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trelayne
Butterfly
Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 13
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 Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:27 am Post subject: Aspies as superheroes |
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Many non-Aspie people think that Aspergers is something to be cured.
But I have a different approach. What if being an Aspie is a gift ?
Some have suggested that Newton and Einstein were Aspies. What if
the human race's most important advances have come from Aspies?
Many aspies are simply like regular people except that they have the
ability to excel much further with specific skills. And there are suggestions
that Aspies have a tendency to have superior moral awareness. What if
social advances have also come from Aspie minds?
Perhaps if the world was not so busy filming Spiderman sequels to
satisfiy their hunger for heroes, and instead they turned to Aspies and
provided open, advanced support systems and institutions to help
develop their skills and socializing among other Aspies, we would see
the beginnings of a stronger, unified Aspie Citizenry that would make
the X-men look lame. |
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666
Deinonychus
Joined: Nov 08, 2005
Posts: 345
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:36 am Post subject: Re: Aspies as superheroes |
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| That's actually a pretty dangerous way of thinking. If you think of it like it's a superpower, that creates a sense of elitism which, historically, has rarely been a good thing. |
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trelayne
Butterfly
Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:48 am Post subject: Re: Aspies as superheroes |
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| 666 wrote: | | That's actually a pretty dangerous way of thinking. If you think of it like it's a superpower, that creates a sense of elitism which, historically, has rarely been a good thing. |
Yes, that is possible. But having a superior sense of morality and not being too kind to un earned authority, would suggest that Aspies in general may not be greed machines like the rest of humanity has a tendency to become. So elitism might not be a mainstay of a unified Aspie movement since there are indications that progessive Aspies are more into improving humanity than wanting to be in a club. I'm not talking about forming a self-absorbed mensa club. I'm talking about forming a movement whose aim would be to help advance humankind, technologically and socially. |
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Endersdragon
Phoenix
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 1666
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 2:49 am Post subject: |
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Ive always thought that Asperger's could be a form of evolution but generally get shot down when I think so, probably why I associate myself with good ole Magneto so much.
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Emettman
Microferroequinologist
Joined: Dec 19, 2005
Posts: 1027
Location: Cornwall, UK
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:23 am Post subject: |
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Superhero? No.
No powers beyond the possibility for other humans, at least not that I'm aware of.
Evolutionary experiment? Possibly.
(For a novel taking this theme, but not on AS, see Greg Bear's "Darwin's Radio")
But yes to the power of the outsider to make a telling difference:
"We weren't heroes, were just maladjusted enough to realise something was wrong."
(A leader of the French resistance in WW2)
And even if we were part of the wave of progress, remember:
an awful lot of early areoplanes crashed, before we got to the jumbo jet. |
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Callista
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 04, 2006
Age: 27
Posts: 4539
Location: Central USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:51 am Post subject: |
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Being a hero is not a matter of special skills; it is a matter of using the skills you have to help others--even when there is a risk to yourself. That superheroes do such great deeds only means that normal problems within their area of expertise hold very little challenge to them, due to their special powers. A person with Asperger's does not have any more "power" than a neurotypical human being; his "power" is, however, generally concentrated within a smaller area of expertise--thus "special subjects" and even the "savant skills" of people with autism. If being a "superhero" means having one area of expertise in which one exceeds the general population, then yes, an Aspie could be classed as a superhero. However, we are lacking in other areas of expertise which NT's generally have down pat--so it all evens out.
That said, a person with Asperger's is not excluded from being a hero or from changing the world. An Aspie is not better, not worse; only different. That those differences are sometimes exactly what the world needs makes Aspies an important part of any society, especially when it comes to things like scientific and technological advances. We fill a niche no one else could easily fill; we are the specialist brains of society.
If there is a problem to be solved, an Aspie who sets out to solve it is capable of greater concentration and endurance than a neurotypical; however, solving many problems in many different areas at once--such as is required of people with leadership roles--is often a harder task, at least for me, than it is for an NT. And if the problem is in the wrong area--for example, if the problem to be solved is in the area of astrophysics and the Aspie in question has the specialist subject of biology--then a neurotypical would be more likely to solve it, though less likely than an Aspie whose specialist subject was biology.
It's as though we have higher IQ's in some areas than others; and while this allows us to be capable of greater things in some areas, it also decreases our abilities in other areas. I know I've felt this whenever I've just come from asking physics questions my professor tells me no one yet knows the answers to, to being completely ignorant of the fact that my friend is disturbed by my out-of-the-blue statement that sixty Dexatrim make up a lethal dose for an average human being--and going on to discuss at length the effects of amphetamines on the human body.
I don't think we're any better than anyone else; I do know that I like being the way I am and would prefer not to change. I think the world needs both NT's and Aspies; neither is better or worse to be than the other, either in value to the world or possible quality of life.
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trelayne
Butterfly
Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| Callista wrote: | I don't think we're any better than anyone else; I do know that I like being the way I am and would prefer not to change. I think the world needs both NT's and Aspies; neither is better or worse to be than the other, either in value to the world or possible quality
of life. |
Yes, I don't think we're better. Otherwise, I would not have suggested that that we are here to help humanity progress. And yes, there are varied skill sets, very much like the rest of the population.
What I am saying though is that perhaps the time is nearing that an aspie movement should form whose main goal is to help humanity by concentrating on education, but also forming research organizations/ corporations, social/environmental policy thinktanks, etc. And their main goals would not to make money, but rather to (first and foremost) tackle our challenges by accelerating the rate of progress. As it stands now, Aspies are dissolved inside a larger, broken system led by people who have interests that can't fathom swify progress---or progress at all!
