PHILOSPHICAL DEBATE! I NEED YOUR OPINIONS!

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As someone who studies bio anthropology, i have to agree with Ruveyn. =/

Wow, this thread has got a bit long...

How do we know that we have always been the minority?

Also, I wonder whether autism occurs in other species apart from humans? I suspect that it probably does?

Evolution is a "blind" process.
It doesn't decide to experiment or make a better version of something.

The only way a trait can be selected for is if it benifits either the individual OR the groups reproductive rate. For example some species kill themselves defending others, called altruism. They don't breed, but their death causes the same genes in their relatives to "live on".

It is possible that AS is some kind of "accidental" selection though. For example it would be benificial for groups to see in detail to spot predators or potential prey, so these genes that premote a brain that can see details instead of the general picture proliferate in the population. The "Accident" is when someone inherits the wrong combination, or too many of these genes, and their brain is disabled because they see TOO MUCH detail.

Kind of like Sicle Cell anemia evolved in some populations because it protected against malaria. If you inherit one gene its benificial, if you inherit two genes it is the "accident" and it damages your blood cells and it is lethal.

It could be that AS is a byproduct of the evolution of the cognitive capabilities needed by the human species.

I remember reading Jane Goodall talking about a chimpanzee that displayed autistic traits. Such as spinning, OCD, lack of social skills, etc.
Science has also "somehow" created a breed of mice that are autistic. Or at least THEY think the mice are autistic. They could have just messed up the mice brains in a totally different way than human autism. I don't really trust those mice studies about autism much!

I think Robert Sapolsky's work hints at neurodiversity in baboons. He's a neuroendocrinologist from Stanford University and author of "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers," among other things.

This thread is still alive? Whoa.

And thriving.

I saw something new (new to me, at least) and I just had to hurry over here to report.
"The way evolution works" keeps getting more complicated by Epigenetics and other scramblers. (I'm sure that SplinterStar's life will be forever changed by this one.)



And I saw this one on Nova a few weeks ago.



I think I'm just gonna stop pretending that I know what's going on.

Really interesting topic!
As non herd creatures there is an obvious access to perspective that is not constantly and naturally available to NTs. By this very predisposition it seems fair to posit that there is a greater possibility for objectivity and discernment that allows aspies to maintain personal principals and in being true to self ( as that is all that can be known) live life in a state of honesty.
Funny how Nts are often frightened of/by honesty.Do people with ASD inadvertantly become the reflection to NTs of "being true to self" which is therefore threatening to their sense of identity and reality?
I suppose all types of people play a role in the greater scheme of life, whatever that may be, I'm thinking now in Buddhistic terms.

I do like the idea of aspies being able to go to a place that caters for their passions/obsessions/interests............maybe that place is WP.

I'm sure that's exactly what's happening, and why all the confusion. Trying to make sense of a world that refuses to be sensible will make you crazy.

We are "black sheep" because from a strict evolutionary standpoint, we are at a disadvantage for basic survival as part of "the pack," and the "pack" is stronger and more important than any one person. However, in a society with cognitive higher function, the value of "unique" individuals can be recognized and embraced. It'd be like surviving after WWIII and finding a doctor or a scientist or an engineer wanting to join your group. Yeah, they may suck at farming and hauling water but their ability to do healing, design things, fix things and teach others what they know would outweigh the liability that they aren't hard workers in the field.

If society finds a way to "exploit" those with AS for maximum advantage to the society at large (employing us where we can excel), then we are not as much "black sheep" as we might feel we are.

If AS is an "evolutionary step" it could be a step in the wrong direction. The question is if other beneficial steps cause people with AS to produce a superior form of homo sapien and if their numbers can grow to outpopulate the generic version.

Humans breed like rats. If anything a massive culling of the species is overdue. I doubt anything AS people could do by not breeding will make a dent in the population issue.