It seems the majority of road enthusiasts have Asperger's Syndrome. Who doesn't have it? I do not.
I have a fairly mild form of it, which results mainly in the lack of tolerance for small talk.
I may have it, I don't really know.
Never been diagnosed with it.
I have self-diagnosed myself with symptoms of procrastination, because...well, can we talk about this later?
My fiancee realizes there is something wrong with me when I see a strange road sign and jump out of the car to take a picture of it
Not here.
While higher than average on the autism spectrum, I'm nowhere near high enough to get either.
Looking at a self-diagnosis thing, being task-centric and introverted are both things that mean you score higher on the spectrum than a people-centred extrovert.
I've never been formally tested, but I'd likely score as a 'classic' case of it.
Mike
I had to look up what Asperger's is, as the only time I remember hearing that term previously was, I believe, on an episode of South Park where they called it Ass Burgers.
The symptoms don't sound like anything that affect me, although I can be very idiosyncratic about certain things.
Quote from: formulanone on August 29, 2012, 01:30:43 PM
Never been diagnosed with it.
I have self-diagnosed myself with symptoms of procrastination, because...well, can we talk about this later?
This comment reminds me of an autosignature used by a guy on the unofficial Washington Capitals fan forum. It says, "I may have Alzheimer's, but hey, at least I don't have Alzheimer's."
There was a raucous thread on m.t.r about Asperger's several years ago.
I don't think they were yet diagnosing Aspberger's at the time of my diagnosis, but I know I've been told I exhibit more of its tenets than straight-on autism.
Quote from: hbelkins on August 29, 2012, 04:14:28 PM
There was a raucous thread on m.t.r about Asperger's several years ago.
The high number of AS sufferers there, most likely accounts for the cesspool-like group culture behavior of that forum, given that AS causes poor social skills.
Quote from: Beltway on August 29, 2012, 05:12:21 PM
The high number of AS sufferers there, most likely accounts for the cesspool-like group culture behavior of that forum, given that AS causes poor social skills.
nah, it's the lack of moderation.
everyone has poor social skills when they are anonymized and unmoderated. most of the dumbasses on the internet aren't Aspergers, they're more "brogrammers" than anything else. note how popular testosterone-addled stupidity and misogyny are, as opposed to "five thousand phone numbers I just memorized and insist on sharing with you".
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 29, 2012, 05:25:24 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 29, 2012, 05:12:21 PM
The high number of AS sufferers there, most likely accounts for the cesspool-like group culture behavior of that forum, given that AS causes poor social skills.
nah, it's the lack of moderation.
everyone has poor social skills when they are anonymized and unmoderated. most of the dumbasses on the internet aren't Aspergers, they're more "brogrammers" than anything else. note how popular testosterone-addled stupidity and misogyny are, as opposed to "five thousand phone numbers I just memorized and insist on sharing with you".
Yeahbut you would think that members of a rather unique hobby would be more willing to moderate their own group behavior, in such a group. Instead it was like junior high group behavior, and rather poor on the continuum for that.
Quote from: Beltway on August 29, 2012, 05:36:29 PM
Yeahbut you would think that members of a rather unique hobby would be more willing to moderate their own group behavior, in such a group. Instead it was like junior high group behavior, and rather poor on the continuum for that.
people devolve to junior high. just the way our species is.
I cannot offhand name a single discussion board (no matter how niche the community) that has all of the following features:
1) no moderation
2) people do not regularly interact in real life
3) civilized behavior
reason 2 is why places like Facebook generally stay in control. you're not gonna post some dumb shit about someone if you two are gonna be at the same party next weekend.
When I've read up on the symptoms it seems like I probably have some form of it, but I don't really know what I'd gain from being diagnosed and I don't feel like it's anything crippling, so I might have it but I don't really care to find out one way or another.
I feel like I'd use it as an excuse or a crutch if I found out I have it, so even if I do have it I really don't want a professional telling me I do.
I was diagnosed with it in middle school. But I am pretty high functioning, all things considered.
I've never been officially diagnosed with it (or anything, for that matter), but I wouldn't say I didn't have it.
Quote from: corco on August 29, 2012, 06:00:25 PM
When I've read up on the symptoms it seems like I probably have some form of it, but I don't really know what I'd gain from being diagnosed and I don't feel like it's anything crippling, so I might have it but I don't really care to find out one way or another.
