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Bozewani
Deinonychus
Joined: Mar 04, 2008
Age: 19
Posts: 356
Location: Somewhere in the Universe
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 Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: How Neurotypicals React to Autistic Special Interests |
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Well, the topic title is extremely self-evident and much more black and white then most. It will be interesting to see the variables of culture and society, however my general consensus is that in every world society our interests, because they don't fit the neurotypical interests of sports, sex, drugs, rock 'n roll, and because we behave in a way they consider "unique" however, their "normal" is aberrant to us, even if we tried.
So, on to my interests, languages, history,politics, geography. How is that bad? I am tired of people asking me what the capital of Kiribati is. It's Tarawa, if you are interested, but that's not the point, the point is I feel like I am a nothing more then an intellectual machine for most NTs.
Of course, capitalism relies on intellectual machines. |
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Danielismyname
I wish I were a classical nihilist
Joined: Apr 03, 2007
Posts: 6255
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:48 am Post subject: |
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| I'm seen as a know-it-all. |
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ButchCoolidge
Velociraptor
Joined: Sep 23, 2006
Posts: 468
Location: New York, New York
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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I disagree with a lot of the original post. First of all, lots of aspies are interested in sports, rock and roll, sex, and drugs. In fact, I've done quite a bit of all of those things in my life. I haven't always pursued them in stereotypically NT ways - I haven't done drugs to fit in, I haven't gone after girls because I want to look cool - but the interests have been there. Secondly, you are assuming that languages, geography, etc. are not normal interests. They are in fact quite normal.
There are two ways in which AS special interests can seem weird and problematic for NTs. One is when the interest itself is eccentric. If you had mentioned a love of the mechanics of 1930's telephones, then it is understandable why a lot of people would find this odd, even though of course I and most open-minded people shouldn't have a problem with it. The second way is the way in which these interests are pursued - the depth of the interest, the pervasiveness of the interest in one's life, etc. For example, when I was a serious track and cross country athlete (a perfectly normal interest), it was the depth and pervasiveness of my interest that set me apart and at times made people uncomfortable (most people on the team thought I went overboard in my quest for knowledge about training, the history of the sport, etc., and sometimes people got sick of me talking about topics such as the greatest Olympic 1500 final of all time, which world record was most likely to fall in the coming season, etc.). These are the reasons why AS interests can be problematic, from what I gather.
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zeldapsychology
Phoenix
Joined: May 05, 2008
Age: 22
Posts: 517
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: |
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| ButchCoolidge wrote: | I disagree with a lot of the original post. First of all, lots of aspies are interested in sports, rock and roll, sex, and drugs. In fact, I've done quite a bit of all of those things in my life. I haven't always pursued them in stereotypically NT ways - I haven't done drugs to fit in, I haven't gone after girls because I want to look cool - but the interests have been there. Secondly, you are assuming that languages, geography, etc. are not normal interests. They are in fact quite normal.
There are two ways in which AS special interests can seem weird and problematic for NTs. One is when the interest itself is eccentric. If you had mentioned a love of the mechanics of 1930's telephones, then it is understandable why a lot of people would find this odd, even though of course I and most open-minded people shouldn't have a problem with it. The second way is the way in which these interests are pursued - the depth of the interest, the pervasiveness of the interest in one's life, etc. For example, when I was a serious track and cross country athlete (a perfectly normal interest), it was the depth and pervasiveness of my interest that set me apart and at times made people uncomfortable (most people on the team thought I went overboard in my quest for knowledge about training, the history of the sport, etc., and sometimes people got sick of me talking about topics such as the greatest Olympic 1500 final of all time, which world record was most likely to fall in the coming season, etc.). These are the reasons why AS interests can be problematic, from what I gather. |
This makes total since I loved learning Psychology and that interest got to the point of going to the teachers office and asking her questions daily (she was a Psychology teacher after all!!!) After being suspended for stuff I later find out from someone the teacher "didn't know how to answer my questions so she was avoiding me so she didn't have to answer my questions." This statement to this day makes me kind of sad because IMO she's a PSYCHOLOGIST WHAT GIVES??!!!!!! (She taught PSYCHOLOGY!!!!!) I'm still shocked to this day that I never saw this issue and it's sad she really felt that way.  |
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AnonymousAnonymous
Unemployed Student
Joined: Nov 24, 2006
Age: 18
Posts: 7050
Location: Portland, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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People tell me I am an inconsiderate prick. 
