Are people like Nicola Tesla beneficial to the group? YES. Do they get along with the group and lead happy lives? Not usually. That's the situation in a nutshell.
I strongly disagree with the last part because USUALLY many people like that will live very happy lives. I don’t need a group who are not going to take me for who I am. We have the internet for crying out loud if you do want that group and support YOU WILL ALWAYS FIND ONE. I personally don’t need it. I have autism and a very logical way of thinking. I learned to love myself and to be honest I have found I’m HAPPIER AND MORE OPTIMISTIC THAN MOST PEOPLE I TALK TOO. And I love that about me my autism is certainly an advantage it has actually helped me understand my emotions because I can look at them logically and deal with them accordingly. In doing so I got help and meds I needed for my MDD and GAD and I’m VERY in tune with myself because of this. I was in a very emotionally abusive home and NONE of my siblings saw how our parent was actually treating us. I was the only one that saw behind the curtain and got out when I had that chance and now I’m the bad guy. My autism has helped me through SO MUCH. I couldn’t be more happy to have it as one of the best advantages EVER. Sure there are downside but I think the true problem is a lot of people focuse too much on the negative side than the positive. I think if almost all autistic people looked at the positive side of autism they would realize just how many advantages they do have. P.S that’s not there fault most look at the negative either it’s how some “scientists” and “psychologists” make it.
I don’t believe that Tesla had autism. I believe there is a common misconception that a person who is an introvert, quirky and an inventor- is always autistic.
Being a neurodivergent of a different type I'd say it depends on how functional you can be or "pass" as more neurotypical given our culture's acceptance (or not. Depends on the culture). Being "different" IMHO has been a lot like the kid with face pressed against the glass, able to see the world thriving, but not actually a part of it. My son is profoundly disabled and isn't able to speak or care for himself in the simplest of life skills tasks. I've seen how some around him are very loving and understanding,but I've also had people thrown scornful, disapproving looks at him, which as a Mum is soul crushing. I love my son more than life itself, but I've learned the world can be a cruel place. I no longer try to "fit in" like I used to. I just try to focus on doing best I can and be as empathetic as those who feel different as well. Love and peace to anyone reading this.
Love and peace to you too. Keep being that strong mom 💪 sounds like you’re doing an awesome job to the benefit of your son and your own experience of being happy to be the best you. ❤️
One reason why I think that some of us neurodivergent folks can feel happier outside our cultural grouping is, okay, to take me with Japan, there's a saying in Japanese culture that the nail that protrudes needs to be hammered into place, yet study, reading and the like are valued assets in Japan. If we compare Japan and the USA, Japan has school uniforms and you must comply with the uniform code. Your hair must be less than a set length or you get into trouble. In the USA, public schools do not have uniforms, so everyday is a fashion show. When I was at school, I really only thought of my uniform and whatever clothes were bought for me I wore on the weekend and on holidays. I didn't need the latest of anything. In Japan, people tend to dress in a way that doesn't make them stand out.
@@peterwynn2169 wearing a uniform everyday to school might be easier because you don't have to think about what to wear or less distractions in the classroom. Also most countries around the world tend to wear uniforms around the world, not just Japan. Also Japan and most of East Asia don't have good awareness of mental health culturally, it's one of the reasons why there's so many suicides and a toxic work culture where all people do is work. Considering most autistics don't do good in a work place group setting Japan is not a good country to look up to. At least in the west it's alot more of a individualistic culture so autistics can do more of their own thing.
The analogy of being different is pretty much the description I use to explain my experience, I use like watching a TV of looking into fish tank or behind a sheet of plate glass. There's also Platos cave theory its very similar.
I know that for ME LIVING IN NT SOCIETY is a big disadvantage because at 52 I can not function in that society any more. Too tired and see no purpose in 'trying to be someone I am not'. I do not care about evolution. I care about not sleeping well, having burnout, being unhappy and emotional all the time ect. I am just tired. Of people, of society, of everything. I will watch the video because I like the way Paul talk about autism. I do not always agree should I? I don't think so. It's a pity that the time in Australia so differ from NL. I am always so tired and want to go to bed early. Well I can watch it tomorrow but than I will lay in bed and think "what Paul had to say tonight?". Take good care of yourself, good people 💓
when we know we can act accordingly... i have changed my diet... started exercising and my torelance has grown... i am more patient... may you find your best self.
I don't know exactly, but from what I've been able to find out there is actually pretty decent autism care in the Netherlands. I live there as well, but as autism was really looked down upon in my family I always tried my hardest to look normal. And yeah our society is difficult for people with autism, because you have to be very vocal and the sense of community isn't very strong. But there are quite a few organizations trying to help people with autism at least that's what I've been discovering The last few weeks as I got to the point where I just wanted to die a while back and realized I either had to end it out maybe give life another shot. I can always end it later if I want to.
Speaking of not sleeping well...Ive always put great importance on getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep every night minimum. Not sure if my autistic brain simply needs more sleep than the average NT or not, just curious if anyone else relates.
