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Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic
Posted on Monday, October 03 @ 17:41:02 EDT by | 
Our new columnist, John Scott Holman, is a 25 year old Autistic. His column is entitled "The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic." Here's his first article!
A peculiar collection of objects are scattered across a wide country field, as if they have somehow sprouted from the ground; an unfolded umbrella stands erect like an overgrown mushroom; elegant sofas gather around a busted television set; and an antique telephone sits atop a Corinthian column. Porcelain dolls and a headless mannequin are the only inhabitants of this dreamland junkyard.
My kid sister, Jeffi, stands overlooking this bizarre scene, awaiting my instructions. I fiddle with my parents' camcorder.
"Ok, Jeffi, we don't have long here, I need you to give it all you've got. We have to get this scene in the can before mom gets home and finds out I dragged all the living room furniture outside..."
I am thirteen years old. While other kids are skateboarding and playing video games, I am hopelessly lost in my latest obsession; cinematic surrealism.
"Ok, this is going all the way to Sundance! Ready? One... two... three... action!"
I was a nerd back then and I'm a nerd today. I will be a nerd 'til the day I die - I'm autistic. So, should I bemoan my misfortune or celebrate my individuality?
I haven't always been a plucky autistic idealist. Only recently diagnosed, I've spent most of my life wandering about like a mistreated puppy; a stranger in a strange land. By no means a social savant, I endured a great deal of taunting and bullying in my pubescent years - "You're a loser! Why do you have a picture of Madonna on your locker?"
"That is not Madonna. That is the depression era movie queen Jean Harlow. Do you live in a cultural vacuum?"
"No! Wait... what? And what's with the homeless dude?"
"That is Karl Marx."
"You're gay and I'm going kill you!"
"I'm sorry, but I really don't follow your logic..."
POW!
Bill Gates has famously said, "Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one." This would appear to be true, especially since half the world seems to be working for Mr. Gates in one way or another. The hillbilly oppressors of my youth are now very likely drinking cases of beer for breakfast and trying to remember the name of some collagen lipped bimbo on The Real Housewives of Who the Heck Cares.
If you want to be successful, you must begin by ignoring the haters and embracing yourself. Let go of bitterness and resentment - if you don't you will only become another one of the bullies. The world has enough angry victims.
I realize this philosophy is nothing new, but I believe it is one which the autistic community must hear as often as possible. If you are capable of reading and understanding this blog, then congratulations, you're not so bad off! Many autistics can neither read nor speak, and face overwhelming pain and frustration in their daily lives. Those of us with impaired social skills, rather than no social skills at all, would do well to count ourselves among the blessed and stand up for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
Autism is a double edged sword, having both the power to cripple and enable. For most of us it is a mixed bag; not a blessing or a curse, just an essential part of who we are. I am not ashamed of my autism. After all, I could be an angry hillbilly picking on the little guy. Worse yet, I could be an autistic hillbilly obsessively collecting limited edition Nascar plates or chattering endlessly about the fuel system on my John Deere!
Since my diagnosis, I've learned not only to accept my autism, but embrace it. I'm pretty hip, for an autistic geek - I rock a Pac Man bracelet on my wrist and a silver puzzle piece dangles from a chain around my neck. I'm proud of my confidence because it was not easy to come by.
I've worked hard to overcome my deficits and utilize my gifts. My efforts have been rewarded with the opportunity to share my experiences and raise awareness of the complexity and diversity of the autism spectrum.
Who would have thought that an odd kid obsessed with cinema would receive a diagnosis of autism at the age of 24, and merely a few months later, find himself on the phone, casually exchanging movie trivia with Alex Plank. I’ll be seeing Alex in California on October 11th, where I will help out with a documentary and write an article about Hacking Autism.
According to HackingAutism.org, “Hacking Autism has assembled an impressive advisory board of leading autism specialists and recruited an eager army of software programmers. Our mission is to develop innovative, touch-enabled applications for the autism community and make this software available for free...”
I'm going to enjoy testing Alex's knowledge of silver screen history. Hopefully, he won't engage me in a one-sided conversation about Range Rovers. Just kidding, Alex...
