We have fingers of different appearances. We have some that might be easier to distinguish and count at greater distances. We have one that's significantly different in shape, position on the hand, direction it can point, etc. We know that some fingers that we can move independently and some that we struggle to do so. I don't know if genetics plays a part in that finger movement might have developed differently over time among the various branches of human families. I'd guess, somewhere along the line, practicality is at the root and what happened, happened spontaneously rather than around some discussion table.
attention, wheter pointless or not. I have been puzzling over the origin of the separation of ways of counting on your fingers, or rather displaying a count on your fingers. It seems to be rooted in the separation of Britain, and hence the US and Canada, and the rest of Europe and the Middle East. Perhaps Jonah, and Mark Flax can help here.
This difference is sort of a key plot point in Quentin Tarantino's peculiar war film Inglorious Basterds (sic), when a guy masquerading as a German soldier displays the standard British/American number three with his fingers, i.e. index, middle and ring finger raised, thumb and pinky folded down. In Europe and elsewhere when you count with your fingers you stick out your thumb first, the index finger next and so on to the pinky.
Why the difference? How did it originate? I'd assume that the European style occurred first via Rome, but what caused the British to change despite the influxes of Roman, Saxon and Norman invaders?
I doubt that there's an answer, but fundamental differences in cultures like this are keys into understanding perhaps just a tiny part of what makes us different.
Any offers?
Rob
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