Trump's appeal to aspies?
As an aspie who supports Donald Trump, I have came up with a list of why many aspies may end up becoming Trump supporters.
-Dislike of collectivism.
Many aspies are fiercely individualistic, be it in interests or attitude. The left's worldview is based on collectivism and compliance to a group identity, and includes proposals that often tread on individual liberties such as freedom of speech. This may push away an aspie who believes strongly in individualism.
-Watching liberals try to debate.
This was a big one for me. All over the place both in my personal interactions and others' online, I've seen a consistent lack of civility and coolheadedness among those on the left. I'm not saying it's exclusive to them but anecdotally it seems much more common for the left to get very emotional which is... highly illogical.
-His unorthodox style.
Many aspies are also unorthodox in their own style, so they may relate to somebody like him who says whatever is on his mind no matter how bizzare it is.
-He is anti elite/anti establishment.
We've all met those snooty, pretentious individuals that patronize and mock us. Maybe it's over our ASD or maybe it's something else, but society is rife with those who feel they are intellectually superior to others. This elitist attitude permeates all of our entertainment-media complex, and as we know that same complex hates Trump. So by siding with Trump, it can often feel like siding against all the people in our lives who have treated us as if we were less than them.
-Resistance to change.
Trump's opponents want to radically change the fabric of America. To somebody with ASD who is content with the current order, the sweeping changes they propose may simply be "too different" for them.
-
-They might feel as if they are part of the victim class in the left's identity heirarchy. Trump is claimed by the media to be an enemy of all "oppresed" people, and so they may feel that Trump is their enemy for that reason.
-They may feel that Trump is too abrasive and emotional in style (not exclusive to aspies)
-They may have a logical rationalization for socialism. (I have thought of such a rationalization but it doesn't hold up from a pragmatic/cynical angle)
-They may be surrounded by Trump haters. Aspies aren't immune to groupthink.
And many aspies are disabled and low income and on disability so I cannot see why they would be a Trump supporter if he is a threat to them. He wants to take away their Medicare and Social Security. He wants to make cuts to these programs. He wants to make cuts to food stamps, something aspies can also rely on for food so they can eat. Ones who are successful, that went to college and studied and make a living off their career they worked hard for, are more likely to be a Trump supporter. Just a pattern here I have noticed. And I see human patterns.
_________________
Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed.
Daughter: NT, no diagnoses.
I completely agree. I also do not understand the appeal he has among some gay and transgender voters given the way he has gutted some of our rights like barring transgender people from joining the military and then he and his family have the nerve to claim he's pro-LGBTQ when he's running for election!
Bradleigh
Veteran
Joined: 25 May 2008
Age: 33
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 6,669
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Many aspies are fiercely individualistic, be it in interests or attitude. The left's worldview is based on collectivism and compliance to a group identity, and includes proposals that often tread on individual liberties such as freedom of speech. This may push away an aspie who believes strongly in individualism.
Funny, because most political analysis puts Trump in the Authoritarian Right, and proposals do a lot that can harm people on their individual liberties, like straight up banning transgender people from all positions in the military and trying to persecute everyone that criticises him. And have you seen the Trump rallies, they are super collectivism, but there is a bit of a difference between large collective bodies behind mostly a charismatic figure, and wanting collective policies that would help everybody regardless of the social power poll.
This was a big one for me. All over the place both in my personal interactions and others' online, I've seen a consistent lack of civility and coolheadedness among those on the left. I'm not saying it's exclusive to them but anecdotally it seems much more common for the left to get very emotional which is... highly illogical.
Have you seen him in the debates? You call how he acted as being prime examples of civility? You even said "may feel that Trump is too abrasive and emotional in style", and this is a man that whines whenever someone portrays him in a way that he does not like.
Many aspies are also unorthodox in their own style, so they may relate to somebody like him who says whatever is on his mind no matter how bizzare it is.
The quirky defense? People find him interesting because he wants to nuke a hurricane or inject cleaning agents (bleach) into the body?
We've all met those snooty, pretentious individuals that patronize and mock us. Maybe it's over our ASD or maybe it's something else, but society is rife with those who feel they are intellectually superior to others. This elitist attitude permeates all of our entertainment-media complex, and as we know that same complex hates Trump. So by siding with Trump, it can often feel like siding against all the people in our lives who have treated us as if we were less than them.
