a program for poor-aholics...can asperger's explain it?

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well since recent events have caused me to contemplate my career goals once again, i find this article that basically states my current job career life situation. As there are a lot of people still unemployed and becoming unemployed every day in the usa in the rotten economy and out of control national debt and all other events having a domino effect on everything else imaginable. And as it is true especially in the capitalistic materialistic culture that creates the socioeconomic divisions in the usa and how somehow we seem to value ourselves on how much money we make, what we own, and where we work. and as we hear the ever expanding gap between the rich and the non rich individuals and how even the basic needs of protection, security, food, transportation, and employment are not a given in today's world even in the developed countries of the world.

after reading the article, i got the sense it is possible the individuals involved in this program might have asperger's/autism and just dont know about it. there is a great similarity with these individuals who are intellectually brilliant but somehow (asperger's/autism explained) have been unable to fulfill their simple wants and needs of acceptance and feeling valued in their social/professional lives. they have taken low paying jobs and havent been able to reach their obvious intellectual and personal potential.

i kinda wish i was involved in a program like this. i think it would help me to finally concentrate and commit and obtain good solid happy employment and also allow me to learn and develop the necessary social skills to be successful in the working world. So what are your thoughts?

article about poor-aholics

i've been a "poor-o-holic" all my adult life. success has always been the unattainable volume on the very tippy-top shelf which i could never get a ladder tall enough to reach. all my life has just been about haltingly lowering my expectations of reality until they jibed with actual reality. i haven't got any clues as to how things could be different.

I don't think AS would be the answer.

Simple fact...

For most all people, high $$$ jobs = lots of work and responsibility. People, when young, are naive enough to put all their energy into their career, ignoring personal needs and wants for the promise of financial reward. Some get it, some don't.

In any case, once a person hits 30, it's not uncommon for them to examine where they are at, where they are going, and ask if they are really happy with what they have. This is why I say age discrimination starts at 30. Employers know that you're old enough to "know better" about how life really works and perhaps you've re-prioritized your life goals.

If you want maximum freedom to enjoy your daily life, you can't put your career first. Hence, your job options are more limited.

I know AS is a factor for me, but I'm sure many NTs would support my analysis....

"I could easily work 60-80 hours a week on a job I was passionate about, but I can hardly stand working 40 hours a week on a job I feel nothing for...or even hate."

Most people putting in long hours who are "happy" to do so love what they do. It's not drudgery or meaningless sacrifice.

No, I don't think AS can explain this. I don't even see the "poor-a-holic" proposal as a valid possibility. This entire article has a "blame-the-victim" attitude that I find to be downright insulting. I have been at my fast-food place for over a year because I can't get hired anywhere else. Period. I have applied to more positions than I can count. Usually, I don't even get a phone call or e-mail in response. The few times I have, the answer is always the same: "we chose someone with more qualifications." (And I thought it would be easier to find a job because I already have one. )

I'm not whining here. It's the economy. Employers need to pick people who are the most "worthy" in terms of raw dollars, which includes being able to do the work without much training = more experience in a particular field, etc., et al. That's it.

I may have some opportunities coming up at my university beyond what I'm doing there now. Believe me, if this is the case, I will give it my all. You do what you must when you must.

I resent that anyone might think I'm in the position I'm in by choice. If I'd wanted that, I wouldn't have gone for my Master's.