Range Rovers are the least of my worries - this trip will require me to navigate through national airports all alone. If my next article does not appear on schedule, I may be having difficulty accessing the WI-FI in a Nigerian baggage claim.
I am taking the first steps of what should prove to be an exciting journey. Check in with me here on Wrong Planet to see what happens next. Why not? It beats watching Real Housewives.
POW!
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by pensieve Monday, October 03 @ 19:57:08 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Love the article Scotty. I think it's very important to reassure people that nerds will indeed one day rule the world or already do, and that people need to ignore bullies. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by jhaarbur Monday, October 03 @ 20:52:55 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | John Scott Holman, I really appreciate you posting this. I am a 25 year old Aspie also, and this subject is one that really bugs me even to this day. Ignoring them is the best thing, and the thing I have really realized is that no matter what, DO NOT LISTEN TO WHAT CULTURE SAYS WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY, YOU FIND YOUR OWN HAPPINESS AND BE YOURSELF. I think the commercial said it the best: "The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth". And frankly, I'd rather rule the world in the end than stumble over trivilialites...we all knew things were going this way deep down, so in the end we may be the winners anyway. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by aussiebloke Monday, October 03 @ 20:53:55 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I've said it once and will say it again why must Wp nurture the myth that all autistics are intelligent with talents this is what is going to happen Mr and Mrs Jones will come here see all the successful (allegedly ) aspie people and find little Johnny or Janet ain't measuring up (probably due to all the bullying) and will thus stick it to them as being lazy or stupid etc. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by aghogday Tuesday, October 04 @ 18:15:40 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I like the idea of ignoring the negative, and focusing on the positive aspects of autism, when possible.
Adversity, sometimes, takes one to places where they might not have otherwise had the opportunity, if they do our best to continue on a positive journey, and don't give up.
Very nice article. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Inventor Wednesday, October 05 @ 02:11:23 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | True and becoming truer.
The world is not able to define us, we have enough problems with that, all we can play is what cards we were dealt, and what works for us.
We are not going to change the thinking of a world of Spambots by responding to their programs, and there is unlimited room for new code.
The here and now is one second from becoming history, unchangable, but we can own more than Second Life in the future.
If we buy into the future now, which is uninhabited, we will still own it when the present catches up.
One morning they will wake up, in our world.
Look at the fads they have bought into! We are not nearly that strange. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by rondeau Wednesday, October 05 @ 10:26:09 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Aspie Nation...could be fun... |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by jhaarbur Wednesday, October 05 @ 16:28:27 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | @rondeau, you mentioned Aspie Nation? Check Amazon in a few years, I might have been writing something about that since 2010, 2 years before your comment;) Also, is Mouret your favorite piece of classical music? |
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Love your attitude towards life! (Score: 1)
by PaintingDiva Thursday, October 06 @ 11:24:35 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Great article and great approach to life. Take who you are and make art, or science, or write, or music, whatever it is you are about. You made me smile big today thanks! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Scythe Friday, October 07 @ 03:20:24 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I shudder to the thoughts of the consistent trash people feel their time and minds with. Much of Television is like a train wreck. You can't stand the sight yet you cannot look away. The evil that is Snooki testifies to this. I would have never know of this orange umpa lumpa had it not been for south park and the Neanderthals that watched it while I was around. Let us partake in the revenge of the Nerds with a sound heart.
The geek shall inherit the earth! I am geek hear me type! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by I_am_jacobs_mom Friday, October 07 @ 10:48:18 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | You are an inspiration to my son! Thank you a million times over for this article-you may have saved his life! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by earthtoerika Friday, October 07 @ 18:04:36 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.erikahammerschmidt.com/ | | I love surrealism and I love the image you create in the beginning of the article. I'm off to research your cinematic work now.
Not all nerds end up in positions of wealth and power, though. I'm a quiet, gentle nerd, afraid of conflict after a childhood that was full of it. So the kind of assertiveness required to climb the corporate ladder is far beyond me.
