Summary of "Unveiling Olo — A Color Out of Oz!" from NPR's Short Wave

Release Date: June 6, 2025

In this captivating episode of Short Wave, hosts Emily Kwong and Wren Ng explore the groundbreaking discovery of a new color named Olo, delving into the intricate science of human color perception and the innovative techniques used to create this novel hue.

Introduction to Color Perception

Emily Kwong sets the stage by explaining that color is not only a physical phenomenon but also a complex perception crafted by our brains. Wren Ng emphasizes the challenges researchers face when studying color due to its context-dependent nature.

Wren Ng [00:38]: "It's actually very challenging to study color because of the complexity of it and how the perception is so context dependent."

The Discovery of Olo: A Novel Color

The episode introduces Dr. Austin Roerda, a professor of optometry and vision science at UC Berkeley, and his collaborator, computer scientist Wren Ng. Together, they have developed Olo, a color that does not exist in nature and was created entirely in a laboratory setting.

Austin Roerda [01:09]: "It's blue, green, it's a teal color, but it's just more saturated than any teal you can see in the natural world."

The Oz Technique

To achieve Olo, the team employed a technique aptly named Oz, inspired by the transformation from black and white to technicolor in "The Wizard of Oz."

Emily Kwong [01:16]: "Oz, named after the movie The Wizard of Oz, which starts in black and white until Dorothy emerges into a technicolor world. Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. We must be over the rainbow."

Wren Ng elaborates on the Oz technique, likening it to transitioning into an extraordinarily colored world by directly manipulating the cells responsible for color perception.

Wren Ng [01:46]: "Oz, in a way, is that effort to evoke a new sensation of color… through direct manipulation of the cells."

Understanding Human Color Vision

The discussion shifts to the biology of color perception. Wren Ng explains that humans have three types of cone photoreceptors—L (long), M (medium), and S (short) wavelengths—that enable us to perceive up to 10 million different hues through extensive brain processing.

Wren Ng [03:49]: "With just a mere three cone types, humans are able to differentiate arguably up to 10 million different hues in the visual world."

Austin Roerda adds that these cones are determined by photo pigments encoded in our DNA, highlighting that color vision is inherently genetic.

Austin Roerda [04:40]: "Our color vision is baked into our DNA. Literally."

Variations in Color Perception

The hosts explore how color perception varies among individuals, especially those with colorblindness. Austin Roerda explains that colorblind individuals, particularly those with dichromatic vision, perceive the world differently, often seeing it in shades limited to blue and yellow.

Austin Roerda [05:16]: "People see colors in the world and experience them differently… if you're a colorblind person, you see the world only in shades of blue and yellow."

Creating and Visualizing Olo

Emily inquires about the team's ambitious study to selectively stimulate M cones to produce Olo, a feat not naturally occurring. Austin Roerda discusses the experimental approach, acknowledging the unprecedented challenges and the collaborative effort required.

Austin Roerda [06:21]: "We set out to stimulate M cones without stimulating any neighboring L or S cones... It was so challenging, but the fruits of the labor are so valuable because it is really something that's never been done before."

Wren Ng details the meticulous process involved, including mapping each participant's cone cells using optical coherence tomography and precisely aligning their vision to target only the M cones. This precise stimulation resulted in the perception of Olo.

Wren Ng [07:03]: "Once everything gets into place and you're carefully fixating, then you have this moment where it just turns this saturated teal."

Perceiving Olo and Its Uniqueness

The team confirms the creation of Olo and addresses whether other animals could perceive this novel color. Austin Roerda clarifies that animal vision differs significantly from humans, making it impossible for other species to experience Olo as we do.

Austin Roerda [09:46]: "Animals don't see the world in color anything like a human does… the experiential nature of color for different species is just so vastly different."

Approximating the Olo Experience

For listeners eager to experience something similar to Olo, Wren Ng suggests a visual trick involving adapting to red light followed by green light. While this method doesn't perfectly replicate Olo, it offers a rough approximation by selectively desensitizing certain cones.

Wren Ng [11:25]: "If you adapt to red light and then look at green, you may desensitize to red and see something closer to Olo."

Cultural Impact and Homages to Olo

The episode highlights the cultural ripple effects of Olo, mentioning how artists like Stuart Semple are creating products inspired by this novel color. Semple's "Yolo Y" paint, priced at $10,000, aims to evoke the sensation of Olo through fluorescent components.

Wren Ng [13:02]: "Stuart Semple totally realized that, and his paint was meant to sort of evoke a sensation, a feeling of Olo."

Emily Kwong humorously references the emerging trend of "FOMOLO" (Fear of Missing Out on Olo), illustrating the color's growing fascination in popular culture.

Emily Kwong [14:00]: "Fear of missing out on Olo. That's what that is. FOMOLO."

Conclusion

Emily concludes by thanking Austin Roerda and Wren Ng for sharing their pioneering work, emphasizing the significance of their discovery in the realm of human color vision science.

Emily Kwong [14:06]: "Thank you for sharing Olo with us on Short Wave and with the world. We wish you luck with future adventures and advances in color and human color vision science."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Austin Roerda [01:09]: "It's blue, green, it's a teal color, but it's just more saturated than any teal you can see in the natural world."

• Wren Ng [03:49]: "With just a mere three cone types, humans are able to differentiate arguably up to 10 million different hues in the visual world."

• Austin Roerda [05:16]: "If you're a colorblind person, you see the world only in shades of blue and yellow."

• Wren Ng [07:03]: "Once everything gets into place and you're carefully fixating, then you have this moment where it just turns this saturated teal."

• Austin Roerda [09:46]: "Animals don't see the world in color anything like a human does…"

• Wren Ng [11:25]: "If you adapt to red light and then look at green, you may desensitize to red and see something closer to Olo."

Conclusion

"Unveiling Olo — A Color Out of Oz!" offers listeners an enthralling glimpse into the forefront of vision science. By blending detailed scientific explanations with engaging storytelling, Short Wave not only introduces a revolutionary color but also highlights the limitless possibilities of human perception and technological innovation.