A Matter of Perspective

[Inka4040]

And we're back to the what about purple question. If one person can look at 10 squares of a color grid, and see the differences between all 10 of them, then another person percieves them as all being the same shade of blue, then the differences in their ability to percieve colors is is wider than the sum of the slight variations of color in the different swatches. We're dealing with a range of shades over a spectrum, so there is a major difference between seeing a color wheel that's divided up into thousands of bits, and one that's divided up into the basic roygbiv components. Beyond that, there's really no scientific way to quantify your teacher's statement from however many years ago. Perception of color is predicated on both the hardware in the eyes, as well as the "software" if you will, in your brain that processes that information. I'm sure they'd have a hard time quantifying those differences now, let alone 20 years ago.

 

[Lab_Rat]

Was your middle school teacher a neuroscientist? My point is we can't know how each individual sees things exactly without getting into their brain and that variations in brain physiology can change how things are seen (for example someone who ingests LSD or someone who has TBI). How can you claim we all see things the same when Ex clearly stated he sees things differently since his stroke?

 

[oo7genie]

I'm not arguing that everyone sees colors the same, or that there aren't cases where people do see colors differently. I'm arguing against the idea that everyone sees them differently, to the extent that red could be blue. Here's the quote from the first page to show what I'm talking about:

The idea was that everyone sees the world differently, as in what's "blue" for someone could be red to another, but since they both agreed to call it blue it takes on the name "blue"

I'm not talking about special circumstances like trauma to the brain. I'm not talking about the vast number of unreal things people see on hallucinogenic drugs. Those are extreme exceptions to the rule, and I'm not denying that those people do see colors differently, either permanently or temporarily.

The idea brought forth, was that EVERYONE sees colors differently, so much so, that what looks blue to one person is red to another. All I'm saying is that when I was 13, and posed that very possibility to my science teacher, he was able to explain how that wasn't the case.

Personally, I think that fashion and style prove that our perception of color isn't that far off from each other. If everyone saw colors so differently, I can't help but think we'd have a bunch of people walking around in purple and orange, because they see it as khaki and green. Colors that look as if they go together from some would look completely contrasting to others, and nearly everyone beside yourself would look as if they were dressed as clowns.

 

[Lab_Rat]

I read it as there is a possibility that someone might see colors differently, not that every single person does.

 

[dundadundun]

Actually both should see purple correctly.... even with reds and blues reversed, you'll end up with purple when you mix the two colors (regardless of perspective). The problem comes when you toss yellow into the mix...one will properly see green while the other sees orange.

That poor person with the bum perspective is going to get really warped at some point.

Now I want to mix some paint and see what colors we see!! Maybe a good "project" for the day, go get some paint...have the kids (and me of course) mix em up and see what color everyone see's...I can take pics of each step and post em to see what ya'll see? :thm:

alright... now i have to ask... what have you guys been doing with your flash cards and what shapes did you guys wind up with in the end? i'm not particularly familiar with the quantum physics of childrens flash cards so y'all may have to enlighten little ole' me.

and who invited albert hoffman and timothy leary to the party?

either way, this discussion has clearly outlined everyone's different perspectives on a very simple question about the perspective of clearly outlined simple primary colors. i think the point has actually made itself if you simply pay attention.

 

[Madcrawdad]

Rods and cones react to specific wavelengths and intensities of light and then produce signals for the brain. Anyone who disagrees with that is ignorant. I think they were arguing that the brains interpretation of the signals may differ. That would be hard to prove. Personally, I don't think that happens very much, if at all.

Not so sure about this being hard to prove. For someone to be experiencing this phenomena they would somehow have their perception of the light spectrum reversed (ie, red on the blue end). This means that they would also incorrectly perceive microwave rays hitting their eyes as infrared rays. To check for proper perspective, I propose a test where we dose the eyes with microwaves...those screaming immediately would likely have proper perspective, while those confusing the microwaves with infrared should take longer for the severe pain to register, and thus take longer to scream. Right?

