The science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein wrote in The Notebooks of Lazarus Long that
The two highest achievements of the human mind are the twin concepts of "loyalty" and "duty." Whenever these twin concepts fall into disrepute -- get out of there fast! You may possibly save yourself, but it is too late to save that society. It is doomed. I wonder if being loyal is an aspie trait, because I know I am. The longest relationship I was in ended badly because I tried so hard for so long to make it work because I thought it was the right thing to do. If I had let it go a year or two sooner my ex- might not have had as much bad feelings towards me. Of course another reason it lasted longer than it should is because I cannot read social cues. I had a similar experience last Fall when I finally realized that the bass player I had been jamming with didn't really like me at all. With hindsight, I can clearly see that I should have stopped trying to jam with him several months before, but again, my sense of loyalty to "the band" blinded me.
I also wonder if I recognized and identified with the concepts of loyalty and duty even as a five year old boy when I read of the character and career of the World War One flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron. He was a great hunter, had keen eyesight, and what could be called situational awareness. While most men in aerial combat were lucky if they could even just look out for themselves, he was able to keep track of what all the men in his squadron were doing at all times. After they landed, the others were amazed that von Richthofen could tell them in detail what they had done right and what they had done wrong in the previous combat. What's more, they knew they could count on him to save their butts if they were in danger. I don't think he was an Aspie, but he was shy socially.
I always wanted to be like von Richthofen, somebody respected for outstanding abilities at what they do but even more, somebody that others could count on. I have always tried to be that type of friend. As for duty, von Richthofen was seriously hurt in aerial combat on July 6, 1917 but survived to fight again. He never should have seen combat after that serious head wound, and he was urged to take a job as an instructor behind the lines. He didn't want any special treatment just because he was famous. He said that if any ordinary soldier had suffered the same wound, that soldier would have been sent back to the front to fight as soon as possible. Also, he didn't want to abandon his comrades at the front. He had a sense of obligation to his comrades and to his country. For some reason that really struck a chord with me, and he has always been one of my role models.
Yes I know there were bad things about him. He enjoyed hunting, even if the prey was other people. But he was loyal and courageous, and he exemplified, almost as much as it is possible for any human to do, the twin concepts of loyalty and duty so highly praised by that popular science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein.
I wrote an informative speech about the
Fokker Triplane that is one of the better concise sources of information about this aircraft on the internet. I even wrote a song about the character and career of the
Red Baron and posted a music video on YouTube. The lyrics are historically accurate, focusing mainly on the day he was wounded July 6, 1917. The images used in the video are also historically accurate. Several noted aviation artists gave me permission to use images of some of their artwork in this video. Today is the 93rd anniversary of his death on April 21, 1918.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysUQuMarsV4[/youtube]
I happen to be related to the Richthofen family, so I know quite a bit about ol' Manfred. The man and his life are truly fascinating (I reserve a special interest in military figures, since I am related to quite a number of notable ones). The Baron inspires admiration in many quarters, even amongst the English.
21 Apr 2011, 3:17 pm
