3 ms·

Out of curiosity, why do you care what a musician thinks of a film/book about autism? Do you expect them to be an expert / smart on everything because they make

Out of curiosity, why do you care what a musician thinks of a film/book about autism? Do you expect them to be an expert / smart on everything because they make music you like? Or would you not be able to enjoy their music if you know that they don't understand some topic, or have a stupid opinion on what the best cake is, or enjoy reading horoscopes and watching feel-good movies?

bitwize 4y ago
1) Imogen Heap is up there with John Carmack on the list of people I am a fan of. If she came out in support of FC despite being informed of the issues with it, it would reduce my respect for her by a couple of pegs in a way that, say, Taylor Swift or Madonna doing so wouldn't. One of the reasons why I hold her in particular esteem is because she has always admitted to her ignorance of things she is ignorant of and sought to learn more. So like I said, total benefit of the doubt. 2) The autism issue is dear to me because I'm on the spectrum. I've really lucked out because I'm verbal and can overall function pretty well. I'm even a husband, something I never thought I could expect to be. So I especially feel for all the nonverbal and otherwise severely autistic people who end up as pawns in people's political and egotistical agendas. Facilitated communication is not "reading horoscopes and watching feel-good movies"; it has hurt autistic and non-autistic people. (For example there were allegations of sexual abuse obtained through FC that were taken very seriously but ultimately shown to be false.) But like Miracle Mineral[0] it's a form of woo that just won't stay discredited, to the detriment of all who embrace it. [0] To the Hackernews who reads this and thinks "but Miracle Mineral realigned my gut bacteria and cured my chronic fatigue" -- and I know you're out there -- you're drinking bleach, dude. Popehat's Law of Bleach applies.
- luckylion 4y ago
  Thank you for explaining. I didn't mean to suggest that Facilitated communication is like reading horoscopes. I assumed that the movie was some kind of heartwarming film that people (women!) watch to feel good. That's what I'd assume first and foremost, not that the person watching it is aware of the how the source material was created and embraces that. I've seen people become annoyed when someone they admire does something boring, like a brilliant scientist who also collects hand-bags or likes to go to football matches, because they seem to envision them as brilliant scientists 24/7 without a life outside of being brilliant (and probably communicating only in deep profound statements, even when they're at the checkout in the cafeteria and the cashier is rolling their eyes because they're holding up the queue). I don't share your approach to people and don't understand it at all, but I'm aware that's on me, not you. I guess I'm just very good at compartmentalizing, I can't think of a single person where I'd be disappointed if they came out as liking pop-music or strongly believing in homeopathy, flat-earth, or socialism. I'm a fan of some people, but it's narrowly confined to their work in some area, e.g. I might love someone's books or music, but that wouldn't translate into me caring about their political views.

bitwize 4y ago

1) Imogen Heap is up there with John Carmack on the list of people I am a fan of. If she came out in support of FC despite being informed of the issues with it, it would reduce my respect for her by a couple of pegs in a way that, say, Taylor Swift or Madonna doing so wouldn't. One of the reasons why I hold her in particular esteem is because she has always admitted to her ignorance of things she is ignorant of and sought to learn more. So like I said, total benefit of the doubt. 2) The autism issue is dear to me because I'm on the spectrum. I've really lucked out because I'm verbal and can overall function pretty well. I'm even a husband, something I never thought I could expect to be. So I especially feel for all the nonverbal and otherwise severely autistic people who end up as pawns in people's political and egotistical agendas. Facilitated communication is not "reading horoscopes and watching feel-good movies"; it has hurt autistic and non-autistic people. (For example there were allegations of sexual abuse obtained through FC that were taken very seriously but ultimately shown to be false.) But like Miracle Mineral[0] it's a form of woo that just won't stay discredited, to the detriment of all who embrace it. [0] To the Hackernews who reads this and thinks "but Miracle Mineral realigned my gut bacteria and cured my chronic fatigue" -- and I know you're out there -- you're drinking bleach, dude. Popehat's Law of Bleach applies.

luckylion 4y ago
Thank you for explaining. I didn't mean to suggest that Facilitated communication is like reading horoscopes. I assumed that the movie was some kind of heartwarming film that people (women!) watch to feel good. That's what I'd assume first and foremost, not that the person watching it is aware of the how the source material was created and embraces that. I've seen people become annoyed when someone they admire does something boring, like a brilliant scientist who also collects hand-bags or likes to go to football matches, because they seem to envision them as brilliant scientists 24/7 without a life outside of being brilliant (and probably communicating only in deep profound statements, even when they're at the checkout in the cafeteria and the cashier is rolling their eyes because they're holding up the queue). I don't share your approach to people and don't understand it at all, but I'm aware that's on me, not you. I guess I'm just very good at compartmentalizing, I can't think of a single person where I'd be disappointed if they came out as liking pop-music or strongly believing in homeopathy, flat-earth, or socialism. I'm a fan of some people, but it's narrowly confined to their work in some area, e.g. I might love someone's books or music, but that wouldn't translate into me caring about their political views.