2026-10-21T02:55:01Z https://nostr.now K. J. Elphinstone https://nostr.now/npub1srnkhm2x9yd889z8vumzjte2sfxptmljavrxqkpfkzhz353kzcmq5emc23 https://media.mas.to/accounts/avatars/108/134/995/645/451/378/original/ab13f1c27fb76ac2.png https://media.mas.to/accounts/avatars/108/134/995/645/451/378/original/ab13f1c27fb76ac2.png https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2z5lx6gm5a9stqc0n9jrjljzqhvsy0shfny0e3vq6cv8yhfp7n8gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvyp4mn0 Autism is a lifelong state, known to be highly heritable. In modern usage, we usually describe it as a &#39;neurodevelopmental disorder&#39; or &#39;neurological condition&#39;... <br/><br/>But, even while this framing is widely accepted, autism continues to be clinically measured (in the absence of biomarkers, despite the hopeful billions spent in research money) almost exclusively through its outward manifestations. Some of which may look suspiciously like distress. <br/><br/>It’s a bit like measuring the water in a glass only by looking at the condensation on the outside, without taking into account things like room temperature. It’s not that there isn’t any water; it’s just that the way you’re measuring it is highly unreliable.<br/><br/>#Autism #Trauma #Neurodevelopment #Autistic #Pathologising #AutismResearch 2026-10-31T07:55:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgjywyqr4svq4lrre79r0pf7785ed4eefn2w37lx84suvz3yfsvmqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvtrrhz4 Subject: Agreeing to disagree<br/><br/>When experts and autistic people disagree about autism, it&#39;s not enough to say &#34;let&#39;s hear both sides&#34;. <br/><br/>Because... whose voice carries more weight already? Whose version is supported by structures and systems?<br/><br/>And who is living it as a personal reality?<br/><br/>So yes. Giving everyone one turn at the microphone doesn&#39;t create equality if a) one person&#39;s words count a thousand times more, and b) they&#39;re not directly living it.<br/><br/>#Autism #Autistic #Neurodivergent ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticVoices #PowerDynamics #EpistemicJustice #DisabilityJustice 2026-10-25T10:58:20Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8aang4pscn4w7qyr9uhzxncc94ala30wv5vl3aerpw4rexazyetgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv8dye6q We talk about autistic &#39;rigidity&#39; as though someone&#39;s just refusing to change. <br/><br/>But if the world feels unpredictable, contradictory... and extremely unsafe... a familiar routine can be a place of refuge. <br/><br/>The more interesting question might be why that refuge is so badly needed!<br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #AutisticExperience #AutisticVoices #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance #AutisticWellbeing #RethinkingAutism 2026-10-20T08:51:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp648wedc5ywy8vmfgkqn3gc9ds687j4mcssa4yunav9reggjlljqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvsr833x 🤔😳<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AuDHD #Autism #AutisticExperience #Neurodiversity #Autistic<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/117/424/144/907/322/404/original/205091301e2a54dc.jpg"> <br/> 2026-10-11T20:24:18Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsx2rvpfr6dt9mvrx59d5dx6px9p3n2fq0gprrnpf0yjsswvsw6npczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvzm97vc &#34;Who needs labels anyway?&#34; sounds progressive, but isn&#39;t.<br/><br/>A &#39;label&#39; can give people language for their experiences, a basis for organising, and access to a community.<br/><br/>The interesting question - I think - isn&#39;t whether we have categories or not (we do. Ask any librarian or linguist). <br/><br/>It&#39;s who gets to make and use the categories... and for what purpose.<br/><br/>💟 <br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #AuDHD #Neurodivergent #SocialJustice #EpistemicInjustice 2026-10-09T15:43:14Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqr3stlnalrjutrqjtmny9mmx2uxeea002n7nmv4y79qa63pddkpszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv7q7lu2 &#34;With or without you&#34;<br/>How dangerous are other humans?<br/><br/>A thread on hierarchy, risk, and autism...<br/><br/>🧵 ⬇️<br/><br/>(Article also on my site: <a href="https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/with-or-without-you.html">https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/with-or-without-you.html</a>)<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AuDHD #Autism #AutisticExperience #Neurodiversity #Connection #Loneliness #Attachment #Community #NervousSystem #HumanNature #Hierarchy #Capitalism #Relationships #Love #Belonging<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/117/381/640/766/528/173/original/b8362c685383b562.jpg"> <br/> 2026-10-04T08:22:42Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsz5dlfk56xel7dqq7hv0nyax7dd0l8c80et2j596e6dt7exnuk48gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvka45xg Subject: False binaries<br/><br/>Things are often framed as binary that really shouldn’t be...