Spock

Post Reply New Topic

I'm not entirely certain this goes here (in this section of the forum). But here goes.

For social stuff, I've always looked for role models. Books, movies, you name it. Characters I could "get", at least enough to apply certain behaviors to my own situation. How to be me without being too "weird".

Point: I never though of Spock among my case of characters. Then I saw this article, from the Morning News: http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/ ... rekdom.php

It's kind of interesting, Spock as a role model. What do you think?

Hmmm... as I haven't seen the new film yet, I only have old info to go on. I loved Spock in the original series, but I don't want to be as emotionally distant as he. I prefer Data, as I find him warmer in his efforts to understand and emulate humans.

After all, by learning how to be socially appropriate, aren't I doing the same thing? Like Data, I find the whole thing a fascinating study...

Can't wait to see the new film.

Last edited by DonkeyBuster on 15 May 2009, 9:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

If the New Theory of Autism (discussed at length elsewhere on WP) is correct, this would Spock an entirely appropriate role-model. According to the official Trek backstory, Vulcans are even more emotional than humans. This, when combined with their high intelligence, very nearly resulted in the destruction of their world, some five thousand years ago, when they began developing atomic weapons while still locked into a pseudo-feudal mindset. When Surak began preaching survival through the mastery (later misread as "suppression") of emotion, it spread across the planet like wildfire - it was clearly the best way to survive.

Thus, Spock in fact has a powerful, even turbulent inner emotional life, whose strength is such that he fears releasing it, as it might then consume his entire being. Sound familiar to anyone here?

Oh yeah! It so does... I'd scorch the earth with my joy if I expressed it as fully as I feel it sometimes... don't even talk about elemental fury!

I did not know the backstory, DeaconBlues, that is amazing.

I absorb characteristics, jokes, etc of characters in the media and incorporate them into my scripting system. So far, it has gotten me by

First, Vulcans are not "emotionally distant", they do have emotions but they suppress them and use logic instead of going with the "gut feeling". You should also note that they also have empathy and have no problems socialising.

However, i do not think it is Spock that should be attributed with this way of perceiving the world, it is the Vulcan society that should get the credit.

All this may be true, but I still prefer Data for his humor (albeit largely unintentional) and warmth.

As far as Spock socializing... I don't ever recall seeing him at someone's B-day party, baby shower, or intimate tete-a-tete... a couple of funerals, yeah.

Now what I'd wish for myself. At least Data got invited to the parties.

Most Vulcans do not supress or remove emotions, they simply control them in favour of a more logical and rational approach. They actually have quite a degree of empathy due to the telepathic ability that all vulcans have to some degree. this is why the do not approve of physical contact or emotional displays, because to them it would be to much input.
However there is a small but very well respected sect who live isolated in the mountains. Not sure what they call themselves, but they practice and teach the art of kolhinar, which is in the literal sense, the complete removal of emotions. The masters of kolhinar literally experience zero emotions.
Spock did actually achieve mastery of this technique somewhere between the Original Series and the first star trek movie, however he decided that to accept the final 'qualification' would be to deny his human heritage, so he left vulcan to continue his study of humans while aboard the enterprise.
Can't half tell I'm a nerd, can you...

While this is slightly stretching the topic, the vulcan analogy is stil relevant to ASD. Do we want to master the art orf kolhinar and feel nothing, or continue to feel but deal with the overload?

I thought the new movie was really good. Zachary quinto was given the task of filling shoes that were still occupied, and did so admirably.

I read the link and i agree with it. Star trek has always been about accepting people who are different and spock does seem to represent the autistic community being accepted

I don't think he or vulcans are very good role models at all though, i actually find vulcans extremely irrational. Although many emotions seem pointless to me, many others do not. Emotions are required wether you realise you have them or not. Wether you are able to realise how someone else is feeling or not. Someone who uses pure logic and rationality makes terrible decisions. For example, why help someone unless you recieve a benefit from it? i do not like this type of thinking.

I agree, i think he's a much better role model. He isn't capable of understanding, but he attempts to do so. He's also extremely rational about everything.

A bit off-topic, but this thread is reminding me that I went through a phase where I had a crush on Worf! Oh my! I had totally forgotten about that.

Earthlings are sometimes a fascinating study, from an alien anthropologist's point of view. But Data was a Pinoccio. (Riker actually said it in both "Encounter At Farpoint" and "The Measure Of A Man.")

While I would like to understand, I have no desire at all to actually be like them. I'm more like Alexander in "Plato's Stepchildren."

That works for me.

It was TV drama, written by earthlings in the 1960's. They needed to write something that would sell. Ya gotta cut 'em a little slack.

By the way, the new film is incredible.

Tahitiii wrote...

Sorry, I have no idea what you are referring to. Is that a book, movie, series? You'll have to "splainify yourself, Lucy".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato%27s_Stepchildren

And I thought you guys were trekkies.

[quote="DonkeyBuster"]Tahitiii wrote...

[quote]I'm more like Alexander in "Plato's Stepchildren."[/quote]

Sorry, I have no idea what you are referring to. Is that a book, movie, series? You'll have to "splainify yourself, Lucy". [/quote]

Alexander is worf's son. His mother is half human, so that makes alexander approx 3/4 klingon, except that he was raised by worf's adopted human family. He had little or no contact with klingon society until his teens. He is a complete clutz, the worst accident prone, most un-klingon you could ever hope to find. At one point, he was considered the mascot or good luck charm by his crew mates. They felt that as long as he was causing trouble, then trouble would not come looking for them.

Sorry, not a trekkie. Watched it, but never became a groupie... I think it was watching Kirk in some state of un-dress show after show after show after show after show that ruined it for me.

Or maybe it was Scottie forever saying "I canna do it, Cap'n!" show after show after show.....

Thank heavens for Picard.