I feel like I'd use it as an excuse or a crutch if I found out I have it, so even if I do have it I really don't want a professional telling me I do.
From having met you, you're pretty low on the spectrum. I wouldn't call most of the people I've met in this hobby Aspies. Many of us are slightly more along the spectrum than average, but it's just that - a spectrum. In this age of overdiagnosis, I'd rather err on the side of underdiagnosis. Label yourself as slightly left of normal and see how you can deal with it, rather than hiding behind a disease.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 29, 2012, 05:54:18 PM
Quote from: Beltway on August 29, 2012, 05:36:29 PM
Yeahbut you would think that members of a rather unique hobby would be more willing to moderate their own group behavior, in such a group. Instead it was like junior high group behavior, and rather poor on the continuum for that.
people devolve to junior high. just the way our species is.
I cannot offhand name a single discussion board (no matter how niche the community) that has all of the following features:
1) no moderation
2) people do not regularly interact in real life
3) civilized behavior
MTR was for the first 10+ years of its existence.
Quote from: texaskdog on August 29, 2012, 01:31:30 PM
My fiancee realizes there is something wrong with me when I see a strange road sign and jump out of the car to take a picture of it
Please tell me you stop the car first
A few of the symptoms match me somewhat, but not nearly enough to think I have it. I've seen shows on TV and read about people who have Asperger's, and none of the people I have seen or read about seem like me much at all.
I was diagnosed in sixth grade with a mild form of it. Occasionally it can be difficult at times with others, but things are getting better as time goes on.
I don't think I have it. In the past I have been mildly awkward in social situations but it's gotten better with practice, so I'm inclined to chalk it up to mere inexperience.
Wonder if it's possible to have adult-onset Aspie's? The older I get, the less I want to be around people.
(And to save some people the trouble, I"m sure the older I get, the less people want to be around me.) :-D :bigass:
I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I am quite socially awkward and can survive long solo road trips.
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 30, 2012, 05:30:39 AM
I don't think I have it. In the past I have been mildly awkward in social situations but it's gotten better with practice, so I'm inclined to chalk it up to mere inexperience.
from my in-person interaction experience with you, I'd say we're approximately at the same level of having it. I might have it slightly more than you.
(whee! webAARoadsMD.com!)
Quote from: Steve on August 29, 2012, 10:19:29 PM
I wouldn't call most of the people I've met in this hobby Aspies. Many of us are slightly more along the spectrum than average, but it's just that - a spectrum.
And your position on it is not static. I am far more "normal" now as an adult than I was in middle or high school, or even college. But the key in my case is that I have expressed continual interest in developing and normalizing my social skiils since high school or so because at some point I realized that I had to in order to realize my full potential in life. And so I've put a lot more effort into "figuring it out" than a lot of people with Asperger's do.
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on August 30, 2012, 10:52:01 AM
I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I am quite socially awkward and can survive long solo road trips.
You're fine. Asperger's/autism probably isn't the only scale with social awkwardness.
I was never officially diagnosed with it, but my psychiatrist has said I do have it. (Nothing but notes mentions it.)
I do consider myself with Asperger's (or as I call it "defunct form of Autism")
Quote from: Steve on August 30, 2012, 11:32:36 PM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on August 30, 2012, 10:52:01 AM
I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I am quite socially awkward and can survive long solo road trips.
You're fine. Asperger's/autism probably isn't the only scale with social awkwardness.
In most cases I would say being socially awkward means that you are introverted and/or geeky. Which just means you have a tendency to not socialize often or well purely on account of personality. Whereas with Asperger's it's an actual handicap at being able to comprehend the subtleties of human interaction. Our brains function differently and this is observable through EEG and whatnot.
Some indicators that you may have Asperger's instead of just ordinary social awkwardness:
Do you tend to want to take everything literally and at face value, and have trouble with the concept of implications?
Does it feel perfectly natural for you to talk to someone without ever looking at them (i.e., eye contact seems irrelevant)?
Do other people's emotions not influence yours?
Do you have a tendency to do inappropriate things to get someone's attention because you can't figure out how to get it properly?
Do you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
I was diagnosed with it a few years ago when I was getting treated for severe depression and anxiety attacks...makes sense based on my childhood.
I'm too old to have been formally diagnosed with Asperger's as a kid. Affordable diagnosis for adults doesn't seem to exist. I'd say it's more likely than not that I have it, but is it really a yes/no question to begin with?
