Selects: How Color Works | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Summary

In the podcast episode "Selects: How Color Works | Stuff You Should Know," the hosts explore the fascinating world of color perception and its effects on human life. They delve into various elements of color, including how it is formed, its applications, and its impact on our emotions and decision-making abilities.

Color is technically a mental construct that exists only in our minds. It is a perception of specific wavelengths of visible light interacting with pigments, which are chemicals that absorb or reflect these wavelengths. Humans perceive color through specialized cells in our eyes called cones, which detect red, green, or blue wavelengths. By sending information about these wavelengths to the brain, humans can discern up to 10 million colors on average.

The podcast further delves into color theory, which revolves around the concepts of additive and subtractive colors. Additive colors, such as red, green, and blue, are created by combining light, while subtractive colors, including cyan, yellow, and magenta, are developed through pigments. A balance and harmony of these colors create specific aesthetics, moods, and visual appeals in various forms of art, photography, and design.

Complementary and harmonious colors significantly influence our environment and decision-making. Certain color associations result from conditioning, while others offer instant knowledge about an object's quality or safety. Harmonious colors tend to be adjacent to each other on the color wheel, and complementary colors lie opposite from one another. Personal preference plays a significant role in how harmonious and complementary colors are perceived.

Color preferences and symbolism vary among individuals, often influenced by factors like culture, upbringing, and past experiences. Universal associations between colors and emotions do exist, such as blue being considered calming and red symbolizing anger. Colors surrounding us can greatly impact our moods. Additionally, color constancy allows humans to perceive colors consistently, even when lighting conditions change.

Pigments have evolved from natural sources like minerals, plants, and animals to being artificially synthesized in laboratories. Examples of natural pigments include lapis lazuli (blue), cinnabar (red), and India yellow originating from cow urine. The podcast also explains that the sky appears blue due to sunlight scattering blue light wavelengths in the Earth's atmosphere. During sunrise and sunset, the scattering of blue light elsewhere results in red and yellow dominating the sky, changing its color.

Overall, the podcast provides an engaging and comprehensive insight into the world of color perception and its effects on various aspects of human life. Understanding how color works deepens our appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around us.