the roots of prosteletizing and the search for cures

why is it that people who think they have something so great think that someone who doesn't have it is suffering?it's kind of the very nature of proselytizing in general... of all kinds. religious, scientific, health, political. whatever.i've seen a lot lately about 'find a cure for autism!!!111one'. it's not a disease. it's an alternative brain make-up. it's part of who people are. it's only difficult for people who want crap handed to them. same with add (real add not the stupid parents who want pets for kids) and other function issues. same with women and why we aren't 'normal'... like men. same with this new breed of convertist atheists. of all the people who confuse me...but really. it's an important question. where does this come from? is it the standard 'i'm better than you and you have to be like me to be cool' or is it something more, something systemic, something insidious and we just haven't figured it out yet. is it the same creature as hate: just as destructive but directed with good intentions? (the road to hell....)probably coffee house cause it has little to do with anything in particular.This message has been edited by brennakimi, 12-31-2005 10:51 AMThis message has been edited by brennakimi, 12-31-2005 04:44 PM

i think they are related. that's the idea.that's my proposal. if you don't want a thread on it, then don't promote it. *shrugs* i'll get over it.This message has been edited by brennakimi, 12-31-2005 10:52 AM

blah blah something about subtitles.

if nothing else, there is the pure evidence that people with "disorders" manage (somehow) to live normal live and be successful in society. no it's not quite a mainstream view, but it is not as radical as you think. spectrum disorders result in adaptations of behavior from the norm. not all of these behaviors must be compensated for. sure tourette's ticks don't necessarily have any useful application (perhaps... ), but the differences of add enable better multitasking. i'm discovering everyday how my particular spectrum disorder enables me to think about theory in ways other people simply can't. i draw similarities between subjects people see as disparate because i don't comprehend human construct and social distinction very well. i find solutions that people never would have looked for because all the knowledge i have is floating around in a goop at easy access rather than being squared away in boxes (with or without topses). in my discrete math class, i always proved things differently from the other students.but i don't really think it's relevant to the discussion. i think it's more just the idea that there's something wrong with people if they're different from the norm or even from a certain 'good' individual. perhaps i'm simply being too specific for the topic.

well what i mean is that i don't think the discussion of autism/add is necessary to the debate. these 'disorders' are clearly not diseases, nor are they often degenerative. they demonstrate a different working of the systems, but do not preclude normal societal function--which is the weak definition of being properly ordered. i'm sure i'm just terribly wrong in that. ah well.anyways. i'm starting to wonder if the topic would be well received. and i think i'm gonna take a break from the forums for a while. i'll bring it up some other time maybe when i'm more... well-disposed.

it's more than thinking outside the box, though. it's being made differently (no legs or different chemistry).like i said. i need more time on this one than i first anticipated. just let it drop and i'll think about it next year or something.