But if you can get progress-addicted Aspies together and start an international movement that concentrates more on Aspie skills sets, and help with socializing (normalizing while respecting Aspie "eccentricities"), I think we can help people in the larger population to see Aspie traits in themselves or others. And instead of getting the initial details from a psychologist, who will talk like it's a disease, it can come from an organization that is primarily demonstrating that they are doing good and want to help Aspies develop their particular interests.
I think it would be inspirational. Compare that to "that person has a disorder". |
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Callista
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 04, 2006
Age: 27
Posts: 4539
Location: Central USA
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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It could indeed be a great help to society. Any group--Aspie or not--which is purely dedicated towards helping improve the world we live in, with no ulterior motives, will generally do more good than harm.
There is a problem with simple technological progress without accompanying societal progress, however: I hope you mean general progress in all areas, including such things as diplomacy and culture, rather than simple technological advances. Of course, some technological advances, such as (for example) a reliable artificial heart, would make the world better all by themselves.
Perhaps an altruistic network of Aspies might even include borderline-AS or NT "interpreters" so as to be able to better communicate with the world-at-large? And, in any event, the Aspies in question would have to remain in contact with NTs, so as to better understand the problems which need solving--thus, "Network" rather than "Community".
Such a plan would have to be profitable in some way--or at least self-sufficient--in order to continue existing. Either that, or you would have to have wealthy patrons.
And then there is the fact that even Aspies, while being more logical than the rest of the population, will agree on what needs to be done! The first skill necessary for such a group would thus have to be a method of negotiating to reach a compromise which, while not each person's idea of the most ideal method, would still be at least somewhat effective.
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Reports from a Resident Alien:
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DrizzleMan
Phoenix
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Regarding moral awareness ... Newton was a bit of a bastard, so I wouldn't take him as a rolemodel on ethics. Science, yes; morals ... stick with Ghandi.
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Signature quote: "I apologise in advance for the cliches." |
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pad
Phoenix
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Joined: Nov 25, 2005
Age: 23
Posts: 625
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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| it doesn't need to be cured.. aspergers syndrome simply contradicts with the standard "norms" of society;so people mostly say impulsively ignornant things about the disorder. |
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trelayne
Butterfly
Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Callista wrote: | | It could indeed be a great help to society. Any group--Aspie or not--which is purely dedicated towards helping improve the world we live in, with no ulterior motives, will generally do more good than harm. |
For sure!
| Quote: |
There is a problem with simple technological progress without accompanying societal progress, however: I hope you mean general progress in all areas, including such things as diplomacy and culture, rather than simple technological advances. Of course, some technological advances, such as (for example) a reliable artificial heart, would make the world better all by themselves.
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Yes, that is my primary area of interest: social progress. I've had my feet dirtied in that area more. However, I'm also a web developer/admin and have deep interests in the the analytical (sciences). So I am deeply interested in the responsible, peaceful, and sustainable development/application of science. Especially open technology that is not held by those who are only interested in making money.
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Perhaps an altruistic network of Aspies might even include borderline-AS or NT "interpreters" so as to be able to better communicate with the world-at-large? And, in any event, the Aspies in question would have to remain in contact with NTs, so as to better understand the problems which need solving--thus, "Network" rather than "Community".
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Whatever it takes
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Such a plan would have to be profitable in some way--or at least self-sufficient--in order to continue existing. Either that, or you would have to have wealthy patrons.
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Yes, in my experience, such programs have either required strong members support or the help of a millionaire patron. I have not experienced one where a product was being sold... wait, I retract that one.. I do know such an org (a cooperative that sells environmental products/technologies). But if you can get Aspies together, I am sure environmentally safe, sustainable products and technologies would be very very possible. Right now, Aspie ingenuity is probably being translated into corporate-controlled patents. I see the hard work behind those patents one day being developed under the umbrella of an altruistic organization that will eventually have a vast R&D shop.
Additionally, such an organization would be a great candidate for repeated, initial business capital (from government and elsewhere). Who else can claim to have the most skilled labour force?
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And then there is the fact that even Aspies, while being more logical than the rest of the population, will [NOT] agree on what needs to be done! The first skill necessary for such a group would thus have to be a method of negotiating to reach a compromise which, while not each person's idea of the most ideal method, would still be at least somewhat effective. |
Excellent point. But I suspect that Aspies may be willing to make reasonable compromises if the moral goals are paramount.
Nice analysis! |
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DrizzleMan
Phoenix
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:27 am Post subject: |
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Open-source socialism?
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Signature quote: "I apologise in advance for the cliches." |
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Nomaken
Phoenix
Joined: Jun 10, 2005
Posts: 2059
Location: 31726 Windsor, Garden City, Michigan, 48135
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| Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 4:28 am Post subject: |
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I believe autism is an interesting genetic mutation which allows genius level or subgenius level learning ability in many many different areas - some harder to percieve(both to the observer and the autistic) than others. And while i believe that proper breeding of these mutations will lead to a race of humans that is much smarter(and happier) than the current dominant model, i don't see spreading an idea of superiority(of anykind) to be a good idea. Rather, I plan to spend my life primarily to make those autistics and aspergers who feel less than good about themselves feel better about themselves. Hopefully if i make em self actualized enough they will reproduce more effectively and the mutation will spread. I don't plan to make them feel superior, just as content as a normally adjusted person. That way i will not only be helping them, but helping the mutation spread.
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My body is a channel that translates energy from the universe into happiness.
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