Author picture
12+ Works 143 Members 3 Reviews

About the Author

Rik Smits is a linguist and science journalist from The Netherlands. He is the author of several books, including The Puzzle of Left-Handedness.

Includes the name: Rik Smits

Works by Rik Smits

Associated Works

Killing Kennedy : The End of Camelot (2012) — some editions — 2,338 copies, 76 reviews

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Birthdate
1953
Education
Anglist
Occupations
freelance auteur
onderzoeker
Wetenschapsjournalist
Organizations
Wat 'n taal (radoprogramma)
Kijk (maandblad)
Relationships
Koenen, Liesbeth
Nationality
Netherlands
Associated Place (for map)
Netherlands

Members

Reviews

3 reviews
This is an interesting look at left-handedness, the research done about left-handedness (with special and proper bile reserved for Stanley Coren who perpetuated some terrible untruths about left-handedness.

The book doesn't offer solutions to left-handedness, just points out that despite opression, there continues to be left-handed people in the world and that diversity should be embraced rather than treated as a issue or problem. He notes that teachers aren't taught how to teach children to show more write left-handed, although in every class there would be at least 2, if not more. Maybe as well as encouraging left-handed people to "try" their right, teachers should encourage right-handers to "try" their left. By forcing people to use their right people have been stressed, bedwetting, stammers and other nervous disorders have resulted, by trying to make people conform. The only real accomodation teachers should make to left-handed students is to ensure they aren't elbowing their right-handed friend.
The world is really made for the majority, but left-handers exist and despite many attempts aren't going anywhere. We're here to stay and the world needs to just give me the room to be me, and quit using the left-handed desks and complaining!

It's an interesting look at perception and history, not a general read about left-handedness but I found it an interesting read.
show less
Eine interessante Sozialgeschichte, die sich mit Anthropologie, Biologie und Genetik, aber auch mit den Vorurteilen und dem Aberglauben gegenüber Linkshändern befasst. Die Sammlung von Daten und Fakten ist wirklich bemerkenswert, ebenso wie die Verbindungen zwischen den verschiedenen Disziplinen und die Schlussfolgerungen, die der Autor aus dieser Masse an Material zieht. Zwei Elemente stechen dabei besonders hervor: der konstante Prozentsatz von Linkshändern in der Bevölkerung und eine show more mehr als glaubwürdige (auch weil einfache) biologische Erklärung sowohl für das Phänomen als auch für die Häufigkeit. Was ja nichts schadet, denn obwohl es sich um einen Essay handelt, ist er sehr klar geschrieben und an einigen Stellen sogar amüsant. show less
Restaurants zijn er in Frankrijk in overvloed. En de meeste nog betaalbaar ook. Maar eenmaal aan tafel beginnen voor velen de zorgen. Steak frites, salade niçoise: dat kennen we nog. Maar wat is een oisillon? Hoe smaken rognons? Doen we onze disgenoot plezier met een jardinière? La carte biedt uitkomst. Dit beproefde culinaire bijbeltje geeft korte, heldere beschrijvingen van alles wat er op de kaart kan staan. Zodat u aan tafel snel en trefzeker de betekenis van gerechten kunt opslaan. show more Vóór de ober terug is weet u wat u wilt - en wat u kunt verwachten. show less
½

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Associated Authors

Christiane Kuby Translator

Statistics

Works
12
Also by
1
Members
143
Popularity
#144,061
Rating
3.9
Reviews
3
ISBNs
28
Languages
4

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