Do Aspies Run The World?

Post Reply New Topic

I agree with the above.

My anecdotal evidence is that most of the truly brilliant people I've met have almost always been extroverts. I suspect that's because smart extroverts not only have big brains, but the energy and social competence to put those big brains to use. Most of the introverts I know tend to just stay home and look up Pokemon on the internet on Saturday nights, which is not at all the same thing as being "brilliant."

Personally, I'm a loser, and unless the world is ever in dire need of a gender ambigious person with a wealth of "X-Files" trivia, I will never rule anything. I'm an artist and we are the most useless people on the planet, Aspie or otherwise.

Bollocks.

You only need to look at this thread as evidence of our capacity for agreement.

^
This.
Sitting at home all day on a computer whining about how NTs are inferior and girls won't talk to you doesn't seem to fit any definition I know of "running the world".


*edit*

More quietly? Are you serious?
Have you not HEARD Aspie's lecturing about their special interest, or arguing over whether someone used good grammar when they were talking about how their grandmother died?

I just don't buy that "seen" breakthroughs are the most important kind. So what if the extroverts fill the science labs? The social worlds of science labs are obviously good places for them. It only took me a few minutes in high school science class (and college science classes later on) to realize what was going on (a lot of answer sharing and "team work"). The individual work going on behind the scenes surely has an impact and I'm a little bit annoyed that some people on here won't acknowledge that more.

I don't see anyone arguing that some people with autism have made remarkable contributions to humanity. I see a number of us arguing the against the assertion that autism is NECESSARY for remarkable contributions to take place.

I wouldn't argue that it's necessary. But I also wouldn't argue that it's dispensable. We don't know if it's dispensable. We really have no reason to say that it is, in my opinion, regardless of anecdotal reportage from someone who has been in science for 10 whole years.

In the land of the blind the one eyed are king.[/quote="wavefreak58"]

I don't understand your meaning.[/quote]

Meaning in the Land of Autistics the HFA are king

It is plausible that autism is a variant expression of the same genes that allow genius. But it is far from demonstrated scientifically and I have no issue with exploring the idea. But I do take issue with perpetuating stereotypes based on flimsy arguments grounded in hearsay and anecdote. It does not serve anyone to create false perceptions of autism. I find it a bit ironic that one of the stereotypes of Asperger's is "love of truth" yet Apsie pride falls into the same traps of anecdotal reasoning and emotional arguments for which NTs are so often derided.

The following quote is entirely without any scientific basis and is routinely pronounced with the authority of sacred dogma on this forum.

People are attracted to beliefs that they like. I know I am.

Nothing but worthless anecdotal evidence.

+1

Also, I'm very greedy, and an Aspie. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

Free? You mean like we're "free" under capitalism? I think it'll be the usual story of one bastard going out and another bastard coming in. Look how hopeful they were in Zimbabwe when they kicked Smith out. They always think some new Messiah is going to put everything right. Frankly I wouldn't be surprised if Western governments turned out to be responsible for these new revolutions - they're desperate for new markets and will do anything to "open up" a country to capitalism.

Dunno, I've noticed a lot of Aspie traits coming from government. Especially local government. They invent their own words "to avoid chargeback you must...." Their style of communication is extremely nerdy, and most of their spokesmen have monotone voices and use cold, unnecessary phrases such as "at this moment in time," or "it is an inadequate description of the sweetmeat." They're usually tunnel-visioned, obsessed with their stereotyped, repetitive special interests (grabbing money, commercialising the environment, and enforcing political correctness), and completely blind to the social harm they do. They practically have their own language (management-speak), which in many cases nobody else understands. Can anybody tell me what they're banging on about when they say "one passion, one Leicester"?. They wear the same grey suits all the time. Look at how analytical the law is, compared to normal life - they immerse themselves in it. Look at how their recycling systems make no sense to anybody but their creators. They come over as aloof and asocial.
Here's one of them unsuccessfully attempting to share his special interest (health and safety):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62oFV68bxe4
Note how he's completely oblivious to his audience while he rants.

Interesting post TD. You're bang on mate. You forgot to mention an under developed sense of compassion and empathy for others. Definitely an inability to display it, anyway.

Laughing through the tragedy.

Are you from Leicester?

Mind you they're a bit short on the pathological honesty, but that's not diagnostic. Actually, joking aside, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of Aspies in local government, being a relatively safe haven, and maybe that really would account for some of the stuff we see from them.


Originally from Sheffield, but I moved to Leicester about 22 years ago. Where are you?

I have read that book but I must have overlooked that part, and I don't consider that lady to be a genius among geniuses. She is a fine example of an autistic success story, sure, and an extraordinary indiidual. I seem to remember she cited her own IQ as 140 or so (maybe 135, can't remember). Obviously IQ isn't the issue here per se, but I'm just throwing out it there that it's likely many autistic people more intelligent than she would disagree. I personally don't agree with the quote on a literal basis and to me it sounds almost like a joke if taken word for word. Philosophically speaking, maybe she's trying to get at an important role autistic people play and exaggerating to get across her point (like saying that "they matter" wouldn't be enough for her, she has to blow things out of proportion to get people to perk up their ears).