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Unlimited Observer | UK News | Thumbs are the new fingers for the GameBoy
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Thumbs are the new fingers for the GameBoy generation
Amelia Hill
Sunday March 24, 2002
The Observer[74]
Use of hand-held technologies, such as mobile phones, GameBoys and
computers,has caused a physical mutation in the under-25s, according to new
research.
The study, carried out in nine cities around the world, shows that the
thumbsof the younger generation have overtaken their fingers as the hand's
most muscled and dexterous digit.
The change affects those who have grown up with hand-held devices capable of
text messaging, emailing and accessing internet services. Experts claim it
proves technology is causing physical alterations that previously happened
over generations.
'The relationship between technology and the users of technology is mutual:
we are changing each other,' said Dr Sadie Plant, author of the study and
founder of the Cybernetic Culture Research Unit at Warwick University. 'The
fact that our thumbs operate differently from our fingers is one of the main
things that defines us as humans. Discovering that the younger generation
hastaken to using thumbs in a completely different way and are instinctively
using it where the rest of us use our index fingers is particularly
interesting.'
Plant, who has written three books on the social impact of technology, spent
six months collecting data on hundreds of mobile phone users in the world's
largest cities, including London, Beijing, Chicago and Tokyo.
She noted how, while those less accustomed to mobile phones used one or
several fingers to access the keypad, younger people used both thumbs
ambidextrously, barely looking at the keys as they made rapid entries.
'They used the absolute minimal movement,' she said. 'Simply exerting
pressure with the thumb rather than tapping at the phone.
'There are many ways to input information into these devices, but for some
reason kids under 25 most often choose to use their thumbs over any other
digit. There is no question that choice is having a clear effect on their
physicality: thumbs are the new fingers.'
In Japan, the trend was particularly marked. Plant even found the under-25s
referred to themselves as oya yubi sedai - the thumb generation, or thumb
tribe.
As their thumbs become stronger and more dexterous, Plant found that the
thumb tribe is using its favourite digit for other tasks that are
traditionally the finger's job, such as pointing at things or ringing
doorbells.
'The mobile is fast becoming an essential prop in the social life of
20-year-olds,' she said. 'It has even become part of their mating display,
with young men trying to impress women with the advanced technology of their
phones.'
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Received on Thu Mar 28 01:48:28 2002