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ToughDiamond
Phoenix
Joined: Sep 16, 2008
Age: 56
Posts: 606
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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| zeldapsychology wrote: | | ButchCoolidge wrote: | I disagree with a lot of the original post. First of all, lots of aspies are interested in sports, rock and roll, sex, and drugs. In fact, I've done quite a bit of all of those things in my life. I haven't always pursued them in stereotypically NT ways - I haven't done drugs to fit in, I haven't gone after girls because I want to look cool - but the interests have been there. Secondly, you are assuming that languages, geography, etc. are not normal interests. They are in fact quite normal.
There are two ways in which AS special interests can seem weird and problematic for NTs. One is when the interest itself is eccentric. If you had mentioned a love of the mechanics of 1930's telephones, then it is understandable why a lot of people would find this odd, even though of course I and most open-minded people shouldn't have a problem with it. The second way is the way in which these interests are pursued - the depth of the interest, the pervasiveness of the interest in one's life, etc. For example, when I was a serious track and cross country athlete (a perfectly normal interest), it was the depth and pervasiveness of my interest that set me apart and at times made people uncomfortable (most people on the team thought I went overboard in my quest for knowledge about training, the history of the sport, etc., and sometimes people got sick of me talking about topics such as the greatest Olympic 1500 final of all time, which world record was most likely to fall in the coming season, etc.). These are the reasons why AS interests can be problematic, from what I gather. |
This makes total since I loved learning Psychology and that interest got to the point of going to the teachers office and asking her questions daily (she was a Psychology teacher after all!!!) After being suspended for stuff I later find out from someone the teacher "didn't know how to answer my questions so she was avoiding me so she didn't have to answer my questions." This statement to this day makes me kind of sad because IMO she's a PSYCHOLOGIST WHAT GIVES??!!!!!! (She taught PSYCHOLOGY!!!!!) I'm still shocked to this day that I never saw this issue and it's sad she really felt that way. |
Teachers are in a difficult position, they have to pretend to have the skill and the time to answer every question, but often they don't. Best not to embarrass the world too much by forcing it to admit that it's a liar.
I haven't had a lot of flak for my obsessions - I don't share much of my special interests except with fellow-enthusiasts. Most of it would take way too long to explain to the uninitiated. I suppose I should have some summaries ready for the general public, but haven't felt it's worth it. Even then, I'm usually trying to achieve something off the beaten track. I'm lucky to have an obsession about singing and playing music - I've been doing that so carefully and for so long that people often find the end product entertaining. |
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Mudboy
Velociraptor
Joined: May 20, 2007
Posts: 438
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: How Neurotypicals React to Autistic Special Interests |
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| Bozewani wrote: | I feel like I am a nothing more then an intellectual machine for most NTs.
Of course, capitalism relies on intellectual machines. |
| Danielismyname wrote: | | I'm seen as a know-it-all. |
I get paid for being a know it all. When my coworkers eyes glaze over, I know I have given them enough information.
They know when I walk in the room I usually want to talk business. They know I think their conversations are usually silly, just as I know my interests are not what NT's want to talk about. Sometimes I sit and listen, just to be part of the group, but before long, I wander off.
The people at work do help me and keep others from taking advantage of me. They say they understand that I am different and accept me as I am.
