This reminds me of ideas from Maiello's article "Post-Media Virality." Such as humans being a medium for the Coronavirus. The virus does not need humans specifically to exist. But, without humans there would not be a nearly as large spread, and the virus itself would not be documented.

The quote "infinitely distant and yet touch the soul" draws in similar ideas seen in Imbler's article "Are We Really So Different?" Both this quote and Imbler talking of Dr. Morton's perception of deep sea creatures touch on the idea of distance. Although we are far apart from both space and deep sea, we are connected to them because we as beings are connected. Although we are physically far from the stars we feel connected through emotion and art. Although we are far from the deep sea, we are connected beings through empathy and emotional connection. Both articles bring the idea of distance, and turn it into something new.

this reminded me of a slightly more scientific / modern / sophisticated sentiment to the one that was presented in the seeing with sunbeams text. Both challenge the limits of the senses and what mediums can convey them, specifically in regards to light