Lefties make up a small, but mighty group. At around 10 percent of the Western population, they are clearly dwarfed in numbers alone by right-handers.
Nowadays, most of the modern world barely blinks an eye at a lefty, but that wasn’t always the case.
Left-handers in the Middle Ages feared being accused of witchcraft and use of the left hand was long associated with the devil and other evil-doings. In fact, the Latin word for “left” is “sinistra,” from which we get the word “sinister”.
England’s King George VI was one of many born lefties forced to write with his right hand, a practice that is now known to be associated with stammering, a problem from which he suffered.
Fortunately, lefties are no longer as persecuted, thanks to the enlightenment of the last few decades. Studies have shown that lefty status is determined in the womb, with up to 40 genes contributing to handedness, although other factors play a role, including cultural influence, prenatal environment and sheer chance.
One meta-analysis showed that men were 23 percent more likely to be left-handed than women.
Making up 10 percent of the population, left-handed people excel in various areas, including art, music, mathematics and sports like baseball and tennis.
They even have a higher likelihood of becoming astronauts.Studies suggest that lefties might have advantages due to brain hemisphere differences, leading to superior divergent thinking skills and creativity.
They also may potentially earn more in certain fields.Left-handed individuals also show benefits in physical recovery, such as from strokes, due to less dependence on the brain’s left side, and historical figures have shown a high percentage of left-handedness among U.S. presidents, indicating possible advantages in leadership and complex thought processes.
But what is so special about lefties?
First, let’s talk about their cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that left handed people tend to excel in divergent thinking, which is the ability to come up with multiple solutions to a problem or multiple ideas for a given task. This type of thinking is often associated with creativity and innovation, and it’s no surprise that many lefties are found in fields such as technology, art, and science.
Speaking of which, some of the most famous left handed people in history have made significant contributions to their respective fields. In the realm of politics, at least five past presidents of the United States in recent times have been lefties: Barrack Obama, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and Herbert Hoover. In the field of technology, lefties such as Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Amar Bose have made a significant impact.
In addition to these notable figures, there are many famous left handed celebrities in history, including Prince William, Aristotle, Julius Caesar, Michelangelo, Buzz Aldrin, Napoleon Bonaparte, Morgan Freeman, Gordon Ramsay, Marie and Pierre Curie, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Lebron James.
But it’s not just about their achievements and contributions – lefties have unique characteristics that make them stand out. For example, left handed people tend to have a different brain structure, which can affect their perception, memory, and motor skills. Additionally, lefties are often more ambidextrous, meaning they can easily use both hands for different tasks.
In conclusion, left handed people may be a minority, but they have made a significant impact on society and have unique characteristics that set them apart. It’s important to recognize and appreciate the contributions of lefties, and to create a more inclusive environment for them in our daily lives.
Famous Lefties
Oprah Winfrey.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Prince William.Neil Armstrong.
Leonardo da Vinci.
Paul McCartney.
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Barack Obama.
Justin Bieber
Cardi B
Keanu Reeves
Lebron James
Bill Gates
Mark Zuckerberg
Steve Jobs
Lady Gaga
Buzz Aldrin
Julia Roberts
Jon Stewart
Julia Robert
Bill Clinton
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