@@lkjslkdjfglkjsldkfjl yeah definitely I can't handle it when I don't sleep enough. Like I'm 'only' 27, but when I sleep less that 7 hours a day I will probably feel crappy most of the day.
I also think that autism has been part of the human society for a long time. And we probably have to thank a lot of autistic people fpr the progress we have made so far. For me personally, autism is my normal. I have always been different than most people I come across and I grew to like that. Sometimes, it's a disadvantage but many people tell me that they really like the effect I have on them, spreading lots of honest positivity. So I would mostly consider it an advantage. :)
I also feel that being "autistic" is normal. And I feel that "nurotypicals" are the mutation in the human line. Not that all mutations are bad. They're fine, too. But I personally think that we are the way that humanity was to begin with before "society" decided that "nurotypical" was the way to be. We're not "nurodivergent". We are the way it originally was. We are the nurooriginals the way I see it.
@@anyascelticcreations I actually doubt that. "Normal" is always the way of the majority. What most people are and how most people do it - that's considered normal. What is the real deal? I guess that's the question of the chicken and the egg. As long as there have been humans, there have been neurotypicals and neurodivers people. And having both kinds in a group was beneficial for survival. Both are the real deal. Both are human. Both are normal.
@@anyascelticcreations This makes me think about the braided stream hypothesis of human species development. The fact divergents communicate well within ourselves while clashing with typicals does lend itself to the idea that one of the human relatives may have been dominately Autistic. The frequency of gene flow could also factor into rates of Autism in various populations, which I'm not sure we have data for atm. Of course such data would also be hard to gather as differing cultural norms make some places less likely to highlight and diagnose Autism.
@@ebonyblack4563 I've never heard of the braided stream hypothesis. It sounds interesting, though. I'll have to look it up. I do definitely think that autism has been around since very early times, though. And that they/we were a huge part of the reason why humanity was able to survive. I definitely don't think of nurodivergents as being flawed or a mutation of some kind. I think we are an integral part of what makes humanity able to thrive. I'm curious to read about what the braided stream hypothesis says.
@@anyascelticcreations It's the theory that various groups of human kin that had started to differentiate bred back into the overall human population, and that that happened throughout our evolutionary history. It's one of the ways that the presence of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA in the genome is explained, but it takes a wider perspective going back into evolutionary time. Edit Add-On: I also believe neural divergence was integral to humans climbing to the place we're at now. So many of the ideas and inventions that lead us here were so far from the average box that they'd have been crazy in their own time, yet here we stand with bizarre things like dairy products as staples in most places across the globe.
Personally I've always thought that having "autistic" qualities was the way humans originally were. Back when we lived at one with nature. And before all this society nonsense came into being. We're not "overly sensitive", for example. (Sensory Processing Disorder) We sense the things that we are supposed to sense in nature. With all the little details. We're not designed to "lie" about what we think and how we feel or what we experience. What use would that be in the original tribes? We tell it like we see and feel it. We prefer genuine and true relationships based on reality. We have no built in use for learning all the rubbish that current society says we need to adhere to. That being said, the nonsense and rubbish that our current society demands is important to learn if we want to fit in with that society. But I don't feel that autism is a new evolution or deevolution at all. I think it was the way humans originally were. Before most humans lost their abilities to be the way we once were. I personally think that those of us who are now considered autistic are different because we haven't lost the beauty of being the kind of human beings that we all once were.
I really liked the way this guy explained it. I'm not sure if it's in this video but apparently 20% in the animal kingdom are more sensitive sensorially too. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fWCocjh5aK0.html
@@platinumphonesandcomputers Yes, it would be. Boring, and not very likely to progress or excell at much of anything. Maybe it's our ability for nurodivergence that allowed our species to excell as much as we have. I strongly suspect that it is.
@@jacksonscully2537 Wow! I just watched that video that you recommended. I absolutely love it! I sent it right away to a friend who is also "nurodivergent " and is struggling. I really like his term "potential hunter gatherer badass" much better than "nurodivergent ". (If I'm quoting him correctly.) Thank you very much for the link. I hope lots of other people will watch it, too. 👍
Exactly Anyas…. You have hit the nail of the head with your summary. I believe Autism was a very strong force (ie a survival trait, like sickle cell gene) that kept Homo sapiens alive for hundreds of thousands of years, when humans lived in equilibrium with Mother Nature. The repetitive behaviour and ‘special interests’ probably included hunting for food - which was essential for survival. It was a time when social skills was not hugely important, but other skills like hunting ability and survival skills was paramount. Hence, my theory is that not all people who are labelled autistic, are truly autistic. How is this possible, you may ask? Why would a person with poor social skills be labelled autistic, and not another person. My example is this:- two people complain of headaches and dizziness - you might think that both people have high blood pressure. But when you measure their blood pressure- they are actually divergent- one has high blood pressure and one has low blood pressure. Having a method to measure the BP makes it possible to differentiate between low and high BP. I don’t think medical sciences is advanced enough to differentiate causes of poor social skills. I am therefore a bit controversial when I’m posting here and saying that it is my theory that Paul is not autistic. I apologise if I am causing any offence. When I listen to some of the videos Paul has posted in the past with memories as a child - he often recalls being quite innovative, and is somehow able to predict that an idea is going to be successful before it actually happens (ie being ‘ahead of the curve’). I have had similar experiences as Paul when I was younger- being slightly socially awkward, and yet being highly innovative. I have never considered myself to be autistic. I have had the opportunity to manage people at work (as a physician working in medical research) who have a diagnosis of autism or Asperger’s) and they are very different from me. That’s all I can say, and that’s my personal opinion.
