Of course he’s weird, he’s left-handed. Guilty on both counts, not apologizing for either. Shifting focus to the latter, I like being left-handed and I love my fellow lefties; we notice that in each other, without fail, whereas righties are usually oblivious to the physical and behavioral signs. Sometimes the discovery is expected: “You? Oh yeah, that makes sense.” Sometimes it’s not: “You? I would have never guessed.” You’re so normal and drab.
There’s something about certain, but obviously not all, lefties. Those blessed are just a little different–they’re a little odd, offbeat, quirky, kooky, eccentric, unconventional, irreverent, free-spirited, or free-thinking, but in a socially acceptable and endearing way. Granted, our squad also includes full-blown nutters and whack jobs that take it too far.
For lefties that are straightlaced, stodgy conformists, or corporate suits, I feel it’s kind of disappointing, it’s a waste of potential for quirkiness.
I won’t go on any extended lefty rants here, that has been done before. But I will say our camp can claim Barack Obama, while the other one is stuck with you-know-who. On that note, below is a short, selective, and subjective list of my other favorite lefties. These individuals also seem like they would be lefties. They are outstanding embodiments, living up to their potential, fulfilling their destiny.
- Jimi Hendrix
- Matt Groening
- Lewis Carroll
- M.C. Escher
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Jon Stewart
- Jim Carrey
- Nikola Tesla
- Marie Curie
- Sandy Koufax
- Bill “Spaceman” Lee
You have to look up that last guy. He is the textbook example of a wacky left-hander. Look at the nickname he was given. He had to be left-handed, it would just be wrong if he wasn’t.
And just to continue the fun, below is a short, selective, and subjective list of well-known people who seem to me like they should have been left-handed. They also seem to fit the type. I’ll call them Honorary Lefties.
- Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
- Robin Williams
- George Lucas
- Thomas Paine
- Oscar Wilde
- Weird Al Yankovic
- George Carlin
- Steven Wright
- Gary Larson
- Jesse Cole (creator of Banana Ball)
Despite wishful thinking, apparently the lesson is that eccentric excellence knows no dominant hand. Of course, there is nothing scientific or statistically valid about this little exposition. It’s based on cherry-picked anecdotal information, involves some presumed correlation between handedness and personality type, and downplays the frequency of quirky right-handed people as well as conventional, onbeat, uncreative, uninnovative left-handed people. (Yes, insufferable right-handed reader, I’m aware that one of the descriptors above is not an actual word; you’re playing your prescribed role, you dupe.)
This was simply meant to be, and will remain, a light and amusing piece, so long as we have Obama.
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