Why are some people left-handed? - Daniel M. Abrams
- 9,234,981 Views
- 34,632 Questions Answered
- TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
Are you a “lefty” or a “righty?” If you are a lefty, you share the same trait with people like Barack Obama, Carl Sagan, Alexander the Great, H.G. Wells, and Richard Simmons. They are all left-handed too! Visit this site and find out more people who share this trait with you. Time Magazine’s Top Ten Lefties includes Oprah Winfrey and Ned Flanders. Will you be a top-ten lefty someday too?
Still unsure about how people become left handed or right handed? Read this article for more information or watch this PBS Digital short: Why are some people left-handed? Is being left-handed still and evolutionary mystery? Brain Pickings has some information about this topic! Right Left Right Wrong has nearly all of the science behind handedness. Take a look at it and find out more!
If you are a lefty, you may be feeling “left” out of society, but there are many reasons to celebrate your uniqueness! Read: 11 Little Known Facts about Left-Handers and find out more. Being left-handed can be quite advantageous when it comes to creativity and music. Although not proven scientifically, there are some quite talented and creative left-handers out there! Check out NPR’s : “Uncommon” Sound of Left-Handed Guitarists and then visit Gibson Guitar’s site and listen to some of these “southpaw” musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney.
Finally, looking for a reason to celebrate? August 13 is officially Left-handers Day!

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.
More from Getting Under Our Skin
Why are eating disorders so hard to treat?
lesson duration 04:40
372,594 views
385,854 views
1,582,486 views
The genes you don't get from your parents (but can't live without)
lesson duration 05:03
1,575,599 views