Quote from: Duke87 on August 31, 2012, 08:00:39 PM
Quote from: Steve on August 30, 2012, 11:32:36 PM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on August 30, 2012, 10:52:01 AM
I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I am quite socially awkward and can survive long solo road trips.
You're fine. Asperger's/autism probably isn't the only scale with social awkwardness.
In most cases I would say being socially awkward means that you are introverted and/or geeky. Which just means you have a tendency to not socialize often or well purely on account of personality. Whereas with Asperger's it's an actual handicap at being able to comprehend the subtleties of human interaction. Our brains function differently and this is observable through EEG and whatnot.
Some indicators that you may have Asperger's instead of just ordinary social awkwardness:
Do you tend to want to take everything literally and at face value, and have trouble with the concept of implications?
Does it feel perfectly natural for you to talk to someone without ever looking at them (i.e., eye contact seems irrelevant)?
Do other people's emotions not influence yours?
Do you have a tendency to do inappropriate things to get someone's attention because you can't figure out how to get it properly?
Do you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
And for those who trend on that list, it can be absolutely debilitating - especially in a World that puts a premium on being outgoing and gregarious.
:no:
AND - besides the last item (strong visual thinking) and being extremely uncomfortable with making eye contact with others, I can especially see myself in this:
Quote from: Duke87 on August 31, 2012, 08:00:39 PMDo you tend to want to take everything literally and at face value, and have trouble with the concept of implications?
(male Aspie) "Is there anything wrong?"
(female NT) "Oh, nothing."
(male Aspie) "OK." (Goes back to what he was doing.)
Yepper.
<sigh...>
Mike
Quote from: Duke87 on August 31, 2012, 08:00:39 PM
Do you have a tendency to do inappropriate things to get someone's attention because you can't figure out how to get it properly?
No, but only because I'm very self conscious and I'd rather stand around awkwardly silently getting frustrated and not being able to get a person's attention than risk potential embarrassment.
QuoteDo you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
That's not normal?
Quote from: Duke87 on August 31, 2012, 08:00:39 PM
In most cases I would say being socially awkward means that you are introverted and/or geeky. Which just means you have a tendency to not socialize often or well purely on account of personality. Whereas with Asperger's it's an actual handicap at being able to comprehend the subtleties of human interaction. Our brains function differently and this is observable through EEG and whatnot.
Some indicators that you may have Asperger's instead of just ordinary social awkwardness:
Do you tend to want to take everything literally and at face value, and have trouble with the concept of implications?
Does it feel perfectly natural for you to talk to someone without ever looking at them (i.e., eye contact seems irrelevant)?
Do other people's emotions not influence yours?
Do you have a tendency to do inappropriate things to get someone's attention because you can't figure out how to get it properly?
Do you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
All of those. Straight up, everything on that list.
Quote from: vtk on August 31, 2012, 08:42:58 PM
I'm too old to have been formally diagnosed with Asperger's as a kid.
Interesting point. I am a few years younger than you, and I was on the head end. When I was diagnosed, it was this newfangled concept. My ordinary psychiatrist was skeptical of it, but when a team of doctors at Yale evaluated me and concluded I had it, he didn't argue with them.
Quote from: deanej on August 31, 2012, 09:33:05 PM
QuoteDo you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
That's not normal?
Nope, "thinking in pictures" (as Temple Grandin put it) is a classic trait of autism. People with all forms of autism have a very photographic and visual memory, beyond what you'd expect to see from anyone not on the spectrum. Think of it this way: if you witnessed someone rob a bank, would you be able to describe the guy effectively to a police sketch artist? Any normal person would. An autistic person might not. I know I certainly would not.
I really wonder whether there is a continuum of behavior, on one side of which is a definitive diagnosis. Now, I'm probably older than Asberger himself, but I know that I'm introverted; and anyone who enjoys dissecting a road map for numbering patterns probably is well on one side of the extrovert/introvert line.
For a good behavioral example, anyone who enjoys "Big Bang Theory" knows the Sheldon Cooper character. That sure isn't me.
Quote from: The High Plains Traveler on August 31, 2012, 09:55:06 PM
For a good behavioral example, anyone who enjoys "Big Bang Theory" knows the Sheldon Cooper character.
The creative team for that show insists Sheldon does not have AS or any autism spectrum disorder. That's probably because they don't want to get on the bad side of any autism advocacy groups by potentially misrepresenting any real disorder.
