New Hue or Hallucination? Controversial Color Discovery Sparks Scientific Skepticism
Scientists Claim Discovery of “Olo” – A New Color Never Seen Before, But Debate Ensues
(Published: 01:54 BST, 19 April 2025 | Updated: 01:54 BST, 19 April 2025)
By Robert Folker
In a controversial 2025 study, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, claimed to have discovered a new color unseen by humans until now. Dubbed “olo,” the hyper-saturated blue-green hue was reportedly perceived during an experiment where volunteers had lasers pulsed into their eyes to stimulate retinal cells. However, skeptics argue the finding is more about perception than a true new color.
The Experiment
Five participants underwent retinal scans to map their cone cells—light-sensitive structures critical for color vision. Using precise lasers, scientists targeted only their “M cones,” which typically detect medium-wavelength light (green). By isolating these cells, the team claims they pushed vision beyond natural limits, creating a color described as “jaw-droppingly saturated” and unlike anything in nature.
[IMAGE: Austin Roorda, a vision scientist on the team, conducting research]
Caption: Austin Roorda, a Berkeley vision scientist, helped lead the study.
Participants likened “olo” to an intense blue-green but emphasized its uniqueness. “It’s not just a color—it’s an experience,” said electrical engineer Ren Ng. The team shared a turquoise square as a rough approximation, though they stress true “olo” can’t be replicated on screens.
[IMAGE: Turquoise square labeled “olo”]
Caption: Researchers used this image to approximate “olo,” but insist the actual color is far more vivid.
The Science Behind It
Human eyes rely on three cone types: L (long wavelengths/red), M (medium/green), and S (short/blue). Natural light activates all cones simultaneously, blending colors. The Berkeley team’s lasers, however, selectively stimulated M cones, bypassing normal visual processing. This created a “patch” of color twice the size of a full moon in participants’ vision.
Skepticism Emerges
Not all experts are convinced. Professor John Barbur, a vision specialist at City St George’s, London, argues “olo” isn’t new—it’s just an ultra-saturated green. “It’s a technical feat, but not a breakthrough in color perception,” he said. Critics suggest the experiment merely highlights how cones respond to artificial stimuli, not a novel spectral discovery.
Why It Matters
While debates continue, the study underscores the complexity of human vision. If validated, “olo” could advance technologies like VR or medical imaging. For now, it remains a fascinating glimpse into how far our senses can be pushed—and the limits of what we consider “real.”
“The brain doesn’t know what to do with this signal—it’s unprecedented,” said Roorda. “But calling it a ‘new color’? That’s where the controversy lies.”
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