Top Three

The top three gestures invented by humans. Humans have developed many gestures over the years that stimulate excitement and approval or disgust and hatred. The list will be narrowed down using the effect it has on the recipient, the ease of use, and the general outlook society has on this particular form of communication.

The Middle Finger:
Held high in the air, this small fragment of flesh sends a message beyond words. By simply enclosing a fist and extending the third finger from the left as you hold your hand above your head you send a message of disgust and disagreement. Beginning in the ancient Roman culture where writings indicate it as the "digitus impudicus" it was used in plays to insult someone. Today it used used in the daily lives of many citizens as they fight and pick their way through the hard streets of modern life. Receiving it creates a high sense of disgust, insulting and creating a sense of hatred towards the person of whom the gesture was sent.

The High Five:
Often used in cases of celebration, two co-operating people extend the length of their arm and meet hands high in the air often resulting in a loud clap or snapping noise. It results in a stimulation of the senses bringing out a sense of excitement and/or sarcasm of which the participants feed off of. However if one participant initiates a high-five and the other doesn't concur, the first is set into a state of disappointment destroying any sense of excitement and joy. High fives are very often used in society today, notably frequent in sports of other competitive scenarios.

The Thumb Up:
Much like the middle finger in fashion and style, the thumb up consists again of clenching the fist, only rather than the middle finger the thumb is raised instead portraying a sense of approval or liking for a certain person or idea. Also originating in Ancient Rome, the "Pollice Verso" was used to either spare or condemn a gladiator to death depending on the orientation of the hand. It's use in modern life a substantially declined though it is still used by many people on a regular basis. It is more of a neutral gesture in emotional stimulation but is constantly used to replace the verbal terms of yes or no.