Reading upside-down text... what's the big deal?

DonkeyStyle \o/

I just came across this news story,
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13531405,00.html
and although it's a condition where she can only read upside down... they seem to make a big deal about the fact that she can.
Personally I don't see what the big deal is about... I'd imagine most people can do this easily
Common or no?

Tar.Aldarion

Turned my laptop upside down, could read teh artcile no bother. It's just like a different alphabet but you already recognise clustering letters as a word from knowing English.

YeAh!

I think its more the fact that she can only read upside down words that they are making the big deal about.

DonkeyStyle \o/

YeAh! wrote:

I think its more the fact that she can only read upside down words that they are making the big deal about.

Well it's bits like this that I'm talking about...
"Now she is always showing off to people when they come to the house because it's so unusual."
Going on like it's some kind of party trick.
And the included image reading "The girl who can read upside down"
Granted writing upside down at speed is more tricky, but with a little practice you'd be up to speed in no time.

Just strikes me as a bit weird is all.

smemon

i can read both ways :cool: doesnt take a genius.

takes a little longer but if i spent my life doing it i'd be an expert too. whats the big deal?

must be pretty desperate for column inches with stories like this :rolleyes:

Mossy Monk

smemon wrote:

must be pretty desperate for column inches with stories like this :rolleyes:

it is Sky News

Ruu_Old

Its not hard, just takes longer like the smemon said.

InFront

if she can only read uspside down all she has to do is turn her books upside down, dont see what the issue or interest is!

r3nu4l

The issue is the scientific interest! How is her brain wired so that she can only read upside down? What about how she processes other images? What does it teach scientists about dyslexia and brain chemistry?

What about warning and safety signs? If they are not upside-down are these incomprehensible to her? How does she manage? She's not able to drive because of the condition but now with the remedy, she may be able to.

We can all read upside down if we try, the thing is she can't read right way up, even if she tries.

That's the interest as far as I can see.

Imagine you couldn't read text that was upside down and every signpost and notice you ever saw was upside down, how would that affect your life? Then you have the interest.

Creamy Goodness

i can do it for typed things, handwriting is more difficult depending on how scribbly it is.

InFront

r3nu4l wrote:

She's not able to drive because of the condition but now with the remedy, she may be able to.

We can all read upside down if we try, the thing is she can't read right way up, even if she tries.

Imagine you couldn't read text that was upside down and every signpost and notice you ever saw was upside down, how would that affect your life? Then you have the interest.

Bit dangerous alright

I can see it now, SLOW = MO7S... shed think it was grafiti:eek:

Hobbes

*shrug* I can read upside down. I can read and write backwards too. Was told it was because I was left handed (as I used to write backwards when I was a kid).

SirLemonhead

I'd rather turn a book upside down than have to carry around orange tinted paper with me...

smemon

*gets pulled over by cop*

do you realise what speed you were doing there?

*eh.. 90*

yeah, this is a 60 zone

Dont be at yourself

A few days ago I caught myself reading Japanese upside down. I was chuffed!

mickot

The skill of being able to read upside down (especially handwriting) has always been highly prized amongst those who regularly meet with the Revenue Commissioners or divorce lawyers !
-micko

fuzzywiggle

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

Turned my laptop upside down, could read teh artcile no bother. It's just like a different alphabet but you already recognise clustering letters as a word from knowing English.

Someone likes a challenge!

InFront

smemon wrote:

*gets pulled over by cop*

do you realise what speed you were doing there?

*eh.. 90*

yeah, this is a 60 zone

wouldnt she be doing "09" then?!

sorry for ruining the joke

smemon

InFront wrote:

wouldnt she be doing "09" then?!

sorry for ruining the joke

not if she reads right to left which is the way she would write if she's writing backwards and can only read backwards

InFront

she reads upside down and lleft to right. thats why she can read books and magazines;)

Doomspell

Ya I can do it no bother but it would be difficult for driving

nice joke smemon