31 Oct 2011, 5:23 pm
02 Nov 2011, 6:46 am
02 Nov 2011, 1:36 pm
02 Nov 2011, 6:30 pm
Tambourine-Man wrote:
Zeraeph wrote:
...and how much did they pay you?
That's a secret. I'm not sure actually. My dad takes care of money stuff. I'm pretty clueless about it. He said they paid well. He's nobody's fool and drives a hard bargain.
Money doesn't mean much to me. I really enjoyed the opportunity, and appreciate having a large platform to share my stories and the Neurodiversity message.
It was fun!
Sorry, my bad...of course that's private...I wasn't thinking...
...it's just that last time anyone asked me to speak (nothing like as rich, or important as Autism Speaks) they offered €500 (that's about $700) and expenses - which, of course I point blank refused in favour of petrol and somebody feeding me, because I have a deeply held belief that accepting money compromises my neutrality. and, of course, I would not DREAM of taking that kind of money from little kids and their hard pressed parents (aqs it seemed I would have been...
...anyway, before I could go it turned out they were heavily affiliated with DAN...and...well...I am never comfortable around anyone that corrupt and/or crazy (to say the least!) so I backed out...
I was just curious how that fee stacked up in comparison (if you could ask your Dad even just whether it was more, or less' and PM me I would still be very interested.)
You are lucky to have a wealthy family to take care of you so that money doesn't have to mean much to you...I don't, so money is a matter of life or death...
But there are still many, many thing I could not live with doing for it.
02 Nov 2011, 6:54 pm
02 Nov 2011, 8:58 pm
02 Nov 2011, 9:02 pm
Zeraeph wrote:
Tambourine-Man wrote:
Zeraeph wrote:
...and how much did they pay you?
That's a secret. I'm not sure actually. My dad takes care of money stuff. I'm pretty clueless about it. He said they paid well. He's nobody's fool and drives a hard bargain.
Money doesn't mean much to me. I really enjoyed the opportunity, and appreciate having a large platform to share my stories and the Neurodiversity message.
It was fun!
Sorry, my bad...of course that's private...I wasn't thinking...
...it's just that last time anyone asked me to speak (nothing like as rich, or important as Autism Speaks) they offered €500 (that's about $700) and expenses - which, of course I point blank refused in favour of petrol and somebody feeding me, because I have a deeply held belief that accepting money compromises my neutrality. and, of course, I would not DREAM of taking that kind of money from little kids and their hard pressed parents (aqs it seemed I would have been...
...anyway, before I could go it turned out they were heavily affiliated with DAN...and...well...I am never comfortable around anyone that corrupt and/or crazy (to say the least!) so I backed out...
I was just curious how that fee stacked up in comparison (if you could ask your Dad even just whether it was more, or less' and PM me I would still be very interested.)
You are lucky to have a wealthy family to take care of you so that money doesn't have to mean much to you...I don't, so money is a matter of life or death...
But there are still many, many thing I could not live with doing for it.
My family is not as wealthy as you may think. We spent many hundreds of thousands trying to keep my sister alive.
I have dyscalculia. Money just confuses me. I told my dad to use the check for groceries.
Ichinin
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,653
Location: A cold place with lots of blondes.
03 Nov 2011, 10:29 am
03 Nov 2011, 5:31 pm
Zeraeph wrote:
Tambourine-Man wrote:
Zeraeph wrote:
...and how much did they pay you?
That's a secret. I'm not sure actually. My dad takes care of money stuff. I'm pretty clueless about it. He said they paid well. He's nobody's fool and drives a hard bargain.
Money doesn't mean much to me. I really enjoyed the opportunity, and appreciate having a large platform to share my stories and the Neurodiversity message.
It was fun!
Sorry, my bad...of course that's private...I wasn't thinking...
...it's just that last time anyone asked me to speak (nothing like as rich, or important as Autism Speaks) they offered €500 (that's about $700) and expenses - which, of course I point blank refused in favour of petrol and somebody feeding me, because I have a deeply held belief that accepting money compromises my neutrality. and, of course, I would not DREAM of taking that kind of money from little kids and their hard pressed parents (aqs it seemed I would have been...
...anyway, before I could go it turned out they were heavily affiliated with DAN...and...well...I am never comfortable around anyone that corrupt and/or crazy (to say the least!) so I backed out...
I was just curious how that fee stacked up in comparison (if you could ask your Dad even just whether it was more, or less' and PM me I would still be very interested.)
You are lucky to have a wealthy family to take care of you so that money doesn't have to mean much to you...I don't, so money is a matter of life or death...
But there are still many, many thing I could not live with doing for it.
It is interesting that you suggest that money compromises neutrality. Have you read the articles that I was paid to write? They each begin with this statement...
John Scott Holman struggled with undiagnosed autism for nearly 25 years. His diagnosis has enabled him to embrace his individuality and move forward. He writes and speaks publicly about his life with autism, hoping to inspire greater understanding and acceptance.
I even discuss the cure controversy in Part III...
I thanked Shih and wandered off to abduct someone important for our next interview. Luckily, I was distracted by a group discussion in the dining area. Marc Sirkin, Peter Bell, and Steve Silberman were gathered together in heated debate.
“Do I hear opinions?” I said, plopping into a nearby seat. “I’m sure you’re all wrong.”
“Nice to see you again,” Steve said. “We’ve been discussing autistic self-advocacy.”
