Robert Crumb = Asperger's?

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It seems somehow ironic that there are several movie characters that have aspie traits that seem popular in at least a "cult movie" way...it's to bad that this liking for human exentricity doesn't relate in an increase in aspie guys getting dates. I guess it is like watching serial killer movies...fun to watch but you don't want them in your neighborhood

lol I know exactly what you mean. I would see people or characters with aspie traits in comedic material, indie films, or in whatever entertainment medium. And for the longest time , I would:

1. think I could be the funny guy (because there would be a character with aspie traits in sketch comedies or whatever, yet not realizing that even though I was laughing with the character, others were laughing at the character)

2. think that I could fit into the hipster mold (just because I watch some indie/cult film that revolves around a character with "charming" aspie traits)

3. think that someone might immediately fall in love with me, weirdness and all (just because I watched some romantic comedy or drama where the lonely, weird aspie-ish character finds true love or true love finds him/her)

4. think that I could be a tough guy (watching gangster films or tough guy characters that seem to revolve around an alpha-aspie i.e. some italian and asian gangster films [Dare I say, Michael Corleone or the John Woo/Chow Yun Fat movies?])

I think in being inspired by these happy or intrigueing plot constructs, I found myself often sad and disappointed when *surprise* reality doesn't exactly follow an aspie-friendly, aspie-focused script. I was pretty thick-headed about it all...

It's hard to give up on the innocence and hope that illusions provide. Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally pessimistic...just tired.

This post has become "The Haven" material

Going bit off topic, but...
That happens when I watch Britcoms-I think, "oh, they're so tolerant of eccentricities !".
Like, it's not even made a big deal of, all the characters are given quirks & flaws but are essentially presented as "normal" (not unusual for being unusual, if that makes sense)-neither ostracized nor unloveable (and not just relegated to mascot role).
Wish "being bizarre" was just assumed of all humans, and the particular ways in which one was odd were more widely acceptable.

Digging up an old thread here

Just watched Crumb last night, you can watch the entire thing free right now at Crackle.com.

If those Crumb brothers aren't on various parts of the spectrum, I will eat my hat. I could relate way too well with the guys, it kind of made me laugh at a few parts.

Robert rocking, his record collection, his wife talking about his small group of friends, how he clams up around new people, he doesn't drive, he hates when people make money off of his artwork, didn't even look at the guy who asked for an autograph, his piggy-back rides and wrestling, how his son said he doesn't get emotional or give hugs...the part where he was talking about how America has become so commercialized that it has no culture anymore was like I was watching myself

Charles mentioning that he was a good looking kid in school, but girls didn't like him because something was wrong with his personality...his "going against the rules" in the comic art test, his massive book collection, and aversion to literature newer than Victorian era, still living with his parent...

Max waving his hand around while he was talking, his meditation...

And a few parts I couldn't relate to quite as well, but are definitely "clues", like Robert's drawing/sex obsessions, and Charles's hypographia...

Good documentary, though it was kind of sad in a few parts, especially Charles's fate =/ And afterwards, I was checking IMDB, and a bunch of people were talking about how R. came off as "uptight" and "an ass" and whatever in the movie, and that they didn't care for him as a person...wow...it reminded me of my friends telling me that everyone at school was talking about me behind my back =/

You shall not be dining on hat. No stetsons, boaters, bowlers, beavers or panamas on your table this evening.

Interesting thread.

I've been a big fan of Robert Crumb's work for my whole life. It displays the same sort of detachment and sense of alienation and alienness that I've felt my whole life.

I own Zweigoff's Crumb; and I've seen The Confessions of Robert Crumb. I've also seen American Splendor, although I'm not really familiar with Pekar's work aside from that.

I have no doubt that all of the Crumb brothers are/were on the spectrum somewhere; particularly since they display a lot of the co-morbid traits, like OCD.

I just found your site. I don't touch computers myself. I'm here with my girlfriend who's even more "aspie" than me...she's almost to the level of Temple Grandin! (No So!! - girlfriend) She's typing this in for me. Hey, I love you guys!
R. Crumb

o_O

Wha? For real? Cool.

...No , I DO not think so , Robert Crumb is married - not " gf " - to a woman who he's been with long enuff that they have a grown-up child !

I have a wife and a girlfriend...we are "polyamorous"...is that ok? My wife knows about it...she also has a boyfriend...I have been involved with my "girlfriend" for more than 20 years....there are drawings of her in "Art and Beauty" vol 1 & 2.

Awesome! (I am not surprised)
(and regardless as to whether or not you are actually R. Crumb )

I am polyamorous as well.

I have a main partner who I live with and also a boyfriend.

s'fun.

I love your music btw..

My boyfriend got me a copy of Cheap Suit Serenaders "Singin' in the Bathtub"...I can put it on repeat play for hours...

I also like the compilation that comes with the R.Crumb handbook...'cept I left it in New Orleans and need to get another one.

You can send a copy to the address on my Super Happy Fun Land link below...

(just kidding)


...though maybe I'd trade you a sock monkey for it if for reals....if ye signed it and whatnots....

I hope you don't mind if I ask you a question.

After watching the Crumb documentary, I think the part that struck me the most was when you started cussing up a storm about how big marketing had become, how everyone was a walking billboard, and America had lost its culture because of this. I've always felt the same way, and it seems like it's even worse today than it was back whenever this interview took place. I can't even walk into a gas station real quick to get a Hostess fruit pie without tripping over some giant cardboard cutouts trying to sell me energy drinks, lite beer, NASCAR merch, flashing LED lighters, Scarface mugs, etc...it depresses me to think of how much money they pump into advertising, trying to sell us all this crap nobody needs, and to imagine the sorts of people who actually do buy into it.

Sorry for the long-winded rant, I get a bit worked up over this sort of thing

Anyway, the film really left me curious as to your current thoughts about this, what it's like in France (if you're still living there), and/or if you've been to America lately to see it for yourself.

Robert is in Minnesota visiting family before taking care of business in Madison, then flying back to France.
Naturally he hates marketing, who doesn't?! I've been visiting in France for the past 15 years and can say that the European Union, created to enhance the business environment, has aided in an ever increasing commercialsim in France, though it's doubtful they will ever catch up with US.
I'm glad you liked the Cheap Suits...Robert tends to be embarrassed by the "amateurish" quality, which is strange because in the old recordings he loves so much, this is perceived as heart and soul! I'll see if I can get a copy made of the CD in my copy of Crumb Handbook...I haven't listened to it yet. He took my mandolin to a old time country music jam session in my small Pacific Northwest town but was intimidated by the skill level of the musicians and chickened out. I cannot imagine doing anything that would cause attention to be focused on me so this seems normal.
It's been agreeable reading your blog and I'm relieved that you've been nice. Another old friend of Robert's, Diane Hanson discovered this site and told Robert about it. Robert and I only just heard of Asperger's about 3 years ago. When I arrived in Paris for our annual visit, he greeted me with a New Yorker article written by an Aspie and he said, "we both have Asperger's". So there you go....