I agree with both sides of this. It's both an advantage and disadvantage, and sometimes feels more like an "Evolutionary Necessity". Similar to needing a genetically diverse population so they all don't die from the same diseases, Autism is one example of mental diversity that can lead to new discoveries based on not perceiving the world the same way. When most of the world might metaphorically be a herd stampeding off a cliff, it helps to have people who can see the cliff for what it is and point to a different path. Whether people listen or not is another matter, and there are lots of tradeoffs for that vision.
Im experiencing a massive mindfuck right now as some time my also autistic girlfirend and I came up with exactly the same thought train, almost word for word. Glad to see that theres more people like us
Temple Grandin puts it perfectly when she refers to autism as a trait that a little of is good, more is not better. People who can think differently tend to be brilliant performers if they are supported to find what they are best at and find work arounds for what they aren’t so good at. But without that support or if their brain is so different that they can’t function at all in society they will never be able to contribute their unique skills and talents. Personally I think it depends heavily on society’s ability to accept and include those who are different, which thus far our species seems to be rather lousy at. IF society could stop writing off everyone who doesn’t excel at the chest pounding social grooming nonsense of inter office politics as of no merit, then they might just find out that the weird quiet person they don’t much like actually has some brilliant ideas that could make everyone’s life better.
Amazing video! For technicall/intellectual/detailed stuff, it's an advantage. For social pourposes, it's a disadvantage. As an autistic with high empathy, it's an advantage as I easily connect with other people and I'm good at listening, spotting not so clear points and giving an advice, but it's also a disadvantage since sometimes it's hard to carry with those other problems and being able to put limits to myself on where I have to stop wasting time and do my own stuff lol
It's an advantage for me because it helps me thrive in STEM but its a disadvantage because I often get mocked or misunderstood by my family and friends.
There is no way to know. Ask me again in 500,000 years or so. I do know that viewing my autism that way helped me a lot. Less “defective human” and more “perfect me”.
I would say it forms a vital function within the human ecosystem with regards to the evolutionary process and novelty seeking. I feel that in our current society it is experienced as a disadvantage to the individual Autist.
And I blame that on how many “scientists” and “psychologists” who have always said in the past how “bad” autism is. I truly believe that almost EVERYONE with autism has more advantages than disadvantages. It’s just they were only Tought to look at the negatives. So that’s all they see in themselves
I’ve got asbergers, but I’ve got emotions, we can feel . A lot of the time.. too much. But I don’t understand people stuff, and at other times I understand more then people think I do. I have learned that I am awesome. What I do, I do unusual well.
"what I do, I do unusual well." This relates to me, but whenever I'm doing something unusually well I'm torturing myself and it's a painful process of OCD..
Hi. My 3 year old has an autism diagnosis. I just wanted to say thank you. Your intellectual honesty is a guiding light through the darkness. While we are doing what we can to help the little guy using programs and services that are meant to help him cope, I would never want to simply hand him over to the experts. Your videos are helping me become a more knowledgeable advocate for him and I can't tell you how much that means to our family. Thank you!
Well said. The last part maybe bears repeating in that, as I understand it, if autism was distinctly disadvantageous in a population it probably would not have persisted in relatively stable proportion, especially given the specific kinds of impediments it can entail on an individual level.
I've wanted to have a tail ever since as a kid I first saw a pic of someone born with one that had had it removed, and I hated that society or 'norms' had forced that. Aged 54 now, and diagnosed with Aspergers about 6 years ago, I still think 'Where's my damn tail?' it'd be awesome to go with the other mad stuff I do, and the neurodiversity.
For me it is most certainly both. I am excellent at what I do but if I work for more than a few months without a long break a go into shut down and cannot function. That being said, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
It depends on the context. For instance, the sickle-cell gene is usually a disadvantage as it causes blood clots and disorders, but in cases of endemic malaria, it confers resistance to the parasite, so it's more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
@Ryan Curnow @Ryan Curnow Some gene mutations that appear are neutral evolutionarily speaking. Because if it doesn't give it an advantage or disadvantage on reproducing and having more kids then it is neutral. Not to mention in our modern society there isn't a lot or just no evolution happening as humans we have made it so most of us live old enough to reproduce without having nature kill us off before reproduction. I would recommend looking into Neutral Mutations :)
My "gut feeling" on the subject is task specialisation is higher in human population than we think. In a way I think we should see Autism, the Gifted spectrum and neuronmrmative individuals as specialised individuals like let's say warrior ants, worker ants and queens.
