In the Absence of Something, Something Exists

Nothing is nothing.

And all the ways to understand that claim are true.

I can't think of many real-life instances where having nothing would be the equivalent of having something.

Great comments. Nothing IS something epistemologically--which is to say that both somethings and nothings are experienced (perceptual and conceptual) phenomena. Yet, as Shapeless notes, PRAGMATICALLY, the absence of a particular "something" has consequences, e.g., the absence of kitchen salt, may result in a bland breakfast of eggs.

I have no debts and I think that is equivalent to peace of mind (which is well worth having in these economic times).

Agreed, but your example works because the "things" being equated are of two different categories. Having no debts may equal having peace of mind, but having no debts is not equal to having some debts, nor is having no peace of mind equal to having some peace of mind. If you like, you can modify my above statement to this: I can't think of any one category of thing where having no quantity of that thing is the equivalent of having some quantity of that thing.

my favorite question.

nothing, divided in two, IS SOMETHING.

and so began the universe.

Would the space between atomic particles constitute as being nothing?

Is nothing only a term of novel fantasy conjured by our limited minds?

Are these questions even valid?

Why am I here?

Am I here?

Apparently I am.

Nothing is the absence of something. If it were something, it would no longer be nothing.

You must have something to have nothing. It is a thing of contrasts and whatever our attention may be on at any given time.

If you are looking inside a warehouse for many crates, but they are not there, then there is nothing in the warehouse. But if you came in looking for air you hit the jackpot. There's lots of it there.

Everyone knows this, so why are we discussing it?

Air is definitely something and therefore couldn't possibly be nothing. It's when you are looking for anything, but do not find that you have nothing.