<br/><br/>1. Good and evil.<br/>2. To blame and not to blame.<br/>3. Meaning to and not meaning to.<br/>4. Empathy and logic.<br/>5. Subjective and objective.<br/>6. Causal and not causal.<br/>7. Living and non-living.<br/>8. Real and not real.<br/><br/>Instead of being either at one opposite pole or the other, all these things exist only by degree, as points along a scale.<br/><br/>Often the mistake isn’t noticing differences - it&#39;s turning differences of *degree* into differences of *kind*.<br/><br/>I’m going to do a little thread on each one (which I&#39;ll then link here).<br/><br/>As usual, all thoughts on this very welcome indeed!<br/><br/>😊<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Autistic #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #AutisticThinking #AutisticPerspective #CriticalThinking #BinaryThinking #FalseBinaries #Philosophy #Psychology #Empathy #Logic #Ontology 2026-09-25T06:01:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsynt87eghd7wpc94yg3qzaaw8jqr0sldwlzdn8v2mvpwa2qp9sytgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvymg3p5 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs08zertlxpanu0s90u3zdq6swsf6qjcex4ts9mgxdntdrvyd66zqgpptnug'>nevent1q…tnug</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Hannah Arendt spoke about the banality of evil. And how when studying evil in action, the evidence points to one thing. A rather unexpected thing. Not lack of empathy, or a fondness for logic. No, none of the above.<br/><br/>The thing was so much simpler: a failure to think deeply!<br/>The greatest indicator of not committing evil acts, after all, is deep thinking.<br/><br/>And as for empathy... perhaps the autistic tendency is simply towards being more universally empathetic, and less partisan.<br/><br/>End of 🧵<br/><br/>#Neurodiversity #Fairness #StructuralInequality 2026-09-19T09:18:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs08zertlxpanu0s90u3zdq6swsf6qjcex4ts9mgxdntdrvyd66zqgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvmp9cjl In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsy327ng6r2p89rf9lk6zj62vankt3j3re2p6ps2at8se6tsf7pqmgywttl4'>nevent1q…ttl4</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>It seems autistic people are generally less willing to let the emotional story settle the question. And more inclined to bring in data, nuance, and reasoning.<br/><br/>If empathy is usually partial, selective, and easily influenced by familiarity, similarity, emotion, social convention, and who we happen to identify with in a given moment... <br/><br/>...then greater reliance on consistency, evidence, and reasoning is actually going to produce the fairer judgement.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-09-19T09:18:05Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsy327ng6r2p89rf9lk6zj62vankt3j3re2p6ps2at8se6tsf7pqmgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvpu3asa In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8sqsmd7e2u69mlr3k9awhnnug8j6gkey8cf0jgwal6z4j5rffh6c0k3ct4'>nevent1q…3ct4</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Autistic people are famously fond of logic, and data. <br/><br/>We’ve also repeatedly ‘failed’ in tests designed to evaluate our empathy. <br/><br/>Tests which I found more interesting as a ‘spot the assumption’ exercise than serious research – or at least, serious research into what the studies professed to be about. <br/><br/>(I wrote a thread on it, &#34;Have you wondered where the claim that autistic people lack empathy came from?&#34;, link: <a href="https://mas.to/@KatyElphinstone/116070156336606549">https://mas.to/@KatyElphinstone/116070156336606549</a>)<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AutismResearch #Empathy #AutisticThinking #CriticalPsychology #Logic #Reasoning #Neurodiversity #DoubleEmpathy 2026-09-19T09:16:30Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8sqsmd7e2u69mlr3k9awhnnug8j6gkey8cf0jgwal6z4j5rffh6czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv6aape9 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs9ue7hkuqcz27epk5vlavehfed53xx7amwyxx83mfcmxjwum2nzagv0xk8e'>nevent1q…xk8e</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Charity responds to the suffering person in front of us.<br/>Justice asks why people keep ending up there.<br/><br/>And strangely enough, the second (the colder-sounding proposition) is often the more humane one, at the end of the day.<br/><br/>Then there&#39;s autism.