In this engaging discussion, Adam Rogers, a science writer for Wired and author of 'Full Spectrum: How the Science of Color Made Us Modern', unpacks the infamous viral dress that sparked a global color debate. He delves into why we perceive colors differently, exploring the psychology and science behind our visual experiences. The conversation traverses historical milestones, such as the architectural marvels of the 1893 World's Fair, and the evolution of the color wheel, revealing how color influences culture and identity.
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The Dress Debate
In 2015, a photo of a dress sparked widespread debate, dividing people into those who saw it as blue/black and those who saw it as white/gold.
This debate highlighted how our brains perceive color differently, even with the same image.
insights INSIGHT
Color Perception Lock-in
Unlike illusions of form where perceptions flip, color perception tends to lock in.
This inflexibility fuels disagreements as people struggle to understand differing viewpoints.
insights INSIGHT
Color Constancy and The Dress
Our brains perceive color by combining the color of an object with the color of the light illuminating it.
The "dress" photo's ambiguity about lighting conditions caused differing color perceptions.
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In 'Full Spectrum', Adam Rogers takes readers on a journey through the history of color, from early humans using natural pigments to modern digital technologies. The book explores how the science of color has evolved over time, influencing culture, technology, and our perception of the world. Rogers' narrative is both informative and entertaining, making the book accessible to a wide audience.
The Devil in the White City
Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
Erik Larson
The book tells the dual stories of Daniel H. Burnham, who led the construction of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims. Burnham faced numerous challenges in building the 'White City', while Holmes constructed his 'Murder Castle', a hotel with secret rooms, torture chambers, and other sinister features. The narrative explores the contrast between the grandeur of the fair and the dark deeds of Holmes, set against the backdrop of late 19th-century America.
In 2015 the world was divided into two warring factions overnight. And at the center of this schism was a single photograph. Cecilia Bleasdale took a picture of a dress that she planned to wear to her daughter's wedding and that photo went beyond viral. Some saw it as blue with black trim; others as white with gold trim. For his part, Wired science writer Adam Rogers knew there was more to the story -- a reason different people looking at the same object could come to such radically divergent conclusions about something as simple as color.
Rogers recently wrote a book titled Full Spectrum: How the Science of Color Made Us Modern. In this episode, Roman Mars talks with the author about how the pursuit to organize, understand, and create colors has been one of the driving forces shaping human history, starting with the story of this hotly debated piece of apparel from 2015 then winding back through built environments of global World's Fairs.
99% Invisible 
