Here's to the Lefties! Happy Left Hander's Day!

Today is International Left-Handers Day! First observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Lefthanders International Inc. The day was created to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handers as well as to raise awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed in a predominantly right-handed world. My dad and my brother are both left-handed, I have seen the struggles they had to deal with, particularly with writing. My dad writes in capital letters because his writing would be illegible if he were to write normally. On this day, I wanted to investigate the mechanics of a left-handed person, what about their brain is unique and what are the differences seen between left-handed and right-handed people. As well as the historical mistreatment of left-handed people and a highlight of famous lefties.

There are several theories as to the cause of handedness. Most theories focus on the brain’s division of labor is different. Other theories focus on genetics. Two left-handed people have a 26 percent change of having a left-handed child. Twin studies indicate that genetics explain about 25 percent of handedness with environmental factors explain the remaining 75 percent. Most children will show a hand preference by 4 years (48 months) when they are mostly likely to be engaged in writing and coloring activities (Fagard, 2005). The most current theory suggests that handedness is determined by the development of the spine in utero and not the brain (Dodgson, 2019). There are certain correlations between handedness and aspects in life. Such as intelligence. There is only a single point difference between IQ scores of right-handed and left-handed people. However, left-handed brains are structured differently in ways that allow processing of language, spatial relations and emotions in more diverse and creative ways (McManus, 2012). In health factors, left-handedness has been correlated with increased rates of neuropsychiatric and developmental disorders such as the autism spectrum disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and alcoholism.

Unfortunately, for centuries, left-handedness was an undesirable trait. Under the powerful influence of the Catholic Church, left-handed people were vigorously oppressed in medieval Europe. See as consorting with the devil, during the Inquisition and witch hunts, being left-handed was enough evidence for a woman to be labeled as a witch (Right Left). In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, brutal attempts were made to suppress left-handedness. A child’s left hand would be tied behind his back to discourage its use and even corporal punishment, if a child was caught using his or her left hand. I have heard stories of some schools still using this method in the mid-20^th century. The infamous Cesare Lombroso claimed that left-handedness was the mark of pathological behavior, savagery and criminality. It wasn’t until Paul Broca’s research in the 1860s did scientific interest in handedness begin (Right Left). Even today, many of the nicknames or slang for left handers are derogatory in nature. Everyone is familiar with southpaw, in Australia, left handers are referred to as “mollie dookers” which means having fits like a girl. In Belarus, the word for left handers is liewsha which means sneaky or mistrustful. In France, the word is gauche which means awkward or clumsy and in Italy, lefthanders are reference to as mancini or crooked or maimed.

There are been many famous people who were or are left-handed. In the political arena, several presidents have been left-handed including James Garfield, Harry S. Truman, and Ronald Reagan. In music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Paul McCartney were all lefties. In baseball, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Ted Williams. Chef Gordon Ramsay is left-handed. Scientist Nikola Tesla was left-handed. It has been suggested the Albert Einstein was left-handed; however, there is no evidence he was. Bill Gates is a southpaw. It has been rumored that the famous Renaissance painter Michelangelo Buonarroti was left-handed. Queen Victoria wrote with her right hand but painted with her left. It is believed that she was forced to write with her right hand by her mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Duchess of Kent. Queen Victoria’s descendant, Prince William and his son, Prince George are also lefties.

In conclusion, left-handed individuals have a disadvantage with tools and products which are designed for right-handed people. They also have shown to have advantages in music, sports, science and math. They have suffered cruel treatment through the centuries, and it has only been recently that many companies have introduced modified their products for left-handed individuals. Even some of the slang terms for left-handed people show the cruel history and thoughts behind left-handedness. It was interesting to discover the famous individuals who are lefties. Let’s celebrate the lefties in our lives! Celebrate our uniqueness and differences because if we were all the same, life would be pretty boring. Here’s to you, lefties!

References

Dodgson, Lindsay. August 12, 2019. The reason some people are left-handed could have nothing to do with the brain. https://amp.businessinsider.com/why-some-people-are-left-handed-2018-1. Retrieved August 12, 2019.

Fagard, Jacqueline; Lockman, Jeffrey J. (2005). "The effect of task constraints on infants' (bi)manual strategy for grasping and exploring objects". Infant Behavior and Development. 28 (3): 305–315. Retrieved 11 August 2019.

McManus, Chris. April 14, 2012. Is It True That Left-Handed People Are Smarter Than Right-Handed People? Scientific American. Retrieved: 11 August 2019.

Right Left Right Wrong. History of Handedness. https://www.rightleftrightwrong.com/history_recent.html. Retrieved August 11, 2019.

