Seeing NTs as Empty Shells

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I'm not sure on how to really word this properly, but NTs are just "there" for me. They don't have opinions, backgrounds, futures, but are things that make me laugh, give me stuff, etc. I don't have any opinions of them, they just "are," if that makes and sense. The only NTs I do have opinions about are tv/film characters because I can really see what they're thinking and what they've gone through.

I'm often surprised when one has an opinion different from me or doesn't automatically know something I don't (even though I am aware that doesn't make sense). This guy described what he thought of one of my friends and I was confused on how he saw all these traits in her and her actions, when for me she's just "my friend [place name here]."

I never thought about it in this way before, but now that you said it I realize my view of them is very similar. NTs seem all the same to me because I don't understand them very well, and interacting with them feels like a chore.

I do that so often. It's like every time I will think, "There's no way that they won't agree with me this time." But I'm wrong every time.

I feel this way towards almost all people- NT or otherwise.

I kind of know what you mean. Sometimes I'm struck by the realisation that everyone I meet is a person as complex as I am.

OP, what is it about non-NTs that makes you able to see them as more than empty shells?

Hmm, well I say NT, but I've only met one (that I know of) autistic. Now that you mention it, I see people as empty shells.

This is interesting in that I know some NTs who view people on the spectrum this way (aspies) who have told me they'd never hire an aspie just for this reason.

Interesting threads lately about NTs. So they're just there and they're pets?

Sounds like a Theory of Mind issue.

This is exactly how I feel, that they don't have a mind. Sounds kind of bad, doesn't it?

It's not so bad. Can make you naïve though.

I feel that way about all people (except loved ones) but other than that, I can really relate to what you're saying.

It's kinda like how children can't imagine their parents or teachers having a life outside of where they see them, only with everyone.

One example was in junior high. It was a Friday and at the end of the school day a boy in my class said that soon it would be weekend. "Yeah finally!" I exclaimed.
He grinned and said: "So you're living for the weekends too?"
It surprised me that he did, because it had never occurred to me that he had thoughts on things like that. Not that it was all that surprising really, I just don't take those things into account. It was like, "oh yeah, K is a real person".

I generally only notice people if they annoy or scare me. They're just part of the scenery, like pebbles and buildings. I assume it's because I am so disinterested in them. To most people, people stand out, their attention is drawn to them. That is rarely the case for me.
To me people watching would be like the most boring activity ever. I don't understand what anyone gets out of it.


I think everyone will be surprised if someone doesn't know something they think is elementary. Other than that, it doesn't surprise me. I'm actually surprised when someone knows something, because it doesn't happen all that often. That sounds bad but it's true.

It usually doesn't surprise me that people have opinions that differ from mine, but when they express them it will make me a bit annoyed because it reminds me that they're there and real, and drawing me out, forcing me to react, if only by making me think something in response when I would rather keep thinking about whatever I was thinking about. They become a distraction.


I know that feeling. It's not something I think of a lot but when I do, I feel dizzy. It's not that I don't know it, it's matter of not thinking about it.

Last edited by Skilpadde on 19 Oct 2014, 1:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

Oh, they have a mind all right. It's just inhabited by a system intelligence instead of an individual intelligence.
They are components of a larger mind.

Nope, I don't see them that way at all. My perception is that they are incredibly complex, thinking beings. My personal opinion, however, is that most of them are insane.

If you mean that they are not altogether in control of themselves, then I agree.

I think so many are irrational and do stupid things without thinking. I remember I was with this guy and I asked him to tickle me because it's one of my favourite stims. He did it and after a while he just got on top of me. I guess he thought I wanted sex, but all I did was ask him to tickle my arm. I don't understand how that and sex relates at all! NTs are so weird.

This is a little weirder but... I'll be out in public and sometimes, a strange feeling will come over me like I REALLY feel disconnected/dissociated from those walking around me. I feel like they're emotionless machines. It makes me feel even more like I don't belong here - but that's just my brain.

As far as ToM stuff, yeah! I've been pulled up many a time where I never even considered others could have a different opinion to mine.

The only thing interesting about them is how they're a testament to the stereotype that Aspies lack empathy.