Instant Interests

I is for Instant Interests!

Some interests develop over time - but there are some interests that develop instantly. For instance, I never wanted to watch Doctor Who when the rest of my family started watching it. I told everyone I thought it was stupid, when really I was just afraid I would become utterly obsessed. Eventually, my mother coaxed me into watching an Tennant episode when it was on TV - an almost audible click in my brain, and I was, indeed, obsessed.

When I get obsessed with something, it actually hurts not to think about and focus on it. When I try to focus on something else or miss a show, my head buzzes like it is vibrating, and my limbs feel like green and orange wire. I have been told that this may be and Asperger's related thing.

The same goes for Star Trek...

Have a picture of me hugging my Spock plushies.

When I was young, perhaps four years old, my parents used to watch Star Trek as it came on. I was always there, seemingly oblivious but watching and listening carefully. I remember around that time I would put a headband down over my eyes and walk around as Geordi La Forge. I also remember looking out my window and seeing a Klingon battle cruiser (which must have just been a plane) in the sky. I was so afraid I couldn't get to sleep - I would just sit there on the window ledge waiting for the Enterprise...

It wasn't until a couple of years ago, however, that I became obsessed. I sat down and watch a single TOS episode. Once again, I could actually hear a click in my head as my thoughts went to Star Trek, and Star Trek alone.

I would be interested in hearing whether or not others have these experiences, regarding obsessions.

Dif-tor heh smusma
- T'Laina

Star Trek Forums - Why They Are Amazing, And Why I No Longer Go On Them.

Star Trek forums are amazing. They allow people to communicate with others that have the same interests, and share things that they find interesting. One can enter a specific "thread" and read various opinions and explanations for episodes, personalities, and inconsistencies. There are people who prefer for discussion to be canon, and those who wish to include all references such as novels and comics. Entering a Star Trek forum is truly a unique experience - at least to me.

A while ago, I decided to give it a try.

This all seems simple enough!

I made an account and looked around - engaging in conversations (or attempting to do so) and offering opinions. I found, right away, that people can be very severe - even mean. I also found it to be very intimidating. Soon I found that many who started their own threads were merely sharing things that they found interesting or asking questions. I soon did so, but relating to my blog and asking for suggestions and attempting to share that which they may find interesting. These threads, however, were promptly closed. I tried to understand the reasoning they gave me, and the next time I posted something I searched for an existing thread. Apparently, if there is already a thread but has not been used in a while, posting is not wanted. I had not been on the forum for many months when I decided I would try once more.

Again, i failed.

I just don't understand this construct...

I don't know why I can't seem to understand this sort of thing on the internet, why it should be so difficult for me. I do not want to blame Aspergers, because even then I am sure I can understand if I try hard enough, and avoid misunderstandings. I searched for the forum rules to review once more, but could not find them. While amazing for fans, I think I will stay away from forums for a while.

My brain hurts.

Spock and Asperger's

There are many places in books and on the internet stating this connection. There is a book out there called "Loving Mr. Spock" about a woman's husband with the condition (as he behaves like a Vulcan), and there are numerous essays/articles out there stating that Spock must, indeed, have Asperger's.

While Spock may exhibit behavior that in a pure human would be linked with autism, Spock does not have Asperger's.

A quick overview of Asperger's: People with Asperger's often have problems with eye contact, have abnormal speech patterns, and may hold themselves in an unusual posture. They may not understand other people's emotions and display a lack of social or emotional reciprocation. They may become fixated on a certain object or subject, have inflexible routines, and stereotyped/repetitive movements such as rocking or hand flapping. Many are hypersensitive to stimuli such as sounds and textures.

People with Asperger's often struggle with social situations and conversation due to difficulties relating to others and understanding certain patterns of speech such as the use of metaphors and sarcasm.

Despite these difficulties, those with the condition are often highly intelligent and excel in a certain area.

It has been said that Albert Einstein had Asperger's. He was cool.

While I agree that Spock (as well as most Vulcans) exhibit many of these behaviors and thought-patterns, I feel that this is culturally imposed and would not have surfaced had they been raised elsewhere and under a different philosphy. Asperger's Syndrome is a purely human condition, and the neurological differences can only be distinguished from other beings of the same race without error as the brain chemistry and biological makeup among species differs so greatly - It would be like comparing apples and oranges, and labeling the orange with something that only pertains to apples. The assumption that something would apply to two beings based on a mere humanoid form is illogical.

While Vulcans do have a hypersensitivity not unlike that found in people with Asperger's, it does not seem to have the same distressing effect. The Vulcan brain is wired to process this information correctly and effectively.

Vulcans are taught from a very young age to be strictly logical, and so metaphors/sarcasm are not generally used in their society and culture. One would expect the other to say exactly what they mean to say. The only major exception would be some forms of ancient literature. To be disordered, as a Vulcan, would be to behave as a "typical" human would. The neurotypical Vulcan has no problem with social protocol and understanding when it comes to other Vulcans - the difference is only apparent among other races, such as humans.

So there you have it. While Spock is half human, we all know that Vulcan genes are dominant in almost every way when pairing. Spock does not have Asperger's, nor does any other Vulcan.

This is important stuff. Right?