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 01, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
On the other hand, the Boston Legal portrayal of AS (with Jerry Espenson) featured characters that kept their hands glued to their thighs all the time; I don't think I've met ANYONE in RL that does that.
Quote from: Duke87 on August 31, 2012, 08:00:39 PM
Quote from: Steve on August 30, 2012, 11:32:36 PM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on August 30, 2012, 10:52:01 AM
I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I am quite socially awkward and can survive long solo road trips.
You're fine. Asperger's/autism probably isn't the only scale with social awkwardness.
In most cases I would say being socially awkward means that you are introverted and/or geeky. Which just means you have a tendency to not socialize often or well purely on account of personality. Whereas with Asperger's it's an actual handicap at being able to comprehend the subtleties of human interaction. Our brains function differently and this is observable through EEG and whatnot.
Some indicators that you may have Asperger's instead of just ordinary social awkwardness:
Do you tend to want to take everything literally and at face value, and have trouble with the concept of implications?
Does it feel perfectly natural for you to talk to someone without ever looking at them (i.e., eye contact seems irrelevant)?
Do other people's emotions not influence yours?
Do you have a tendency to do inappropriate things to get someone's attention because you can't figure out how to get it properly?
Do you think very visually, and have trouble describing the appearance of people or things with just words?
In my second job, i do work with a man who has been diagnosed with Asperger's....allow me to add that he not only meets the above criteria, but i can add a few more, based upon 8 years of working with him....
> refusal to do personal care tasks such as bathing and brushing his teeth.....he has taken only 4 showers/baths in the last 3 years.....and refuses daily, no matter how many prompts, or what might be happening (he refused to go on an outing with his family because i told him he had to shower FIRST before i would take him anywhere in my car!)
>Requires continuous prompting to even get out of bed and get ready for work...
> Often refuses to go out of the home, and dislikes crowds....fights against social relationships because it exhausts him. Needs excessive sleep, and can be very compulsive
I have it.
Self diagnosed when we first found out about it in 2008.
My symptoms:
Not a social person. Have no real desire to be. Have no friends. Don't need any.
Obsessed w/ roads, maps and signs since I was a little kid.
Don't like sports. Don't like to watch them, couldn't play them even if I wanted to. I think they are a boring waste of time, i don't understand why so many people like them.
I was really f-ed up as a kid. i could not behave "properly".
When i was a kid, i would not wear proper "cool" / "in fashion" clothing. That has changed. Also, my haircut was awful. it was a "Beatles" cut. Tha has also changed.
I was alot pickier about clothing than other children. i would not wear jeans until high school because they were "too stiff and uncomfortable"
When younger, i would call people "dumbasses" to their face if they did something stupid or didn't know something that I thought they should know. nowdays I just think it to myself.
Always prepared for weather conditions or emergencies. Always have carried raincoat or flashlight if it might be needed.
Have always been a picky eater. My list of foods i like has actually narrowed in recent years. I don't even like pizza anymore.
I have IBS, which is appearently common w/ asperger's. I get "the runs" very easily. I used to fart very frequently, which upset my co-workers at the DOT; and they are not exactly known for good manners.
I don't listen to the same music that other people my age do. Even during school years, always perfered older music.
I don't drink. I don't like drinking. i don't understand why people drink. It just causes alot of problems. Just think how many of society's problems would disappear if alchol disappeared.
I am not a "sheep" . i don't like or do things just because everybody else does.
The only thing that differintiates me from other aspies/ nerds is that I do not like video games.
This is probably going to open a can of worms but...
why does it matter? I feel that all these things like Aspergers that everyone seems to have these days (in my generation at least) are irrelevant. Some people are "people person"s, some are not. Why do we need to consider it a disease? And why do we need to let it govern our interactions and the way we think about people even if it is a disease? I feel that we should judge people as individual and not label them for anything like having Aspergers.
If I meet any of you and you say you have Aspergers I will consider it entirely irrelevant. Based on the number of people I've met who have it, I think that it shouldn't have any impact on how you interact with anyone you meet.
And for the record I have never been diagnosed with anything by any mental health professional and I never intend to give one the opportunity to.
Some people are just curious about this kind of thing. The knowledge is sought for the sake of seeking knowledge. The information may be irrelevant in the context of how we treat one another, but it some find it interesting anyway. I don't think it's too terribly different from studying the roads of a place one doesn't expect to visit anytime soon.
