Comments on: Strike A Pose

By: Barb

Barb — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:24:34 +0000

I know that I’m adding a comment to a really old entry, but I found a brief bio of a stage magician and mentalist named Ted Annemann who died in 1942. His promotional photo shows him using a variant of the Pstandard Psychic Postion: take a look: http://www.lybrary.com/ted-annemann-m-20.html

By: EL

EL — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:41:10 +0000

The pose seems to have evolved some. The guy in the x-man comics looks as though someone is holding a gun on him.

By the way, excellent and very funny post and comments. Thank you!

By: Agatha Rights

Agatha Rights — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:05:03 +0000

I always assumed it was because using psychic powers took focus and concentration, and like how I rub the bridge of my nose when I have to concentrate, they’ve simply picked up the trait as an unconscious response by working with other psychics. Since they all imitate each other, it’s just an accepted motion now.

Alternatively, that psychic powers create a symptom similar to sinus pressures or pressure in the forehead (I get this a lot with allergies) and they’re trying to relieve the pressure.

By: Bash

Bash — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:59:11 +0000

I can see it playing out like this…..

Professor X – “I take him out using my psychic powers! UGH! There’s too much static, I can’t break thru!”

Person Being Targeted by Prof X – “That’s right Professor! It’s the fool proof rubbing balloons on my head defense! HA!”

By: Alberto

Alberto — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:48:27 +0000

Another possibility: when you place your hands like that you block your peripheral vision, and that might help concentrating. You see, most of the time the telepaths also close their eyes, so it gets easier to concentrate without the visual noise.

And what about an involuntary reflex, like the “forehead slap” you make when you just remembered something you forgot, or holding your head with your hand when you reflect about something you are worried?

I mean, maybe it just human nature, after all.

By: Michael A. B.

Michael A. B. — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:34:17 +0000

It is possible that they do it as a signal to those who are not telepathic that they are contacting someone. Like holding up the one finger when someone walks up and you are on your bluetooth. I guess that would make it a dick move if you weren’t the most powerful telepath in the world.

By: Barb

Barb — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:48:11 +0000

Interesting that it first showed up in the comic books in 1964, as the page on TvTropes mentions that Uncle Martin did it on My Favorite Martian which went on the air in 1963. I’ wondering whether it was originally from stage mentalists, like Alexander, The ManWhoKnows; or Mandrake. From the standpoint of a stage performer, adding a very clearly visible gesture to indicate “I’m using my powers now” would simply be good showmanship.

By: Chris Arndt

Chris Arndt — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:20:39 +0000

I just get hacked off when telekinetics apparently can exude stuff from their hands.

I think the psychics cap theirs fingers on heads like that as a dumb reflex, like hand talking over the phone.

By: Strike A Pose | Internet-D

Strike A Pose | Internet-D — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:08:31 +0000

[...] Polite Dissent » Strike A Pose. AKPC_IDS += "5543,"; Filed in Posts ADD COMMENTS tagged : Comic Books, Humor Deadpool : [...]

By: Meagen

Meagen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:04:54 +0000

It's called the Pstandard Psychic Pstance.