All Aspies Full Of Facts?

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I don't know, but I find myself intensely irritated when someone reels out a load of textbook style facts at me to something I say or ask... I mean, I suppose I have learnt through other means, and tend to give my own interpretation to things.

It seems to me that some aspies, rather than being just experts on their special interests, siphon in information on anything and everything, ready to spew out at the earliest available opportunity.
I don't do that... I cannot do that. I used to be able to do that as a child maybe, but these days, I find my memory far too poor, my concentration poor.

In short, I only learn in depth about special interests, and usually only have 1, maybe 2 of those at any one time.
I seem unable to make myself learn about all kinds of things... even though I might like to have as much knowledge.

I seem to absorb information on all sorts of subjects but I've learned my
lesson that it's not a good idea to interrupt the flow of people's conversations by rattling off facts,especially if they only have a tenuous connection to the topic. These days I tend to store information for my own benefit,e.g. I'm interested in any general knowledge from around the world and as I work for a worldwide shipping company it can make my job more interesting.

You sound like me. I hate rote memorization and trivia. I prefer learning concepts, and understanding things in depth. I guess I do pick up lots of facts on things I am interested in, but the facts are always secondary to the concepts. Whenever I encounter new information I want to know the "why" and the "how".

This goes 180 degrees against the common stereotype of autistics being walking encyclopedias within their special interests. I always wondered how often this stereotype actually true with aspies.

I like general knowledge, but I sure wouldn't find time to read in depth on numerous subject areas.
I think I just hit a point where I decided, f this, I just don't have time to learn everything... no matter how much I might want to.

And alas, hypothyroidism seems to grossly interfere with my memory and ability to take information in these days.

I think I'm the same way with general knowledge. I always want to know more but don't have the patience or energy to read a lot.

A good example would be philosophy. I like thinking up my own philosophy but I don't have the patience to actually read the works of real philosophers or read philosophy text books.

I like to read a lot, and of course, I retain reams of random facts and information. People are usually impressed if I know something within the context of an existing conversation, but if I just start spouting information, or correct someone who is out to lunch with their facts, people don't like it much.

Yep I'm one of the random information spewing aspies.

Guilty. I read fast and have high retention. I read an entire set of encyclopedias when in grade school.

57.1% of people with Asperger's Syndrome are like that. Just kidding.

Does anyone else find that they have a lack of knowledge or facts in some areas? Especially practical knowledge. I sometimes have the fear that I will be asked something that everyone is supposed to know but I won't know and will appear stupid or uneducated.

I feel especially stupid when it comes to financial stuff. My dad insists on doing financial stuff for me which kind of annoys me because I never learn and then feel stupid when I do have to do something myself. Plus practical financial stuff generally bores me to death (I like thinking about economic theories though).

While Iam here, did you all know that the latin name for the Common Toad is Bufo Bufo ?

Semi-guilty...

I don't just spout random facts, but, like Bobert and monty, I have read an enormous amount of reference material, and retained most of it. So when a conversation veers toward a subject I know a lot of stuff about, the only way I know I know to contribute is to start prattling on about the subject. I'm getting better at noticing when people tire of it, they usually cut me off or interrupt, or give a nonchalant "OK". I don't really know what else to say in situations like that, so I'm trying my best, but I hope I'm not a bother.

And if the subject were to be something I have an interest in, as opposed to just something I know about because I read it, well, watch out! I'm about to get very boring!

Yes I am full of facts from reference materials. I think it's an Aspie trait to almost be a walking encyclopedia.