Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "flow"

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I had forgotten about this until another thread made me remember it. I wonder what the relationship between "flow" and pursuing a special interest is? Are they similar things, or different, do you suppose? And if experiencing "flow" is related to happiness, ...gosh don't know how to phrase the question I want to ask. Please excuse the crude and potentially insulting language I am about to type. I don't mean it to be: But if flow is related to happiness, why are autistics with strong special interests NOT the happiest people on earth? I mean, I think the answer is obvious, but I am thinking of it in more philosophical terms.

Mr. Mxyzptlk has all the answers. Ask him.

I am verry merry berry happy when I am pursuing my special interests in a state of hyperfocus.

Ditto. In a state of hyperfocus there is only the interest taking my complete attention. The world and everyone in it ceases to exist.

I'm a big fan of his and have read many of his books. I see two answers to your question:

1)flow is experienced while pursuing a special interest, but nobody gets to pursue their special interest all the time, other things must be done too

2)special interests lose their flow potential, lots of threads about that (although none use his terminology)

I don't know, but I love his book of this title and the concept. I actually made a sculpture based on 'flow' according to my own ideas and subsequently discovered the book in a second hand store. I went on a 'flow kick'. I think some of it is applicable, being so immersed you lose a sense of time, ignoring hunger, etc. It's really neat you started this post!