I stock shelves for a living, although I have two mildly successful published books and numerous art projects on the side. I guess, for the artistic type, a mindless job is good... we don't really like wasting our minds on our jobs. ;-) |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Wendyl Sunday, October 09 @ 08:54:27 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Thanks! That was a very entertaining article! How confusing it must have been for you to spend much of you life knowing you are different (and special) but not knowing how, or why. I understand,I went through the same thing myself. So what now? You are going to conquer the world one article or blog at a time? I hope you made it through the airport okay... |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by jhaarbur Sunday, October 09 @ 21:18:26 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Yep exactly to all...we all know what's right, and it frustrates me like crazy how we can do nothing about it. That is why I am writing my book. In the end, remember that we are the ones who will be building the future the rest of humanity doesn't have much regard for...you are right, it's hard for me to believe that people in the first world care more about Snooki's sex life and all the drama with that while so many people are dying of starvation in Somalia and dying of thirst in Tuvalu and a lot of the South Pacific. To my fellow Geeks/Nerds however you want to call yourself: NT's maybe like this today, but just remember, if we stay true to ourselves, we'll be the ones getting the last laugh in the end (the Bill Gates example is only the beginning). I get frustrated and mad all the time by this stuff as well, but always remember that those of us who are quiet now will one day speak, but most people need their "life's lesson" to understand what they're doing. And for some encouragement, think of this: even though it's up in the air, the protests going on now are people venting their frustration over the culture of greed. So, though things are as they are now, always remember that we can still write the future, but we have to keep true to everything now for all that to happen...I hope that if they DO launch the starship in 100 years like they are planning, the world will be more like what some of the great science fiction authors wrote about a positive future, and people will look back at Snooki and the so called "normal" culture of today and laugh at the absurdity and learn from it, just as we laugh at 50's hygiene videos. So, no matter what to you all out there, stay true to yourselves and DON'T GIVE UP! EVER! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by AriNecromare1213 Sunday, October 09 @ 21:38:09 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | So basically you were born a hipster and that somehow turned into autism. I'm suffering from Aspergers and I am a struggling musician, although most people would not consider me one. I have what lame brains like you would call nerdy tendencies, but this is merely a conscious obsession with the objects presented to me in the physical world. I really love that extremely stupid and redundant question, "do you live in a cultural vacuum?"
If you're from America, you know the answer to that question.
Another Question; Are you a fan of Park Chan-wook? If you don't know who that is, then might I ask if you live in a cultural vacuum?
Basically I hate hipsters. I hate how it's suddenly 'cool' to be a nerd. I hate how everyone prides themselves on how nerdy they are when they're really not. Hate to be mean, but hey, I just deleted my facebook for this exact reason. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by jhaarbur Monday, October 10 @ 06:07:30 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | @AriNecromare1213, I am an Aspie, believe me! I wouldn't have posted that comment unless I really thought that we had something to contribute. In addition, I am amazed you would make that judgement over ONE comment! I am Aspie all the way, and I only posted that because I get so annoyed by hipsters and how they try to drag us into everything. I lived through the typical Aspie life, and just because I show some optimism that we have a chance in the future shouldn't illigetamize me. So after reading the last line of my comment I can see how you could think that, but I am saying it not to sound like somebody who's trying to be "cool" but rather an Aspie who has been through a lot and feels that we have a lot to contribute. And I am not going to lie, I know who Park Chan-wook is, but I haven't seen his movies. This is always the problem that many of us face, if your not to certain standards, are you one of us or one of them? There is no set standard for how "Aspie" you are...I have lived through hell and back, and trust me, I know what Aspie life entails. I can blend in with NT's, but I still know what you mean by living in a "cultural vacuum". Just because I show a little optimism doesn't mean I am NOT an Aspie. All be it, things are really, really, screwed up today, so who knows how things will go, but all I made is a single comment, not a full judgement on everything. Let me ask you this: what is the most famous Bajoran dish in Star Trek? Even though I know how you could interpret my comment as you did, I ask that you don't make such snap judgements about me from that. My comment is nothing more than just thinking positive and is nothing but a paragraph. In this instance, what standards do YOU expect all Aspies to have then? |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Thom_Fuleri Tuesday, October 11 @ 12:27:06 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | I think I'm in love... :-) |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by The_Face_of_Boo Tuesday, October 11 @ 14:49:40 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | So you are Alex's bf too? |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by 1Superman4Me Tuesday, October 11 @ 17:41:04 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | does having aspergers make you a nerd?
depends on who's asking.
