TLO (Trivial Life Optimization) № 8:
Bright colors forcefully grab our attention because a long time ago that was important for survival. Advertising, media creators, and app designers exploit this reaction—along with many others—to generate a false sense of urgency. The effect is amplified by device manufacturers touting hyper-saturated displays to increase sales. Meatspace appears dingy and boring by comparison.
Other than games, charting, and media editors—few apps convey useful information with color (Google calendar is the one exception for me because I have 6 calendars). Surprisingly few videos, photos, and other pictures require high saturation color to appreciate, and most look great in monochrome on a high contrast display like a phone.
Recommendation: Reduce color saturation on your device displays.
Result, at least for me: Online becomes more tranquil and less compelling. Everywhere else becomes more vibrant. After a while, when you do look at a fully saturated display you feel a bit assaulted—which reveals what it does to your nervous system even when you weren't conscious of it.
2019-10-18
By Val Delane
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND