Is it possible that Asperger's Syndrome is nothing but human evolution? The human attempt at adapting to the exponential increase in technology? All the so-called ‘disadvantages’ seem only to play a significant role in supporting this theory.
I speculate that those with Asperger's syndrome are the result of the human biological attempt at creating a better data storing, retrieving and advancing machine. Coinciding with the functions of modern technology, it’s all about the data and content, and the data flow/sharing.
For example; social interaction:
The social interaction of the neurotypical (NT) and their social ‘rules’, only seem to serve the purpose of delaying the transfer of the important data and information.
Where an NT may, in a party situation, approach a member of the opposite sex in an attempt to communicate with the person, relate to the person, and in effect forming a bond, and, for the sake of an example, attempt to engage in sexual activity with the person, he/she may first communicate non-verbally for a matter of 10 minutes (glances, smiles, eye contact) before then proceeding to interact with them verbally (small talk, mindless irrelevant chit-chat) for another few hours, with the possible addition of physical communication such as dancing and/or holding. The person may THEN proceed to attempt to persuade the member of the opposite sex to return home with them and once there, attempt sexual activity, ergo perpetuating the basic human drive to reproduce, thus validating the whole ‘song and dance’ that NT social interaction truly is.
Now lets ponder what would have played out had one Aspergian, approached another Aspergian. Aspergian ‘A’ might simply walk directly up to Aspergian ‘B’, and, with total disregard for commonly accepted social behavior, ask the member of the opposite sex if he/she would be interested in engaging in sexual activity, as Aspergian ‘A’ may state their physical attraction and arousal for the member of the opposite sex, Aspergian ‘B’. Thus completely disregarding the ‘rules’ of social interaction completely, ergo achieving their goal hundreds of times more efficiently and without useless and irrelevant variables such as ‘his/her favorite colour’ creating any kind of bias.
Although I do not consider human reproduction to be the main factor validating the development of the Aspergic mind, the process remains relevant. In-fact I believe that the reason for the evolution of the human mind and its methods of performing processes is based predominantly on attaining relevant information and transferring it to other processes (computers/people/databases) in order to complete the goal of advancing technology, information and knowledge.
Body language creates bias, it aids to develop a ‘first impression’ with other people. Depending on how good your natural body language skills are, the impression may be good or bad, creating bias on account of something as trivial as minute eye movements and even the act of shaking another person’s hand. Eliminating the need for a first impression, and some technical aspects of body language itself, is an effective method to reduce the amount of bias placed on information or data obtained by another person.
It is known that Aspergians are extremely proficient concerning information technology and sometimes mathematical skills, also aiding the argument that Asperger's is, in-fact, a construct of the human mind, newly designed to better cope and manage the high levels of information dealt with by the average human in modern technological society.
Repetitive behavior is another trait of Aspergian people, possibly due to the well-documented fact that repetition helps to develop memory and information-retaining skills of humans. Aspergians, additionally, have been known to have more advanced memory skills, especially in area of interest to the particular Aspergian, often being able to remember a massive amount of detail regarding the subject. All these traits help to establish that the Aspergian mind was designed for data management.
Aspergians may also share the trait of literal thinking, where the person may interpret speech literally and disregard figurative speech and implied meaning. Again, this only makes the Aspergian construct far more efficient at obtaining and retaining information and data. Metaphors only bias data, as do exaggerations. Similes also create biased data, comparing two things that may, depending on context, be completely irrelevant and incongruent. The basic explanation for this is that an Aspergian is expecting the exact, unbiased, unedited data, which is imperative in processing for attainment of solutions to problems and appropriate reactions to actions.
Aspergians can also be ritualistic, another computer-like trait, an Aspergian’s way of keeping and maintaining systems, systems that, in the Aspergians mind, work the most efficiently.
Aspergians also have exceptional literary skills, yet another sign of efficient and accurate data storage and transfer skills, keeping the data accurate.
Aspergians seem to keep things organised and orderly, often using systems to organise files on their personal computers, books in their library, contacts on their phone, lists of things are commonly kept. All these things are systematic and seemingly designed for interaction with data systems, including other humans.
In conclusion I propose that Asperger's Syndrome is nothing but positive evolution and a more efficient mind-construct.
28 Nov 2006, 10:29 am
