I'm feeling very human tonight

[Tobin S.]

Fallible, imperfect, and sometimes weak. I think we all feel that way from time to time, no matter who we are. We all experience doubt, troubling thoughts, fear, and depression. As much as I wish I felt strong and confident all the time, I don't.

The reality is that I'm just some regular joe out here trying to make his life the best he can, just like most people.

I see things differently than the majority of the population in this country, like all of you in this forum. As much as I wish people would see things my way, I know it's not going to happen anytime soon.

So I try to take people as they are and get along the best I can. I try to see the humanity in everyone. We all have needs and desires and they are often times the same no matter how different we think we are.

It's a tragedy, yes it is, that people sometimes don't see each other as humans. We live in a society that sometimes strips people of their humanity. If you don't think that's true, go to the GLBT forum or the African-American's group. Take an honest look at our nation's foreign policy since its inception. Then think of all of the people in this country who approved of our barbaric actions in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but I want to make sure I'm making my point.

So each day we start again. We have to provide for ourselves and our loved ones just like everyone else on the planet. If we don't see each other in this way, how can we progress?

[rrneck]

1. Each day we start again.

Ain't that the truth. It's just a variation on the same theme. Hunt and gather all day. Dance around the fire. Fuck a little if you can. Go to sleep. Try it again tomorrow.

[immoderate]

2. There may be a level of civilization, beyond which we cannot rise, given our current psychology.

Our behavior precludes common solutions to human problems. We need to grow past tribalism.

--imm

[Odin2005]

3. I've have people tell me that "I have no soul" because of my Asperger's.

One even told me "of course you don't believe in eternal souls, autistics don't have one, you are like robots". :puke:

I find it disgusting how people have this sick need to dehumanize the "other".

[realisticphish]

4. huh?

I'm curious about the theology of THAT

[Odin2005]

5. It's less theology and more bigotry against people on the Autism Spectrum.

Kind of like how people use "autistic" as an insult.

[realisticphish]

6. I've known people at different spots

I worked with one guy who was a high-functioning autistic; good guy, but he had no idea what was and was not appropriate. Talked to himself a lot, that sort of thing. I've also worked with a guy who (I think) had some degree of Aspergers. He was just bad at interacting with customers. It really is a HUGE spectrum.

One thing that I don't think helps is the phenomenon of self-diagnosed Aspergers. "I'm socially awkward and like comic books, I MUST HAVE ASPERGERS." Just like people who diagnose themselves as bi-polar when they're just short-tempered

[Odin2005]

7. I agree, Though I do think mildler autistics are underdiagnosed.

Or misdiagnosed.

I can be like that first guy if I'm having a bad day and I'm in angry rant mode! :yoiks:

[realisticphish]

8. that's true

mental health is a huge problem in America. it's very strange. Everyone and his brother is on anti-depressants, far to often IMHO, yet mental health is still stigmatized. It's bizarre.