Distinguishing Left and Right.

[Words]

I have trouble remembering directions including cardinal directions. The usual way I try to refresh this memory is by looking at which hand I often use for writing, which is my left one. That takes a bit to long to recognize though.

Any suggestions to ease this problem?

 

[Geminii]

If it's an east/west thing, then a map has W and E in the same locations as a computer keyboard. qWErty tells you that if North is up, West is to your left and East is to your right.

 

[Words]

I understand that I can look for guides. What I want to know is how I can work without them.

 

[Geminii]

Hold out both hands, palms down, thumbs sticking out to the sides. Your left hand will form an "L" with the first finger and thumb.

 

[CodeOmega0]

My crazy mind would draw a number line for the letters in the words.
Left has 4 letters.
Right has 5.

On a number line 4 would be to the left of the 5. Therefore the word with 4 letters is on the left.

 

[Thoughtful]

I can never think in left and right, but I can always remember which hand is which, so when I hear left, I slightly clench my left hand, likewise when I hear right, I clench the right hand. It's odd, and shouldn't reasonably work, but it does.

 

[LifeLine]

Hold out both hands, palms down, thumbs sticking out to the sides. Your left hand will form an "L" with the first finger and thumb.

That's what I do.

 

[Words]

That's what I do.

And an excellent idea it is. I'm already applying it.

 

[Geminii]

A third way is to imagine driving a car. Which side of the car is the steering wheel (and you) on?

 

[Minuend]

My crazy mind would draw a number line for the letters in the words.
Left has 4 letters.
Right has 5.

On a number line 4 would be to the left of the 5. Therefore the word with 4 letters is on the left.

I don't know why, but that logic appealed to me. Maybe because I arrange my cards that way when I'm playing. Oddly, a lot of people arrange them the other way. That's counting backwards!

 

[PapyrusAirplanes]

The "L" thing works if you can remember which way an L points... *laugh*

In Vision Therapy I had to do this exercise:
1. On a sheet of blank paper draw a 4x5 grid of arrows each pointing either left, right, up, or down.
2. Tape this sheet to a wall at eye level.
3. Stand approximately 5 feet away from the sheet.
4. Speak and move as indicated:
*A. Move your hands/arms in the direction of the arrows (while also saying the correct direction).
*B. Move your hands and arms in the opposite direction of the arrows (while saying the correct direction).
*C. Move your hands and arms in the correct direction (while saying the opposite direction).

It's a great exercise for direction, coordination, and fluidity in reading.

 

[PapyrusAirplanes]

The "L" thing works if you can remember which way an L points... *laugh*

In Vision Therapy I had to do this exercise:
1. On a sheet of blank paper draw a 4x5 grid of arrows each pointing either left, right, up, or down.
2. Tape this sheet to a wall at eye level.
3. Stand approximately 5 feet away from the sheet.
4. Speak and move as indicated:
*A. Move your hands/arms in the direction of the arrows (while also saying the correct direction).
*B. Move your hands and arms in the opposite direction of the arrows (while saying the correct direction).
*C. Move your hands and arms in the correct direction (while saying the opposite direction).

It's a great exercise for direction, coordination, and fluidity in reading.

 

[Words]

^.^
^.^

Well thank you.

 

[nexion]

Hmm... I've never had this problem. BUT... I did have a problem correlating up to right and down to left on when using turn signals. It might help you out.

Imagine a coordinate grid.

Up is positive; right is also positive. Down is negative, left is also negative.

Actually, left is usually represented as negative in any range of subjects. In physics, for example, if an objects net movement is to the left, the distance moved if expressed in a negative rather than a positive.

Hope this helps, at least a little bit.

 

[Tunesimah]

Any of these arbitrary knowledge of a binary sort is very difficult for me to pin down. I was 12-13 or so before I pinned it down. What did it was helping my cousin's play a video game, and I was in charge of giving them directions on a map... I had to be quick on those left and rights...

Also these gave me a heck of a hard time learning when growing up: <,>. I have a math degree and extensive proofs involving greater and less than are still a challenge for me.

I tutor math right now, and I help kids with learning the associative and commutative property in math. For whatever reason I can never get these two straight, I know the idea perfectly... I just get confused as to which is called which.

As painful as it is, boring practice seems to be the key to any of this. If you can do it once, speed is just a matter of repetition. But most of the time it isn't worth the effort to solidify it... just go onto something more interesting...

 

[commandolam]

Write the word "Left" on a piece of paper and superglue it to your right hand, then write 'Right" on a piece of paper and superglue it to your left hand.

