Friday, December 11, 2009

South Paws

The left hemisphere (RIGHT HAND CONTROL) controls Speech, Language, Writing, Logic, Mathematics, Science, this is the LINEAR THINKING MODE.

The right hemisphere (LEFT HAND CONTROL) controls Music, Art, Creativity, Perception, Emotions, Genius, this is the HOLISTIC THINKING MODE

No-one has come up with a definitive reason for WHY some people are left-handed, but about 13% of the population around the world are, and it is thought to be genetic - it definitely runs in families. Researchers have recently located a gene they believe "makes it possible to have a left-handed child " so if you have that gene, one or more of your children may be left-handed, whereas without it, you will only have right-handers - sorry! The good news is, that if you are left-handed yourself, you have that gene and will pass it on through the generations!

The way the brain works is incredibly complex, but this simplified explanation will give you some understanding of where our left-hand dominance comes from. The brain is "cross-wired" so that the left hemisphere controls the right handed side of the body and vice-versa and hand dominance is connected with brain dominance on the opposite side - which is why we say that only left-handers are in their right minds!

This brain dominance makes left-handers more likely than right handers to be creative and visual thinkers. This is supported by higher percentages of left-handers than normal in certain jobs and professions - music and the arts, media in general. Left-handers are also generally better at 3-dimensional perception and thinking, leading, for example, to more left-handed architects than normal. Left-handers are also usually pretty good at most ball sports and things involving hand-to-eye co-ordination.

The view that left-handers are clumsy and awkward is not down to their natural abilities, but being forced to use right-handed tools and machinery which is completely back-to-front for them. To find out more, and for some hints and tips for getting the most out of a right-handed world, visit the FAQ section at Anything Left-Handed.

Left Handed Fascinating Facts:

Most left-handers draw figures facing to the right.

There is a high tendency in twins for one to be left-handed

Stuttering and dyslexia occur more often in left-handers (particularly if they are forced to change their writing hand as a child, like King of England George VI).

Left-handers adjust more readily to seeing underwater.

Left-handers excel particularly in tennis, baseball, swimming and fencing

Left-handers usually reach puberty 4 to 5 months after right-handers

4 of the 5 original designers of the Macintosh computer were left-handed

1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were left-handed - 250% more than the normal level.

Left-handers are generally more intelligent, better looking, imaginative and multi-talented than right handers - based on discussions among members of the Left-Handers Club! :)

Left-Handed Authors

James Baldwin, novelist
Bet Bowen, horror novelist
Peter Benchley, novelist
Lewis Carroll
Richard Condon, novelist
Jean Genet
Marshall McLuhan
Diane Paul
Helen Hooven Santmyer, novelist
Viktoria Stefanov
Samuel C. Warner (?), poet
H.G. Wells
Jessamyn West
Eudora Welty, see One Writer's Beginnings (1983:27)

*source Left Hander's Club

15 comments:

Jeanne said...

EVERYONE IS BORN RIGHT HANDED. ONLY THE GIFTED OVERCOME IT.

My son is left handed
I love all you share
Blessings

BrOwN CiRcUs said...

I'm a lefty! Also, my grandmother was, and two of my children are! Love this post! Thanks for sharing!

Dutchbaby said...

This is a great post!I began life left-handed and my writing hand was persuaded to the right in Catholic school in Amsterdam. A lot of it had to do with the inkwell being on the right side of the desk. They neglected to convert my handedness in using scissors so I'm still a lefty there. My husband is left-footed, my son is a lefty in baseball but right-handed in fencing. My daughter is fiercely right-handed. Genetics are a wonder.

A Fitness Minute with Pat Anderson said...

Always nice visiting your blog. Happy Holidays!

Maia said...

It's funny, my mother is left-handed and I am right- handed, and yet she is the most linear-thinking person I know, and I am the least. Q is still ambidextrous...guess we'll see.

ps - I just passed you a little award on my voyageuses.blogspot.com site. No obligation, just a compliment ;)

Renee said...

My daughter Angelique will be very happy to know this.

xoxoxo

Susie of Arabia said...

Fascinating post! Another interesting tidbit is that there have been an inordinate number of left-handed Presidents, especially in the last 50 years. Here's an article about it:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070303202.html

Gill said...

You left no stone unturned with this post! I'm left speechless!

:)

Kidding! I actually was left handed then had to "turn" to please the masses. xo

rochambeau said...

Dear Yoli,
Thank you for all of this cool info.
What a fascinating post! I am a big fan of learning about the brain and it's workings.

I've learned that you can strengthen your brain and come up with creative solutions, by using your non- dominate hand. Over the span of a few years I have trained my self to use my left hand.

I have grown a new circuit in my brain. It wasn't easy, I started small in the beginning by unloading the dishwasher expressly with my left hand. Bit by bit I can use my left hand for everything, to include putting on mascara. Writing takes much longer and is not as legible.

I am working on a post about this: Left Brain ~ Right Brain. But it may be awhile.

Are you a lefty? Looks like one of your little darlin's is. My bro is.

The thing I've observed about many lefties is that they are intelligent.

Leonardo DiVinci was born ambidextrous. He was a genius.

Love to you!
Hope your season is Merry with so many little swetie pies around!

xox
Constance
Do you use your non dominant hand?

Yoli said...

I was born ambidextrous did not train myself to use either hand. It always came easy for me. I am far from a genius very far...LOL.

My daughter is a lefty.

Mlle Paradis said...

In fact both Obama AND McCain are left-handed. Great post Yoli.

A Cuban In London said...

What a fascinating post. Here's a secret for you: when I was little I wanted to be left-handed. And the result was frequent headaches, explained by the doctor as the consequence of me trying to dictate my brain which hand to use. I was born right-handed but when playing baseball I used to switchhit to the amazement of my mates.

Many thanks for such a lovely post.

Greetings from London.

Fei An said...

It is so interesting. Both my girls are left handed. Thanks for sharing:)

Soojung Jo said...

Yoli - fascinating that my new daughter has opened my eyes to so many new (and old) things... even handed-awareness. I love it!!!

Alkemie said...

What a fantastic and fascinating post! I saved the brain map you had - it's a really good map. I've never read such a concise and well written explanation of lefties. Love it!

Cheers,
Karen O.