The League of Left-Handers

[helios]

While I appreciate your frosted gesture, I must inquire: is the accompanying cake server set right-handed?  

It's not designed for either hand. What use is it if only I can use it? Or I can't, for that matter.

[Cpt. Tobias Warde]

It's rather complicated and still a work in progress, but here is the gist of it so far:

First, we begin introducing prominent left-handed individuals into political offices.  America is ahead of you on that one.

Next, we begin subtly dismantling right-handed appliances and tools, forcing the uneducated right-handed to purchase and learn to operate left-handed products.

Then, we gather up gorgeous left-handed women and use them as poster models for our civil rights campaign material...

And then we have a revolution? It's not as much fun if you don't have a revolution. look where it got the French!

[Janus Zarate]

It's not designed for either hand. What use is it if only I can use it? Or I can't, for that matter.

Just testing the authenticity of your offer.

...

Is the cake poisoned?

And then we have a revolution? It's not as much fun if you don't have a revolution. look where it got the French!

That might be a case against revolution.

We don't get to revolution until step 21: Conquering the world with Wellsian tripods.

(On a related note: Happy Birthday, H.G. Wells!)

[Sir Nikolas of Vendigroth]

And then we have a revolution? It's not as much fun if you don't have a revolution. look where it got the French!

That might be a case against revolution.

Efficient public services, tidy streets, pretty fountains and healthy if somewhat surly people? Why wouldn't you want a revolution, if that's where it got the French?

[Janus Zarate]

Efficient public services, tidy streets, pretty fountains and healthy if somewhat surly people? Why wouldn't you want a revolution, if that's where it got the French?

Because if we go the way of the French, we'll eventually have to deal with a Napoleonic coup d'état.  But perhaps if we exclude members on the basis of height, we might be okay.

[diamantequeen]

Count me in, I'm a sinister, mad and a genius .......... and possibly prone to the odd fib 

[Janus Zarate]

Quick update on the list:

#1 – Janus Zarate
#2 – OswaldBastable
#3 – Sir Nikolas Vendigroth
#4 – Herr Klinger
#5 – Countessa Lenora
#6 – Vienna Fahrmann
#7 – Pnakotus
#8 – Jemima Annabelle Clough
#9 – Tara
#10 – vela
#11 – Vienna Fahrmann
#12 – Captain Tobias
#13 – Sir Nikolas Vendigroth
#14 – diamantequeen

[von Corax]

I forgot to ask von Corax and Sir Vendigroth: are you two of the southpaw persuasion?

I am not.

[Sir Nikolas of Vendigroth]

I most certainly am. 

[Janus Zarate]

Sir Vendigroth: welcome.

von Corax: shoo.

[sebastian Inkerman]

 I'm a leftie in everything but playing the guitar

Genius, maybe not, above average, possibly.

Strangely enough, the proportion of academics in my department that are lefties outweigh the dexters, so I dunno, there may be something in it, they are a clever bunch. I just hang around them to look smarter

[diamantequeen]

I'm a leftie in everything but playing the guitar

Genius, maybe not, above average, possibly.

Strangely enough, the proportion of academics in my department that are lefties outweigh the dexters, so I dunno, there may be something in it, they are a clever bunch. I just hang around them to look smarter

Playing a right handed guitar seems entirely sensible to me. I have one friend who's right handed who plays left handed guitars which again seems sensible.

I have to ask, which hand do you lefties use for your mouse? I got into all sorts of problems assuming my left hand would be the best for it. Couldn't get the hang of it at all 'til I started to use my right hand

[Countessa Lenora]

My mouse at work has always been on the right side, so I got used to using it on that side.  I'm sure though if I received the opportunity, I could learn to use it on my left.

[vela]

I'd prefer my mouse on the left side, using my middle finger as the clicker finger.  However, since my other half is not of the southpaw persuasion, the mouse stays on to the right of the keyboard, where I have learned to use it, though it drives me crazy.  (As do many gadgets)

-vela

[Janus Zarate]

Playing a right handed guitar seems entirely sensible to me. I have one friend who's right handed who plays left handed guitars which again seems sensible.

There are two schools of thought supporting left-handed individuals playing right-handed instruments.  One believes that using the left hand as the "fretting" hand is a better use of its strengths, while the other bases its support on the poor availability of left-handed instruments.

I personally stand against both schools, but I do agree that playing right-handed as a lefty does present some advantages.  However, the flip side of the coin is not without its perks.  Personal experience has taught me that playing left-handed guitars as a lefty has several benefits not enjoyed by those who do otherwise:

• My "fretting hand" is my right hand, encouraging the development of its strength and dexterity.
• My "plucking hand" is my left hand, allowing me to take advantage of its strengths for faster playing, steadier rhythm, and greater control of dynamics.
• My purchase of a left-handed instrument encourages manufacturers to continue to provide quality left-handed instruments and even expand their offerings by contributing to the existence of the left-handed instrument musician's market.