POW! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Hope8 Wednesday, October 12 @ 11:26:22 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | That was great! Glad to see you around. Can't wait to see what happens next! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Tambourine-Man Wednesday, October 12 @ 19:58:49 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Scott-Holman/267958723228267 | | I've had a blast hanging out with Alex, interviewing some fascinating people, working on an article and helping Alex with the documentary and Autism Talk TV. I have photos on my Facebook page.
I will discuss my trip in my next article here. Expect it soon... |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by theslanket Sunday, October 16 @ 04:10:36 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | One thing that's misunderstood IMO about ASD is: if you have it, you're too impaired in communication to speak for yourself about it. If you come out and say you have it, people think you don't have it. You don't fit the model. Either that, or you're supposed to feel bad and awkward about it. Enough of that.
Thank you so much for being confident enough to put a new face on ASD. It has inspired me to do the same. Your post was awesome and we need more of you. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by sylviaqt Sunday, October 16 @ 11:14:18 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Thank you for sharing your story. I find it incredibly inspirational. Keep it up! You've won a fan for life in me! |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by sliqua-jcooter Sunday, October 16 @ 22:04:38 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.sliqua.com | | Alex has had more cars in the few years that I've known him than almost anyone else I know. They're all Land Rovers. And they're all buckets.
It should be the sworn duty of everyone who has ever ridden in one of Alex's hoopties to remind him just how much his cars suck :P |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by animalfreak123 Monday, October 17 @ 11:21:20 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | What an interesting article ,John I can definetly relate to it,when I was a younger I was a bit of a shy outsider.I didn't know how to really approcah people at my school,I found it very hard and frustrating.Oh well at least I completed in spelling bees and a geography bee.I have high school awards in English,Science,History and Social Studies.Gradually thanks to my good grades,I became more sociable and eventually participated in my school's sports.LOL of course back when I was younger I was called:geek,weirdo,nerd and crazy.Oh well it's a part of growing up I guess,.I swear I'm the only in my household that laughs and understands sitcoms like:Frasier and The Big Bang Theory. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Tambourine-Man Monday, October 17 @ 16:22:15 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Scott-Holman/267958723228267 | | I had such a great trip! Alex is hilarious. We had a blast and I'm looking forward to seeing him again soon. Expect an article about my adventures in San Francisco to appear on WrongPlanet soon.
Until then, read about Alex and I at Hacking Autism here...
http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/10/17/communication-breakdown-1/ |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Ojib Wednesday, October 26 @ 14:34:03 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Hey, he's not a chic. It's Alex's new bro friend though, right? |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by MisterJ Tuesday, November 01 @ 23:38:07 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I don't know what it was exactly, but I really enjoyed this article and the style of writing. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by BoltOn Sunday, January 01 @ 03:25:12 EST
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I'm there! Sold! I am working on a home thesis on my own angle in Artificial Intelligence - hope to turn it into a PhD in a couple of years. ANYTHING to do with Autism and Software, I am all ears!
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
by Kalinda Tuesday, January 10 @ 14:52:50 EST
(User Info | Send a Message | Journal) | | Nice article! I'm coming to grips with aspergers recently, and I also really love cinema. This was an enjoyable story and a compassionate way of talking about it. I always had trouble fitting in because of highly philosophical ideas at like six yrs old. Now I'm thinking I might have been misdiagnosed with other stuff. It really makes sense. I was never a follower, and doing things our unique way is not necessarily a symptom. We are different but only abnormal quantitatively. Growing up with those misunderstandings can be a heavy burden. Thanks for sharing your story. |
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Re: Geek Chic: Owning my Asperger's - The Adventures of an Optimistic Autistic (Score: 1)
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andy (Score: 1)
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