[nyan_sandwich]

That (quoted) statement is probably wrong (with the uncertainty focused on how the future goes).

The Mantis shrimp[1] can see colors in up to 12 dimensions, instead of the pathetic three that we can see.

Further, a study done with mice which I can't find now involved implanting mice with the genes for a third type of color receptor, and they grew up being able to distinguish colors in three dimensions instead of two. In other words, if you add a few genes for more color dimensions, the brain adapts.

To advance the human capability to perceive color, it is probably just a matter of adding a few genes. This kind of stuff is within a century for sure. Our descendants could grow up being able to see visual subtleties we can't even imagine, if we choose to go that way.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp

[sp332]

Oh yeah, I was avoiding augmented vision like Steve Mann's headgear, which enables HDR vision as well as making some IR and UV visible. http://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/profiles/steve-mann-my-au... New cell types would be awesome, but you can already (very faintly) see polarization of light. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haidinger%27s_brush

[girvo]

So THAT'S what that is!

I can see it, have done for as long as I can remember. That's super neat!

I always thought it was just an error in my eyes themselves not handling light properly