Great writing!
I think you are what is needed, a "Fresh Today" view of a world we have been bogged down in developing better hair splitting machines.
You think I am strange? Let me describe some normal people! You did a better job at the outsider view of life, than self description, but that is who we are.
Most people do define themselves in terms of others they have met, or in your case what others have painted, with few fixed points in life, because if viewed from the other side, fixed points seen different.
A life not taken for granted, a fine example of Markram's Intense World Syndrom in action, perceptions that over come the randomly constructed mental defenses of others, conveyed in words that bring out the humor of a broad natured view of horror, and the blank spaces between.
Markram has been as close to right as I have heard. Perception beyond the ordinary, a bit much to cope with, worse for other people, but still a human skill taken to a logical conclusion, which in another field, like music, painting, the most perceptive are highly regarded.
We are just in the wrong business, and writing is as close as we come to reaching into other's brains, rearranging the parts, without being considered offensive. We can offend in print, but it is a field where the ordinary has little market value. In all cases the role of the writer is to show the reader a broader view of life.
You are timely, chosing to be born 24 years ago, coming into our post gridlock culture where lines have been drawn in the sand during a windstorm, and people are trying to stick to a one point view of, are they in favor or do they oppose, yes and no?
So far the questions have not been produced, but we have answers waiting.
With a special interest in genetics, neanderthal, denisovan and sapien, I favor all research, and do not see knowledge as evil. People are, and even more so with less knowledge.
Autism Speaks is Corporate, a newly evolved mental construct with some high functioning traits. They bridge very different worlds, and there is humor in putting Marketing in charge of promoting Academic Research. So of course Marketing turns to the pros, Advertising, Media, with the goal of reaching their market, parents of the autistic and people seeking a tax deductable donation.
The product produced comes in the form of genetic research, that Marketing does not have a clue about how that works. Academic Research is just as in the dark about meaning, what could be discovered, potential applications, and has constructed defenses to keep the real world out of their labs. They speak and write in a private language.
The Academics are sure Research should continue, it is what they do, so they try to keep funding coming in, and producing funding is what Autism Speaks does, through Marketing, and Media.
In my view a half billion in research has shown there will not be a genetic answer. Over a hundred sites have been identified as maybe having something to do with autism, and further research will show a third of the genome has fuzzy edges and keeps recombining in various ways.
The main problem confronting research is controls, the non autistic have the same DNA, and many of them work in research.
It was worth a half billion to show fuzzy edges as something that might have to do with people acting like people. I always wondered.
Should Academic Research continue? Yes, it keeps them off the streets.
Should Autism Speaks fund research? Yes, it keeps them off the streets.
Should people donate? Yes, It makes them feel they are at least trying.
Will there be a Cure? Not till a big space rock smashes the planet to bits.
Why is Autism such a mystery? Marketing does not have a clue.
What does it all mean? See Arthur Clarke's, Childhood's End, for the meaning of the dance of the hairless ground ape.
What is the Problem? Everyone is doing their best.
What is the answer? Keep writing, if I were to fault anyone it would be the autistic for keeping secrets. Our difference of thought and perception can only be explained from within. Here on Wrong Planet we seem more alike than the world in general. We are a type, sharing many things in common.
What can we do? Understand we are the more functional end of something that has an other end that costs billions, that many are working in good faith to understand, and they will only see us as humans if we act like humans. Do not let others define you.
I see that research has run out of options, treatment is all that is left, cattle prods are being banned, progress is slow, but burning at the stake has ended. I agree more could be done for support, but I have not seen any suggestions of exactly what.
Self Advocates demand money, and yell Genocide, but have yet to put forth a single proposal I could support. Complain is not a program, and it reflects badly on us all.
That some of us are supposed to be intelligent is not supported by our behavior. We have the only insider view, and have failed to produce a single idea of what would make our lives better.
Our lack of support for others doing their best is short sighted, Research and Marketing are not neurotypical, they are just other versions mental diversity. To them, we are bullies who attack them for no reason.
We are in this together, and fairness and diplomatic behavior are the only path forward.
18 Sep 2011, 11:42 am
