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How Smart Is Your Right Foot?
Status: True
Below is an email that's going around. Maybe it's been circulating for years, but I received it for the first time today. It makes a claim that seems dubious at first. But, upon experimentation, appears to be true. At least, it's true for me. There must be a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. The question is: does it hold true for everyone? And is it possible to counteract this reflex through force of will?This is so funny that it will boggle your mind. And you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you can't!!!
1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!!!
I told you so... And there is nothing you can do about it.
Posted By: Alex | Date: Thu Oct 06, 2005 | Permalink |
Total Comments: 82
Category: Body Manipulation
Category: Body Manipulation
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
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It holds true for me as well, but the simple way to counteract it is not to start at the top of the "6", but at the centre of the spiral and work outwards - that way, your foot and hand are both going clockwise, causing no problems.
Chris
Posted by Chris 'Crispy' Philpot on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 09:42 AM
Chris
yep......same here.....I don't like the fact I can't control my body...
Posted by X in McKinney, TX on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 12:22 PM
Well that was total bullshit. I didn't have to try it 50 times - I gave up after 17.
Posted by Blondin on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 12:54 PM
I can outsmart my foot. it took me 2 tries.
Posted by Tom in USA on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 01:04 PM
I can do it if I do it Crisis way.....but it still doesn't help the fact that I cant the other way......
Posted by X in McKinney, TX on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 01:31 PM
i can outsmart my foot, but then again, i have been told im am weird anyways..its just a matter of self control
Posted by piercedfreak on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 03:24 PM
I have no problem
(it's the same as having your hands revolve in opposite directions, I never have a problem with that either, though it often takes concentration to get started)
Posted by Sharruma in capable of finishing a coherent on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 03:26 PM
(it's the same as having your hands revolve in opposite directions, I never have a problem with that either, though it often takes concentration to get started)
Y'know, it's hard enough to do the circle with your foot even without moving your hand. I'd say I had the same semblance of a clockwise circle both with and without my hand drawing 6's at the same time. Which isn't saying much.
--Quentin
Posted by Quentin Smith in Hollis, NH on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 05:01 PM
--Quentin
With my right foot/right hand I did it successfully the first time, starting at the "top" of the '6', no problemo. With a little more difficulty I can even do counterclockwise and a *backwards* six with my right foot.
But I can't do it either way with my left foot/left hand.
I was born a leftie but my parents forced me to use my right hand to write; now I'm mostly right-handed but also sort of semi-ambidextrous. Maybe that's a factor?
It's also a good workout for the inner thighs!
--intjudo
Posted by intjudo on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 05:47 PM
But I can't do it either way with my left foot/left hand.
I was born a leftie but my parents forced me to use my right hand to write; now I'm mostly right-handed but also sort of semi-ambidextrous. Maybe that's a factor?
It's also a good workout for the inner thighs!
--intjudo
It's a bit like the old "pat your head while rubbing the stomach" trick. Takes a bit of concentration to get it going correctly. But not impossible.
Posted by Smerk in to mischief on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 05:56 PM
I'm having a hard time believing everyone who says they can outsmart their foot. Because I'm totally unable to make the 6 without my foot jerking in the opposite direction.
Posted by Alex in San Diego on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 06:08 PM
Well I can pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time but I definitely can't outsmart my foot.
Posted by cjojojo in south tx on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 06:16 PM
The weird thing is, the trick doesn't work with my left foot. Bizarre.
Posted by Alex in San Diego on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 06:53 PM
I'm not getting this. I didn't have any trouble the first time even though I definitely started at the top of the 6 and my right foot going clockwise. I wasn't even concentrating that much. However, I can do it again and again with no problem.
Maybe i just have a messed up brain. Either that or all of you are crazy.
Posted by Razela in San Diego, CA on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 07:15 PM
Maybe i just have a messed up brain. Either that or all of you are crazy.
I can outsmart my foot, too. But I was also born a leftie. My dad is a leftie and didn't know that they were making me write with my right hand at school. So now I am also a rightie and semi-ambidextrous. It's a weird thing to live this way...I'm right brained, too, which also means I am quite a weirdo.
lalalala
Posted by thephrog in CA USA on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 07:47 PM
lalalala
I'm only a weirdo because of being right handed and right brained...that's what I meant. Figure I better put that before I get flamed.
Posted by thephrog in CA USA on Thu Oct 06, 2005 at 07:48 PM
After a few intermediate steps, I did it. Here's how:
First, I made a clockwise RECTANGLE with my right foot. It's 4 separate movements.
Then I made a rectangular-style "6" with my right hand.
Then I did both at the same time, synchronizing the movements.
After a couple of times, I found I was able to turn the rectangle with my right foot into a circle, and then turn the rectangular 6 into a rounded 6. Voila.
Posted by elguapo on Fri Oct 07, 2005 at 02:29 AM
First, I made a clockwise RECTANGLE with my right foot. It's 4 separate movements.
Then I made a rectangular-style "6" with my right hand.
Then I did both at the same time, synchronizing the movements.
After a couple of times, I found I was able to turn the rectangle with my right foot into a circle, and then turn the rectangular 6 into a rounded 6. Voila.
I'm a leftie, and the trick doesn't work with me. Tried right hand/foot, then tried left hand/foot. Didn't try to reverse them, not going to.
Posted by azog on Fri Oct 07, 2005 at 03:27 AM
oo.. i must be doing it wrong, i got it on the first tryWhat a load. I did it the first time. You just have to be able to move one limb clockwise while the other goes counterclockwise. 
Posted by Bah on Fri Oct 07, 2005 at 07:08 AM
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