A Philosophy Of Useless Information (Press, 20 October 1979)

In the review published on 20 October 1979 by A. K. Grant, the book "Gestures," authored by Desmond Morris and others, is examined in detail. The review highlights the intriguing nature of human behaviour, particularly the propensity to collect and disseminate what the reviewer describes as "useless information." This perspective aligns with a philosophical take on existence inspired by Descartes, where the assertion “I amass and propagate useless information, therefore I am” is proposed. Desmond Morris, known for his previous works such as "The Naked Ape" and "The Human Zoo," leads the Gesture Maps investigation, which is supported by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. The book serves as a culmination of their findings, focusing on the nuances and variations of physical gestures across different cultures. The review outlines examples of gestures, such as the "palmback V-sign," which can denote different meanings depending on the location—from a sexual insult in Glasgow to a symbol of victory in Granada, and being largely unrecognised in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. The "nose-thumb gesture," which involves placing a thumb to the nose while waggling fingers, is presented as a form of mockery universally, although the review introduces a psychoanalytical interpretation by Otto Fenichel, who sees it as relating to penis symbolism. This analysis presents an amusing yet unsettling idea about the implications of body symbolism, particularly the thought of one's nose being an indicator of sexual potency. In addition to these insights, the review also delves into the concept of the "ring gesture," which can convey a range of meanings tied to sexual innuendo or insult, depending on context. This crucial section illustrates how gestures can be loaded with significant interpretations and how they vary culturally, notably including a local New Zealand context that relates to social and political sentiments. Overall, Grant's review of "Gestures" underscores the complexity of human communication beyond words while questioning the inherent value of the information propounded through the study of gestures. The juxtaposition of scholarly research with often common and crude interpretations of gestures serves to provide a multifaceted understanding of communication. The entertaining and sometimes shocking findings presented in this book reflect Morris's ability to blend academic inquiry with engaging discourse on intercultural expressions of human emotion and social interactions.

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