Some people among us have taken an interest in the demographics of roadgeeks. I would be intrigued by an unbiased study of contributors with over 100 posts to find:
* Percentage with Aspergers
* Percentage with autism
* Percentage gay
* Percentage bi
* Percentage MTF trans
It can seem like all of these categories are more heavily represented in roadgeekdom than in general population. Then again, I could add
* IQ
because I think overall we average well above 100. And there's a general correlation (no causation implied) between higher IQ and reported rates in the previous categories. Whatever societal or other factors weigh into that... there's a lot of sociology that could be done on our population to glean defining characteristics. I'm not sure that's necessarily the intent of the question being asked in this thread - it may have been at least a little sarcastic - but.
(I'm not sure how I want to end that thought.)
My wife says I'm a "goober".
Is that kinda like Asperger's?
Quote from: kphoger on September 04, 2012, 03:12:52 PM
My wife says I'm a "goober".
Is that kinda like Asperger's?
I think that's slang for Mexican.
Quote from: Steve on September 04, 2012, 06:23:25 PM
Quote from: kphoger on September 04, 2012, 03:12:52 PM
My wife says I'm a "goober".
Is that kinda like Asperger's?
I think that's slang for Mexican.
Wow, I never knew...
Although I could see
goober and
ass burger being synonymous.
Quote from: Steve on September 04, 2012, 04:49:50 AM
Some people among us have taken an interest in the demographics of roadgeeks. I would be intrigued by an unbiased study of contributors with over 100 posts to find:
* Percentage with Aspergers
* Percentage with autism
* Percentage gay
* Percentage bi
* Percentage MTF trans
It can seem like all of these categories are more heavily represented in roadgeekdom than in general population. Then again, I could add
* IQ
because I think overall we average well above 100. And there's a general correlation (no causation implied) between higher IQ and reported rates in the previous categories. Whatever societal or other factors weigh into that... there's a lot of sociology that could be done on our population to glean defining characteristics. I'm not sure that's necessarily the intent of the question being asked in this thread - it may have been at least a little sarcastic - but.
(I'm not sure how I want to end that thought.)
Can we add:
*Percentage Bronies
to the list?
Bronies, anime, what's the difference?
Apparently, we (collectively, that is...neither interest me) had that battle at another forum, and the threat of bans was the only thing that kept their respective interests in line. It's the type of junk that happens on a forum about a video game series; never mind that it's also a pastime firmly rooted in make-believe, no matter how realistic the objects and places are rendered.
'Tis a silly place.
I've not seen MLP:FIM but I get the distinct impression I'm missing out.
Steve, that kind of demographics also interests me, and I agree with you on the heavier representation of Aspies, autists, gays and probably high IQs within the roadgeek community.
Regarding The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon, I did mean "caricatural", since the stereotypical traits are even exaggerated. I still think the show's funny. Yay for self-derision.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on September 04, 2012, 12:14:57 AM
If I meet any of you and you say you have Aspergers I will consider it entirely irrelevant. Based on the number of people I've met who have it, I think that it shouldn't have any impact on how you interact with anyone you meet.
From an onlooker's perspective, this makes sense as the tactic to take.
However, for someone who has the condition, it is anything but irrelevant. It is a very real handicap that can be very difficult to overcome, and many people never fully do.
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 05, 2012, 01:44:20 PM
Regarding The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon, I did mean "caricatural", since the stereotypical traits are even exaggerated. I still think the show's funny. Yay for self-derision.
I have never watched the show but my sister has compared me to Sheldon Cooper. Of course, siblings are going to make jabs at you. :biggrin:
Agreed, I find the big bang theory very funny. I have yet to tire of the Sheldon /Penny dynamic, it's the best aspect of the show.
I have known of a few roadgeeks with aspergers, but I myself am a pretty average person, who also happens to be a roadgeek.
Quote from: Duke87 on September 05, 2012, 07:00:18 PM
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on September 04, 2012, 12:14:57 AM
If I meet any of you and you say you have Aspergers I will consider it entirely irrelevant. Based on the number of people I've met who have it, I think that it shouldn't have any impact on how you interact with anyone you meet.
From an onlooker's perspective, this makes sense as the tactic to take.