Collecting: more than just gathering stuff

Collection is the act or process of accumulating something. Items from very inexpensive to extravagant. People collect many different things. My husband and I are collectors. It is one of the many things we have in common. For many of our friends and even his co-workers do not understand the drive behind collecting. The desire to collect can originate in many different ways. For many collectors, it falls into three categories, childhood memories and connections. It is the thrill of the hunt for new items. Or the special meaning or symbolism in the subject of the collection. There are many benefits to the brain when someone has a collection.

For many collectors, the joy of collecting stems from their childhood memories. My husband who primarily collects Star Wars action figures and memorabilia. It first began when he was 4 or 5 years ago when someone gave him a Ewok playset and the Cantina playset. However. The bulk of his collection started when he was 17. It’s the memory of getting those playsets as a child which drives his love of collecting. Many of my collection started when I was a teenager. My Coca-Cola collection started when I bought a Coca-Cola bottle with the Argentinean flag on it. It was 1994 World Cup and I thought it was cool. The one bottle turned into a lifetime collection. I’ve also been a long time collector of Precious Memories figurines. I collect pieces which are cute or have a special meaning for me at the time. For instance, one of my favorite pieces is called “Together is the nicest place to be” and it features a couple relaxing on the couch. It was given to me by my husband early in our marriage and it symbolizes exacting how I feel. It does matter what we are doing or where we are, when my husband and I are together is where I want to be.

Another source of joy of collecting is the thrill of the hunt. This is particularly true for my husband. There is a local hobby show called Frank and Sons. It is a large warehouse with individual booths inside where collectors can browse a wide range of collectibles for sale or even trade. Usually when a particular action figure is difficult to find in local retail stores, my husband can go to Frank and Sons and find it. He will look over the piece with a very critical eye, looking for flaws. There could be flaws in the paint, in the sculpting, or in the packaging. He’ll look over the figure while considering the asking price and make a decision about his counteroffer. He is also really good at bargaining with the seller. After a little back and forth, he and the seller will come to a deal which sometimes includes another figure for a lower price. The thrill of looking for the piece, finding the piece and then negotiating a price and the satisfaction when the piece is included in the collection is the satisfaction that comes with collecting.

For some collectors the items they collect have a special meaning or symbolism in their lives. The meaning or symbolism could be what the animal represents or it could have a connection to a loved one who has passed. I have many collections which has special meaning or symbolism to me. I recently started collect owls. In one year, I have quite a collection already. Owls symbolize wisdom and knowledge. I’ve always loved learning. I continue to teach myself new things all the time, so the owl seems to fit my personality. I have also thought owls to beautiful creatures. I’ve also collected wolves since high school. Wolves are another beautiful and majestic creature. Wolves symbolize a strong knowledge and instincts about oneself. Like with owls, I have felt a strong connection with wolves.  I also collect certain animals to represent my children especially my children who have passed. If you’ve read my blog before you know that I lost three children to miscarriage or premature birth. Each animal has a special connection to my children so that I can carry a piece of them with me. It doesn’t matter if anyone else doesn’t understand the symbolism, I do and it is a comfort.

There are many benefits to the brain when someone collects items as a hobby. First, collecting builds observational skills. A collector becomes more cognizant for details and becomes a better finder and seeker for items. For example, my husband’s ability to find the tiniest flaw on an action figure has helped him develop the ability to construct the display case at work which is appealing and inviting. Second, collecting improves organizational skills and enhances pattern recognition. A collection is often organized by shape, size, genre, series, and so on. Organizing the collection into categories enhances the ability to recognize common characteristics and detect gaps or flaws in a pattern. Again, this has helped my husband finds any flaws in a display. Third, collecting may forge a commitment to a good cause. For example, a person who collects elephant figurines may become aware of the elephants’ plight in the wild and make moves to help preserve and advocate preservation of the elephants. Lastly, when collectors are kids, the act of collecting could lead to a future career. For instance, if a child collects rocks, he or she might grow up to be a geologist. Or a child who loves animals and collects plush toys or figurines, may grow up to be a vet or a zoologist or a marine biologist.

In conclusion, if you were to ask any collector regardless of what they collect, their answers might be similar. They find joy and happiness in collecting. It would be joy from childhood or happiness in gathering items of meaning. It is the thrill of finding a particular item to complete a set and the subject of the collection may have special meaning or symbolism to the individual. Collecting benefits the brain and enhances abilities in other areas of life. Collecting enhances someone’s life in ways that benefits them. In my opinion, everyone collects something, some just don’t realize it.  

P.S. the pictures featuring my husband's collection is only a small fraction of his entire collection