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When I lose an obsession, I feel lost until I find another. |
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lelia
Pika
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Age: 56
Posts: 1620
Location: Vancouver not BC, Washington not DC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Our pastor loves spending time with me because he never knows when I'll come up with the obscure odd fact. |
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Aurore
Dingo Lycanthrope
Joined: Dec 07, 2007
Age: 18
Posts: 1226
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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I was absolutely obsessed with cryptozoology up until around ninth grade (still more interested than most people, but it used to take up every moment of the day). People really hated that one.
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"The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls..." |
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IdahoRose
Imaginary Friend
Joined: Feb 25, 2007
Age: 18
Posts: 4887
Location: Boise, ID
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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My mom likes my special interests. She thinks anime is neat and enjoys hearing what I have to say about it. Recently, she's really gotten a kick out of listening to me talk about Axis Power Hetalia.
My brother likes hearing about anime, too. He likes a lot of the characters that I like; especially the Major from Hellsing and Abel from Trinity Blood.
The rest of my family members are pretty much indifferent to it. |
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ButchCoolidge
Velociraptor
Joined: Sep 23, 2006
Posts: 468
Location: New York, New York
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | My mom likes my special interests. She thinks anime is neat and enjoys hearing what I have to say about it. Recently, she's really gotten a kick out of listening to me talk about Axis Power Hetalia.
My brother likes hearing about anime, too. He likes a lot of the characters that I like; especially the Major from Hellsing and Abel from Trinity Blood. |
Mm, this hits home with me a lot. My dad has always been a gracious participant in my special interest conversations. On long drives, it would not be uncommon for me to summarize the entire story of one of my favorite RPGs (usually Final Fantasy). "I wonder who would win in a fight: Kefka or Sephiroth..."
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All you need is love.
I don't want my screen name accessible to the world, but please PM me if you want to talk on AIM or MSN. I'm always up for a good conversation. |
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Electric_Kite
Deinonychus
Joined: Aug 21, 2008
Age: 33
Posts: 305
Location: crashing to the ground
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| AnonymousAnonymous wrote: | | People tell me I am an inconsiderate prick. |
If this is your interest, I feel you have not pursued it throughly enough. If you were a really prime example of an inconsiderate prick, they wouldn't tell you without tears.
There is no interest less special than anime. |
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anna-banana
dares to fail
Joined: Aug 31, 2008
Age: 25
Posts: 3098
Location: Europe
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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I'm quite happy to share most of my intrerests with my mates. I do occasionally go overboard though, in those cases they just say something like "dude, who cares". I *usually* get the message lol
I occasionally get more specialised interests that seem to annoy people (most notably stock markets and share prices- that always bores the sh** out of the most understanding and patient people ;p), I learned not to talk about them to avoid being complately ignored...
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RubieRoze
Toucan
Joined: Aug 13, 2008
Posts: 253
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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I have a great interest in music (all kinds of popular styles). My best friend told me recently that I'm into it "more than most other people." (She is NOT interested AT ALL and lets me know it.)
When I would even try to introduce it to a conversation with other people, I get a kinda halfhearted, "Oh really?" And it was like, well, if you have to try that hard to seem interested in something I love, um, never mind.  Nowadays I find other ways to pursue my interests.
My oldest sister listens to me, although she's not as much into music as I am. We had a good time awhile back, though, obsessively collecting X-Files game cards. THAT was fun! 
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Spokane_Girl
I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more
Joined: Jul 17, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 5245
Location: Benny & Joon town (I wish)
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| Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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I remember the days of people asking me trivia questions about things I knew. It made me feel smart and superior.
Sometimes my parents will ask me when something happened and one time they even called me just to ask what year we moved to Montana. Whenever my parents ask me about something, it's always about dates.
My boyfriend doesn't mind hearing mine, especially when I bring up Life After people like every couple days. That show was so fascinating I keep thinking about it. Every time I see something abandoned and it's falling apart or I see a road that is going back to the ground or a parking lot, I say "Life after people."
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