However, for someone who has the condition, it is anything but irrelevant. It is a very real handicap that can be very difficult to overcome, and many people never fully do.
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 05, 2012, 01:44:20 PM
Regarding The Big Bang Theory and Sheldon, I did mean "caricatural", since the stereotypical traits are even exaggerated. I still think the show's funny. Yay for self-derision.
I have never watched the show but my sister has compared me to Sheldon Cooper. Of course, siblings are going to make jabs at you. :biggrin:
You are not like Sheldon. Only Sheldon is like Sheldon because that's the only way "normies" can relate to nerds.
Quote from: Steve on September 01, 2012, 02:22:48 AM
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
I disagree. I spent 5 years with a highly similar sample population, and I think a lot of it is fairly spot-on, albeit cartoonish.
Quote from: TXtoNJ on September 05, 2012, 02:24:34 AM
Can we add:
*Percentage Bronies
to the list?
I prefer the term "pegasister" myself. :P
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 30, 2012, 12:07:59 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 30, 2012, 05:30:39 AM
I don't think I have it. In the past I have been mildly awkward in social situations but it's gotten better with practice, so I'm inclined to chalk it up to mere inexperience.
from my in-person interaction experience with you, I'd say we're approximately at the same level of having it. I might have it slightly more than you.
(whee! webAARoadsMD.com!)
Quote from: Brian556 on September 02, 2012, 02:29:53 AM
I have it.
Self diagnosed when we first found out about it in 2008.
My symptoms:
Not a social person. Have no real desire to be. Have no friends. Don't need any.
Obsessed w/ roads, maps and signs since I was a little kid.
Don't like sports. Don't like to watch them, couldn't play them even if I wanted to. I think they are a boring waste of time, i don't understand why so many people like them.
I was really f-ed up as a kid. i could not behave "properly".
When i was a kid, i would not wear proper "cool" / "in fashion" clothing. That has changed. Also, my haircut was awful. it was a "Beatles" cut. Tha has also changed.
I was alot pickier about clothing than other children. i would not wear jeans until high school because they were "too stiff and uncomfortable"
When younger, i would call people "dumbasses" to their face if they did something stupid or didn't know something that I thought they should know. nowdays I just think it to myself.
I call my friends names far worse things than "dumbass" on daily basis. That's just what we do. That's a weak insult anyway. Don't let it bother you.
Probably, I don't deal with people well or connect with people other than a few, and I don't get "social cues".
Quote from: AsphaltPlanet on September 05, 2012, 07:12:52 PM
Agreed, I find the big bang theory very funny. I have yet to tire of the Sheldon /Penny dynamic, it's the best aspect of the show.
I have known of a few roadgeeks with aspergers, but I myself am a pretty average person, who also happens to be a roadgeek.
I stopped watching the show when she cut her hair.
I'm glad they mentioned the hair cut in the first episode this season. Shows try to gloss over some clear observations, such as when a kid actor has grown tremendously from one season to the next. In this case, it was acknowledged (twice, I believe).
In my carpool of 4, 2 of us like the show, 1 is neutral about it, and 1 hates it. The hater has told us several times he saw 10 minutes of the show and didn't find it funny. Mr. Neutral will point out that the hater probably saw way too much of himself in the show, and took it as a personal insult.
If I were to relate closely to a character, it would probably be Lenny.
Another thing I've noticed about the show (and maybe this is true in other shows, but I don't watch a whole helluva lot of TV anymore): They will slightly obscure brand names...you pretty much know the product, but they slightly alter the actual brand. Yet, they freely throw around brand names verbally. The obvious example is Cheesecake Factory. But anything else is fair game too...they would say something like Coke rather than cola, but the soda can which looks awfully like a Diet Coke can would only say cola.
Quote from: Brian556 on September 02, 2012, 02:29:53 AM
I have it.
Self diagnosed when we first found out about it in 2008.
My symptoms:
Not a social person. Have no real desire to be. Have no friends. Don't need any.
Obsessed w/ roads, maps and signs since I was a little kid.
Don't like sports. Don't like to watch them, couldn't play them even if I wanted to. I think they are a boring waste of time, i don't understand why so many people like them.
I was really f-ed up as a kid. i could not behave "properly".
When i was a kid, i would not wear proper "cool" / "in fashion" clothing. That has changed. Also, my haircut was awful. it was a "Beatles" cut. Tha has also changed.