Understand this, my fellow southpaw musicians: the reason why it's so hard to find a good midrange instrument is not simply because we represent 10-15% of the market - after all, plenty of these manufacturers make instruments which only a meager handful of musicians worldwide would even think of buying, some of which are outright gimmicky and will sell poorly.  Our reluctance to actually pursue a left-handed instrument causes the lefty instrument market to suffer, and compounds the difficulties of those of us who DO intend to play left-handed.

Long story short, it's a collective action problem.  The more of us that buy lefty instruments, the better off we'll be in the long run.  Trouble is, the short run sucks - the early adopters will have to live with the limited selection.

I have to ask, which hand do you lefties use for your mouse? I got into all sorts of problems assuming my left hand would be the best for it. Couldn't get the hang of it at all 'til I started to use my right hand

I'm ambidextrous with mouse operation and switch up depending on the activity.  I usually opt for hand-neutral mice for this reason, although I'd love to have a left-handed mouse on-hand for certain tasks.  Intrerestingly enough, I used mice with my right hand for most of my life.  It seemed comfortable because I could type easily with my left hand, and it wasn't too difficult to train my right hand to maneuver the mouse.  However, in overall performance and ability, the left hand wins.  If it weren't for the poor typing ability of my right hand when flying solo, I'd use my left hand on the mouse for all tasks.

[sebastian Inkerman]

In terms of mouse manipulation, I use my right hand. However, I rarely use my mouse nowadays, instead preferring to use my graphics tablet which I most definately use with my left. It was bought fopr me by my work as I have developed a right shoulder problem (due to mouse manipulation and the angle of my workstation, really, don't ask).

As regards musical instrument playing. It's all very noble to champion the cause of getting more left handed instruments built and I applaud you sir, but I learnt to play right handed and now my right hand isn't as strong as it could be due to an accident I sustained on my elbow a few years ago. I can only strum rather than pluck or pick now. A bit of a shame really, as it will only take my playing so far.

[OswaldBastable]

I'm a leftie in everything but playing the guitar

Genius, maybe not, above average, possibly.

Strangely enough, the proportion of academics in my department that are lefties outweigh the dexters, so I dunno, there may be something in it, they are a clever bunch. I just hang around them to look smarter

Playing a right handed guitar seems entirely sensible to me. I have one friend who's right handed who plays left handed guitars which again seems sensible.

I have to ask, which hand do you lefties use for your mouse? I got into all sorts of problems assuming my left hand would be the best for it. Couldn't get the hang of it at all 'til I started to use my right hand

My mouse is one of the few things I can operate with my right hand but I much prefer to use my left

[Capt. Dirigible]

Quick update on the list:

#1 – Janus Zarate
#2 – OswaldBastable
#3 – Sir Nikolas Vendigroth
#4 – Capt. Dirigible
#5 – Herr Klinger
#6 – Aspen
#7 – Vienna Fahrmann
#8 – Pnakotus
#9 – Jemima Annabelle Clough
#10 – Tara
#11 – vela
#12 – Vienna Fahrmann
#13 – Captain Tobias
#14 – Sir Nikolas Vendigroth
#15 – diamantequeen

I feel I must point out I'm not actually a south paw. I said in my original post I could throw a dart equally well with either hand and that Ikick left footed but  everything else Ido right handed. So I don't think I qualify to be of your 'league'....

[Janus Zarate]

Actually, your original post provided us a logo idea.

[Capt. Dirigible]

Actually, your original post provided us a logo idea.

Yes, well, I have moments...


Thought you guys would appreciate this article in today's paper:
Today underwear...tomorrow THE WORLD!!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/09/24/left-handed-pants-115875-21696447/

[OswaldBastable]

according to my calculations the underwear will give us back a whole hour a month!!

[Pnakotus]

according to my calculations the underwear will give us back a whole hour a month!!

Holy smokes. You sure do urinate a lot.

[Capt. Dirigible]

according to my calculations the underwear will give us back a whole hour a month!!

Holy smokes. You sure do urinate a lot.

Either that or Oswald spends a looooong time fumbling to find the opening!

[Countessa Lenora]

Mr. Zarate,

My name has been updated to my steampunk persona - Countessa Lenora.  Please change it to reflect same on your list (#6 - Aspen).  Thank you kind sir.

[OswaldBastable]

according to my calculations the underwear will give us back a whole hour a month!!

Holy smokes. You sure do urinate a lot.

must be all the tea drinking