Autistic brain differences

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This article http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 161401.htm seems to indicate a real neurological difference which perhaps puts some substance in the conjecture that autism is a genuine evolutionary change in humanity. That's a pretty large jump for a rather small indication but at least it seems measurable. As with any evolutionary change it has many variations, some of which are detrimental and some which may be a genuine advance. Over time the advances may prove to have some survival value.

Interesting. I do have a rather large head (hard to find hats that fit me). I've wondered whether I had a larger brain to fill my larger skull. Although some of my political oponents here might conjecture that most of the space within my skull was filled with a substance similar in quality to sawdust.

I don't think it's a "change" per se. I think it's always been with us. It is a legitimate genetic variation, like homosexuality. We now know that a couple percent of any human population will be homosexual, despite near universal condemnation of homosexuality in human culture. Furthermore, homosexuality has been observed in dogs and horses. That seems to indicate that it has a useful purpose in nature. I think autism is the same way, although current stats are probably bogus. Nobody seems to know really how prevalent it is.

I think that the human race needs autistics. The benefits from one genius like Tesla outweighs the drawbacks from thousands of poop smearing, noncommunicating LFA's. Considering that we basically owe our modern world to Tesla, whose invention of alternating current electricity made the information age possible, that's a BIG net benefit. We also see autistics like Temple Grandin, who made the cattle industry more efficient, enabling the beef industry to grow in size and power and creating the billionaire rancher. Historically cattle operations were small, and a big rancher like Maverick was unusual. Her inventions created Corporate Cow.

Anyway, that's a lot of net benefit from a handful of autistic people. That makes it worth supporting millions of unemployable autistics on welfare, although it's worth noting that only in the post-industrial world have we been unemployed. A farmer who knows in intricate detail the climate patterns of his area is likely to be a better farmer. A bolt turner at a Ford factory in 1920 who perfects his task is likely to be employee of the month. Today, we have nothing to do, a plight which afflicts NTs too.