Thread: A new color....

RGB is a useful model precisely because the eye/brain actually has red, green, and blue filtration. Color-blind people are missing one or two of these, which is why there are different specific types of color-blindness.

But beyond that, RGB theoretically can represent the entire light spectrum within its lower and upper frequency/wavelength bounds. Our visual processing uses this model because it works.

Having four primary color filters would likely not add any "new" colors, but only break up existing colors in different ways. If you look at printing processes, they use 3, 4, 5 and even 6 different primary ink colors to create all available colors. But going to six doesn't allow you any "new" colors for the eye... it may simply be better at representing certain shades available with pigment on paper.

Wow, so much science behind just one simple concept. well it wasnt really a simple concept. haha. well thanks for the explanation(s). it woludve been fun to have a lucid dream and try to concive a new color.

I think this mixes up qualia and the electromagnetic spectrum a little too much.

From the angle of the basic science, sure, it is possible to see more of the electromagnetic spectrum; some organisms do see a bit more. Seeing all the electromagnetic spectrum though... well that wouldn't really work. You realise that visible light is the part of the spectrum with a wavelength of only 400 to 700nm? There are many other types of wavelengths, such as radio waves, which can be in the range of kilometers.

Regarding qualia though, which is what I think this thread is really about...

Well it's interesting. I think potentially you can be introduced to new qualia, yes. Our brain makes qualia out of distinct experiences. If somebody was locked in a blue room for most of their life and then let out, I don't think they'd see the world in blue.