When you need the directions, glance at your hands. Since we all know about the deception in the world, you should know that the words on your hands are lying to you. If you know they are lying and you know that if one hand is not left, it must be right and vice versa, you should be able to tell which hand is truly the right hand and which hand is truly the left hand.

Problem solved.

 

[nexion]

Write the word "Left" on a piece of paper and superglue it to your right hand, then write 'Right" on a piece of paper and superglue it to your left hand.

When you need the directions, glance at your hands. Since we all know about the deception in the world, you should know that the words on your hands are lying to you. If you know they are lying and you know that if one hand is not left, it must be right and vice versa, you should be able to tell which hand is truly the right hand and which hand is truly the left hand.

Problem solved.

There is a lie in the perception of a lie.

 

[speiss]

I do exactly what you do: look at my hands and see which one I write with. Usually my left hand always feels flimsy and tired, so if I want to go left, then I go the way of that hand. I've never gotten it down myself, either. Whenever somebody is driving me home and then says "Turn left?" It takes me a full five seconds to go "Yes, yes! Left!" Because they're already there by the time I realize which way is left xD

 

[KazeCraven]

You just have to deliberately expose yourself to many left-right decision situations and trust you'll get it right (or correct yourself when you don't). This means deliberate, extended practice on a regular basis until the issue isn't a problem. Other than practice? No.

Rules-based methods will always be slower than the deeper, hardwired, implicit knowledge that comes with experience. At least, from what I know about psychology, there seems to be a shift in most domains when someone stops using explicit rules-based methods after having gained enough experience to trust their intuition.

This knowledge is based on reaction time data in the field of cognitive psychology (though not in a context of distinguishing right from left). I don't really have the left-right problem anymore (I'm left-handed, and I got things mixed up very frequently for most of my childhood), but I know where I still use explicit rules (it's vs. its: I always think "it is" and put it's only if "it is" makes sense).

 

[Vrecknidj]

1) Build a time machine.
2) Go back to your past and instruct your parents to spend more time teaching you left and right during very early childhood development.
3) Return to the present, when you'll have a new history and a very well-developed sense of left and right.

Problem solved.

 

[BigApplePi]

You guys have left me with so many ideas. Right on!
Now that I've memorized all those aids, how to I remember them without looking up this thread? Which way was left or right again? I know that marching is left right left right but that works only for marching.

 

[Geminii]

Tattoo a small "L" on your left hand. If anyone asks, you got it in prison.

Or once a month, put a tiny smear of superglue on the fingernail on your left pinky.

 

[RobertJ]

which hand do you jerk off with? assign that hand either left or right orientation, then you will always know.

 

[hope]

Having trouble distinguishing left and right is frequently found in dyslexics. You could try to remember which is which by making a rectangle - 1 [_] with your fingers-- the one on the left makes an L.

 

[sububu]

My crazy mind would draw a number line for the letters in the words.
Left has 4 letters.
Right has 5.

On a number line 4 would be to the left of the 5. Therefore the word with 4 letters is on the left.

You are my savior! I have lived for 26 years with this problem. I have a smallish mole on my right forearm, and I usually look for the mole for left-right calibration. I was at this conference when the speaker said 'The top right', and I threw open my arm looking for the mole in the dim light. The mole has progressively become fainter (it was fairly prominent ~5yrs age), causing me significant worry.

The number-line is so intuitive! I have to try it out in a few real world scenarios, but I can already feel it working.

The driving/wheel doesn't work for me as I have driven on both sides of the road! I live in the US now, but I still do a double-take when there are no cars ahead of me.

The 'left' tag on the right hand... very very stupid. But very very funny... rotfl.

 

[Death]

I also had this problem once, but for my love of knowledge I have learned that the heart is located in your left side of chest, so whenever I need direction, I just listen to my heartbeat using my left hand.

 

[Lobstrich]

Are you seriously saying that you have trouble distinguishing left and right?

 

[Words]

Are you seriously saying that you have trouble distinguishing left and right?

No. I am seriously saying I have trouble distinguishing left and right.

Is it such a novelty?

 

[nexion]

Are you seriously saying that you have trouble distinguishing left and right?

Truthfully, it made little sense to me as well, but then I realized that yes, this is serious, and, given my difficulties in many other things, I had no reason to make fun of anyone because he has this problem.

 

[Lobstrich]

No. I am seriously saying I have trouble distinguishing left and right.

?????


And well, no. It's not. I just such a minor thing. It's almost like saying that you have trouble scratching your own back or that you can't count to five.
I just can't fathom how one can have trouble telling left from right, I really can't.

Unless of course you have some kind of disability. Then It would make sense if you couldn't scratch your back, count to five or distinguish left from right.

