first. 

The Depths

Don't you love the ocean? I'm not talking about the beach, I'm talking about OCEANS. There's so many things to love about the ocean, just like its deep blue color, its calming vibe, sounds of its waves, and the beauty of marine life. It's literally one of the most beautiful things in our world, beautiful yet terrifying. You guys have seen those deep sea creatures images, right? What was your first thought? Weird? Scary? Beautiful? Weirdly scary? Or weirdly beautiful? Hmm. Their alien appearance and predatory behaviors can be really unsettling.

The creatures of the depths are definitely not our usual marine creatures. We shouldn't be so judgmental with them though, you guys are familiar with their living situation, right? The extreme pressure, the absolute darkness, and the coldness? They look like that because they need to adapt to the extreme conditions of the deep sea. Another reason to be scared of the depth, because we definitely cannot survive being there even with our technology today. 

We do have advanced instruments, gears, vehicles, etc. But those are not enough to fully explore the deepness of our ocean. Ok, let's imagine that we can now fully explore the deep sea. Can you handle the anxious feeling that there is some unknown creature out there that is more terrifying than those deep sea creatures you have seen on the internet? The high probability that you would experience sickness? And what about potential malfunctions? Left there in the darkness just waiting for something to just come and get your ahh. But at least you have actually explored the depths though, you just have a very low chance of reporting it back shore, if you still would want to, seriously. Who knows?

People who choose the ocean as the scariest thing are usually people who has thalassophobia. They also argue that dying in space would be better, the darkness and the bigger possibility that there is a terrifying creature lurking in the depth makes the ocean incredibly much scarier. What do you think?

The Space

I find myself to be captivated by the intricate workings of the universe, like SPACE. It's a realm of unimaginable scale and wonder, a place where the laws of physics bend and twist, where stars are born and die in fiery spectacles of cosmic creation and destruction. From the images on the internet, space looks incredibly significant.  If the question was “which is more amazing? Ocean or Space?” For me, space wins. But it isn’t so let’s get to the actual topic.

The vast expanse of space, often romanticized, holds terrors far beyond the realm of science fiction. The vacuum of space itself is lethal, instantly boiling body fluids and suffocating any unprotected life form. Exposure to extreme temperatures, then there's the constant barrage of radiation, invisible yet deadly.

Also, the psychological toll on astronauts is something to be discussed, the isolation and vulnerability of astronauts in space are equally terrifying. Imagine being millions of miles from your home and family just completely dependent on complex technology functioning flawlessly, with no immediate escape if something goes wrong. The sheer vastness and emptiness of space can be inspiring, but the feeling of insignificance, of being a tiny just speck in an incomprehensibly large universe, can be disorienting and emotionally draining. It can feel like it’s a constant reminder of the immense power and indifference in the cosmos.

The ones who chose space definitely have this as their main point. The idea of being so utterly dependent on technology, so far from help, and facing such unpredictable dangers is deeply unsettling. It's a fear not just of death, but of the complete and utter helplessness that would accompany it. The vulnerability of humans in the face of the cosmos's immense power can make you stay up all night, if you want to ofc.

My Verdict

Even though I am definitely in awe with space, it also has my vote on this matter. I do think space is much scarier. While the deep sea holds undeniable terrors, like the crushing pressure, monstrous creatures lurking in the abyssal depths, for me, the true horror is in the vastness of the space. The ocean's depths, while largely unexplored, are at least contained. Space, however, is literally infinitely stretching, the amount of possibilities it can make are endless. This definitely makes me  This sheer scale, this unimaginable emptiness, is profoundly unsettling. It evokes a primal fear of insignificance, of being utterly lost and alone in the face of cosmic indifference.

Unlike the deep sea, where a malfunctioning submersible might offer a slim chance of rescue, a failure in a spacecraft millions of miles from Earth means certain death. There is literally no escape, no lifeline, only the cold, unforgiving void. The possibility of encountering unforeseen dangers, from rogue asteroids to unknown celestial phenomenon and creatures, like freaking aliens man (yeah, I definitely believe there is more life out there, than there is on earth). For me, I would rather be swallowed by the giant unknown creature in the abyss rather than those black holes in space. The profound isolation, the immediate dangers, and the sheer unknowable vastness of space make it far more frightening than the deep sea.

What do you think? Which do you think is scarier? The Ocean or Space?  

The question of which is “ scarier” is actually  less about objective danger and more about our individual perceptions of what or which is more risky, our relationship with the unknown, and the limits of our human experience. Both environments pushes the boundaries of our understanding and challenge our perceptions of what it means to be human in a vast, complex, and sometimes terrifying universe. What really frightens us most? The immediate and tangible threats of the deep, or the vast, unknowable dangers of the cosmos? Perhaps the answer lies not in choosing one over the other, but in acknowledging that we’re all just in both awe and terror.