New colors without shooting lasers into your eyes (dynomight.net)

Article summary

The article discusses how researchers have used laser pulses to stimulate individual cone cells in the retina, allowing people to experience new, highly saturated colors. An optical illusion using a shrinking red circle on a green background can also produce a similar effect, although it is unclear if it falls outside the natural human color gamut. The illusion works by desensitizing the red-sensitive cones, allowing the green-sensitive cones to dominate. The article also explores the limitations of current display technology in representing the full range of human color perception.

Main themes

• color perception
• optical illusions
• colorblindness
• display technology limitations
• psychedelic experiences
• subjective experience
• color gamut
• retina stimulation

What commenters say

• The optical illusion may not work for people with certain types of colorblindness, but some colorblind individuals have reported experiencing the effect.
• The illusion is not a new concept, but rather a recreation of a previously known phenomenon using modern technology.
• The effect of the illusion is similar to the experience of seeing highly saturated colors under the influence of psychedelics.
• The illusion may be more effective for some individuals if they refresh the page multiple times while looking at the white pixel.
• The experience of the illusion is highly subjective and can vary greatly from person to person.
• Some individuals have reported that the illusion is reminiscent of experiences they have had under the influence of hallucinogenic substances.
• The illusion may be able to be improved or enhanced by adjusting the parameters of the animation, such as the size and color of the circle.
• The relationship between the illusion and the natural human color gamut is still unclear and requires further research.