Page 1 of 1 [ 2 posts ] 

Repent
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 1 May 2010
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Posts: 204

16 Jun 2010, 2:39 pm

Given Darwin's laws of survival of the fittest, I have been wondering extensively as of late as to what evolutionary advantages are conveyed by being an Aspie?

I am 39 years old, married for 15 years with 3 kids. My youngest daughter also has autism, which is how I gradually came to realize that I have Aspergers syndrome. I have literally held 25 jobs in the 25 years of my working life (so far). Last year I went through a bankruptcy and lost pretty much everything. Before I married my romantic life was equally as troubled. I didn't have the social skills of my 'peers' in high school, I never did the sleeping around at the bar scene, and the few girlfriends, or relationships I did have, didn't last long.

In terms of social Darwinism, what particular set of ablities or skills do I have that would allow my genes to propagate, or are Aspie's a minority that will soon disappear from the gene pool? In terms of success, as defined by the ability to maintain a household, find a mate, and raise families to maturity I have been failing miserably. From reading other tales on this site this is common for others with Aspergers or autism as well.

Nature is harsh, it doesn't permit the inferior, disabled, or the distraught to survive and propagate. Yet here we are! Being an Aspie must convey some evolutionary advantage or we wouldn't be here. NT's who form the majority of humans are obviously more fit, in terms of numbers, success, and survivability, yet more and more people are being diagnosed with autism and autism is becoming more and more prevalent in society at large.

I'm thinking that modern living is perhaps the exception to human history rather than the rule. That Aspie's who like spending long hours alone in solitude would make better farmers, explorers, adventurers. The 9-5 work world, where fitting in, small talk, and other NT traits are a modern invention, that is the exception.

Aspies in the ancient world would have been better off, taking more risks, toughing it out on their own, exploring new lands, inventing new things. I postulate that NT's are the ones who just came along for the ride, they couldn't exist or function without Aspie preservence and ingenuity.

Other than in this modern age bizarre situation, NT's need us more than we need them. Not vice versa as is the case in this contemporary perversion of the natural order.

Or, this could all be bunk and I could be completely wrong? Let me know what you think!

Repent



ghostpawn
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

User avatar

Joined: 15 Feb 2008
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Posts: 125
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada

16 Jun 2010, 9:18 pm

Humans are pack animals, but a large and dense network of human contacts is unnatural.

In ancient times, our eccentricities may have been less of a problem in small groups of humans where everyone knew everyone - villages, tribes, whatever.

Hyperfocus and good memory might have been worth the trade-off, and natural obsessiveness could work just fine for crafters, herbalists, scribes. It wouldn't hurt trappers and farmers much either I guess.

Where it wouldn't be good is in cases where you have to coordinate closely with other humans, which is done most quickly and efficiently through non-verbal communication. So NTs might have been better as hunters, warriors, sailors, and such "social" roles as traders.

Anyway many NTs are different in other ways as well. Aspies make up only 1% but there's also 5-10% ADHD, 5-10% bipolar, dyslexia, tourettes, and so on - all of who have their own trade-offs to deal with.

Why does one have to be better than the other? Can't we be different without the complexes? :roll:


_________________
Free 3D Images