Gallery: 7 Hand Gestures That Make You Look Like a Real Intellectual

  • Image may contain Human Person Finger and Hand
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    01

    the-dialectic

    __The Dialectic. "This is a dialectic and I’m going to explain it."__ - Use when expressing a shift from one thing to another. Highly infectious.
  • Image may contain Human Person Hand Finger and Wrist
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    02

    critical-whirl

    __The Critical Whirl. "I’ve read too much Marx and I can’t get my words out."__ - Accelerate and repeat until idea unpacked.
  • Image may contain Human Person Arm Hand Finger and Heel
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    03

    the-backhand-slap

    __The Backhand Slap. "I know I’ve said it before but I will say it again."__ - Use as a reinforcing gesture when critical opponent seems unresponsive.
  • Image may contain Hand Human Person Wrist and Finger
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    04

    the-tiny-dialectic

    __The Tiny Dialectic. "I’m making a very fine distinction."__ - Use when unpicking specific detail, or when too self-conscious to use "The Dialectic" gesture.
  • Image may contain Human Person Arm Hand and Finger
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    05

    the-point

    __The Point.__ - Use to direct everyone’s gaze towards a particular individual or object.
  • Image may contain Hand Wrist Arm Human and Person
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    06

    the-shelf-sweep

    __The Shelf Sweep.__ - Use when explaining hierarchies.
  • Image may contain Hand Human Person and Wrist
    Jasmine Johnson and Alice May William
    07

    pickingup

    __Picking up Small Ideas__ - Use only when seated in front of an audience.
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