“Uh oh,” I groaned. “The last thing we need is a pitchfork wielding mob parading through Alex’s shots.”
Marc laughed. “It is a controversial subject.”
“Has anyone seen my soapbox?” I said, looking about.
“Huh?”
“Oh, I’m already standing on it… Black and white thinking is a recognized symptom, and one which casts a troubling shadow over autism politics. We’re not characters in some autistic version of Star Wars. This isn’t about heroes and villains… though I wouldn’t mind seeing Peter here cross light sabers with Ari Ne’eman.”
“You’re a storm trooper… but your scene was cut.”
“Autism Speaks has made mistakes. We’re all learning. Autism was poorly understood when I was a kid. I lived 24 years without a diagnosis. Awareness is spreading. It is only natural to see more people being diagnosed. We finally know what to look for.”
“Aren’t you offended by the notion of a cure?” Steve asked.
“I don’t know what that means, and I’ll give five bucks to anyone who can offer a simple explanation.”
No one made a sound.
“Anyone? Mark? Bueller…? Bueller…?”
I’d have to remember this little challenge the next time Alex needed a quiet set.
“Good, I’m broke anyway. Autistic pride is great, but we need to remember those who can’t advocate for themselves, or communicate at all. The promise of a cure brings hope to many devastated families.”
“False hope?” Steve asked.
“Maybe, but people need hope. More importantly, they are willing to pay for it. We may never find a cure, but there is no telling what will be discovered along the way. Knowledge is a powerful asset. I’m not opposed to genetic research, but I’d like to see a greater emphasis on services and support – that’s why I’m sitting here with you fine people!”
The conversation continued for some time, everyone offering valuable insights. I realized, quite suddenly, that precedents were being broken all around me. For far too long, the autistic community has been relegated to either side of a massive, ideological divide. In that moment, we were unknowingly constructing a bridge. This was truly an unlikely meeting of minds, and a rare dialogue.
---
Does this sound any different than the viewpoint I've had all along?
03 Nov 2011, 10:00 pm
Tambourine-Man wrote:
Does this sound any different than the viewpoint I've had all along?
Of course not - but only in the sense that, all along, my honest impression is that the closest thing you have to a viewpoint of any kind is a determination to sell out to the highest bidder...and, to me, that piece says exactly the same thing.
You have to remember that we are not all totally naive...I, for example, am older than your mum, and professionally trained at post grad level in PR, lobbying and media analysis...I see stuff other people might miss...and I am just too autistic to know what kind of lie I should tell rather than just tell it the way I see it.
...apart from which, I seem to recall saying that I always refuse payment because it would compromise *my* neutrality - I made no inference about you, or anyone else, at all, to the contrary, I emphasised the difference in the sense that I actually need the money, and you do not...but, if you feel the cap fits...
Ichinin
Veteran
Joined: 3 Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,653
Location: A cold place with lots of blondes.
04 Nov 2011, 2:35 am
04 Nov 2011, 8:10 am
04 Nov 2011, 10:25 am
Zeraeph wrote:
Tambourine-Man wrote:
Does this sound any different than the viewpoint I've had all along?
Of course not - but only in the sense that, all along, my honest impression is that the closest thing you have to a viewpoint of any kind is a determination to sell out to the highest bidder...and, to me, that piece says exactly the same thing.
You have to remember that we are not all totally naive...I, for example, am older than your mum, and professionally trained at post grad level in PR, lobbying and media analysis...I see stuff other people might miss...and I am just too autistic to know what kind of lie I should tell rather than just tell it the way I see it.
...apart from which, I seem to recall saying that I always refuse payment because it would compromise *my* neutrality - I made no inference about you, or anyone else, at all, to the contrary, I emphasised the difference in the sense that I actually need the money, and you do not...but, if you feel the cap fits...
What makes you think I don't need the money? I don't care about money. I don't understand money. I don't carry money. I don't have a bank account. That doesn't mean I don't need it any less than anyone else.
These were my opinions long before I had spoken to anyone at Autism Speaks. They are my opinions today. I have refused to praise their every endeavor. On their own website I talk about the impossibility of a cure and write of the need for services, support, and acceptance. That message reaches far more people through their website than it would anywhere else.
This quote, which you interpret as evidence of me selling out, basically says that the cure is a marketing scheme to generate money for valuable research, then goes on to say that more of this money needs to be going to services and support! If that is selling out, then I'm a proud sell-out!
I will go with the largest platform and the widest audience, but my message remains the same. It is a message of moderation and cooperation in a an all too divided community. It always has been.
Last edited by Tambourine-Man on 04 Nov 2011, 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
04 Nov 2011, 10:39 am
04 Nov 2011, 2:29 pm
04 Nov 2011, 6:42 pm
Tambourine-Man wrote:
But I'm not going to argue with you Zeraeph. The things you have said and done here and on AFF were appalling. You had people frightened for my life. You stalked my family and made up ridiculous lies. You spent hours upon hours of you life attempting to drag my name through the mud with ridiculous lies, exaggerations, and misrepresentations.
I see no reason to justify myself to you.
I see no reason to justify myself to you.
I hope you are not wasting this projective, hyperbolic, rubbish on me?
I'd say "nice try", but it wouldn't, actually, be true.
Trust me, 99% of all known people notice, pretty quickly, when a person throws a tantrum and a load of false accusations every time somebody doesn't tell them whatever they want to hear.
...and frankly, I cannot even imagine a way you *could* justify yourself to me, which is why I have never asked you to try, and never will.
