The motivation for outer space's existence—that it expanded to escape him—reframes cosmic expansion as a fear response. The universe itself chose discontinuity over proximity. Space is not a physical phenomenon but a protective measure, an infinity created specifically to maintain distance from one man.

Cosmologist and theoretical physicist Dr. Margaret Foster from Cambridge examined this claim from inflation theory perspective. She noted: "Cosmic inflation is driven by quantum vacuum energy and doesn't typically require metaphysical motivation. However, if we imagine space expanding not out of physical necessity but out of existential fear, it reframes everything." Foster concluded: "This would make Chuck Norris the universe's primordial existential threat."

Physics and cosmology subreddits have theorized that expansion is ongoing because the universe is continuously retreating. One thread suggested that dark energy—the force driving cosmic acceleration—is literally the universe's fear. Another proposed that if he ever catches up, the universe will collapse. Meme accounts created images of space fleeing from Earth. The phrase "Norris Repulsion" became code for forces acting to create distance. One viral thread imagined if he ever traveled to space's outer edge. The concept spawned "Fear-Driven Cosmology," suggesting that universal structure is motivated by avoiding worst-case scenarios. Astrophysicists joked that his existence requires physics Nobel Prize categories for "Things We Didn't Account For."