I was alot pickier about clothing than other children. i would not wear jeans until high school because they were "too stiff and uncomfortable"
When younger, i would call people "dumbasses" to their face if they did something stupid or didn't know something that I thought they should know. nowdays I just think it to myself.
Huh, that's interesting. I have a personal hatred towards anything that aren't sweatpants or shorts - they aren't comfortable, they are restrict my movement, and quite frankly, I think they look ugly. All throughout grade school I wore shorts to school everyday, even when it was snowing. My legs are never cold. Guess what? Everyone thought I was crazy, or had some illness. My preferred outfit is a t-shirt, shorts, and that's it. If it's cold, okay, I'll wear a hoodie.
I wear my hair long and it definitely is almost always in my eyes, something which apparently means I must be some pothead, emo kid, or some other common stereotype. Why? Why am I judged on my appearance? I tried cutting it short - it looked like fucking shit. Like seriously, I had unbelievable anxiety and the lowest level of self-esteem I've ever had last year because of that experiment. It doesn't work on everyone. My #1 fear is going bald, and you can believe me when I say I will take every step I can to prevent that from happening. Also, apparently caring so much about your hair and being a male is grounds for being called feminine. That (and a combination of other things) caused me to get picked on at school.
My social interactivity is lower than most, I don't really "need" social interaction, but I prefer it sometimes, at least in the form of VoIP chat. I don't really need to see people to fill my social desire, talking to them is plenty enough for me.
So if those traits qualify me for aspergers, then maybe I have it. I never took the time to think it was caused by anything but my personality. Even if it isn't, it doesn't change a thing. Why can't people accept everyone for being different? It seems the only people who are respected are the slaves to society.
Quote from: Alps on September 01, 2012, 02:22:48 AM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 01, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
The first thing I thought when I saw this show (aside from "this is awful") was that I have lived near MIT for years and even worked there for several, and nobody I met there was as dull as the people on that show. The real nerds are a far weirder group, in a good way.
I've met a (milder, but with very similar traits) Sheldon in college, believe it or not.
Nah
My apologies–I must have mis-sorted my "unread" list and didn't realize I replied to a 3-year-old thread.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 05, 2015, 01:01:47 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 01, 2012, 02:22:48 AM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 01, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
The first thing I thought when I saw this show (aside from "this is awful") was that I have lived near MIT for years and even worked there for several, and nobody I met there was as dull as the people on that show. The real nerds are a far weirder group, in a good way.
This.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 05, 2015, 01:01:47 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 01, 2012, 02:22:48 AM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 01, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
The first thing I thought when I saw this show (aside from "this is awful") was that I have lived near MIT for years and even worked there for several, and nobody I met there was as dull as the people on that show. The real nerds are a far weirder group, in a good way.
As an actual physicist, it sorta drives me up the wall a bit when I meet someone, they ask what I do, and they respond, "Oh, so you're like the guys on The Big Bang Theory."
Quote from: Alps on September 04, 2012, 06:23:25 PM
Quote from: kphoger on September 04, 2012, 03:12:52 PM
My wife says I'm a "goober".
Is that kinda like Asperger's?
I think that's slang for Mexican.
Goober used to be a peanut butter & jelly spread.
I'm not on the spectrum in any way, shape, or form. If anything, people have told me that I actually pick up social cues better than the average person does.
However, I have some social anxiety brought on by depression. I've never been bullied per se, but I often feel like everyone I talk to secretly thinks that I'm stupid or that I'm not worth their time. I really think I'm a good person, but I constantly worry about the mistakes I make as if they aren't forgivable. In a nutshell, I beat myself up because I worry what others perceive me as. I love all of my friends dearly, but it's like my own conscience always haunts me and I frequently apologize for things that aren't my fault or don't need apologies.
Quote from: US71 on February 05, 2015, 11:55:36 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 04, 2012, 06:23:25 PM
Quote from: kphoger on September 04, 2012, 03:12:52 PM
My wife says I'm a "goober".
Is that kinda like Asperger's?
I think that's slang for Mexican.
Goober used to be a peanut butter & jelly spread.
It still is! (https://www.smuckers.com/products/peanut-butter/goober-pb-j/goober-grape-38) :cool:
Quote from: algorerhythms on February 05, 2015, 09:00:02 PM
As an actual physicist, it sorta drives me up the wall a bit when I meet someone, they ask what I do, and they respond, "Oh, so you're like the guys on The Big Bang Theory."