Think of any person who is well-known for great deeds and they will likely be known for intensity in at least one area. Emotional intensity fuels great social endeavors, champions change and creates original masterpieces. 🙌 Difference AND disability both fit under the umbrella of humanity. I am VERY glad to hear an argument against neurological evolutionary advantages, tbh. 😅
I always felt different. As a kid I pondered questions like if this world is real, are there other realities in higher dimensions coexisting with us, what is time? I wrote my own definition of time in my diary when I was 12. I had no interest in the topics that my peers did. I used to hate myself for being different. Now I came to the point that I love myself and my inner rich world although I still struggle to fit in to the society. It’s hard for me to say if it’s advantage or disadvantage. I feel like I wouldn’t trade my rich inner world for being popular and great at social skills although quite often it sucks. Interesting topic and I love your videos! I’m so happy that RU-vid itself suggested them to me.
I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, but to be honest. I think the answer would depend on the severity of the condition, the standard of living, and the local culture. In the past, a child or adult who could not understand danger (for whatever reason) or couldn't be recalled from a dangerous situation (an open well, a fire, a dangerous bull) was at a disadvantage, to say the least. Similarly, a person who could not eat whatever food was available, wear whatever clothing or skins were available, and fill some niche in the group (or live as a hermit) was at a definite disadvantage. Some groups simply may not have had the resources to protect and provide for those who could not be warriors, hunters, or fill some other basic physical need. Other groups/time periods, however, (like ours) have/had the resources to support people in specialized roles. Neurodivergent people excelled and were respected in religious and academic roles, as well as high-level craftsmen/artists and inventors. Before farm mechanization, those with intellectual challenges or lots of energy sometimes found work as farm-laborers or doing the many small jobs that life then required. Also, on a positive note, people lived more according to a natural lighting/seasonal cycle in the past, and there was (often) more access to nature. This was probably easier on autistic people than modern lighting. Travel required long walks or rides, which might have given time for decompression, and many people lived in very isolated areas. Some jobs, like shepherd, also required long periods of time spent alone. To NOT need a lot of society was a real advantage. In short, I think it's being naive, although well-meaning, to say that being neurodivergent is ALWAYS a superpower or a gift. At the same time, neurodivergent people have lived solid, respected, probably fulfilling lives and contributed a great deal to society as a whole.
This is what I think as well, based mostly on logic and the fact that neurodivergence seems to be present in all surviving human populations at approximately the same rate. We are necessary for species survival and advancement, but in any society which doesn't recognize and honor our difference as an asset/safety net/toxicity indicator, it's a problem because only when our role is recognized and honored will a society truly make room for our full participation.
I am considered high functioning, but social politics are needlessly complicated (Having friends/enemies at work) but luckily once I learn my job I'm really really good. I'd say it keeps me from getting distracted from my work.
Thank you for making this video, it is very interesting. I agree that autism cannot be a classic pivot in evolution. If I lived in a world where the evolutionary trajectory was towards autism I think I would be even more isolated as an autistic artist, given that autism generally links better with technology and the sciences. My memory gaps and inability to remember numbers means that I am lost in mathematics. In some ways I feel closer to those with amnesia than those with autism but I feel the isolation of both very keenly.
I find, to the contrary, we tend to have higher Empathy, extending it out well beyond our own kin, friends, and species. My perspective is reversed. The world is paramount. Then, continents, and their ecosystems. Then the people everywhere. Then my continent. Then my state, county, city, neighborhood, friends, and finally, my family, companion animals, and myself.
@@injunsun I would agree. Only I have a slight difference. I do place my cats highest on my list. Then my own self preservation. (I'm single or I would include a mate in that.) But aside from that, I also put the world as a higher importance than humanity. I do feel tremendous empathy and compassion for humans individually. I literally cry with their pain. But I feel more compassion and empathy for the world as a whole and the ecosystems and plants and animals animals within.
