Is it an affectation that they’re trained to deploy? (If so, why?) Or is it just a natural thing that happens in the very specific circumstance of being a politician on the campaign trail, and that’s why no one else seems to do it?

I don’t think I’ve seen it in any other context 🤔

Cheers!

  • yum_burnt_toast@reddthat.com
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    2 个月前

    from what i remember, they are coached to do it because pointing is seen as too aggressive but not making any hand gestures is too robotic. so its a way to make a non-aggressive emphatic hand gesture.

    • ShaunKL@startrek.website
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      1 个月前

      Nobody likes being pointed at. The fist point, then, is a way to underscore an important point without the scolding, accusatory associations of a raised index finger—because it uses a thumb instead. Clinton Thumb works best when paired with an intellectually complex point, making it a TED talk favorite. “It is articulating that you’re focusing on something, and that you’re grasping it cognitively,” body language expert Joe Navarro told Business Insider.

  • TrackinDaKraken@lemmy.world
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    2 个月前

    They all go to Ivy League colleges, and they all take the same public speaking classes.

    It’s a big club, but we’re not in it.

      • Holytimes@sh.itjust.works
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        1 个月前

        No the real answer is that literally nearly every possible configuration of your hands and movement is offensive and rude to some culture, person or religion.

        It’s fucking damn near impossible to find ANY that are actually safe.

        This has been a problem of public speaking for longer then America has been a country, and longer then the ivy leagues have been a thing.

        Public speaking hand gestures go back literally hundreds of years.

        • Cruxifux@feddit.nl
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          1 个月前

          Okay but the reason they all do it today is because they went to the same rich people colleges and courses. The reason those courses teach these things may have historical background, but that’s not what we’re referring to here.

    • gdog05@lemmy.world
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      2 个月前

      I’ve heard that before too but being an old bastard, I’m pretty certain Clinton didn’t do it until after he was debating Bob Dole. Bob Dole used this gesture because he held a pen during debates. And he held a pen in his non-dominant hand because he had an injury in WWII and the way his hand curled made him look weak.

  • Fizz@lemmy.nz
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    1 个月前

    Its what you do when you naturally want to point but dont want to be seen as rude and aggressive.

    • Hikermick@lemmy.world
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      1 个月前

      Correct answer right there. Politicians and business people are very aware of their body language. Another rule is never touch your face. When they do, photographers will snap a picture. In the photo they will look frustrated

      • netvor@lemmy.world
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        1 个月前

        LOL that’s why I will never be a politician. I would be so frustrated by not being allowed to touch my face! The irony of it would just overwhelm me.

  • acme401@lemmy.world
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    1 个月前

    If you work for a large company, ask around if there is a toastmasters group. If so join it and you will be let in on all the secrets of public speaking.

            • anon6789@lemmy.world
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              2 个月前

              I just recently got a PZ2 driver from Vessel for my Honda. It was remarkable how nice it was to use compared to a Phillips screw and driver. I felt so much torque could be applied while the grip stayed rock solid.

              Also learned PZ screws are often used in cabinetry, and lo and behold, all my kitchen cabinet do in fact have that tell-tale X mark to indicate they are Pozidrive screws.

              I’ve still not had the opportunity to use a square drive Roberston screw, but would still like to use them for something one day.

  • morphballganon@lemmy.world
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    2 个月前

    “People who are more emotive with their gestures than me must be fake”

    “People who are less emotive with their gestures than me are robotic lol”

    Most people hold both of those views but have wildly different levels of emotiveness… The result? Posts like this

  • sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    1 个月前

    Oh that?

    Thats the motion you make when fanning through dollar bills, one handed, to count em.

    They’re doing a pavlovian reflex everytime they need to remind themselves where their money comes from, and how its time to focus in on delivering shareholder lobbyist value.

  • Empricorn@feddit.nl
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    1 个月前

    Remember Biden’s “I did that!” (lying) stickers that were placed on gas pumps by maga freaks? It’s trivial to put your political opponent in an ad where they are saying something they’re not, because pointing is seen as an aggressive gesture by the people coaching them for speeches, debates, etc. So they do the silly thumb-point for emphasis recommended by political strategists…