cdbeck
Posts: 1374
Joined: 8/16/2005 From: Indiana Status: offline
|
I would argue that most academics (of which I am one) are closer on the spectrum towards Aspergers and Autism than the "normal." There is a certain sort of social dysfunction, obsessive-compulsive, detail-oriented, concrete sequential personality that many people in high academia share. The question to ask is, is their personality why they entered the field, or does entering the field alter their personality to fit this mold? What I do find abborant about this study is the idea that there is some mean "normal" that certain people fit into on this "Autism" spectrum. The idea of a perfect normal is a lie, one that needs to be destroyed. I also diasgree that there is one coherent disorder called "Autism." Instead, I believe that it is a catch-all term to lump different personality traits that create various level of creative thinking or problems socializing. The idea of a spectrum may help, but I still think it belies a greater complexity of personalities. And RH, you KNOW you fit the model very well, so no pontificating that it is always the "other guy." I have hardly seen another person who views things so black/white than you, has certain eccentric ways of thinking, offers creative viewpoints on obscure items, or holds intimate knowledge of esoteric subjects. If these things put a person on the "autistic" side of the spectrum, then welcome to the club. Did you not say that you had several ex-wives? Could this not be due to a problem relating to other people? SoM
_____________________________
"Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnoscet!" (Kill them all. God will know his own.) -- Arnaud-Armaury, the Albigensian Crusade
|