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And this kind of comment is what happens when people lack respect for those whose experience of life is different from their own. Do you believe that their expe
by mdpye 14y ago
And this kind of comment is what happens when people lack respect for those whose experience of life is different from their own. Do you believe that their experience is less valid? What are your objective criteria for deciding this? Differences are just that - they confer advantages and disadvantages against the population average. The weight of balance may fall either way, who are you to declare that without experiencing it?
I find the point about autism especially rich, given that it must be understood at a spectrum, and in a forum such as this, most of us likely sit waaay closer to the end you deride that the population average.
- MostAwesomeDude 14y agoAs a musician who, like his ancestors, will slowly but surely go deaf during his lifetime (and has noticed the process starting already), I can respect deaf people but not the desire to propagate deafness. Do you understand?
- mdpye 14y agoI do, as a hearing person who greatly enjoys music, I would not choose to be deaf. But would I choose never having experienced music aurally (and people do experience it through touch, for example), over the bond and understanding with my parents and their friends? Or over the increase in other senses which lacking acuity in one is documented to often bring? Well, then I have no idea - I'm not in a position to speculate given my lack of experience. But the important point is that in this case we're not talking about removing one of someone's senses, we're talking about choosing to raise someone who never had one. Would you agree that your viewpoint is one informed by the pain of loss rather than the experience of lack?
- MostAwesomeDude 14y agoI can't agree with that. In a similar vein, my roommate and a couple other close friends are red-green colorblind, a common genetic deficiency which commonly afflicts men. The pain and suffering they experience in their day-to-day lives, while arguably minor compared to many other more serious problems, is still pretty debilitating at times.
- yew 14y agoI find the point about autism especially rich, given that it must be understood at a spectrum, and in a forum such as this, most of us likely sit waaay closer to the end you deride than the population average. Self-criticism being a high and praiseworthy art, at least where I come from. The general sentiment that one shouldn't be permitted to study and improve oneself is much more offensive.
- mdpye 14y agoI'd like to understand this comment, but I'm afraid I can't fathom its relation to what you quoted. I meant to convey that the highly analytical mindset is lauded as a great strength here. The popularity of social skill self-help type articles on here also demonstrates that it is a strength with trade-offs. Y'know, like almost all differences in people's make ups. Sorry if we're talking at cross purposes.
- yew 14y agoAutism (along with all sorts of other things) isn't just 'a highly analytical mindset.' As you say, it has downsides. Which can be very unpleasant (and not just for other people, either). The idea that we should all just learn to except everybody for who they are, which in my experience is often coupled with the idea that wanting to change yourself is bad, is an idea that I am not a fan of, to put it lightly. I've heard it directed at myself to often for that.
- mdpye 14y agoFair enough. I've never had a serious encounter with the opinion that one shouldn't want to improve oneself. The idea that wishing for a change which cannot be achieved might be harmful (to happiness at least) - but not the idea that someone shouldn't try to grow towards a better self. By respecting someone else's differing experience, I mean supporting rather than dictating their efforts. Who else could know who you want to become?
- yew 14y ago