“Is This Pink or Green?”: Real Colour of Shoes Sparks a Debate

• Content creator @pasmagic4 posted a video showing a pair of shoes that appear in different colours to different people
• The optical illusion is similar to the viral dress debate from years ago, with some seeing pink and white while others see green and grey
• Social media users flooded the comments section sharing what colours they see, with many amazed at how their perception differs from others

A video of shoes that seem to be different colours to different viewers has sparked a heated online debate. Content creator @pasmagic4, from California, known for posting optical illusions and personal content on his YouTube page, shared the mind-bending clip. The video that was shared seven weeks ago has left people questioning their colour perception.

In the video, the gentleman shows a picture of a shoe and asks viewers:

"Is this shoe pink and white or green and grey? Many people see one or the other, so let me know in the comments which one you see and follow for more illusions."

This isn't the first time colour perception has divided the internet. A few years ago, a dress went viral when people couldn't agree if it was blue and black or white and gold. This shoe debate is bringing back similar arguments, as viewers report seeing completely different colours when looking at the same image.

Watch the Facebook reel below.

Why we see colours differently

The way we perceive colours depends on several factors. We see colours based on reflected light, which means the quality and type of lighting have a huge effect on what we see.

Objects in dim lighting will appear darker, while brightly lit objects show more saturated colours. Yellowish light sources reflect warmer tones like reds and oranges, while bluish light sources reflect cooler tones like blues and greens.

Our brains also interpret colours differently based on our experiences, physical factors, or what we expect to see. If we think an object is in shadows, our brain automatically adjusts to perceive a darker shade.

Contrast also plays a big role in how we see colours. A colour can look completely different depending on what surrounds it. This explains why some people might see the shoes as pink and white while others insist they're green and grey. It's all about context and individual perception.

Briefly News spoke to medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy regarding eye perception and health. She stated:

"Differences in how people perceive colours can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. Colour blindness, often genetic, can also result from eye diseases, ageing, or certain medications, affecting the ability to distinguish between certain colours like red and green or blue and yellow. Sudden changes in colour vision may be due to eye injury, medications, or even diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis, which require immediate medical attention."

"If one eye sees colours differently than the other, especially with symptoms like blurred vision or pain, it's important to consult an eye specialist/ophthalmologist. Additionally, changes in colour vision accompanied by sensitivity to light or quick side-to-side eye movements should prompt a medical check-up. If you have any concerns, a GP can do an initial assessment and refer you to an appropriate specialist if needed. It is important to go to a qualified medical professional as they can perform tests to diagnose any issues and recommend appropriate treatments, interventions and referrals."

Social media reactions

The comment section quickly filled with people sharing what colours they saw, with many amazed at how different their perceptions were:

@Monica Vardy wrote:

"I see all 4 colours at once. The main part looks pink but with parts that look green around the stitching, and the tongue looks green and the wave line is white through to grey... It's lighting that's making it look different, just like the dress."

@Fehér Bolyk László commented:

"White and neon turquoise. But it would look different without the wide teal frame."

@Linda Singley Boone shared her experience:

"To me, it looks pink and white. The shoe is pink with a white stripe, but the toe part looks grey. I'm also color blind, so I could be wrong about that."

@Robert Potter saw something different:

"I see green, but also, grey with a pink hue."

@Victoria Walker compared it to another viral sensation:

"It's the dress all over again."

@Karen Ringue noticed something strange:

"It's pink and white. But previously it was green(mint) and grey. Weird how it changed."

Other shoes that got people talking

• Briefly News recently reported on a domestic worker who shared an amazing hack for washing sneakers.
• A Mzansi woman left the online community in stitches when she was filmed walking in her boyfriend's shoes.
• One unlucky lady became the laughing stock online after sharing her latest purchase from Mr Price.

Source: Briefly News