How you see color, part 3

So if light is just a wave of energy, how do we see color? How do we see at all?




You eyeball has specialized cells called cone cells. Cones come in three different types. Each type is sensitive to a different wavelength on the spectrum. The cones are usually referred to as short, medium, and long, often shortened to S, M, and L, for the length of the electromagnetic waves they sense.



You might think that the three types of cones must see red, blue, and yellow, the three primary colors. However, these colors don't really correspond nicely to colors. L cones, for instance, are sometimes referred to as red receptors. Actually, they are closer to green-tinged yellow. The other cones, likewise, do not easily match up with primary or secondary colors. As a matter of fact, cones' light perception varies from person to person. The different cones' are sensitive to overlapping ranges of light, which is what lets us sense the variations.



The genes for sensing visible light are carried on the X chromosome. That is why color blindness is more common in men, and why some women have an extra type of cone, which can allow them to see light beyond what is visible for most people.



In lower lights, different cells, called rods, sense light. Rods don't have much to do with color differentiation though.



Intensity and amount of light is what determines the saturation of color. Saturation describes how dark or pale a color is.



Once the cones – and to some extent, rods – have absorbed the light, the nerves send that information to the brain, which puts the information together to form the images that you see. Interestingly, the inside of the eye sees the image in front of you upside down, and the brain has to flip it back right-side up in order to be useful to you in navigating the world.

How You See Color, part 2

How You See Color, part 2

In my previous post, I described how color is made up of light, and things that appear to be a certain color are actually reflecting that color.

Those colors of light are part of the visible spectrum – wavelengths that the eye perceives. There are many other wavelengths that the eye does not perceive. The whole spectrum is referred to as the electromagnetic spectrum. The longest waves are radio waves, and their wave length is the size of a building. Smaller waves, going down the spectrum, include microwaves, infrared, then visible, followed by ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray. The visible spectrum has the longest wavelengths in red, getting shorter as you traverse the rainbow down to blue and violet. That is why heat, or infrared, has the word red in it. It comes right before red. Likewise, ultraviolet is just slightly shorter in length than visible violet light.

Theoretically, waves could be as long as the universe itself or infinitely short. The waves can carry information, like radio signals. Light also can transmit information, as in fiber optical cables.

Some wavelengths can be damaging to humans, like UV or ultraviolet, which sunblock can help protect against. Some wavelengths cannot easily penetrate the earth’s atmosphere. This group also includes UV, as well as most microwave, x-ray, and gamma ray.

How you see color

The human eye sees a wide spectrum of visible light - black to white and blue to red. While the keys on a FunKeyBoard are several colors, the fact is, the light is colored, and the keys just reflect that light.




Sunlight, lamplight, headlights...This light is all more or less clear, or white to the eye. White light is actually a combination of all colors in the visible spectrum. You've probably seen a prism split that white light into a rainbow, displaying the whole spectrum of visible light separately. Rainbows work the same way, with water droplets acting as prisms.



When you look at something, you perceive its color - unless you are colorblind, or course. A FunKeyBoard has a red case. What that means in terms of how you see the color is that the material it is made of reflects the red light. The reflected light is the light your eyes take in. The FunKeyBoard's case actually absorbs all of the colored light except red.



The keyboad that is on my laptop is black. It is reflecting back none of the colors of visible light, absorbing all frequencies. In actuality, it is not a pure black, which would reflect no light at all. Theoretically, a black hole would be the best example of a real black.

Colors of the Wind

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."
-Georgia O'Keefe

We see the world around us through an array of colors. Red apples, green grass, blue skies. The colors we see affect our impression of the things that we are seeing, whether we know it or not. For instance, a bright red has been shown to stimulate the autonomic nervous system, creating a slight change in pulse and blood pressure. These effects occur because color is perceived, not only on the surface of the brain, but also in the limbic system, which is often referred to as the "primitive brain." Red, given this fact as well as its cultural associations, can influence people to be more risk-averse and detail-oriented. Even blind, color-blind, and blind-folded individuals have been shown to experience different physiological sensations under different color lights.

Blue and green, conversely, have been shown to have a calming effect on individuals and to stimulate creative thinking. Certain shades of blue have even been shown to slow the heart rate. It is for this reason that "cardiac blue" is so frequently used in medical centers and hospitals. The debate about certain color improving productivity has gone on for a long time. The truth is, different colors can encourage different types of productivity: red for detail-oriented work and blue for creative work. Blue has also been shown to act as an appetite suppressant. Yellow caution signs and the like work well because yellow is an attention-getting color. Too much yellow, however, can cause headaches and irritability because it over stimulates the eyes.

Similarly, experts advise refraining from over use of color. More than six bold colors in any one piece (wallpaper, for instance) can be overwhelming and inhibit cognition.

Children are usually drawn by warm, bight colors. Using these colors in learning environments can have very positive affects. A classroom decorated in friendly colors can reduce stress, improve visual processing, increase focus and attention span, and aid brain development in visual thinking, problem solving, and creativity.  In fact, color speeds up learning and retention by as much as 78% and use of bold colors (as oposed to black and white) can increase IQ by up to 12 points.  

For special needs children specifically, color can be either helpful or harmful, depending on how it is used. Regular, geometric patterns can be used to stimulate the pattern seeking part of the brain and reduce visual stress (in comparison with irregular or more complicated patterns). Autistic children in particular can be overwhelmed easily by color. Researchers have found that approximately 85% of autistic children see colors with greater intensity than do their neurotypical peers. This is not to say that the learning environment of a child with an ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) should be devoid of bright colors or decoration, but rather that bold colors should be used carefully, in that setting. In fact, we have heard from several parents and instructors that children on the spectrum benefit greatly from our colored keyboards because of the color-coding.

Dyslexic children generally benefit from well-used color.  A study has shown that 80% of dyslexic children showed increased understanding of read materials when displayed with a colored overlay.  Color-coding by character set can help with spelling on keyboards for those with dyslexia. Those with ADD and ADHD are also helped by the use of color.  Color has been shown to help with focus for these individuals as well as individuals with Down Syndrome by maintaining interest and breaking monotony.

The benefits of using more color are not limited only to children; repetition of colors has also enhanced the memory of nursing home residents and productivity across most demographics.

Top Five Words of 2010

Continuing our countdown of Merrian-Websters top words of the year, we start off with number five.

5. Bigot. M-W defines bigot as "A person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance."

Bigot earned its place on this list when Rick Sanchez, formerly a CNN anchor accused comedian Jon Stewart of being "a bigot," and implied that everyone running CNN was Jewish.

Even the greatest bigot in the world is forced to admit that the radical coloring on some of Chester Creek's products is rather attractive.

4. Landing in the top four is socialism: "Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods."

The term popped up surrounding a good number of news stories throughout the year, particularly stories about the federal bailouts and the health-care legislation.

Chester Creek does not endorse socialism; FunKeyBoards and Tiny Mice for everyone! But you'll have to buy your own.

3. The second runner up for the year is moratorium. I'm sure most of you in the US immediately think of the moratorium President Obama placed on off-shore oil drilling after the Gulf spill, and that is exactly why it made the list. A moratorium is "a legally authorized period of delay," or "a suspension of an activity."

There are no moratoriums on production at Chester Creek this season. We're working as hard as always to bring you our great products, in great time, and with great customer service!

2. Pragmatic made it almost to the top of the list. M-W defines pragmatic as "relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic."

After the mid-term elections in November, politicians across the country began to talk about more pragmatic solutions to the nation's problems, in response to evidence that that voters were unhappy with the way things had been done lately.

Pragmatism need not prevent you from getting a fun new keyboard for yourself or a loved one any time soon. Our keyboards and mice are fun and practical, with large-print, colorful keys, and sturdy construction all year round.

1. And the number one word of the last year?

"Austerity"

When:
Lookups on Merriam-Webster began spiking around May 1, 2010.
Why:
Austerity figured prominently in news coverage of the economic panic and protests triggered by the debt crisis in Greece.
For example, as the New York Times reported,
"The Greek Parliament passed a package of tough austerity measures on Thursday, trying to stave off economic collapse and help prevent debt contagion from spreading." (Dan Bilefsky, May 5, 2010)
The definition for this sense of austerity says it all: "enforced or extreme economy."
The word's origins are – coincidentally – Greek; austerity comes from austēros, meaning "harsh" or "severe."

-Merriam-Webster

Even austerity in your budget need not preclude purchase. Chester Creek is offering 15% off our FunKeyBundle for the holiday season - plus free shipping!

Tiny Mouse

Tiny Mouse
Parents or teachers who are thinking about introducing children to a computer at an early age should consider investing in a kid’s mouse. A children’s mouse works just like a regular mouse, but it is smaller and much easier to use for little hands or individuals with dexterity problems. A kid’s mouse may also have fewer buttons. Chester Creek’s Tiny Mouse is a standard three button mouse, only in miniature. It is great for kids, because the size makes it something that they can easily grip. This also facilitates clicking and dragging because the buttons are in easier reach, reducing the frustration kids can feel, even with the myriad age-appropriate educational games offered. This can also benefit those with dexterity or learning impairment.
Additionally, our kid’s mice use optical tracking technology. This is opposed to the ball from older models that often got dirty and lost function. Our mice require no software to install, either, and the ease of plug and play means that you can switch mice with users, keeping a standard mouse for adult users and fun, kid’s mouse for children. This is perfect for use at home, in school, or at the daycare. Teachers have found Chester Creek’s line up of kid’s mice to be more durable than standard mice, and kids will love learning with a moues made just for them.

Frosty Winter Mornings

Well, we have a winter wonderland here in Duluth. Trees are frosted white, roads are slick, and we're still heading to the Holiday Center! We will be set up from 11-2 for your convenience, today through Friday. Come on down for NO SALES TAX and our Holiday special on the FunKeyBundle!