Fun fact the author didn't really address when they mentioned this:
>Also, the rightward bias of human handedness is unique. Some other mammals can be right-footed or left-pawed, but there’s no statistical imbalance toward left or right across the species, except for our extreme 10-90 split.
Channel catfish (or some varieties) rub one of their side fins to make noise. About 50% (according to Google) prefer one fin over the other. Now get this ---- among these one-side-fin-preferring catfish, about 90% prefer the right side. This matches the statistic cited by the author for human spread.
But wouldn't that mean that 5% of those fish are left-handed... or left-finned I guess, 45% right-finned and 50% ambidextrous?
That wouldn't match the human spread as it's only a small minority of humans that are ambidextrous.
Great read, thank you! I was once a neuroscientist and studied sleep and certain sex related behaviors and hope the brain carried these things out.
One of the related mysteries for us (as mentioned in the article) has been trying to understand how we came to have hemespheric differences and what role it plays in our experience (ex. Why is language stored in the left hemisphere? How does this affect thought and language processing?)
Some have gone so far as to suggest that consciousness/self hood is created by the relationship between the hemispheres. We also know that there can be strange behavior when the primary connection between hemispheres is severed. One cool example of a creature with many fewer hemispheric connections is the chameleon. It's thought to allow them to use each eye independently when searching for prey.
Lastly, we have the related mystery of why a hemisphere controls movement and receives sensory information from the opposite side of the brain.
Anyway, just a few thoughts from someone who forgot his adhd meds today!
It seems this view is increasingly being challenged and models reply exclusively on networks instead of “brain organs” with specific functions. Though I assume given your background that
you’re
also familiar with left/right neuromyths. Any thoughts on that?
>Some have gone so far as to suggest that consciousness/self hood is created by the relationship between the hemispheres.
I’m quite fond of this perspective, that we have consciousness because we’re so complex that we can view different parts of ourselves from within ourselves (and back and forth). This possibility creates internal senses of perspective and expansive awareness.
Love this article. I’m a third generation lefty, though my Texas grandmother, like the writer’s, was forced to write with her right hand. My kid is right-handed, which kind of bums me out, but I’m currently pregnant with another so fingers crossed!! I like being a part of the lefty club.
It’s an extremely important part of my personality and experience of the world, I’m totally with you and can’t understand why anyone would down vote your celebration of self!!
Pristine_Gur_2563 | 15 hours ago
Fun fact the author didn't really address when they mentioned this:
>Also, the rightward bias of human handedness is unique. Some other mammals can be right-footed or left-pawed, but there’s no statistical imbalance toward left or right across the species, except for our extreme 10-90 split.
Channel catfish (or some varieties) rub one of their side fins to make noise. About 50% (according to Google) prefer one fin over the other. Now get this ---- among these one-side-fin-preferring catfish, about 90% prefer the right side. This matches the statistic cited by the author for human spread.
Ginkokitten | 13 hours ago
But wouldn't that mean that 5% of those fish are left-handed... or left-finned I guess, 45% right-finned and 50% ambidextrous? That wouldn't match the human spread as it's only a small minority of humans that are ambidextrous.
[OP] Bright_Ices | 11 hours ago
That is interesting.
wizard_of_aws | 14 hours ago
Great read, thank you! I was once a neuroscientist and studied sleep and certain sex related behaviors and hope the brain carried these things out.
One of the related mysteries for us (as mentioned in the article) has been trying to understand how we came to have hemespheric differences and what role it plays in our experience (ex. Why is language stored in the left hemisphere? How does this affect thought and language processing?)
Some have gone so far as to suggest that consciousness/self hood is created by the relationship between the hemispheres. We also know that there can be strange behavior when the primary connection between hemispheres is severed. One cool example of a creature with many fewer hemispheric connections is the chameleon. It's thought to allow them to use each eye independently when searching for prey.
Lastly, we have the related mystery of why a hemisphere controls movement and receives sensory information from the opposite side of the brain.
Anyway, just a few thoughts from someone who forgot his adhd meds today!
cmciccio | 21 minutes ago
>Why is language stored in the left hemisphere?
It seems this view is increasingly being challenged and models reply exclusively on networks instead of “brain organs” with specific functions. Though I assume given your background that you’re also familiar with left/right neuromyths. Any thoughts on that?
>Some have gone so far as to suggest that consciousness/self hood is created by the relationship between the hemispheres.
I’m quite fond of this perspective, that we have consciousness because we’re so complex that we can view different parts of ourselves from within ourselves (and back and forth). This possibility creates internal senses of perspective and expansive awareness.
thesphinxistheriddle | 14 hours ago
Love this article. I’m a third generation lefty, though my Texas grandmother, like the writer’s, was forced to write with her right hand. My kid is right-handed, which kind of bums me out, but I’m currently pregnant with another so fingers crossed!! I like being a part of the lefty club.
nocogirly | 14 hours ago
I am 3rd generation lefty as well! Thanks mom and grandma! (We are from Texas too)
francophone22 | 6 hours ago
I’m a righty living in a lefty world. I’m a minority in my family of origin and among spouse/kids!
LGRA34 | 15 hours ago
I didn’t read this but I can just say that I am thankful everyday that I am left-handed and the quirkiness that it has given me.
Commercial-Spinach93 | 14 hours ago
You don't have much going on do you
recumbent_mike | 12 hours ago
They have a fulfilling job running the Leftorium.
Life-Scale-6465 | 7 hours ago
It’s an extremely important part of my personality and experience of the world, I’m totally with you and can’t understand why anyone would down vote your celebration of self!!
[OP] Bright_Ices | 6 hours ago
I didn’t downvote, but I’m guessing it’s bc they didn’t read the article or say anything about it.
Whats-What-too | 8 hours ago
Only lefties are in their right brain.