Sep '06 - May '08
A friend of mine passed this link along to me. Its an eye opening video, and I'll use the author's words to describe it:
"The first part is in my "native language," and then the second part provides a translation, or at least an explanation. This is not a look-at-the-autie gawking freakshow as much as it is a statement about what gets considered thought, intelligence, personhood, language, and communication, and what does not."
10 Comments
Eye opening?
This video is crap. Sorry. The incredibly annoying droning sound and the frantic 'flapping' this guy does with his hand, what he calls "interacting" with his environment, is more like diddling with his environment.
Diddle diddle. Diddle.
Guy needs to go outside and get a girlfriend.
first off, the person is a girl, not a guy.
Second, she's explaining how her autism affects her reading of her environment - its not some interpretive art piece as you make it sound.
Did you even watch the whole thing?
Alright... I clearly didn't watch the whole thing... oops.
Anyway, there is something to be said about learning from people with abnormal conditions like autism... but it doesn't lead me to question what I consider to be language and communication.
In any event, I don't need someone with a mental condition to help me see the light. It's also unfortunate when people try to link artistic genius (Picasso for example) with mental illness...but thats another issue.
I'm not PC. Video still sucks.
I'm not linking "artistic genius" with illness at all, and I don't think the author is either. I simply think that catching a glimpse of how the world around me is interpreted by another, more so by another afflicted with a cognitive disability, is interesting.
I never said this is a video that will break you to your knees and question reality itself, merely that it was eye opening.
I really don't know how it could provoke such a rash reaction to criticize the author of claiming artistic genius, (or by extension, myself attributing genius to the author). Nor am I trying to be conciliatory (or patronizing) to the author for making the video in the first place. Were you made fun of by an autistic person once? That's the only way I can figure out your seeming hostility towards the video (because your comments clearly aren't being objectively critical).
There is a story on Amanda Baggs (whom I believe is the author of the video) on CNN.com right now that you may find interesting. Having a younger cousin thats Autistic and seeing him playing with string all the time, I found this video very emotional on a personal level.
The comment about "artistic genius" and mental illness wasn't meant to relate directly to this video.
Um, why should my comments be "objectively critical"? Do we have to talk in hushed tones around autistic people?
I'm being condescending, yes, but I've seen people with disabilities attempt to single themselves out as "special" in order to attract attention.
Isn't that what putting yourself on YouTube is about in the first place?
As far as I'm concerned, there's very little "interesting" about it. That's all. People love to say "it's interesting" - I'm saying the content is zero.
In any event, there's nothing "different" in this persons interaction with their environment. Even though certain cognitive faculties are disabled this person can clearly communicate through writing. So what part, exactly, makes this autistic person's disability in any way enlightening?
I don't see it and I find it silly. Oh well.
wow! a real dolt you are vesa.
genius and madness - by extension a mental disorder - have not only been linked but have almost certainly been proven to be nearly the same side of the coin.
as for what can be gleaned, how about a difference in perception of our environment and the things that "normal" people take for granted? how about how one particular paper can have a smell and texture that enables this person to communicate differently or how external stimuli affects her ability to communicate. what about sensory overload that ultimately affects her ability to regulate her balance?? all things that we again are not keenly aware of and do not have to make conscious adjustments or decisions on how to confront, but do so routinely. perhaps it's the honesty in which she engages the world, that is most revealing? she clearly has a coded language and she hopes to provide those staring at her, the tools to interpret that language.
As far as I'm concerned the entire world is mad. History's genius' are the only sane ones.
But that's irrelevant, since this woman is quite "normal" as far as I'm concerned.
She's about as normal as someone with a physical handicap, for instance a missing leg, that requires that person to navigate their environment with an increased awareness.
Sure it's more severe, given that it's in the brain, but they are fundamentally the same.
"Normal" perception is hardly a well understood phenomena and there is nothing to lead me to assume that someone with autism has a radically different perception of their environment.
Likewise, I fail to see the "communicative" element in anything. The only time communication is established is via the subtitles. Honestly, i find her pretentious.
Arjun, thanks for posting this link. I found the video eye-opening too.
the world is your head. each person has his/her own perception of what is the truth. whether this is THE truth. well...
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