I do not identify as autistic or gay. However, this comic made me consider the implications of such labels. People often use these terms to describe certain behaviors or traits that are commonly associated with autism or homosexuality. In that sense, I suppose I could be considered a little gay.
As a treat
Wait… but being gay is also a spectrum. It’s a bad example. Or am I not getting the point? It’s just less socially accepted to admit it, which is why people would deny it.
I’m pretty sure being gay is less stigmatised. At least in Northern and Western Europe. Can’t speak for the rest of the world. In Norway there’s a hierarchy of stigma. From most accepted to least it goes:
Straight white Norwegians
Gay white Norwegians
Straight non white Norwegians
Straight white foreigners
Gay non white Norwegians
Gay white foreigners
.
.
.
.
.
Transgender people and autists
Russians
Sorry my intention was not to rank it… but interesting local input. Thanks for sharing!
The fact that they’re both spectrums is exactly the point, and why it’s a good example. Notice how the character on the right immediately and firmly deny being at all gay, even though sexuality is a spectrum.
“Gay” and “autistic” are both social constructs layered over top of a spectrum of fluid differences and preferences from plastic brains. Yet the “we’re all a little bit” folks have no issue using that underlying spectrum to invalidate the needs of groups who need them to behave differently while vehemently denying the fuzzy nature of other other spectra that would logically necessitate giving respect to people they don’t want to humanize.
Classes higher up the social hegemony ladder are choosing how they view the fuzzy nature of human behaviour and needs so they can wield it as a weapon.
Autism is a spectrum.
As is sexuality I believe
Also a cell provider 👉🙃👉
Sexuality would be a great name for a phone company.
On the inverse, I’m not so sure Spectrum would be a good name for a sex-content company.
Yes, and from most of the people I know who believe themselves to be mildly autistic or to have behaviors commonly identified as autism symptoms, if you said to them “everyone’s a little bit gay,” they would almost certainly say “Yes! Exactly!”
And most people are within rounding distance of 0. So while you could argue “everyone’s a little autistic” is technically correct, it’s not helpful and is actively misleading in most contexts.
That didn’t mean everyone is on the spectrum of autism, it means there is a spectrum of behaviors that a person with autism may have.
There is no blood test that says you have autism or you don’t. It is a diagnosis based on opinion of results of several behavioral tests. How can a subjective opinion on your behavior be 100% conclusive? Doctors disagree with each other on a certain diagnosis. Sounds like a fuzzy border to me.
Woah watch out guys, this badarse just solved Psychology.
Well, the existence of tests makes it not subjective.
There’s room for interpretation and the border is fuzzy like you said, but there are actual tests with objective results guiding that interpretation.It’s essentially a duck test with more data points. The more points you get the more certain it is you have autism. And for diagnosis, there has to be a concrete line how many of those points are required
So… if she weighs as much as a duck, then… she’s made out of wood.
Which means?
Umm… she’s a witch!!!
What are the two directions of the spectrum?
North and chaotic.
The fact that people have turned this statement into an argument about subjectivity vs. objectivity in the comments is the most sincerely endearing autistic bs
we all win the prize [of systemic discrimination]
I saw someone making this argument and was offended until they were like “you’re not autistic unless you’re looking at train maps or something like that…” and I immediately less offended somehow
Wait. I have looked at train maps. What does this mean?!
In the social context it probably means you don’t display obsessive autistic characteristics unless you’re engrossed in a train map. That’s the only demonstration this friend has seen
I mean I’m interested in them. I wrote a thesis on the New York subway system and the technological marvels needed to make it happen.
Bachelor thesis or masters?
What’s your favorite mapping style?
I love him sitting in bed with his wife and the goofy eyes excited about a map and she is annoyed lol
“Many people have some traits that are also common among autistic people” just doesn’t roll of the tongue as well…
That’s a good way to say, tho.
“Autism can sometimes manifest as an exaggeration of common human experience but the fact that neurotypicals experience something doesn’t invalidate the autistic pathology”
Similarly doesn’t roll off the tongue… Hmm
Many people have some traits that are also common among autistic people
Like, breathing?
I hate it when people say that shit
I don’t understand this at all. How can we actually be sure the one on the right isn’t autistic? Maybe the point just went over my head lol
Well I’m not straight
Don’t gatekeep.
Artism is a big tent. Some people just draw, others paint…a few even carve stone the poor souls.
Not sure what gatekeeping has to do with artism, and I don’t understand why you’re telling other not to keep gates?
Gatekeeping is very fulfilling as a hobby. You get to see and help gate colonies grow and thrive, it’s good for the local wild fences, and even get some tasty gate honey out of it!
Everyone’s a little bit racist
Not me, I am very racist 😎. /s
Wait, do men not fantasize about tieing up by Chris Evans and vigorously f**ked from behind, with his sexy ass exposed? Or am I a little bit gay?
Naaa just Tom Holland and I do the tieing.
Do you think you are gay? If you do you are probably gay. Straight man here… I am a professional in not being gay so there for I need to get in the headspace of being a little bit gay and after doing so I have realized you might be gay.
I am also an idiot and literally don’t know what I am talking about and this is a joke. Fantasize what you want to fantasize about brother.
professional in not being gay
Wait, you’ve been getting paid?! Who do I need to call?
It’s not gay if you don’t kiss.
I think we are all a little bi. Some more, some less. Many so little that they are labeled gay or hetero. A big brain move is to not give a shit about these labels (if you can, that is) and fantasize about whom you want to. Fantasy does not make you anything but human.
Just like how everyone’s a little bit trans!
Wait, you’re telling me that people don’t typically harbour feelings of crushing gender dysphoria that they burry because they look like groundskeeper Willy?
Perfect. Thank you. I’ll remember this one.
