opposite of ASD

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Jesus is a mythical figure of sorts, but having said that, if we examine him as a real person, do you really believe that cared about right now? His whole life was predestined and he knew his fate at an early age. I'm sure he cared for people in the moment, but I think he was more a "big picture" type of guy. He was about his message, hence the prophet label.

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No one is perfect, but I do believe there are people are social geniuses, they are in every community.

I think Jesus & Buddha were both "big picture" and "here & now." I think the apparent differences arise from different styles, (they were different people from different cultures), and the way history records them.

Uh...is such a thing possible? Is there such a person in the world?

Maybe Mother Theresa was.

Nitpick time! Jesus is legendayr, not mythical Yeshua of Nazereth was a real historical human being. But now he is enormously well-known in a form that is swathed in mystical legends and religion, and probably most of the stories about him are not entirely true, thus he is a legend.

The opposite of autism would probably have little to do with social skills (although it might tangentially cause good ones or seemingly good ones), because as far as anyone can tell, the basic differences between autistic and non-autistic people are not social. The social stuff is a byproduct, not anything central.

Good Point.

Sir, you have surpassed your BS quota for the week. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Go immediately to Jail.

There is a spectrum here, and not everyone exhibits all the same characteristics. Inability to do well socially is fairly common, but not universal.

So, the idea that someone could be a social 'genius' and have Asperger's is not entirely an unreasonable idea. But it would be very abnormal.

It would be interesting to see what if any conditions are universal.


I'm suspicious about the idea of such a thing as 'social' or 'emotional' intelligence. Well I can see that some people do better socially, and some people understand each other better than others, I'm not sure if it can really be called 'intelligence' in a lot of cases.


I think that in a lot of cases, it's used to make people not very smart seem like they are. But then, that could just be bad science. And, maybe they aren't 'smart', but they might have some actual positive trait that doesn't need to be masked into something it's not.

I wonder if 'social' or 'emotional' intelligence is really just charisma. But then, Intelligence and Charisma are both pretty vague uncertain terms.

I dont know. that doesnt quite fit either. There are people out there that are nasty, brutish, dont like people, are not nice at all... and people still like them. I believe on of the members here described his or her brother in a similar way.

A big part of my theory of proper behavior is that you act according to expectation, rather than any sort of social charm. Violation of expection is when you start getting trouble in regards to love, friendship and general fitting in.

For instance, I have seen innocuous push overs date relatively nice people, only to have those nice people treat them badly, because they did not meet the expectation of fair demand and equality. Likewise, I have seen nice women marry abusive men, and stay with them. On the otherhand, i have seen nice couples marry, only to have one turn abusive and destroy the relationship.

It is the violation of past behavior, or the violation of expectation of future behavior that messes things up.

I better stop before I rant.

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Perhaps we should look at Dale Carnegie's, "How to win friends and influence people". He wrote a pretty good book many moons ago. Much of what states relates to how a true "social genius" would lead.

Here are the 4 major sections and subheadings of his book on working with people. A social genius may inherently know these things.

Part One
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People

1. Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
2. Give honest and sincere appreciation.
3. Arouse in the other person an eager want.

Part Two
Six ways to make people like you

1. Become genuinely interested in other people.
2. Smile.
3. Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
4. Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
5. Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
6. Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

Part Three
Win people to your way of thinking

1. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
2. Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."
3. If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
8. Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
9. Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
10. Appeal to the nobler motives.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.

Part Four
Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
A leader's job often includes changing your people's attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:

1. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
2. Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
3. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
4. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
5. Let the other person save face.
6. Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
7. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
8. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
9. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Sounds like "how to be manipulative" to me.

I don't know how most people are, either, but I don't really have any particular pleasant reaction to hearing my name, in fact it's a little jarring.

What is social interaction then? Is social interaction chance meetings where the slate is clean before and after each encounter? Are humans just bumble bees bumbling along? From my vantage point this would be a real innocent way to experience the world. Perhaps that is what you are driving at. Is this how those on the spectrum experience life?

Have you heard the phrase, "first impressions are lasting"? Why do many people see this as some what truthful? Do Aspies see it this way?

Social genius = master of manipulation.

Hence why they arent particularly revered.

I think Phineas T. Barnum was a social genius. He was manipulative and egocentric, but a hell of a salesman and could con people into trusting him and beleiving just about anything.

If your looking for the social geniuses of the world your looking for the con artists and snake oil salesmen the people who can get you to trust and believe them for no apparent reason.

I can sense a real general dislike from Aspies for those are brilliant that way. Einstein was brilliant. He also helped develop the most destructive weapon the earth has still seen. It's easy to judge, and often that is unfairly done...including my Einstein bit.

As I have mentioned before, I'm not on the spectrum but have never belonged in the center of the higher social circles. I don't vilify social geniuses, I'm more fascinated by them just as I fascinated by the truly brilliant. Neither are predictable, and often surprise you in their thoughts and in their actions. I would suggest that many social geniuses are in fact the glue that holds society together. Many SG's have devoted their life to the betterment of mankind. In your community they would be in leadership roles like a Principal, Mayor, Minister, or in charge of an agency like the United Way. Yes...I know what you are thinking...these people are horrible, well that is what the media constantly reinforces but one of the most impressive men I have ever met was a Principal.

So you disagree that socialization is the art of selfish manipulation?

What determines if a social encounter was successful? If you benefited from it and convinced others of your value (real or imagined) then you are a success? Thats still manipulating the opinions of others.

The "social geniuses" you hold in such high esteem are not what hold society together.

Without law would society still exist for long?

"A person who is great is granted authority so a person who has authority is great because of it."

Sorry but we arent impressed by circular thinking and argumentum ad verecundiam logical fallacies.