Olo (Color)

Olo, also referred to as psychedelic aquamarine, is a classification of imaginary color. It is not perceivable under standard lighting conditions; instead, it requires the use of highly specialized equipment designed to trigger the M cone cells of the retina in total isolation.

The Science of Perception

Under typical circumstances, it is possible impossible to perceive olo because the sensitivity ranges of the S (short), M (medium), and L (long) cone cells overlap across the visible light spectrum. Consequently, there is no single monochromatic stimulus capable of activating only the M cones without also triggering the S or L cones.

The Experimental Process

To bypass these biological limitations, researchers employed a rigorous technical approach:

• Map a specific section of the human retina.
• Individually categorize every cone cell as either S, M, or L.
• Utilize precision lasers to deliver minute light doses.
• Target M cones specifically while avoiding S and L cells.

Cone Activation Logic

The following diagram illustrates the difference between standard color perception and the isolation required for Olo:

Discovery and Etymology

The color was officially identified on April 18, 2025, by a team of scientists based at UC Berkeley.

The name "Olo" is derived from its theoretical coordinates within the LMS color space. In mathematical terms, the color is represented as: $\text{LMS} = (0, 1, 0)$ When viewed through the lens of leet speak, these coordinates $(0, 1, 0)$ visually spell out the word "olo".

Subjective Experience

To date, only five individuals involved in the Berkeley study have actually seen the color. Professor Ren Ng, a co-author of the research, noted that olo possesses a level of saturation that exceeds any color found in the natural world. The participants described the hue as a "blue-green of unprecedented saturation."

For those attempting to approximate the color using digital screens, the closest match within the sRGB gamut is: #00FFCC

/* Approximate Olo Color in CSS */
.olo-approximation {
    background-color: #00FFCC;
    color: black;
    font-weight: bold;
}

Potential Applications and Legitimacy

Medical and Evolutionary Prospects

Professor Ng and his colleagues are investigating if this laser-stimulation technology can be repurposed to:

1. Mitigate Color Blindness: Enhancing the perception of those with deficient cone responses.
2. Induce Tetrachromacy: Potentially expanding the human visual range to perceive a broader spectrum of colors.

Scientific Debate

While many view the creation of olo as a landmark technical feat, the scientific community is not in total agreement regarding its status as a "new" color.

"The existence of olo as a genuinely novel color is open to argument." — Professor John Barbur, City St George's, University of London.

Comparison of Perception

Cultural Impact

The discovery has resonated beyond the laboratory. Artists have expressed a desire to develop pigments that mimic the intensity of olo, and the Berkeley team has faced a surge of global media interest, with journalists requesting the opportunity to experience the color themselves.

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Categories: Shades of Green | Shades of Cyan | 2025 in Science