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-09-19T09:15:23Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9ue7hkuqcz27epk5vlavehfed53xx7amwyxx83mfcmxjwum2nzagzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvr8yvym In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs9s228kms06s56g3vc90tzl82uuu0y6e7gqxkmrnnv08d7qcvu36g4zwdww'>nevent1q…wdww</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I read recently that in societies where empathy increases, justice decreases. It puzzled me at first, but it makes sense when you view it a certain way. <br/><br/>Philanthropy is all about compassion and empathy – giving. But that doesn&#39;t make it fair! <br/><br/>In fact, often it’s another way of making sure some are benefactors and can feel great about themselves, while others are poor and crushed and have to feel permanently grateful if they get anything at all.<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#MoralPsychology #AutisticThinking #Justice #Logic #Reasoning 2026-09-19T09:14:39Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9s228kms06s56g3vc90tzl82uuu0y6e7gqxkmrnnv08d7qcvu36gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv4c6m6n In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsdgxt95cgfuk4wsrjztaqa34d78n70w6l8wl6rvuzvz3x22dwkkzqxpc2vg'>nevent1q…c2vg</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>We might care hugely about one suffering person, while staying blind to the system that keeps producing suffering people. <br/><br/>We might be really moved by an individual story, while ignoring the data. <br/><br/>It may be very easy for us to feel deeply for somebody we identify with - while extending little understanding to somebody whose behaviour, background, language, or way of thinking is unfamiliar to us.<br/><br/>And we then mistake the intensity of that feeling for morality itself.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-09-19T09:13:36Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdgxt95cgfuk4wsrjztaqa34d78n70w6l8wl6rvuzvz3x22dwkkzqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrva2r27x Is empathy a less reliable basis for morality than people tend to assume? <br/><br/>A thread on empathy, morality, and autistic reasoning ♾️ <br/><br/>Empathy works a bit like a spotlight. In its traditional sense, it often illuminates only a certain bit of the landscape (the bit that’s in front of us, or that we choose to see) but not all of it.<br/><br/>That&#39;s a problem if we confuse that with morality, or &#39;goodness&#39;.<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #Autism #Empathy #Morality #SocialJustice #CriticalPsychology #AutismResearch 2026-09-19T09:12:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspstydjs0kq2x6yljds7em4fpzy5hjuup92eswnr6qa7trrcua6zgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv46ywd9 &#34;What is it about these people?&#34; <br/><br/>A thread on abused women, autistic people... and a question asked backwards.<br/><br/>Researchers have spent a great deal of time trying to work out what kind of woman is especially likely to end up in abusive relationships. Which personality traits make women susceptible.<br/><br/>They&#39;ve also spent a huge amount of time (and money) pondering over what it is about autistic people that makes them not fit in with other people.<br/><br/>A thread 🧵<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #AutismResearch #Trauma #DomesticAbuse #VictimBlaming #CriticalPsychology #SocialModelOfDisability #DoubleEmpathy <br/><br/>1/13 2026-09-18T07:01:22Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqszp838thynvj8ydj6yutaa8uftmrytjzr2xrxhm65hpl2e6pp7x0qzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvz5w08a Why do autistic people often catastrophise? <br/><br/>I&#39;ve been thinking about this deeply. I&#39;ve had this habit since I was a child. <br/><br/>Lying in my bed at night thinking, “what if…?”<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Autism #Neurodivergent #ADHD #AuDHD #Autistic 2026-09-02T17:35:31Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8amhnmamfd8usvzhn763vwcrhq7par87fw9k3h3q6w0e5mp025pczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvlh3lrc &#34;Sometimes I wonder just how many autistic people go undiagnosed due to how horrible society portrays autism to be.&#34;<br/><br/>Credit to<br/>@Autistic_Lia on ex-Twitter<br/><br/>#Autism #Autistic #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic 2026-08-29T10:29:35Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsx7crv7n44v3u25mz3m39uysgyahantssmydeumz42477qfzs29aszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvrup3ar Many autistic adults shudder at school memories. <br/><br/>Why do so many autistic people suffer at school? <br/><br/>For too long, school was seen as beyond criticism, and the child blamed instead of the environment. <br/><br/>That’s starting to change. <br/><br/>A thread 🧵<br/><br/>1/10<br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic<br/>#Autistic #Neurodivergent 2026-08-27T19:25:22Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfxsxkq6eqlvrwfy396ld9eq2jxzdxqynaaa5klz2hxx2gh2uz82szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvdvkvdc Autism and lack of safety 🛟 <br/><br/>Here are some things which, interestingly, are common in autistic people but can also be general indicators of anxiety or fear.