 

[Lobstrich]

Truthfully, it made little sense to me as well, but then I realized that yes, this is serious, and, given my difficulties in many other things, I had no reason to make fun of anyone because he has this problem.

I'm not making fun of anyone.

 

[typus]

Lobstrich:
Is the "If only you could understand it.." in your signature directed at people who don't understand Norwegian or theists?

 

[Words]

?????


And well, no. It's not. I just such a minor thing. It's almost like saying that you have trouble scratching your own back or that you can't count to five.
I just can't fathom how one can have trouble telling left from right, I really can't.

Unless of course you have some kind of disability. Then It would make sense if you couldn't scratch your back, count to five or distinguish left from right.

It's more about the trouble of assigning words to direction. My brain fails to intuitively recognize which is which. It may seem menial in you point of view, but this problem is practically significant to mine. I am slow when given left-and-right directions and it is at these times that I desire to develop.

You, not relating to the problem, does not make it any less objectively significant. That would be subjective: your point of view.

 

[Lobstrich]

Lobstrich:
Is the "If only you could understand it.." in your signature directed at people who don't understand Norwegian or theists?

Norwegian? It's Danish. (I do realise that Norwegian and Danish is very similar.. But come on! As a Swede you should have been able to tell! Hehe =p)

And yes it's only for people that don't speak eith Swedish, Danish or Norwegian.
You could also say that it's directed at religious people..
I don't try to stop people in believing what they want, but.. If only you could undertand.

 

[Lobstrich]

You, not relating to the problem, does not make it any less objectively significant. That would be subjective: your point of view.

I don't care much for being lectured on what objectively means.
Please save that for people that could use lecturing.
You do nothing but annoy me by treating me like an idiot.

 

[typus]

Norwegian? It's Danish. (I do realise that Norwegian and Danish is very similar.. But come on! As a Swede you should have been able to tell! Hehe =p)

And yes it's only for people that don't speak eith Swedish, Danish or Norwegian.
You could also say that it's directed at religious people..
I don't try to stop people in believing what they want, but.. If only you could undertand.

Well, have you considered maybe, I dunno, translating it?

If you had said it I would've been able to tell the difference easily (because of the porridge) but I'm quite sure the only word in that sentence that would be different in Norwegian is burde, I might be wrong about this!

 

[Lobstrich]

Well, have you considered maybe, I dunno, translating it?

If you had said it I would've been able to tell the difference easily (because of the porridge) but I'm quite sure the only word in that sentence that would be different in Norwegian is burde, I might be wrong about this!

No I haven't considered translating it, and I won't. I like it like this.
I like that it takes effort to understand it (Effort is not google translate @ alot of people pretending to have translated it yourself )

 

[Words]

I don't care much for being lectured on what objectively means.
Please save that for people that could use lecturing.
You do nothing but annoy me by treating me like an idiot.

What was the point and purpose of your first response to this thread?

 

[Lobstrich]

What was the point and purpose of your first response to this thread?

That I don't want need to be lectured on what objeciveness means.


What was the point of yours? Why did you suddenly start explaining to me what objectiveness is?

EDIT: Oh my first post, didn't read carefully, my bad.
Well I guess I didn't have a purpose. But as I said I can't fathom how one can't distinguish the two.
So I guess I was seeking a good reason as two why you can't (besides some kind of mental disability. Which you obviously don't have)

 

[Words]

I can't fathom how one can't distinguish the two.

Correction: I can but not with ease. Still, what is the reasoning behind this 'not being able to fathom an inefficiency'?

If it is because "since yourself does not experience the same problem, then other people with no disabilities shouldn't" or because other examples seem to be consistent, then it is illogical thinking, otherwise known as Converse accident.

If only because its from a "popular" knowledge, then it is also illogical.

 

[Lobstrich]

Correction: I can but not with ease. Still, what is the reasoning behind this 'not being able to fathom an inefficiency'?

If it is because "since yourself does not experience the same problem, then other people with no disabilities shouldn't" or because other examples seem to be consistent, then it is illogical thinking, otherwise known as Converse accident.

If only because its from a "popular" knowledge, then it is also illogical.

Why do you keep assuming? Stop it please.

And why do you insist on lecturing me? linking to Wikipedia with "converse accident" It's insulting. Don't lecture me unless you actually know I'm wrong or need lecturing. If I said 2 plus 2 was 5 then of course I'd be happy if you explained to me that it's in fact 4.. But when I never said that it's 5 don't tell me it's 4. I know it's 4.

Sorry for this sudden rant. But I absolutely hate when people tell me stuff I don't know, or act as if they are superior. As if they hold something they need to enlighten me with. (Unless they actually do)


And I already answered as to why I can't "fathom" it.

