In Digital Age, Koreans display a dexterous digit

Older folks often feel like they are all-thumbs with cell phones, but the younger generation appears to be getting an evolutionary thumbs up. An athletic thumb along with a fair amount of dexterity is becoming more important. People who are fast “typers” on mobile phones can input text messages with their thumbs as fast as those who use all of their fingers on a keyboard. “A couple of years ago, there was a lot of news about sore thumbs. Not anymore. It’s like no one talks about having people having sore fingers from typing on a keyboard,” an industry analyst said. Some people are even using their thumb more on a regular keyboard as well ―as opposed to just using it to press the space bar. Communication service providers say that during the past year, mobile phone users in Korea sent about 70 billion text messages. Mobile games are also playing a major role in increasing the use of Korean thumbs. Games that can be played on wireless handsets have been dubbed “thumb sports.” “Compared to other digits, the thumb moves easily side by side, as well as up and down in a wide range of motion,” said Jeong In-hyuk, an anatomy professor at Yonsei University Medical College. “That is why it is easier to use the thumb for writing mobile text messages.” Observers are also noting that people are using their thumbs in tasks where they would conventionally use other fingers. For instance, although people mainly used their index finger when ringing a doorbell or pointing, these days, the younger generation is using the thumb. “In our society, telecommunications are ubiquitous, a part of life everywhere, anywhere. Therefore the thumb is taking on more roles. It’s becoming more important,” said Jin Yong-ok, a professor at Kyunghee University’s information communications graduate school. “For those who can use one hand to type messages on a mobile phone, their other hand is free ― which enables multi-tasking.” The day may be coming when anyone lacking a thumb like Arnold Schwarzenneger’s arm could stick out like a sore thumb. by Wohn Dong-hee, Park Bang-ju