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HarryWilliams
Snowy Owl
Joined: Apr 07, 2008
Age: 110
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Location: UK
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 Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:52 am Post subject: "Mundies" - Origin of term for NT's |
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Does anyone know the origin of the expression "Mundies" meaning NT's?
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Sunfell
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 04, 2008
Posts: 29
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: |
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"Mundies" sounds like a take on "Mundanes" which is an SCA and SF fandom term for non-SCA members or non-fans. It's any normal, boring, mundane person who is not part of the group.
At science fiction conventions, 'freaking the mundanes' by wearing various SF costumes or SCA garb was a favorite indoor sport.
Seems that there's a bit of cross-pollination between the worlds of fandom and the worlds of Aspergers- but there's also that language of exclusivity, as well. We must have care in using it- otherwise an 'us-vs. them' situation will develop, alienating the people we want to include and understand.
I don't use terms like 'mundie/mundane', NT, or other insider words, nor do I refer to myself as an "Aspie" (technically, I am more a "Perhaspie" because I do not have, nor will get- a formal dx). I'm me, they're them, and we're us. |
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slowmutant
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 14, 2008
Age: 29
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:11 am Post subject: |
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| Referring to others as "mundies" or "mundanes" is not good. Just more exclusive language, more labelling. More separating, thought-boxing. I know of AS individuals who are mundane, and quite a few NT individuals who are extraordinary. |
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ooOoOoOAnaOoOoOoo
Phoenix
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Joined: Jun 19, 2008
Posts: 1762
Location: US, midmap
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:34 am Post subject: |
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I think it's okay to use the word "mundie" or "NT" when appropriate. Be realistic.
I don't think it is fine to hate based on this label, but try to understand and cope. Once you get diagnosed with something and others find out they constantly harp on it.
So why is it wrong to refer to someone that doesn't have what you have as "NT" or "Mundie" in this case?
It isn't always an example of "we v them" more like we trying to understand their way of thinking, why they do this. So we come up with a label to describe others who do not have an ASD.
Plus I know for a fact "NTs" for lack of better term, some of them, tend to bully. When they act in this manner it's natural to create this distance from them. The "NT" label provides this sense of distance and is a way to cope with the trauma of the bullying, etc. |
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HarryWilliams
Snowy Owl
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Age: 110
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:38 am Post subject: |
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I hate the term "Aspie" and wouldn't tolerate an NT using it to describe me. I do on the other hand, like "Perhaspie".
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Sunfell
Tufted Titmouse
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: "Perhaspie" |
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I coined that term a while back when some friends and I were discussing Aspergers on Live Journal. Since it is really difficult (and to be honest, unnecessary) to get a proper diagnosis of Aspergers as an adult (since it did not exist when we were kids), all that older folks like me can do is compare our actions, reactions, and childhood perceptions to the current Aspergers template and say, "Perhaps I am".
And perhaps I am not- perhaps I am just an eccentric introverted geeky brilliant Stray Brain. The interesting thing about being an adult Perhaspie is that we've learned to 'wire around' the worst of the problems- I might not be as good with faces, but I'll never forget an ear, nose, or moustache. Or a voice. As a computer geek, I have license to be eccentric and I exercise it a lot. I have chosen a career that uses my unique abilities to their advantage, and I am successful at what I do. No one minds if I am totally into computers, the Internet, WiFi and the latest tech trends- that's my job! They pay me to do it. They want me to know all the fiddly little details that baffle most ordinary folks. I soak them up like a sponge.
I couldn't be happier. Not bad for a "Perhaspie"! |
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DevonB
Toucan
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Age: 40
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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I don't really like the term Mundie. My partner is NT and so is one of my sons....they are anything but mundane. They are both extraordinary individuals.
NT is fine, to me, as it simply indicates what it is...Neurotypical. I am an Aspie, (or as said, a perhaspie). I don't mind that as it is simply a shortened form of Asperger. Since I am certain (without a doubt) that I have Asperger's Syndrome, it describes who I am. |
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SabbraCadabra
Sea Gull
Joined: Apr 22, 2008
Posts: 1552
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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I've only heard one person here use the term "mundies".
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HarryWilliams
Snowy Owl
Joined: Apr 07, 2008
Age: 110
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Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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Sunfell, err..., from your last post there doesn't seem much "Perhaps" about it. I do understand the problems getting the diagnosis in later years, without a early developmental history. But quite frankly with the lack of services for adults, in practical terms it probably doesn't make much difference. But I did hear of a 64 year old getting one...
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Sunfell
Tufted Titmouse
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately (or maybe it isn't!) my mother- who knew me best- is no longer alive. And I have no close living relatives who can draw any sort of accurate picture of how I was when I was young. Some of my old report cards reflect my eccentric ways, but they also said that I was way beyond grade level, and that I needed to be in either a higher grade or a Gifted class.
And like I said- I've developed coping skills and know my strengths and weaknesses quite well. My albinism is a more pressing problem- I see my dermatologist regularly. |
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DeaconBlues
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide - call me...
Joined: Apr 22, 2007
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Location: Earth, mostly
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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The abbreviation used for "mundanes" in the sci-fi community is usually "dane". "Mundie" sounds too much like "fundie", or religious fundamentalist, for my tastes.
Remember also that not all NTs are danes - my wife and cohusband are quite NT, but definitely not mundane.  (For that matter, I've run into a few AS on these fora who are also pretty mundane, outside their aspie quirks...)
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slowmutant
Phoenix
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: |
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| A Dane is someone from Denmark or of Danish ancestry. Or did you mean "a 'dane?" |
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