We're All in 'Dark Mode' Now

theatlantic.com

1 point·mentalgear··6 comments

Whether you like dark mode or not, I think the most important (and least divisive) fact we can all agree on is simply: As users, it's nice to have a choice.

I never bought the eye strain argument. Especially on modern displays. Reading a book in sunlight bombards your eyes with much more energy. And as the article points out, reading text in dark mode is much more strenuous.

I think it's really as simple as: dark mode looks cooler? It's different and tech-y and aesthetically appealing?

Opinion: Reading code with syntax highlighting is better in dark mode. Not English text, but code.

Studies show reading natural language text for understanding is better with dark text on a light background.

Maybe? I've used some light themes for coding that have pretty good color coding.

I really think it just comes down to what you use first and what you've learned to be productive in. And for coding, the legacy of monochrome monitors and terminal interfaces is just really, really strong.

It was a lot easier for me to deal with dark mode rather than white screens back before I had my cataract surgery. To a lesser degree, it still is.

I would guess that a book in bright sunlight is lower contrast than black on white on screen due to how the ink reflects light as well as the paper. There may also be effects related to the physiology or neurology of how our eyes and visual processing adapt to higher and lower light conditions.

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