Dear Georgina,
Your own essay, which is brilliant, by the way and will receive a great rating from me, argues over and over again, even with your quotes from others for my argument. And I do believe without exception, that Infinity, or Endlessness is Cruel and Malicious. I agree, as it is the ultimate mental jail, we are trapped within. If you are claustrophobic, you are in trouble. However there is one release value, and that is the endless growth of "Knowledge", which finite sentiency is forever capable of. And must be, to justify the paradox of the finite and the infinite. Or said another way, this paradox is the essence of existence itself. As it could be no other way.
Knowledge is insatiable, due to the absolute fact that infinity is insatiable. Infinity just as knowledge is forever a ponderable and yes cruel and malicious fact - in fact. It is the one thing that assails me with fear of the trapped nature I find myself in. With exception, if I give up to the infinite, then I do not think anymore, and am no longer trapped. It is a duplicitous, and paradoxical reality, I cannot escape.
If I could escape then infinity is no more than a false and finite misnomer, and that is not possible, by its own very real nature.
I hope this explains my position in a way that marries in with your thesis, as your thesis is not in conflict, from my perspective.
It is what it is...
I wish you great success, deeply and sincerely. Albeit your work, already speaks to that fact.
Cheers, Russ
PS... I have a series of Essay's @ www.otterthink.wordpress.com Perhaps they will shed some additional thoughts as to why I believe, as I do.