Hunchbacked and broad-necked with “text-claw thumbs”: The grotesque model “Mindy” shows what humans could look like in the year 3000 thanks to our dependence on technology
- Experts have developed a model called “Mindy” that gives a glimpse of what we might look like in the year 3000
- Looking at our smartphones or at computer screens for years leads to a hunched posture
- Our hands are permanently formed into a claw shape after consistently gripping our smartphones
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For many people, a moment without your phone or laptop can feel like a lifetime.
But a frightening model can encourage you to spend less time on your devices.
Researchers have created a grotesque model called “Mindy” that they think gives a glimpse of what humans might look like in less than 800 years because of our reliance on technology.
With a stooped back, broad neck, one clawed hand, and even a second pair of eyelids, Mindy could be “the human of 3000 and up.”
Researchers have created a grotesque model called “Mindy” which they believe gives a glimpse of what humans might look like in less than 800 years.
A look into the future? Mindy’s distinctive traits
- bent over
- Thicker ‘tech neck’
- text claw
- 90-degree angle
- Thicker skull
- Smaller Brain
- Second eyelid
Mindy was developed by Toll Free Forwarding to visualize how technology affects our bodies.
“We gathered scientific research and expert opinion on the subject before working with a 3D designer to create a future human whose body has physically changed due to consistent use of smartphones, laptops and other technology,” it explained .
Depending on the model, years of looking at our smartphones or computer screens lead to a hunched posture.
Meanwhile, our hands are permanently formed into a claw shape after consistently gripping our smartphones.
Speaking to Toll Free Forwarding, Dr. Med Alert Help’s Nikola Djordjevic: “The way we hold our phones can create stress at certain points of contact – resulting in ‘text claw’ known as cubital tunnel syndrome.”
In addition to “text claw,” people might also experience “smartphone elbow” — a permanent 90-degree angle caused by the arm’s typical position when holding a device.
“Keeping your elbow bent for a long time — mostly while holding your phone — can stretch and put pressure on the nerve behind the elbow,” added Dr. Added Djordjevic.
Depending on the model, years of looking at our smartphone or computer screen leads to a stooped posture
Our hands are permanently formed into a claw shape after consistently gripping our smartphones
Hours of staring down at our phones not only results in hunched backs, but depending on the model, thickened necks as well.
“When you’re working on your computer or looking at your phone, your neck muscles have to contract to keep your head upright,” explains Dr. K. Daniel Riew of the New York-Presbyterian Orch Spine Hospital.
“The more you look down, the harder your muscles have to work to keep your head up.
“These muscles can become overly fatigued and sore from looking at our smartphones and tablets, or from spending most of our workday at the computer.”
Other grotesque features we can expect include a thicker skull and smaller brain, and a second eyelid to prevent excessive exposure to light.
Other grotesque features we can expect include a thicker skull and smaller brain, and a second eyelid to prevent excessive exposure to light
“Humans can evolve a larger inner eyelid to prevent exposure to excessive light, or the lens of the eye can be evolved to block incoming blue light but not other high-wavelength light like green, yellow, or red.” , said Kasun Ratnayake of the University of Toledo.
Mindy is the successor to Emma – the ailing workmate of the future – who was built in 2019 to emphasize the importance of good working conditions.
Emma was scooped by researchers after interviewing more than 3,000 employees about their health issues and concerns.
She has a perpetually hunched posture that sits at her desk for hours every day, dry red eyes from long exposure to a computer screen, and sallow skin from being trapped under the harsh artificial lights for years.