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Published

white

vr.tr.white · thing-q23444

Let an agent handle white by colour specification, context, symbolism and accessibility.

Thing Registry Cross-cutting context XCT.QLT
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Specification Which white.

Code

Colour system.

Code

Colour specification.

  1. Which colour system and code define this white? definition
  2. Is it warm or cool? definition

White point

Illuminant.

White point

White point.

  1. Which white point is used? definition
  2. For which display or print process? definition
Design Use.

Contrast

Legibility.

Contrast

Contrast.

  1. Does text on this white meet contrast guidelines? boundary
  2. What contrast ratio? measurement

Glare

Comfort.

Glare

Visual comfort.

  1. Could bright white cause glare or fatigue? boundary
  2. Is a softer white better? action
Materials Paint and print.

Paint

Matching.

Paint

Paint matching.

  1. Which paint matches this white? action
  2. Under which lighting? boundary

Print

Paper white.

Print

Paper white.

  1. How does paper white affect print colour? definition
  2. Do brighteners change it? boundary
Culture Meaning.

Symbolism

Associations.

Symbolism

Symbolism.

  1. What does white signify in this culture? provenance
  2. Is it associated with mourning or celebration? definition

Language

Names.

Language

Colour names.

  1. What is this white called in other languages? definition
  2. Are there special terms? definition

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Cross-cutting context
Entry kind
thing
Plane
XCT
Domain
XCT.QLT
Other names and narrower kinds
#FFFFFE, baby powder, RAL 110 96 02, milk white, holographic white, greenish-white, pinkish-white, yellowish-white, chalk white, indigo white, whitish, white horse

What it is Filled

The lightest achromatic colour, perceived when a surface reflects or a source emits all visible wavelengths roughly equally; many named whites exist, such as milk white or off-whites with slight tints.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent handle white by colour specification, context, symbolism and accessibility.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Lightest achromatic colour
  • Many near-white variants
  • White point depends on illuminant
  • Symbolism varies by culture

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Present one culture's meaning of white, such as purity or mourning, as universal.
  • Use white as a term for people in ways that demean or rank them.
  • Mislabel colour specifications in products where they matter, such as safety markings.

Only with a human decision

  • Choosing colours for safety-critical signs or markings.

May

  • Name, measure and match whites using standard colour descriptions.
  • Describe white's cultural meanings, noting they differ between societies.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Colour words applied to people carry histories of racism.

Who is affected

  • People of different cultures
  • Users of colour-coded signs

Owners Filled

Steward

Nobody owns a colour; standards bodies define colour measurement.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q11567360 - registry parent class

related

  • achromatic color - category
  • black - colour
  • colour systems - standards
  • light - physics

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.white
  • Wikidata: Q23444 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23444)
  • sRGB hex: #FFFFFF screen colour
  • CIE white point: D65 standard illuminant

Direct properties not applicable Not applicable

Not applicable

Plane XCT: no invented physical properties.

Recognition optional Filled

  • sRGB #FFFFFF for pure white
  • Named whites in RAL and other systems
  • White light is a mix of wavelengths
  • The colour of fresh snow or milk; tinted whites lean warm or cool.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • specify it in colour systems
  • match paint and print
  • check contrast with other colours
  • set white point in displays

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Poor contrast with light text
  • Glare in bright white interfaces
  • Assuming universal symbolism

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • CIE colorimetry
  • ISO 11664
  • WCAG contrast guidelines

Context of use required Filled

  • Design, printing, lighting, signage and cultural symbolism.
  • pure white
  • warm and cool whites
  • off-whites
  • white light and white points
  • named paint whites

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q23444: white - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: White - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should named whites be separate entries?
  • How should white points be linked?
  • How should cultural meanings be recorded?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q23444/spec.json