Auto Autism

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Something that has been growing on me for a while... I'm usually quite good at analogies, so here goes...

I picture myself as something like an E-type Jaguar, with maybe some customising. If I go into a garage, the mechanic (doctor, etc) is a little bemused, because he can't find where to plug the electronic test gear into.

The NT world is mainly Ford family cars. They work fine for most things. A bit of diversity, but not much. Spare parts just around the corner.

People labelled lower down the autistic spectrum - maybe tractors? They are brilliant in their field (intentional, if pathetic, pun) of endeavour. The Fords might get into such places, and back out, but I'd have major trouble.

As an aside, bi-polar = drag racer. Not allowed on public roads. Brilliant during a race, except for their tendency to burst into flames. Etc.

Members of Mensa? Well, they're still production cars - just high performance. None of my classic lines. Plus, they don't know that amongst my custom doodads I'm building in a teleport system, a whole bunch of AI and a doughnut making machine.

That sets the scene, a little, so on I go.

A cure? No. I don't think I'd like that. I enjoy being an E-type (I rode in the back of one, once. And I /do/ mean in the back - on the parcel shelf bit).

Should the tractors be allowed on public roads. Well, they are. They generally don't travel as fast as the other road users. So what? I'll happily follow one until I get a safe point to overtake. I won't be sounding my horn.

Would the world be a better place if only family cars existed? I'll leave that up to you.

How can I be diagnosed? Well, if they'd care to look me up (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_E-type) they'd find out that, amazingly, I'm actually a Ford these days (I'm really a series I, but let's not quibble).

There are other obvious outward signs of who/what I am. Compared to the average road user. However, put me through a fMRI scan, and I certainly look different. For a start, my carburation system is just weird! They haven't seen anything like it. It must be broken. Ah no - a look through the archives and they find it - nearly (another bit of my self-tinkering has gone on there - I think it works better than the NT fuel injectors - just my opinion).

And here I am. On WP. At one of these strange "concourse" things. We're all here showing off our classic, ultra-modern, diverse stuff. I'm amazed. There's a De Lorean! Over there is a pre-production BMW Z10. In that corner we've got all the solar powered cars having a party. Spirit and Opportunity sent in videos, with apologies for not being here, but they've been a bit busy for the last four years - on a job that was supposed to last 90 days!

We're not all that different fron the NTs. Well, except for the rovers, who have six wheels instead of the usual four. (Belay that... Spirit has just told me (s)he's been going on five wheels since last April, and isn't too fussed by the loss).

I'm not sure about the Idea that we're worse for the environment than tha 'family cars'!

I think I can work with that analagy pretty good, except I'm not an E-type Jag, but a SAAB 900. I actually own one, so I can equate myself to one...it fits my personality.

A SAAB is basically a mid-sized European hatchback car. Bigger and fancier than a Volkswagen, but not quite as fancy as a Mercedes or BMW, they sort of don't fit in with the cultural elite, or the common-man type blue-collar worker. Because of their odd looks, and unusual mechanical layout, they are often misunderstood and are labeled as misfits.

SAAB's have a unique appearance that comes primarily through engineering for functionality first, just like I am as an aspie, I dress for functionality, and then consider appearance afte the basic needs are met.

A SAAB is a marvelously engineered vehicle that handles well and is extremely reliable. They are frequently looked over by most people as being expensive and high maintence, and their odd appearance further turns off most people well before they get to know them well. This is just like the NT world views people such as me. I do my tasks very well and am particularly smart. When it comes to social relationships however most shy away from me, just like they would a SAAB, without even considering how fun they are to drive and how good they are for everyday transportation.

So, if we sent all of the fancy, foreign cars (I think I'm a Jag myself) to a car Psychologist/Psychiatrist/Educator et al, I bet they would want us all changed into Fords immediately. Get out that Ford cookie cutter. "You must fit the standard model!" Stamp! Stamp! Stamp! Hmmmm And, suddenly Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall is playing in my mind.

"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
"Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!"
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.


(My compliments to Pink Floyd for creating this marvelous tune)


Stamp! Stamp! Stamp!


"I was cured all right."

(Alex from A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess)


A little of the old Ludwig Van anyone?

Last edited by ZanneMarie on 28 Feb 2007, 2:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hey - I included solar powered - and they don't do a a lot of polluting
I was quite taken aback to see that they've manage > 100 mph. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5723794/.

I agree with AV-geek on the SAAB being a strange breed of car. Not to my taste, but so what.

I'll elaborate a little with ZanneMarie as we drive along in formation. When was the last time you drove on a motorway (freeway, autobahn, autostrada, etc) and didn't turn your head to go "Wow!" at the Vintage/Classic/Futuristic/Steam-Driven/Unwashed vehicle that just went by. Can't we get the NT majority to appreciate us like that more often?

PS. I vote for more Steam Rallies on motorways! Especially the M25.

Is that a crow or a raven?



I like NTs well enough. My NT boss runs off intruders. I like my NT husband enough to live with him for over 20 years. I like my NT family well enough and that is 350 of them right there! I even have NT friends. They like knowing an alien. It expands their horizons.

Er. Yes? If came from the openclipart Debian package - it was labeled as a crow, but raven's are crows (genus Covus).
I guess I'll give up trying to keep up with this - I've managed an owl this time, but I don't know how snowy it is.

All of my best friends are NT. (So far as I know. It's early days).