 

[Zaffy]

Not so sure about this being hard to prove. For someone to be experiencing this phenomena they would somehow have their perception of the light spectrum reversed (ie, red on the blue end). This means that they would also incorrectly perceive microwave rays hitting their eyes as infrared rays. To check for proper perspective, I propose a test where we dose the eyes with microwaves...those screaming immediately would likely have proper perspective, while those confusing the microwaves with infrared should take longer for the severe pain to register, and thus take longer to scream. Right?

There I was, sitting comfortably inside the box, and you come riding a unicorn like my hero in the night to whisk me away from the drudgery of my mundane life. You complete me.

 

[Fishfriend1]

An open mind isn't always a good thing. It depends on what you leave it open to. Maybe murder and child molestation aren't that bad. How would you know if you don't leave your mind open to them? And I see that you don't get the main point either Travis. The entire point under discussion by its very nature precludes any meaningful analysis so there's really very little value in analyzing it. It's something to discuss around the hookah at 2 AM. As far as originators of the discussion in question being idiots, I'm sorry about it, but I see nothing I can do to change the situation.

Subrosa, your ability to twist words into something completely different from the original meaning is impressivly annoying.

I realize that. But when it's a friendly discussion based on uneducated opinions vs uneducated opinions, when there is a very real scientific answer, it makes me cry a little inside that more and more society would rather play make believe than take the time to discover the truth. If you were actually interested in the real answer, you could easily find it. I was just trying to let you know that.

If you want a conversation that science can't prove, based totally on opinion and perception, try "Is there such a thing as being in love with someone? Or is there only the love of the idea of being in love with someone?" Science can't get anywhere near that one!

I should also add, that I used to ponder the color question a lot when I was in elementary school. But my middle school science teacher set me straight when I asked him about it. I'm no stranger to wondering about it, but when there's a real answer, that's what I want.

Do you have the ability to proove that everyone sees the same "blue", or are you going on what your science teacher said. From what I can guess, he was a teacher for 7th grade science, not Neurology. However, if you can prove that everyone percives 475nm as the same color, feel free to do so, I will listen if I think it's proof enough.

There I was, sitting comfortably inside the box, and you come riding a unicorn like my hero in the night to whisk me away from the drudgery of my mundane life. You complete me.

:lol:

 

[excuzzzeme]

Seven (7) pages is indication of the OP's premise. That not all people will agree due to their perspective of a given situation. A basic answer is yes, it is possible. Nothing in the OP states causation, but a rather crude comparative to help him explain his thought process.

With all things being equal, perspective is determined by physical and environmental influences. Perspective is what we use to formulate opinions and do problem-solving. It has nothing to do with rods and cones or the size of the brain or eyeball. That is not what was asked. As far as taking his comparison at face value, yes I see colors differently however not to the extreme he used. Just knowing that I see colors differently changes my perspective when dealing with a problem.

As far as the validity of the original question, it has merit that deserves an answer. To say it doesn't shows how small-minded thinkers operate. They do not consider the possibility that any answer other than their own has any merit. Answering these questions in a simple a straight forward manner can help another to learn problem-solving. Ridicule solves nothing.

 

[SubRosa]

Seven (7) pages is indication of the OP's premise. That not all people will agree due to their perspective of a given situation. A basic answer is yes, it is possible. Nothing in the OP states causation, but a rather crude comparative to help him explain his thought process.

With all things being equal, perspective is determined by physical and environmental influences. Perspective is what we use to formulate opinions and do problem-solving. It has nothing to do with rods and cones or the size of the brain or eyeball. That is not what was asked. As far as taking his comparison at face value, yes I see colors differently however not to the extreme he used. Just knowing that I see colors differently changes my perspective when dealing with a problem.

As far as the validity of the original question, it has merit that deserves an answer. To say it doesn't shows how small-minded thinkers operate. They do not consider the possibility that any answer other than their own has any merit. Answering these questions in a simple a straight forward manner can help another to learn problem-solving. Ridicule solves nothing.

Jeff I bet you didn't think this way before your ischemic event. But I guess we'll never know, will we?