@@anyascelticcreations Blessed Be, hon. I'm an entirely gay, Wiccan Elder Priest, and an Earthkeeper. I hear you. I miss my pussies, but after my last one died at 15, I have decided, until there's a thoroughly healthy Vegan cat food, I won't have more. The two years I've been without a cat are the longest in my life, for decades. My dogs are getting up there as well. I can't afford the Nature's Recipe "Sensitive Skin Formula" anymore (almost Vegan). Our Empathy is our strength against evil, but also, a weakness others exploit. But hey. We exist. We extend Empathy out, and we do our best. That's more than many bother to consider. I worry a lot. I worry the #BLM movement will keep being misunderstood. I worry that teen assassin on trial right now will get off, and people who hate will take that as a cue that whatever they want to do will become the norm here in America, even as they refuse to handle the scientific reality of this pandemic as what it is. We see the patterns. Like the mythological "Cassandra," we warn them. And like her, our warnings are ignored. I can't live alone. I've made poor choices for mates. Isn't it ironic? Some of us can see dangers to the world, and yet, can't see them up close? Luv, please, take your time finding a mate. Don't make my mistakes, settling, out of fear and desperation. If you are happy with your pussies, good on ye. Let me give you two gifts. Look up two movies, old ones. "Love at Stake," and, "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark." They're cheesy, silly, etc., but they're made for people like us. They're absurd. Meanwhile, Elvira, aka, Cassandra Peterson, has been Vegan for decades, only recently revealed her lesbian relationship, and her look is based on drag queens. She's 70 now, btw. We have heroes who love us. And we can always reach out, like here, to be kind. Be well, honey. Give your pussy a pat for me (lol!). When you watch "Love at Stake," that won't seen as... untoward.
Excellent discussion, Paul. This is something I have wondered, too. Brass tacks- neurodivergence that does not lead to procreation and passing on of traits is not survival of the fittest. However: this new trend of acceptance of neurodiversity is the game changer. If humans can continue this trend then the species will improve. Has being autistic improved my life? It is a moot point-I would have it no other way.
Nice videos Paul. It would be nice to see you show some research on how different cultures and countries are welcoming of autistic traits. For example in the Muslim community, in America, I’ve always felt welcome; even though I’ve never told anybody that I’m autistic, I’ve always felt accepted enough to be able to thrive on my own paces: socially, economically, and intellectually.
This is the paradox - that autism leads to rigid, repetitive behaviour. How is this consistent with the theory that autism is able to increase innovation (and therefore lead to evolutionary advantage) when the very nature of innovation implies flexibility in thinking? Therefore, my understanding is a little different from other people- in that certain people may simply think they have autism because they are less sociable, and may think differently from others. So, this is my theory Paul - that you have good ‘theory of mind’ especially in 1-to-1 situations ie ability to predict other people’s thoughts and you also appear to have a very good understanding of your own emotions (you are not alexithymic). It is easy to get an autism diagnosis using questionnaires or even with a trained psychologist. My theory is that you are actually the direct opposite of someone with autism. That does not disregard the fact that you may have social difficulties, but it is my belief that there are neurodivergent conditions yet unknown to the medical community, that may have similar characteristics with autism.
Diagnosed with High Functioning Autism after my second term in US Army....... 18 months of therapy in my late 40's...... Neurotypicals generally do stuff to be cool and thus unique (acceptably different).......
@@carissacortazzo I agree. You face much adversity being neurodivergent that would be a real challenge to convey to folks who are more neurotypical. Not a fun way to grow though. Sigh...
Senior ASD here.Misunderstood, disadvantaged & discredited, even within family, all attempting to kive within societal 'norm'.Tragic outcomes with lots of unhappy results.Reading 'Neurotribes' by Steve Silberman, he writes of past ASDs whose research were significant forces for scientific advancement, often lauded only after their deaths.Thanks to rising awareness of ASD & advocacy - our place & purpose will be better understood & respected.The collaborative process of human societal intelligence has suffered for ever due to elimination of the aesthetes from the group, often through misunderstanding varied forms orger than verbal communication. For instance, the current adversarial political system that eliminates science & academia - far removed from liberal, moral debate of historical democractic philosophy. The ASD type is not, in my opinion, an evolutionary change but certainly an under-recognised & underutilised important element of human society.
My autism has been an advantage for my career as a philosopher/epistemologist as I genuine think that my work will one day help the world understand one another, but this as come at the disadvantage of isolating myself from every one (except my wife) due to incomplete socially taboo package-deals that are automatically associated by connotation to means the opposite. For example my philosophy says the words in essence "Be selfish," and people seem to think I mean "screw over your friends and family to get wealth and power," when in actuality I mean, "I love my friends and family so much that I want to make their lives better because of the mental and emotional selfish benefits I gain from giving and receiving love, AKA Don't screw people over because selfishness is long term and dying wealthy and powerful and alone is not good or 'selfish'".
Its an advantage as late life diagnosis then informed many many difficulties theoughout my life from a turbulent childhood on… it became a reason and support, not an illness or Complicit behavior. I am Grateful to have found peace and be able to make better choices
I was always told being different in this world is a liability which means being disabled. I think this particular disability is an advantage not necessarily a bad thing unless you’re severely affected and can’t live independently.
"Neurodiverse". I like that. Maybe if they used that terminology, more people would get diagnosed. I wonder if Nerodiverse people are more prepared for the emerging VR world.
I've noticed that I am able to bring down someone's anger. They notice something is different about me, so one time at my old job this crazy mad dude comes in complaining and being mean to my co-workers. So I just quickly thought what he was complaining ABOUT then solved his problem singlemindedly. I got him a paper of places he needed to solve his problem, and I got him to stop berating my co-workers. He calmed down a bit, until the general manager came out.
