A 24-year-old woman’s boyfriend, 29, boldly claimed he’d invent a new color, chasing a rainbow-rewriting dream with a $4,000 price tag for art supplies, a lab coat, and a desert trip for “pure sunlight.” Her shutdown sparked a fiery feud, with him sulking and friends throwing shade.
Reddit’s buzzing over this clash of love and questionable science, split on dream-crushing versus wallet-saving. This vibrant saga of ambition and technicolor chaos leaves her questioning if she’s the villain in his cosmic art quest.
Boyfriend wants to invent a new color, demands 4 grand, girlfriend refuses, suspects him of having a disorder.
For your information, the Redditor has her point at: “Colors exist as part of the visible spectrum of light, so unless he was about to discover some new wavelength, this might not be possible”.
Theoretically, color cannot be “invented”. They are the way our eyes perceive and our brain processes light at different wavelengths. But let’s see if the experts and Reddit community manage to do such a thing.
At its core, this is a clash of dreams versus practicality. Her savings for grad school versus his vision of revolutionizing human perception. But let’s zoom out: is this about creativity, or is something deeper at play?
The boyfriend’s insistence on needing $4,000 for “advanced art tools” and a desert pilgrimage raises eyebrows. Yet, some Reddit users noted that new pigments, like the ultra-dark Vanta Black, are a real thing, often patented for artists.
Could he be onto something? Maybe, but his philosophy degree and lack of a chemistry lab suggest he’s more dreamer than scientist. His reaction, calling her “close-minded” and hinting at using her credit card, hints at more than just artistic zeal.
This situation taps into a broader issue: navigating a partner’s big dreams when they feel out of touch. According to a 2023 Psychology Today article, relationships often strain when one partner’s ambitions outpace shared goals, with 68% of couples citing financial disagreements as a top stressor.
Here, the Redditor’s protecting her future, but her boyfriend’s accusations of jealousy sting. Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship expert, once said in Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love: “Your personal growth depends on your relationship remaining safe and secure at all times, because if either of you feel the least bit unsafe, untrusting, or insecure, you won’t have the internal resources for personal growth.”
This couple’s spat shows a disconnect. His dream feels like a solo act, not a team effort.
Mental health concerns also bubble up. Several Redditors flagged the boyfriend’s grandiose idea and defensive behavior as possible signs of mania or other issues.
While not a diagnosis, such shifts can signal a need for professional support. The Redditor’s plan to gently suggest a consultation is a smart move, but it’ll need tact to avoid escalating tensions.
Couples therapist Esther Perel advises approaching such talks with curiosity, not judgment. For now, she’s wise to secure her finances, dreams shouldn’t drain bank accounts.
So, what’s the play? Open communication is key. She could validate his creativity while setting boundaries, like suggesting he pitch his idea to investors or crowdfund it.
Meanwhile, addressing potential mental health concerns with care could strengthen their bond, or reveal if it’s time to part ways.
Here’s the feedback from the Reddit community:
Some believe the OP is not obligated to fund an unrealistic idea and question the proposer’s mental health.
Others suspect specific mental health issues like schizophrenia or mania based on the behavior.
Some question the feasibility of inventing a new color and suggest alternative explanations.
Others highlight red flags in the relationship and urge reevaluation or financial protection.
This Redditor’s stuck in a kaleidoscope of drama, torn between love and logic.
Her boyfriend’s quest to invent a new color might be a spark of genius or a sign of something deeper, but her refusal to fund it feels like a stand for sanity.
Was she right to slam the brakes on his desert-bound dream, or should she have tossed a few bucks at his vision?
How would you balance supporting a partner’s wild ideas with keeping your wallet safe? Share your hot takes!
