Saturday, July 10, 2021

Why The Ancient Greeks Couldn't See Blue

People couldn't see the colour blue or pink so well in ancient times, they just saw shades of grey or red, it is believed, as these colours were never documented in any their texts. But neuroscientists believe that as people began to differentiate these hues more, the brain adapted so they they became more distinct colours in their own right.




Why The Ancient Greeks Couldn't See Blue


11 comments:

Peter Pan said...

And the Spartans couldn't see cuteness.

lastgreek said...

In what we would tend to think of as purely visual, the ancient Greeks brought other senses into play. 'In antiquity, in pre-modern societies, there is much more capacity for the way you describe the world to tap into several different senses simultaneously,' says Bradley.

https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2014/02/were-ancient-greeks-and-romans-colour.html

For example, if uyou put Homer’s description, say, of the sea (“wine-dark sea”) in the Odyssey in context (after a shipwreck), the description then makes sense — no need to search for blue wine ;)

Peter Pan said...

I see into the ultraviolet, which is an entire spectrum dedicated to shades of blue.

Matt Franko said...

There are some cool videos out there where color blind people are given some new glasses they developed to correct color blindness…

The biggest baddest looking dude put these glasses on and starts looking at things and immediately breaks down in tears … EVERY time…

lastgreek said...

In case anyone is thinking of moving to the Moon or Mars, there is no blue sky there. Forget it.

lastgreek said...

...why I hate cloudy skies (except on those days when we really need the rain, of course). I'll take a cold, clear sky over a cloudy sky any time.

I'll say it: Vancouver is ugly.

Peter Pan said...

I'll say: Nova Scotia is beautiful.
Summer schedule

Peter Pan said...

Matt, where can I find a video of the biggest, baddest color blind dude breaking down in tears?

Peter Pan said...

Already posted this one on UV light, but it's a good one if you haven't seen it.
How the sun sees you

Peter Pan said...

Some info on color blindness

Matt Franko said...

On the internet…