Question

Using jQuery Nearest Element, I would like to select elements in a circular area around a specific point. Here is the closest I can get: http://jsfiddle.net/fuYHv/. I’d also like to be able to get the inverse selection if possible. If this is not possible with the plugin and approach I’ve listed, I am open to other suggestions.

Answer 1

What you want is proximity:

https://github.com/padolsey/jQuery-Plugins/tree/master/proximity-event

I got your fiddle working, it turns out the max: radius statement doesn’t do the intuitive thing, so you have to specifically check the distance for each call on the event. But it works nicely:

http://jsfiddle.net/fuYHv/12/

$(selector + ' span').bind('proximity', {max: radius}, function (event, proximity, distance) {
    $(this).css('color', distance <= radius ? '#f00' : '#000');
});  

And for a much better and more optimized solution, see the Original Poster’s fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/fuYHv/14/