The context, and the manner in which you shared it here makes so much sense; thank you. Personally, I think being autistic is an advantage and disadvantage, I feel balanced around nd’s and on my own. Generally speaking, out there in the nt world, I am in constant analytical mode - in trying to find that balance for myself; 99.99% of the time.
For example: I can coalesce and or break down theology/identity branding/and linguistics with elation and almost unlimited energy. Yet, that isn’t the case with most of the social world, and socializing for an hour will usually mean I will need to sleep for half a day after that.
Your argument is brilliant, I completely agree. Autism has always been around and is necessary for the human race. Individually I think it has advantages and disadvantages. I'm Asperger too.
Great points, thanks Paul. Autism is not evolution it’s been there forever it’s only now that people are starting to recognise it more in its finer forms. I can see how it can be quite an advantage for those that are gifted, but for me the average Joe it’s a living hell of constant fatigue, confusion and a constant struggle to fit in to the norms. My hats off to the small percentage of autistic people out there that can power on and change the world.
I really wish I knew I was autistic and took steps to combat my shortcomings. I do know that I wouldn't have the life I do however if it wasn't for my autism. There are things I do that feel no different than breathing but most the people I work with tell me they are amazed at the things I can do. I also wish I knew at a younger age that what I do, even though it feels trivial to me, has real value to others. Now that I have a good career and my skills are being well utilized, I realize I'm not defective; I'm just different.
It's an interesting way of looking at how being different is a cause for concern for people who find that their differences contradict mainstream conventions. I celebrate my differences. There would be no differences if everybody was the same. So that means it's a natural part of being a human to be different. Not every seed in the sand is identical to billions of other grains on the beach or flowers in the field. As I say, I enjoy being different.
I think the difference in empathy is core to this dilemma. If you're a normie, you grow up easily relating to most of the people around you, and one of the consequences of that is that it's generally easier for you to just adopt whatever values, beliefs, attitudes etc you find in those people. You blend in to the herd. You go along and get along. You don't buck the system, unless you're forced to. If you're more of an aspie, you grow up struggling to relate to people, but in that struggle, you find that you need to build your understanding of the world from the ground up. You have no other choice, but to build your understanding of your world from scratch. It's hard work, and it's slower than just adopting whatever your relatives and peers believe - you've got to piece it all together, but if you can pull that off, what you end up is a much more comprehensive model of the world than most people are carrying around with them. When the developed normies experience something new, it's a challenge to their belief systems and they look for an authority figure to tell them how to interpret this new thing. When the developed aspies experience something new, it's just another day in the life, and the systemic nature of your world view comes to your aid. It should be no surprise that there's a lot more aspie artists, engineers and scientists.
My closest and dearest humans can be defined as neurodivergent. I've had the best and most giving relationships with these people and as of today I'm raising three amazing letter-combination children assisted by my two beloved neurodivergent partners. Thank you Paul for making these videos. Some of your content has recently made me understand how lucky my patchwerk family has been to find eachother in this world - how happy I am that my oldest child never was forced to mask his autism despite the loneliness and relative social detachment he's suffered as a consequence. He knows who he is and he knows how to "pass" when he thinks it's necessary - always knowing he'll come home to his oasis and be himself, surrounded by people that never would want him any other way.
Evolution is a relationship to the environment. With societies structural nature and specialized roles, autism can flourish where in nature it may show to be maladaptive
To answer the question posed in the title: It’s very hard to determine whether traits that could be considered an evolutionary advantage in one context are advantageous when transplanted into another context. In other words, if I lived in a hunter gatherer village some 40,000 years ago in Europe, my “autism” would be an evolutionary advantage. But then, the concept wouldn’t even exist, as *all my fellow villagers* would also be “autistic.” It’s only in the context of Homo sapiens culture that Neanderthal traits would be considered “against the grain,” or not advantageous.
Studies have shown that Autistics don't actually have difficulty socializing. They have difficulty socializing with neurotypicals, but can absolutely relate with and socialize with other Autistics without issue. So, in the event that Autistics become the new normal, I don't see this as a disadvantage at all. Natural selection will mostly eliminate mutations that are specifically associated with disability. Our population is growing at incredible rates, and what is typical today will likely be overshadowed by us.
I would rather say that evolution benefits the community that is most 'adaptable'. To be 'more' adaptable' a community needs to have a wide range of alternative 'attempts' at achieving 'environmental' (that of the 'environment' they are faced with, not just the living World around us) success. Embracing 'Neuro Diversity' is a communal benefit, but certainly not a 'personal benefit' to the individual. However a World that recognises the benefit of 'difference', also benefits those who are more 'neuro diverse' as it needs to embrace them in order to facilitate 'evolution'. In other words 'the neuro diverse' are an essential ingredient in the evolution and survival of society.
