It's funny how easy it is to forget that color is entirely a product of our brain and our perception, and does not exist in nature.

They DID live in a black and white world, as do we. Color is added by us.


[/obnoxious tangent]



oh, but one of the things I loved about Wings of Desire is that the angels could see only in black and white, because it revealed the true nature of things (black and white photography is wonderful for this). Yet the one angel was so envious of humans, who experienced the universe in color.

Um, color is real. Subjective, but real.

My mother remembers the 30's (and a good portion of the 20's as well). She assurs me that things were in color back then, just like now.

Did they talk too?

Say, OT to everyone but me, does your Mom have any recollection of Valentino being around or when he died? Just curious!

She was only two years old, so I doubt it.

Okay, "a good portion of the 20's" led me to assume otherwise, sorry! I just made an ass out of myself!

CP already commented but I'm curious about this comment as well. Perception of color can vary but "color" is an objective attribute in the sense that the electromagnetic wavelengths emitted and reflected are the same regardless of observer.

True, but can the same be said for the rods and cones in the eye of the observer?

As I said, "perception of color can vary." But it is entirely possible to determine that something is green without rods and cones being involved.

But that is not the same thing as the world is black and white and color is simply a creation of perception. Any more than light is a creation of perception since the ability to see it can vary from person to person.

No you didn't. I should have said "part of the 20's" instead of "a good portion of the 20's". I typed without really thinking about it.