He might have not been part of the elite/establishment of politics at the start, but he was surely part of the "rich" elite born with a silver spoon. He super thinks of himself to superior to other people, he has literally said that only he can save everyone, and very much mocks everyone he sees as bellow him, while he sucks up with rhetoric to people that worship him. His administration is even him trying to create his own elite as he requires everyone to just be loyal to him, his own family, and remove anyone that does things he does not like even if it is just their job.
Trump's opponents want to radically change the fabric of America. To somebody with ASD who is content with the current order, the sweeping changes they propose may simply be "too different" for them.
Perhaps this is one that makes the most sense, although it does kind of reject the whole idea that Trump was going to "change" the way things were to make things great. Generally this explains why older people in general vote for conservatism, they are afraid of change. But why would somebody with ASD who feels like the current order is screwing them over and that conservative change would screw them over more, would vote for him?
I am not saying that these perceived reasons are not why an Aspie might feel like they are for Trump, in fact I think that it can be the perfect little story of creating a narrative that you can tell yourselves that makes you feel like you are part of some great story. That you can accuse those on the opposite political spectrum as being victim of groupthink, while you can ignore the enormous groupthink of MAGA, rationalising it as common sense, while everyone who disagrees is a Trump hater, even the scientists.
_________________
Through dream I travel, at lantern's call
To consume the flames of a kingdom's fall
I completely agree. I also do not understand the appeal he has among some gay and transgender voters given the way he has gutted some of our rights like barring transgender people from joining the military and then he and his family have the nerve to claim he's pro-LGBTQ when he's running for election!
Some trans people are totally okay with trans not being allowed to join the military. They don't want to join it so why would they care if others are excluded from it? Humans are selfish being creatures.
_________________
Son: Diagnosed w/anxiety and ADHD. Also academic delayed.
Daughter: NT, no diagnoses.
Yup, the irony...
50% generalizing the other 50%. Where have we seen this before?
_________________
"Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
-Georges Lemaitre
"I fly through hyperspace, in my green computer interface"
-Gem Tos
How is pragmatism the same thing as cynicism? That sounds like a dollars over sense problem.
_________________
"Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
-Georges Lemaitre
"I fly through hyperspace, in my green computer interface"
-Gem Tos
The right claims to hate emotional decision making while pouring nearly endless money into extremely biased religious causes.
_________________
"Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
-Georges Lemaitre
"I fly through hyperspace, in my green computer interface"
-Gem Tos
Very true.
Most people embrace the political party that looks after them, or says they will.
I don't have a major problem with pragmatism.
When I was younger I looked at political life with this in mind, more so than I do now.
Over the years, it has become obvious that many on the spectrum struggle financially.
There is no surprise that most would embrace a political system that would give them more support.
Perfectly understandable.
Regarding America and the health system:
It is inhumane and a blight on American society.
America is the laughing stock of the world because of its lack of support of people in need.
How the Republicans can justify this injustice is baffling, to me.
I may not be aware of the entire picture here. <shrug>
Having said that, there is no justification for partisanship, the perversion of The Truth and political bullying.
I completely agree. I also do not understand the appeal he has among some gay and transgender voters given the way he has gutted some of our rights like barring transgender people from joining the military and then he and his family have the nerve to claim he's pro-LGBTQ when he's running for election!
Can you supply a link about this?
What you have said is new to me.
Many aspies are fiercely individualistic, be it in interests or attitude. The left's worldview is based on collectivism and compliance to a group identity, and includes proposals that often tread on individual liberties such as freedom of speech. This may push away an aspie who believes strongly in individualism.
Funny, because most political analysis puts Trump in the Authoritarian Right, and proposals do a lot that can harm people on their individual liberties, like straight up banning transgender people from all positions in the military and trying to persecute everyone that criticises him. And have you seen the Trump rallies, they are super collectivism, but there is a bit of a difference between large collective bodies behind mostly a charismatic figure, and wanting collective policies that would help everybody regardless of the social power poll.
In the bigger picture, Socialism/communism embraces collectivist think, more so than a capitalistic/competitive/meritorious system.
That is simply axiomatic, despite the anomalous examples you have given.
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
Donald Trump Likely Going To Prison |
29 Feb 2024, 1:04 am |
Trump thinks he looks like Elvis! |
13 Feb 2024, 7:54 pm |
What if Nixon Era Satire Becomes Trump Era reality? |
Today, 11:32 am |
Trump would let Russia attack allies who don't pay enough |
16 Feb 2024, 4:34 pm |