My experience of this topic has been confusing. I’m part of a few ‘adults with autism’ group on Facebook. I see people there post things like: ‘I just don’t know how to organise myself so my house is a tip’; ‘I can’t cope with the sensory overload of a workplace so I have to struggle on benefits’; ‘I can’t form relationships and I desperately want to’ etc. But then, these are the same people who post about how autism is the next evolutionary step, that it’s ‘awesome’ to have autism, and NTs are missing out, and so on. I genuinely can’t make both of those views make sense.
It is definitely a disadvantage to me, but I think essential to the collective betterment. I suspect it is in fact a natural outlier intended to stimulate species/societal change. I would not, however, change a thing about how I am. My inner self, spirit if you prefer, sees this condition as critical. Especially at this time.
Thank you for your reasoned and logical assessment of this. I share the belief that this is not a next step but a part of humanity that has always been there. It has advantages and disadvantages and those have changed over time. I often imagine ancient autistic people as the seers and pariahs of a society. I guess that's enough of a comment
It's a good summary. We can also picture it with the general evolution ending with humans. It was never in a straight line. They were branches all the time. One branch ended with homosapiens at one point. Neurodiversity can be one branch of homosapiens but never the next step. A useful branch for the whole humanity as we are still here.
As an NT who has suffered the negative impact of autism on my marriage😔😔😔, I r-e-a-l-l-y appreciate and applaud your candor and realistic point of view about autism as a disadvantage to the individual yet still as an advantage due to the contributions madeto society at large.
From an evolutionary perspective, the biggest thing a trait needs to do is improve your odds of reproduction. Autism typically results in lower social skills, which probably reduces odds of reproduction. Now if there was a genetic bottleneck that happened to make autism the majority of a population, based on double empathy we might see autism as the same advantage neurotypicality is now. But in modern western society, it's selected against unfortunately
@@stardelights4003 neanderthals and sapiens are two entirely different subspecies. We know virtually nothing about neurodiversity in Neanderthals. The comparison is non-sequitur. Also, Neanderthals weren't necessarily bad from an evolutionary perspective except that they were close enough to us that we felt the need to wipe them off the face of the planet, having likely non-consentual sex with a few along the way.
@@myself2noone mu comment was responding to a now deleted comment. That said, while Neanderthals did interbreed with humans, there's little evidence it was dine peacefully, and it was rare, unless you have a new archeology paper to send my way proving otherwise. In general, if we actually bred them out, instead of competing with them, we would see a lot more if their genome in ours. Instead it's a pretty small amount. Consistent with forcible copulation after violent conquests, if you get my meaning.
The best analogy that come to mind is putting a seeing person in a world of blind persons. From a purely objective point having that extra sense (sight) is an advantage for the individual that can surely benefit the groups and yet from a subjective point that person would be view as "weird", she might even be ostracized to the point of wishing they were blind as the rest of the group.
@@autismfromtheInside actually no...this comment come from a discussion I have with my BFF wich happen to be blind about the advantage and disadvantage of differents conditions depending on context and external perceptions of others; as I said she's totally blind and I have trouble walking (and under investigation to see if I'm on the spectrum). One of our favorite topic is how we both hear more than average (her compensating from her blindness and me just being acoustic hypersensitive)...but her hearing is better cuz she can discriminate sound while I struggle to focus on someone voice instead of some overwhelming background noise pollution. Thanks for the reading suggestion, will probably fulled our discussion on the matter even more.
I truly believe nuerodivergence and autism is what brought us out of the stone age in the first place! Sensitivity to your environment is an excellent survival skill, having persistent and narrow(specialist) interest would be valuable to a social group, thinking outside the box drives innovation and invention! I also suspect that the role of shaman/spiritualist would have been filled by nuerodivergent people of all kinds, think repetative ritualistic behaviour, lower levels of social skills, living near by the tribe but on their own not in the communal living space! Used as a resource or library based on their specific skill set!
My 10 year old son is on the autism spectrum, with ADHD as well. We're Canadians and use public education system, which doesn't have the capacity to accommodate my son's neurodivergent needs. He is high functioning and high intelligence, but barely reaches their expectations academically or socially. The school sends him home instead of learning how to better manage. Therefore, it's extremely difficult for him. I believe that the system needs a total overhaul!
I went through the same system undiagnosed. I had to do home schooling towards the end of elementary because I couldn't fit into the system. Then I went back in middle school. I hated it from beginning to end but really liked my time in undergrad at university. Later in life I had to teach school children and it felt like karmic payback for all the time I spent hating school. Now I was the one running the classes I hated and was helpless to change them! It's tough out there.
There is a theory that genes for autism may have been transmitted to us from Neanderthals when we hybridized. At around the same time when Sapiens interacted with Neanderthals we see an explosion in cave art and technological advancements. It’s all correlation and doesn’t prove anything but is a very interesting hypothesis that there is some advantage. Today however it could be a disadvantage because our lifestyles are so different from our ancestors. While in the past we were in tune with nature, today we are completely disconnected and living in artificial environments. Therefore I wouldn’t say that “autism” is the problem, it is our modern lifestyles and modern society that are the problem.
