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November 1998

The Sound of No Hands Tapping

The opposable thumb helps make us human, yet our technology is relegating dexterity to the sidelines. How should we handle the change?

By Daniel Akst

He's got your hands," people tell me, looking at the giant paws on one of my sons. I'm charmed-who wouldn't be?-but I know what's ahead. Someday soon, somewhere on the bumpy road to independence, he'll look at my wife and utter a version of those immortal words, "Look, Ma, no hands!"

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