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Thumbs Are the New Fingers for GameBoy Youth

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the gamers-roll-an-18-dex dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Reuters is running an interesting story on how the use of gadgets such as mobile phones and GameBoys has caused a physical mutation in young people's hands. The use of the thumb is a deviation from the use of the index finger..."

10 of 383 comments (clear)

  1. exciting new research! by xonos · · Score: 5, Funny

    HEADLINE: People who use their thumbs more are able to use their thumbs better! Scientists are baffeled because of the "geek" tie in. There might be link between this and runners who run alot can run better. News at 11.

  2. So, to sum it up... by YouAreFatMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...people who use their thumbs more often have better coordination with their thumbs.

    Can anyone say "slow news day" ?

    Tomorrow on slashdot:
    "People who type a lot don't even have to look at the keys"
    "Study discovers that engineers better at factoring quadratic equations than grocery clerks"
    "Musicians who practice more often are better musicians"

    --
    Robotiq.com is heavily tested on animals
    1. Re:So, to sum it up... by |<amikaze · · Score: 4, Funny

      You can factor a grocery clerk?

    2. Re:So, to sum it up... by kesuki · · Score: 4, Funny

      Of course you can factor a grocery clerk. The grocery Clerk factor is perhaps the broadest of the retail clerk factors, since nearly everyone at some time or another must go to a grocery store to purchase food. The grocery clerk factor is a a basic method of calculating how long you'll have to wait in line, based on the time you go to checkout. since this factor can vary greatly, it can impact the entire day, by making you late for each subsequent appointment.
      Based on my local research the worst times to approach a checkout are between 4pm and 8pm.

      --
      https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
  3. Re:Hmm, I have mutated too? by rde · · Score: 5, Funny

    does that mean that I have mutated in a musick playing monster?
    Only if you play the accordion.

  4. Re:Seriously? Mutation? by nucal · · Score: 3, Funny

    Lamarckian inheritance lives!

  5. It says is was a 'Research' by ackthpt · · Score: 3, Funny
    That must mean it's true.
    New research carried out in nine cities around the world shows that the thumbs of people under the age of 25 have taken over as the hand's most dexterous digit, said The Observer.

    My research shows I've become very adept at casting spells in video games.

    Oh, and sorry about turning any readers into a newt, this morning, I'm still working on that one.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  6. so.... by Emugamer · · Score: 4, Funny

    does this mean the phrase "all thumbs" is now a compliment?

  7. stigmata by llamalicious · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thank god someone finally went public with this.
    For years now, I've noticed myself using my thumbs for everything: opening doors, eating, picking things up, and almost everything I use my hands for.
    I've hid my hands in shame for so long now, thinking I was a freak. At least now I can take the mittens off... ~sniff~

  8. Re:Not a mutation by apg · · Score: 3, Funny

    How does scoring more points on your gameboy increase your reproductive fitness?

    Those Verizon Wireless ads seem to make it pretty clear that people who are better at sending text messages get all the hot chicks.