Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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FUTURE TOWN — Without opposable thumbs, humans would be a lot more clumsy and useless as a whole.
While we would likely figure out great workarounds (and some of us do), our thumbs sure make life easier. That grabbing action helps us as we tie shoes, assemble Legos, cook food and sip hot beverages from mugs.
Oh yeah, and I suppose they also help mechanics keep our cars in order and surgeons keeps our bodies in order and all that kind of important life stuff too.
An artist named Dani Clode decided that maybe — just maybe — we could do even more if we had a magical third thumb, so she built one as part of an art project.
The Third Thumb Project from Dani Clode on Vimeo.
According to Clode, she views the thumb as “part tool, part experience, and part self-expression” that “instigates conversation about the definition of ‘ability’.”
In the video, you will see people mostly have an “experience” with the third thumb. As each person uses it just to make it function on a basic level, their wonder and amazement are palpable. And guess what? You’ll probably be just as amazed as you watch.
Personally, at first, it was odd to see an average human hand look out of proportion. But after about three seconds, I immediately wanted an extra appendage for myself.
The thumb is controlled using your feet with the help of a Bluetooth device. Learn more about how it works by watching the video and visiting Clode’s website.
