Exactly.
It's funny how logic, reasoning and genius is always held in high regard and always attributed to factors such as gender or race, but when it comes to Autists, we're intelligent "despite" our diagnosis...
Aspergers for example, often comes with the exceptional ability to focus on 1 field without growing tired. That alone would be seen as a magnificent feat if a normie was capable, but when it comes to Autism, it's "a side effect" or some shit...
Last edited by Queen of Hamsters; 2017-08-09 at 06:42 PM.
Having a full time job means they live fairly independently and don't rely on a lot of help. It means they are functioning enough to hold down a job, and by extension, should have no problem taking care of themselves.
Now, for your second point of them not asking everyone, that is Not how statistics work. If they asked everyone, it would take years to track them all down. That doesn't include having to actually see if they will answer, which with autism, doesn't go too well in a lot of cases. The statistics for employment is probably one of the easier things to come across.
High function autistics usually do live perfectly normal lifes. That is why they are called High Functioning.
You final statement holds no bearing on this discussion. It doesn't matter how those who don't have autism handle or cope. This is specifically is in relation to how those With autism function and if they are the next evolutionary stage for humanity. Which, I don't believe they are given the limitations that most of them have.
Autism, in this day and age, is a diagnosis that is pretty broad and encompassing, to the degree of doubtlessly being given to a lot of people that aren't truly autistic. Not entirely surprising, most eras have some catch-all that has too wide a spectrum, be it because it is easy, 'popular' or what have you. I mean, imagine treating depression like autism, ie give everyone with even a tendency a full-blown diagnosis...talk about a new and sudden global epidemic. Either way, fact of the matter is that actual autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder, and without the slightest shred of a doubt a clearly detrimental state. Which is nothing weird nor catastrophic really, loads and loads of people live with some sort of disorder or other, but pretending that it isn't a clear dysfunction is just straight out ridiculous.
Who is saying that they are lesser on principle? Or was that an attempt at strawmanning my argument?
-People with Autism however, does not excel beyond "normal folks", except when they get the work environment that suits them perfectly. But guess what? Everyone excel in a work environment that suits them perfectly.
People with Autism are not lesser, but nor are they more. They are simply different, with different needs. In the right environment it might be beneficial, in the wrong environment it is detrimental.
Last edited by Zecora; 2017-08-09 at 07:18 PM.
The following is just an opinion. Hell, not even a well informed one.
While yes, some (/most?) autists seem to be a lot more intelligent overall, they seem to have a severe problem in the social aspects of life. Which are very important to actually being a successful 'human' (people gathering around you, getting your genes into the next generation and so on).
As someone who is autistic, I don't think it's an evolutionary advantage at all. I guess it may have contributed to my interest in tech, but I don't think it's really ever helped me at all. I'm lucky in the sense that it doesn't affect me too badly and I am able to socialize with people I know, but going out somewhere where there's a bunch of people that I don't know and don't know how to talk to is like jumping into a pool of ice water. It sucks, and while I do eventually get used to it, I'd rather not be in that situation at all.
With technology we excel not the majority of humans
Conversely we can socialize PERFECTLY amongst others with autism.
It is the social stress that can make it so hard (along with all the drugs abd various attempts to cure us over our lives damaging us in a very big ways). Plenty of us can work/excel..the places to do so due to normal humans is one thing holding us back.
I think it is an interesting possibility and would not be surprised if that is the case; The TV show Touch (with Keifer Sutherland) explored this possibility and one of my favourite bands released an audio story/book dealing with it as well. It is available here for 15$ and may be available on streaming services as well; I haven't checked. (https://hoursthestory.bandcamp.com) It is an engaging and thought-provoking foray into autists and how they are treated.
Generally, as people with autism age, the symptoms become less apparent and we are able to more easily integrate into society. I don't think I've actually freaked out over a loud noise since I was like 7 years old. They still make me jump really bad when I'm not expecting them, but other than that it's not a big deal. When it comes to communicating and social cues, I can communicate quite effectively, but sometimes take a bit longer to pick up on social cues than a normal person would. While it is an impairment, at least it's one that (usually) doesn't affect you your entire life, and you can learn the skills that you naturally lack to make up for it.
This too. Philosophy is where I excel modern society seems to despise such things and then whole college requirement..like you cannot study on your own.
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Add me to left wing libertarian list lol
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Best way i can describe it is like running an emulator..Sadly complete with taking extra energy to do.
So basically just what I said. People with authism thrive and succeed in environments (work or otherwise) that is perfectly suited to them...and so does everyone else. You are different, not better, not worse, just different (in a specific way).
Which in many ways makes you just like everyone else, because we are all different from everyone else.
Autistic people are "evolved" humans in the exact same way that colorblind humans are evolved: They aren't. They have a developmental fault. It may help them focus their skills in different areas and be highly productive given the right situation, but it is not an evolution.
I'm not talking about "hyper socialization". You are.
By social creatures I am referring more to the concept of "it takes a village" or "no man is an island". Humans are, biologically, not very functional as individuals (in the way that say, a puma is highly functional as an individual of its species). They are designed to function best in groups.
Human progress isn't measured by industry. It's measured by the value you place on a life.
Just, be kind.