AS's Shadow Syndrome: Geekdom?

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Reference: http://wrongplanet.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=3024#37437

Where should we draw the line on who is and who is not an aspie? Like many conditions affecting the brain, Asperger's syndrome and the autism spectrum shade into normality (i.e., neurological typicality). A diagnosis requiring a certain number of signs and symptoms is a fairly arbitrary designation.

We can think of normal geeks as our neurological cousins. They frequently share many personality traits with us: introversion, intense interests, and social skill deficits. But geekdom is largely a cultural phenomenon. A geek is defined by his or her interests and association with people of like mind, not necessarily by these personality and behavioral traits that are simply common among geeks.

So, WrongPlanet.net, what do you think? Is geekiness a shadow manifestation of Asperger's syndrome or autism, expressed as a culture group? Is it something separate?

I have decided against using a poll for this thread because it would reduce a complex question to a few simplistic answers.

In reality, there is not going to be any clear line, and even the fuzziest boundaries are going to be located in several directions, not just one.

I think geeks are more likely to attract autistic-type people, but so are a lot of other kinds of people, and geeks aren't exclusively autistic-type people. You can also find autistic people among several other "cultures" of that nature, that are not geeks in particular.

And in all of those, there will be some autistic people excluded. I have found myself excluded among geeks for being autistic, for example.

I have been classified a a geek, despite openly listening to goth, industrial, metal and punk; wearing black clothing a hell of a lot and generally showing an interest in what is deemed gothic. People just call me a geek because I also enjoy computer games, fantasy and am eccentric. Either way, the definition of geek depends on where you live and how you act among different people.

True - if 'geek' is used as a blanket label to describe the atypical or 'uncool', it covers an extremely varied group. Using NeantHumain's definition as a base:

Those described as geeks by those criteria may be more likely to display autistic traits, but the competitiveness of geek culture is not always autie-friendly - also those NTs who are shat on in mainstream society often turn on someone less fortunate. grrr. the pecking order thing...

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that given the shared traits the proportion of shadow AS, and 'full blown' ASDs within the geek population is likely to be higher than in society at large, however the label includes many who share few of our traits and there are still aspects of mainstream social behaviour.

Dunc

If you are obsessed with anime, computers, swords and anything japanese you're a geek.

All they are are NT's with the obsessions above. That's why they don't fit in with normal people, nothing remotley related to AS.

Anything watched on a computer that's supposed to be watched on a TV is being a geek, too.

U know, i've never been called for being excentric. Then again, I was born in 1988 Jan. So Therefore I'm am a chinese dragon, and we are supposed to be excentric

this thread makes me think of Trekkies 1 & 2. the great thing about these movies is the way that most of those who would be considered "geeks" by the alleged normals not only feel no shame but proudly embrace their geekdom/differentness.

i don't like labels in general. they're a shortcut to thinking.

I constitute a geek now, but in high school I was known as a loner, or a "fag" by a couple people who had nothing better to do then spred rumors. It seems that people on the spectrum are generally labeled as "geeks", "goths", "fags", "loners", or "ret*ds".

(Yes, I know there are slurs in my post. I'm conveying the way I was viewed and the prevailing attitudes at least for my area).

Yeah.

The times I've tried hanging around with geeks, basically there was still a situation where everyone was 'getting' something I didn't get socially, and I ended up just being ignored at best.

Not really.. all the geeks I know except like 2 I would have thought had AS if I didn't know better.

"geek", "fag", & "ret*d" have all been applied to me at one point or another by others during my public school education.

One person during my senior year referred to me as "the stupidiest person alive"



Why does that sound so familiar to me......

Most of the 'geeks' I hung out with in the past were not really the stereotypical 'geeks with anoraks'. There was a substantial interest in alcohol and partying and eventually computers went out of fashion.

I have always loved computers and been a 'geek' in that aspect since I was nine years old.

I know a few 'geeks' today, one of whom I know from school from 16 years ago, and if we start talking about computers we'll bore everybody rigid on the train home from work.

I'm almost a stereotypical geek: computers, glasses, lives with parents and a goldmine of useless information. I don't wear anoraks though, and I used to go to football (soccer) matches (HIghbury, Wembley, Cardiff, Old Trafford. I could only handle the crowds (38,000 to 80,000) because of my total obsession with football at the time. It was everything).

I can identify with that from adolescence to a fair degree. There are some things I am totally oblivious to and others I just don't see the relevance of until too late, when I don't say anything as opening my mouth got me torn to pieces (verbally) until I learned to keep it shut.

Yes, I believe "geek" is too much of a loosely defined term. From what I can tell from what you all are saying, that there are different septs of geekdome in which these geeks would fall into. It would be interesting to see which section(s) if any share more Asperger Shadow qualities than others.

Just a pondering I had.

PS- My dad was a geek AND seemed the perfect picture of Aspergers. I would probably be considered a geek if it weren't for my other interests of poetry and art. I am more considered/called a "character" or just plain eccentric.

I probably can be classed as a geek. I: enjoy playing computer games for hours on end; want to learn to programme in C++; read fantasy and sci-fi; am a devoted fan to Monty Python, Blackadder, Futurama and the Simpsons; have few friends; am brilliant at maths and science; enjoy history, geography and geology etc. Oh well. I do not classify myself as much of a geek, as I also: listen to heavy metal, industrial, goth and punk music; wear black clothing; collect BB guns; take part in archery; play the keyboard; try to learn guitar riffs; burn incense; read poetry and short stories of Edgar Allen Poe; enjoy the art of HR Giger etc. Therefore, I must conclude, the label of geek is pointless as theoretically no one will fully fit in with the stereotype and will hae 'redeeming' qualities- then again, what the hell is wrong with geeks?

/me believes I am getting the complete Monty Python's Flying Circus on DVD for me birthday in August.

<--- this is me, hopeful.

So what? I have all four movies on DVD.