Autism the condition is probably a disadvantage. Some of the genes that cause autism may be linked to high intelligence and may not cause autism is every individual.
I believe there are pros and cons to it while I used to despise it entirely. The pros are a fantastic memory, a love for education, I'm very good at repetitive tasks and so I have thrived in the automotive factory industry and I even created the building method for one vehicle part. I can be very nice to people and people generally like me. My Autism gives me 4X the energy compared to an NT person and so I can work like a machine for hours on end. I generally look at my Autism as it being a type of Artificial intelligence. The downsides are that it is difficult to make and maintain friends. It is difficult for me to date or even to know what to say during a date. My lack of eye contact can cause some people to try to Bully me cause they believe I'm afraid of them. Autistic outbursts/meltdowns are the equivalent of a drunk person in a blackout and that can get me into trouble. I have to be aware of my facial expressions as someone might think that I am trying to cause trouble with them due to staring and having a facial expression of anger. I generally don't like what people like and so I'm lost when it comes to sports and other stuff and so I get lost in their conversations of "Patriots or the Giants, Who should win ?"
It's dependent on the environment, which is always changing, although at different rates. So far the neurotypes that have survived have been sufficiently adaptive. With massive ecological collapse incoming we'll see which see which ones survive. We can't presume anything about which are necessary or not for circumstances we don't understand yet. This is one reason eugenics is bad, because it presumes we understand what is necessary or not, when we actually can never know that in advance.
a step away from the [neurotypical] more emotional herdlike mentality ...instinctively anything new is ... frightening ... [to neurotypical folk] ... 🎉 neurodiversity is an advantage for the whole human race 🎉 my hyperliteracy is a form of neurodiversity I love it I encounter, tie and time again, folk who loathe me for it Only this year have I begun to state explicitly to neurotypicals that I am hyoerliterate and this is why X, Y or Z. It is an attempt to lower the levels of received hostility Bless your work, Paul ❤ 💙 💜 💖 💗
For me it's a disadvantage. I'm never given any opportunities in life. I'm always denied jobs. Noone can ever find anything to love about me. I'm unlovable. I'm always hated by everyone. I have no friends or family that I matter to. Noone cares how alone I am. noone cares how lonely iam. I don't matter. People are so heartless careless and cruel to me.
Sorry to hear that. You should go to church find one where you r comfortable. There r many friendly folks where you can find friends & closer relationship to God through Christ Jesus our Lord.
@@annsmith8948 why say anything it does no good. Ppl are so arrogant and ignorant. I'm autistic so I don't matter my life don't matter. Noone absolutely noone wants anything to with me and it's ok by society to oppress discriminate and hate me. Going to church never helped all I got was jusged isolated and ignored noone would talk to me or include me. So anymore I hate life I hate living. I have nothing positive ppl just treat me as poorly as you have noone cares and saying anything never helps noone ever cares so I don't care about ppl you all are evil heartless scum to me for no reason I hate the world and everyone in it you all are horrible rotten no good
You are not sorry. Absolutely noone is sorry for how I'm treated or for how they treat me I'm autistic so it's ok for all the world to use me as a door mat I don't matter my life doesn't matter it's ok I'm isolated and alone noone cares noone ever cares everyone is evil heartless cruel to me for no reason and I hate it I hate ppl for how evil everyone is to me
I find it interesting that conversations about autism focus on the social disability part and assume the outcome is someone who will be *less* socially astute. Ymmv, but I don't find my autism is a barrier to understanding others or having empathy. I find it tends to manifest in an *excess* of attentiveness, much how I am excessively sensitive to light. Additionally, surrounded by autistic family members or other autistic people there just isn't the same discord. It's easier to understand the lived experience of everyone else- and I suppose it is not shocking autistic people seem to have a higher than average chance of pairing off with other autistics.
Lol all of us: well yes if the environment favors the traits of autism but if they happen to not then no. Sometimes I feel like more . . . Like a romulan vs a Vulcan
Imagine an individual who has no strengths and weakness, no variation - he's absolutely average at everything. Now imagine all humans are like that. Humanity's limit will be his average limit, a straight line. Now imagine there's variation - people have different strengths and weaknesses. These peaks of strength raises humanity's limit, now forming an ondulating line. In some extreme cases, the discrepancy between strengths and weaknesses are bigger. This creates areas of significant excessess and significant deficits. Yet, medical science is biased towards automatically seeing all differences as deficit. An "excess" could be something good and advantageous, like inteligence or memory, but it could also lead to hypersensibility, which theorists see as deficit in sensory integration, not a dysfunctional excess. In the article 'A sound advantage', there's evidence autistic people have increased sound related capabilities, and the authors suggest this increased capability also leads to sensory overload and dysfunction.
it is one of those funny things. It is an advantage to the group. it is an disadvantage to the individual. There seems to be a pretty steady number of the population that seems to have autism. The percentage of that number seems to be relative to the population need and ability to support unique individuals.
