A 19th-century study by French physiologist Raphaël Dubois identified a natural effect he named the antikinetic gyratory movement, resulting from Earth’s axial rotation. At the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition he recorded visitors showing a clear preference for anticlockwise paths. Before the First World War he extended the idea to account for both human and animal migrations as well as outbreaks of conflict, a connection later examined in a 1986 Peace & Change journal article.
One left-handed reader notes that moving clockwise through busy spaces such as theme parks, supermarkets and museums often reduces delays, especially among early arrivals who naturally choose the opposite direction.
Another correspondent asks whether comparable observations have been made in the Southern Hemisphere.
A further letter suggests the pattern simply reflects an effort to reach premium sections first.
