h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A530506

OK, this is just a short piece but I can't really think of what else I could say!
Except, maybe, a note on how to see stereograms, as crossing your eyes is a necessity to do this.

All advice gratefully received

By the way, a picture of an eye would be a nice touch but I can't seem to find one in the picture library - is there one?

I think this method is fairly primitive compared with the one I use:

1. hold out your finger directly in front of one eye.

2. look at your finger with both eyes

3. move your finger in towards your eye, continuing to look at it.

4. stop before you poke your eye out.

5. now repeat with an imaginary finger.

With practise, you should be able to wobble one eye from side to side while keeping the other stationary.

What medical proof do we have that crossing your eyes isn't healthy? I suspect this is something parents tell their children not to do because it embarasses or annoys them.

BBS

With a bit of practise you can make it look like you are moving only one eye at a time, sort of independantly How to freak people out 101 Until later....
BCNU - Crescent

OK, well, firstly I disagree that my method is more primitive, I think it's better and makes the 'trick' easier to master.
Secondly, judging from the pain involved (if taken too far) and the sensitivity of eyes generally, it probably can be harmful.

The reason people feel pain when they first try and cross their eyes is that they're using muscles in a way they normally don't, and tend to strain them. The more often they do it, the easier it gets and the less pain it causes. In some children with "lazy eyes", eye doctors actually recommend the children practice crossing their eyes several times a day, as it strengthens the eye muscles.

There's no evidence I've seen that it causes any harm at all.


Mikey

OK, thanks for the info! I just assumed (quite rightly, I feel) that because of the initial pain it would be wise to put the warning in. Anyway, everybody keeps saying "I haven't SEEN any evidence" or whatever, which doesn't mean the evidence doesn't exist, so just to be safe I think the warning should be left in anyway. Besides, what do you think the BBC would say?

Anyone know what the sound of one eye crossing is like?

Let me rephrase this -- when I say "I haven't seen any evidence", I mean that I am a medical research professional who has looked and searched and not seen any evidence. This doesn't mean that there isn't any evidence anywhere, but it *does* mean that there is unlikely to be good, legitimate evidence.

It's one thing to say that crossing your eyes might be painful at first (which is true), but saying that "it's not considered healthy" is just perpetuating an old wive's tale and has no place in a factual guide entry.

Mikey

Even better, your last line says something about having a good source of light in the room. This is another of my pet "What proof have you got about this?" questions.

So .... does reading in the dark really strain your eyes and have a long-term detrimental effect?

BBS

OK, firstly I didn't realise you were a professional Mikey, so point taken. I think it was a bit harsh, however, to accuse me of perpetuating an 'old wive's tale'. Pain is the body's way of telling you something is wrong, so excuse me for thinking that you might be damaging your eyes by hurting them! Seems fairly logical to me...

In any case, due to the amount of stick I've received over this, I'm removing the warning. Just don't come running to me if you hurt yourself.

Now, besides all this, I'd like some other constructive criticism please.

A related thing that I can do is to roll the eyes (eitherup or down) until only the whites are showing. It causes similar effects in the audience.

That's cool - you ever been in a zombie film by any chance?

No, but I do use some pretty strange make-up for parties. Full face, multi-colour with cloak and jewelry. Quite effective even before you start doing stuff with the behaviour.

This has been in Peer Review for a while now. Any other comments, anybody?

I liked it.
Never had any problem myself with eye gymnastics, I can cross mine outwards as well as inwards and do the up-down thing too .
I'd never really thought about a method or a way of teaching people how to do it but when i read this I tried it and I pretty much think that's how I do it.

Any chance of writing an article as to how one wiggles one's ears Stan Laurel style? That's something I've never mastered.

Anyway, thanks for a good morning laugh.

PS. Patience is a virtue. One week on Peer Review is a short time still I'm afraid.

I can cross one eye, waggle my ears, and (and I don't know ANYONE else who can do this) shut my nostrils without using my hands. THAT freaks people. I can't do them all at once though. Hang on, yes I can. How is that?

Isn't waggling the ears a genetic thing? You can either do it or you can't? Maybe I just misheard that somewhere? Someone go "Ask the H2G2 community" - please

Okay, I tried the method described and had an office-mate check the results, he said it worked. When my turn for picking articles comes up (which should be shortly), I'll recommend this entry be added to The Guide if no other Scout already has. Good job and keep up the good work!
~§~
§hadow
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/U133044

[From time to time, every man is tempted to hoist the skull and crossbones and slit a few throats.]