A good experience in Ethics class today

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This isn't the biggest thing in the world, but it should be a good story for other Aspies to know...

In my Ethics class today, the topic of debate was vegetarianism. I had been an unrepentant meat eater all my life, but one of the other students was a vegetarian. He mentioned his objections to eating meat on the basis of the animals' suffering. I said that it's okay if the animal in question doesn't have the intelligence to comprehend its suffering. He replied by comparing it to killing a ret*d person. Since I am an Aspie, I told him that the two aren't quite the same, since most people with mental disabilities have the ability to learn and improve themselves, it's just harder. The debate carried on politely from there, though eventually it was interrupted by other peoples' perspectives.

At the end of the class I complemented my " opponent " on his arguments. He said that he had been studying vegetarianism; I mentioned that I had been studying mental disabilities. I even admitted that I was an Aspie, and told him what the syndrome is about. He complemented me on how I don't seem socially impaired at all, since I am one of the five students who actually speaks up in class ( the other students just sort of sit in the back, waiting for dismissal so they can go home and surf or smoke pot or whatever it is stereotypical California college students do :p ). We parted ways on a friendly note.

Not only did I get an engaging debate today, but I made a new friend and learned that I am an example of the progress that Aspies can make. When I was a little kid, I never interacted with anyone, and just sat by myself doing my own thing. Now, after a lot of hard work, I can openly debate in class and challenge the professor's assumptions. There are still things that are hard for me, but I've effectively conquered my fears of speaking up in class and risking looking like a nerd. I already AM a nerd, and I've finally accepted it and can even be proud of it.

In conclusion, this is an example of how far I've come, and I hope the other Aspies on this board can draw hope from this

So all I have to do to make friends is argue more... cool .

_________________
"we never get respect ... never a fair trial
[swearing removed by lau] ... as long as we smile"
Im tired of smiling.

Vote for me in 2020

Good going, Nitz.

Endersdragon - as long as it's done with good grace and humour, then definitely! Arguing can, when used appropriately, be an effective and relatively easy way to build a relationship with someone.

I went with my dad to a parents' evening a few days ago, and one of the highest compliments I got from three of the teachers, was how impressed they were with my ability to argue constructively with them. :S