Thoughts in pills - 4
Our hands

Introduction

Types of actions

Legend

• Actions indexed with a number in square brackets (e.g. [23]): indicate actions that can be performed with that number of fingers or a higher number that I refer to in subsequent descriptions
• Actions indexed with a letter in square brackets (e.g. [P]): indicate actions that must be performed EXACTLY with that number of fingers and which I refer to in subsequent descriptions, as they are not possible with a lower number while with a higher number the result obtained is worse or impossible
• When I instead use the characters [*] I indicate that what I describe does not prevent the execution of other actions except in very rare cases (usually these are ways of wearing something)

One-finger actions

• Indicate a direction [A]. Theoretically we can also do it with a higher number of fingers, although I believe that we are considered retarded in proportion to the increase in the number of fingers used, with a few exceptions
• Move or touch an object placed on a surface by pressing it with a finger [1]
• Press a button or move a manual slider (for example those used by DJs) [2]
• Touch a surface (solid but also possibly mouldable, if for example we are making a clay sculpture, as well as applying ointment or make-up) [3]
• Use your finger as a hook to lift an object or to pull a handle that allows you to do so (for example on a cabinet) [4]
• Feel a sharp edge or a thorn, the softness of a surface or the roughness of a surface [B]
• Perceive the temperature (for example of a pan that has been heated). We typically don't do this with ice because we can see if it's solid and the same with fire for obvious reasons... [C] (but you can feel it with any part of the hand)
• Initially peel a label from its sheet on which it is sold (using your fingernail and other supporting hand) [D]
• Use a small joypad [E]
• Swipe a touch-screen surface in a particular direction [F]
• Pluck a string (you also need a bit of nail) [G]
• You CANNOT snap just one finger. You need at least 2 to be able to snap them.
• Rotate your finger clockwise or counterclockwise while keeping it flat. I indicated it as an exercise that can be done with all fingers... [H]
• Wear a ring [I] [*]
• Wear a thimble to prevent pricking with sewing needles [J] [*]
• Wear a finger cover made of fabric or other material (there are also metal ones) [K] [*]
• Scratching a surface or some dusty or earthy substance [5]
• Caressing (a parson, an animal, the leaf of a plant ...) [6]
• Feel a spark or electric shock [L] (but you can feel it with any part of the hand)
• Striking a surface (e.g. a drum) [7]
• Move your finger in a harmonious or particularly complex way [8]
• Hooking on another finger (e.g. another person's) [9]

Two-finger actions

• weakly grasp an object (to lift it or move it) [11]
• grasp a very thin thread or rope [L]
• pinch or zoom-in/zoom-out on a defined axis on a touch-screen surface [M]
• write or paint but with little precision (see 1) [12]
• unscrew a cap that is not difficult to unscrew [13]
• completely detach a label from its sheet on which it is sold [N]
• turn a small or difficult-to-turn knob [14]
• snap your fingers [15]

Three-finger actions

• Perform all of the above actions indicated with numbers in square brackets but with more force or with larger or heavier objects.
• DO NOT perform any of the previous actions indicated with a letter in square brackets, unless in a substantially incorrect or clumsy manner
• Pinch or zoom-in/zoom-out on a touch-screen surface without a defined axis (this is conceptually a different gesture than using 2 fingers) [16]

Actions with four or more fingers

• Essentially all the actions previously indicated with a number in square brackets, but with more force or precision.
• None of the previous actions indicated with a letter in square brackets, except in an even more imprecise and awkward way.

Actions with the whole hand (open)

• Broadly speaking all the previous actions indicated with a number, although usually with the maximum strength and precision (so for example also using the computer keyboard, the mouse, a piano or generically using other musical instruments that require complete use of the hand) ...
• Particular gestures recognized more or less universally (from gestures used as an insult to those used with other meanings, such as the gesture that tells the other person to shut up or even the one used to indicate that one is sexually threatened by someone or again the one that indicates 'stop'...). In these cases, the position of the arm is also particularly significant, while for the other gestures previously listed it is not (for example we can press a button near the floor or even on top of a shelf where we don't even see what's on top...)
• Wear a glove (plasticized, but also other types) or brass knuckles (!!) [*]
• Squeeze a sponge, stress ball or wet cloth (closing your hand)
• Grab a fairly thick rope, but not a thread

• Give a slap (to Robin!)

Actions with the whole hand (closed)

• Earning your keep in a fight club...

Actions with the back of the hand

• It is usually a surface on which stamps are sometimes placed (more or less visible), for example when we enter particular clubs, at the entrance, so that we can exit and re-enter at a later time... sometimes it is also used as surface for tattoos and is usually preferred to the palm of the hand as the tattooing operation is less painful ...

Actions with the palm of the hand

• Pushing heavy objects or pressing large buttons (for example those in swimming pools in spas that start the hydromassage...)
• Launch waves of water using your hand as a spatula

Actions with the cutting hand (on the little finger side)

• Martial arts experts break bricks for us... but if we are beginners we can also do it with polystyrene...

Actions with the cutting hand (thumb side)

Action with both hands

• Open a door with 2 handles
• Hold on tightly to a handle
• Hold an object with two hands

Final notes

Written by : Marco Bagnaresi
Email : contact@mbcraft.it