Thank the light (proefversie tijdschrift studievereniging)

It wasn’t really the first thing I thought of writing about. But to prevent differing too much from the real columnists, as a guest columnist I won’t write off-topic and stick to the subject of this Intermania; light.

One thing I think of is the USE package “The secret life of light”. Philips has a lot to do with research regarding to the application of light, and it is interesting how light can be used to influence your mood and for example also getting you out of bed easier. But after participating in a quite boring experiment at the IPO building, I didn’t find it necessary to follow those courses. Phillips will take care of it.

Two other things I think of are light as a form of energy (definitely a SI subject, not a PT subject), and the other meaning of light used for the meaning of low calorie food and drinks. Like Coca cola light, one of the darkest drinks I know.

Although the TU and Philips are dealing with light at a very innovative level, it is its most basic function that attracts my attention. Besides it is being tried to apply knowledge about light in smart homes, light is also the most primitive source of our existence as human beings, and in fact the primer source of any living at all.

Light is crucial for photosynthesis of plants, which are crucial for gaining a type of energy that is useful to us. Besides, (day)light regulates some of our hormone levels and therefore our mood and our sleeping cycle(which are undoubtedly related to each other). Like looking at blue light for example coming from a smartphone, stops the production of the hormone that makes you sleepy, called melatonin. This way light can keep you awake at night. If we consider other radiations which we can’t perceive directly like X-radiation, we should be thankful to a lot more.

After all I feel ashamed for not making a big deal about light in the first case. Light is crucial for all living beings at the very basics. And like the Dutch say; the sun rises for free, and with that providing the needed light. So if things don’t really work out the way you planned, remember there is always something to be thankful for.

Always look at the light side of life.




And remember how colourful your life can be even on a rainy day.