avatarDr John Frederick Rose

Summary

The website content reflects on the evolution of color in technology and daily life, contrasting the vibrant present with a monochrome past, and emphasizes the importance of color in enhancing human experience and communication.

Abstract

The article titled "The Color of Life" delves into the transformation of society from a grey, monochrome past to a present enriched by color, as seen through technological advancements and personal memories. It highlights the transition from monochrome monitors to the widespread adoption of the VGA standard, which brought a 16-color display to the masses. The text underscores how color has revolutionized various aspects of life, from graphical operating systems and applications to online shopping and remote work. The author, inspired by the works of Hermione Wilds, acknowledges the profound impact of color on human emotions and cognition, making the argument that color is essential in research, writing, and artistic expression. The piece concludes with a reflection on the use of color in poetry and imagery to convey complex themes and create a singular narrative.

Opinions

  • The author perceives the past as predominantly grey and monochrome, with the red-head girl being a notable exception, symbolizing a burst of color and vibrancy in their teenage years.
  • The introduction of color through VGA standards in 1987 is viewed as a pivotal moment, described by the author as being akin to heaven due to the enhanced visual experience it provided.
  • Color is considered vital in the author's research and writing, with the belief that a picture can convey complex themes more effectively than words alone.
  • The author expresses that color enriches experiences, heightens senses, and adds depth to communication, emphasizing its role in conveying emotions and aiding in the understanding of ideas.
  • In the context of poetry, the author values the use of color to complement the starkness of chosen words, aiming to create a synergy between the poem and the image it accompanies.
  • The lack of color in historical black and white images is seen as a means to accentuate the passage of time and focus on the historical context of the subject matter, such as steam locomotives.

The Color of Life.

Contrasting today’s colorful life against the Grey Past.

Full color of one of flowers during a spring walk in 2022. Picture by John Rose.
Same picture as it would have appeared when TV, Computers and displays were just black and white. Edited by John Rose

Enabling Color.

Seems looking back everything was grey, Apart from red-head down the street, She was bonkers told me I was different, Never did find out what she meant, We just had fun teenage love, Apart from red head everything was grey especially mindful parents.

I built and sold Z80 micro-computers before IBM PC and PS/2, Monitors were monochrome and text based, 80 characters x 24 lines neither graphics nor color standards.

1987 IBM introduced VGA standard, Within e years Adopted industry wide, 640 x 480 resolution in 16 colors with standard commands, Thought I was in heaven.

Standard graphics monitors early 90’s encouraged modern graphical operating systems Enabling applications and wonderful opportuinties for thought and social interactions.

Graphics and word processing, Art packages and desktop publishing, Design and video editing, Illustrations and on-line libraries, Information and data mining, Large scale on-line shopping, Shipping and logistics, Working from home.

YouTube Facebook and all the rest, Now on-line medium.com, Hard to remember back to 80’s when I had first VGA monitor on my early PC while happily programming business applications.

Color Enriches.

Color enriches and heightens senses, Adds meaning that needs no explanation, Communicates emotions arouses and depresses, All these innate qualities we feel from color experiences, Taking them for granted in everyday life.

Can’t imagine black and white cookbooks, Monochrome pasta how uninspiring, Lovely spinach appears to be rotting leaves, Sausage rolls same as doggy droppings just cleaned up.

Color is vital in my research and writing, Picture worth thousand words, Complex themes and multiple ideas easily conveyed in single picture.

Careful use of color Picks out themes, Highlights ideas, Creates background contexts and messages, Used in poems.

Color and Stark Poetry

My stark poetry, composed of few chosen words, Intended to be comprehended in context of picture or diagram.

Each verse represents single pictorial theme often color highlighted, Poetry and image merge becoming single story playing on senses, At least that’s my intention.

Still experimenting, Engineer in me writing about steam locomotives, Searched for old black and white images, Lack of color accentuated times long passed, Focused on history Creating innate context and message.

Acknowledgement.

Following thoughts from reading Hermione Wilds Writes story

Colors of Gaia. Picture by John Rose.

Blessed be.

Poetry
Colors
Themes
Philosophy Of Mind
Color Association
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