(Answer to you asking if it's such a novelty)
"And well, no. It's not. I just such a minor thing. It's almost like saying that you have trouble scratching your own back or that you can't count to five.
I just can't fathom how one can have trouble telling left from right, I really can't.

Unless of course you have some kind of disability. Then It would make sense if you couldn't scratch your back, count to five or distinguish left from right"

 

[Words]

Why do you keep assuming? Stop it please.

And why do you insist on lecturing me? linking to Wikipedia with "converse accident" It's insulting. Don't lecture me unless you actually know I'm wrong or need lecturing. If I said 2 plus 2 was 5 then of course I'd be happy if you explained to me that it's in fact 4.. But when I never said that it's 5 don't tell me it's 4. I know it's 4.

Sorry for this sudden rant. But I absolutely hate when people tell me stuff I don't know, or act as if they are superior. As if they hold something they need to enlighten me with. (Unless they actually do)

I value patience and detachment but, no matter how illogical I view your reaction to be, I think I can slightly understand where your coming from . <----this is also probably 'rude' in your perception but I ask for understanding. <----and perhaps this is also rude but bah, forget it... <----rude...but...argh

And I already answered as to why I can't "fathom" it.

Oh? I don't see any explanation down there.

(Answer to you asking if it's such a novelty)
"And well, no. It's not. I just such a minor thing. It's almost like saying that you have trouble scratching your own back or that you can't count to five.

How do these set of words explain anything? If I found it difficult to count to five or scratch, though very different problems to mine in terms of accessibility for a solution, how would that be difficult to 'fathom'?

I just can't fathom how one can have trouble telling left from right, I really can't.

Unless of course you have some kind of disability. Then It would make sense if you couldn't scratch your back, count to five or distinguish left from right"

Why????

 

[Lobstrich]

I value patience and detachment but, no matter how illogical I view your reaction to be, I think I can slightly understand where your coming from . <----this is also probably 'rude' in your perception but I ask for understanding. <----and perhaps this is also rude but bah, forget it... <----rude...but...argh



Oh? I don't see any explanation down there.


How do these set of words explain anything? If I found it difficult to count to five or scratch, though very different problems to mine in terms of accessibility for a solution, how would that be difficult to 'fathom'?




Why????

I haven't figured out the multi quote.. So I'm not going to bother replying, it'll be nothing but a messed up post.


And we can go on forever. You don't give me any arguments as to why it's normal you just keep trying to lecture me.

 

[Minuend]

Lobstrich:
Is the "If only you could understand it.." in your signature directed at people who don't understand Norwegian or theists?

On behalf of all the Norwegian people, culture, flag, bunad and brown cheese, I am highly offended that you, as a Swede, can't tell the difference!

You always did treat us like dog poo =~(

 

[Lobstrich]

On behalf of all the Norwegian people, culture, flag, bunad and brown cheese, I am highly offended that you, as a Swede, can't tell the difference!

You always did treat us like dog poo =~(

Same with us.. Nobody likes the Swedes? Do they? =)

 

[Words]

And we can go on forever. You don't give me any arguments as to why it's normal you just keep trying to lecture me.

That's it! It does not, in fact, conform to your immediate norms. But just because it doesn't conform doesn't make it illogical. I am not trying to argue for its conformity, I am arguing for it's plausibility. And thus, I repeat that this logic is fallacious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum

 

[Lobstrich]

That's it! It does not, in fact, conform to your immediate norms. But just because it doesn't conform doesn't make it illogical. I am not trying to argue for its conformity, I am arguing for it's plausibility. And thus, I repeat that this logic is fallacious. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum

Christ, you annoy me..... Did I EVER say that it wasn't plausible? Did I EVER say that it was illogical?

Please stop talking to me like I'm one of your idiot friends.
(And I'm not saying that your friends are idiots.. It's just a way of speech where I come from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denmark)

 

[Words]

Christ, you annoy me..... Did I EVER say that it wasn't plausible? Did I EVER say that it was illogical?

Uh...Yes?

I just can't fathom how one can have trouble telling left from right, I really can't.

Unless of course you have some kind of disability. Then It would make sense if you couldn't scratch your back, count to five or distinguish left from right.

 

[nexion]

Goddamn it, Lobstrich, stop trolling. It may be perfectly natural for us to be able to distinguish right from left, but other people aren't us, and they may have problems with it. It isn't a question of what is or isn't "normal" or "logical." Just shut up about it.

 

[Lobstrich]

Uh...Yes?

I said I can't understand how one cannot..

Never said that it's not plausible. Or that it's illogical to no be able to do it.