My father is a chemist, and Sheldon and Bernadette remind me of him a bit too much.
Quote from: Molandfreak on February 06, 2015, 04:03:53 AM
I'm not on the spectrum in any way, shape, or form. If anything, people have told me that I actually pick up social cues better than the average person does.
However, I have some social anxiety brought on by depression. I've never been bullied per se, but I often feel like everyone I talk to secretly thinks that I'm stupid or that I'm not worth their time. I really think I'm a good person, but I constantly worry about the mistakes I make as if they aren't forgivable. In a nutshell, I beat myself up because I worry what others perceive me as. I love all of my friends dearly, but it's like my own conscience always haunts me and I frequently apologize for things that aren't my fault or don't need apologies.
Being "too good" at reading social situations can actually CAUSE social anxiety and depression. Having a "normal" social life requires a bit of obliviousness. If everyone avoided interacting with other people whenever they thought the other person might not want to be bothered or might perceive something negatively, humans would be a very solitary species.
Quote from: algorerhythms on February 05, 2015, 09:00:02 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 05, 2015, 01:01:47 PM
Quote from: Alps on September 01, 2012, 02:22:48 AM
Quote from: Dr Frankenstein on September 01, 2012, 12:52:21 AM
On the other hand, Sheldon Cooper is an extreme (or more appropriately, caricatural) aspie, with OCD thrown into that.
"That's MY spot!"
The word you seek is "stereotypical." That show pisses me off tremendously because it portrays nerds in such a stereotypical light. Having spent five years among them, I can vouch that the show is completely inaccurate. Also, it makes fun of someone with a speech impediment for no reason at all.
The first thing I thought when I saw this show (aside from "this is awful") was that I have lived near MIT for years and even worked there for several, and nobody I met there was as dull as the people on that show. The real nerds are a far weirder group, in a good way.
As an actual physicist, it sorta drives me up the wall a bit when I meet someone, they ask what I do, and they respond, "Oh, so you're like the guys on The Big Bang Theory."
Try mentioning owning a business without getting a recommendation that you go on "Shark Tank".
The problem with The Big Bang Theory is not that it portrays nerds. Its problem is that it portrays what people who aren't nerds think nerds are like. That and the fact that for much of the timespan that the label "nerd" has been a thing, it's been an excuse to marginalize or pick on people, so having a whole show about it feels like more of the same.
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 06, 2015, 07:58:49 PM
The problem with The Big Bang Theory is not that it portrays nerds. Its problem is that it portrays what people who aren't nerds think nerds are like. That and the fact that for much of the timespan that the label "nerd" has been a thing, it's been an excuse to marginalize or pick on people, so having a whole show about it feels like more of the same.
This. I've never watched The Big Bang Theory, but the use of "nerd" and "geek" as slurs is very real, especially directed against children by other children.
Quote from: dgolub on February 07, 2015, 09:48:44 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on February 06, 2015, 07:58:49 PM
The problem with The Big Bang Theory is not that it portrays nerds. Its problem is that it portrays what people who aren't nerds think nerds are like. That and the fact that for much of the timespan that the label "nerd" has been a thing, it's been an excuse to marginalize or pick on people, so having a whole show about it feels like more of the same.
This. I've never watched The Big Bang Theory, but the use of "nerd" and "geek" as slurs is very real, especially directed against children by other children.
As has been beaten to death here already, these terms are now embraced by adults in the same way "queer" is embraced by gay and lesbian people. It is fashionable to do so, in fact.
I find many of these 'autism' diagnostics are more damaging since people get locked into a mindset that it's a psychological disorder they can't change or handle. People definitely have personalities, and some people don't like to socialize. I don't really consider that abnormal, even though society favors social behavior.
Pentagon 2008 study claims Putin has Asperger's syndrome (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/02/04/putin-aspergers-syndrome-study-pentagon/22855927/)
A study from a Pentagon think tank theorizes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has Asperger's syndrome, "an autistic disorder which affects all of his decisions," according to the 2008 report obtained by USA TODAY.
Putin's "neurological development was significantly interrupted in infancy," wrote Brenda Connors, an expert in movement pattern analysis at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Studies of his movement, Connors wrote, reveal "that the Russian President carries a neurological abnormality."
For what it's worth, there are lots of articles debunking this theory as well. I just thought it was amusing given its timing here.