<br/><br/>1. Difficulty distinguishing voices from background noise. <br/><br/>2. Digestion problems, sometimes culminating in IBS. <br/><br/>3. Strong attachment to routine and panic when it fails.<br/><br/>4. Persistent problems falling asleep or staying asleep. <br/><br/>There will be other things, I think 🤔 ... thoughts?<br/><br/>#AskingAutistics #Autism #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD 2026-08-22T07:10:35Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgg6ved8ynccwrey5ek0nnkj39x5n60ctf0egyv6j5mu08wc5lw0qzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvvw96r3 ♾️ 10 reasons why I like being autistic ♾️ <br/><br/>Thanks to <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1z8s0z59zvaw0n9x7qjy94g4qwyhc33j8jpaq5x57706vl989zz8sel6gem" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Astrid</span> (<span class="italic">npub1z8s…6gem</span>)</a></span>, my thread has now become a beautiful and fully-illustrated zine! Share if you like what you see❤️ <br/><br/><a href="https://wise.astridpoot.nl/30-10-reasons-why-i-like-being-autistic/">https://wise.astridpoot.nl/30-10-reasons-why-i-like-being-autistic/</a><br/><br/>🥰 🥳 😎 🙏 <br/><br/>#Autistic #Neurodivergent #Neurodiversity #ActuallyAutistic<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/998/486/703/173/115/original/3287c29548ddc36f.png"> <br/> 2026-07-28T16:17:52Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrw6teh2fn7fet0q69knysdgwcvwjy95xjqd6kdmu733lg3j3ut0czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv6cy7qh &#34;Why do you need a label?&#34;<br/><br/>⬇️⬇️⬇️<br/><br/>#Neurodivergent #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #ADHD<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/964/623/212/065/196/original/2ae84780b40dced1.png"> <br/> 2026-07-22T16:41:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9n2060wsl28pes3p4ztsr2cn9vcm4cqfea33wyrryzaa4ph54hhqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvf2q5h6 Is autistic distress around change necessarily a problem of personal rigidity or inflexibility?<br/><br/>The truth is, everyone&#39;s more comfortable with change when they choose it, understand it - and have some power over how it happens. And this is especially true for those who&#39;ve been traumatised, or had deeply negative experiences, even when others insisted that everything was fine.<br/><br/>So perhaps the deeper issue isn’t sameness, but safety.<br/><br/>💟 <br/><br/>#Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent 2026-07-21T10:42:35Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstmzsmyvdu92rvuxhughdacd8z6z74ql73nsgrgnsqhy8rpzcn36szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv3kl964 &#34;We&#39;re all neurodiverse!&#34;<br/><br/>I&#39;ve heard this phrase a lot recently.<br/><br/>It’s both depressing and enraging to me that so many of us use it, yet seem unable either to look the word up in a dictionary or to understand the implications of saying it.<br/><br/>A thread 🧵 <br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#Autistic #Autism #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/900/004/510/584/813/original/ebfa04033a841e09.png"> <br/> 2026-07-11T06:48:07Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfqe09dvjrhazzhllagnmu6dlml4av2a68hht8pwe79gl0ltardgqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvyg0s0w Thank you <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1p2kj6yt8kpgp3dfmttzch79ea3yd5f2yctqrm5mkfy3hz448kmzq4tw0da" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>The Grim Peter</span> (<span class="italic">npub1p2k…w0da</span>)</a></span> for this excellent article on small talk - from the neurodivergent perspective.<br/> <a href="https://www.alittleofnothing.co.uk/small-talk-is-tcp-handshaking-for-humans/">https://www.alittleofnothing.co.uk/small-talk-is-tcp-handshaking-for-humans/</a><br/><br/>Indeed, you&#39;ve pretty much convinced me!! <br/><br/>This part I think I ought to write on a napkin and carry in my bag:<br/><br/>&#34;- Eye contact? Adjusted.<br/>-Tone? Checked.<br/>- Facial expression? Calibrated.<br/>- Volume? Sensible.<br/>- Response time? Natural enough to avoid suspicion.<br/>- Internal panic? Well hidden, hopefully.&#34;<br/><br/>#Autistic #AutisticCommunication #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic 2026-07-08T14:24:47Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs89d0586fz5v3cuk09auuw56ns84qcysurs9z3h02z6tsaa5etj3gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvdq3hc9 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs99wvyscse24slkmly40xpld4l3t4da87j826zm3lczv4hguf9m5sl2c72a'>nevent1q…c72a</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 10 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My potential for authentic friendships, given the right environment. <br/><br/>We have a strong and growing community. <br/><br/>There&#39;s still often this vast loneliness. But now we can find each other, at least. And perhaps, ourselves. <br/><br/>🌈💟<br/><br/>#AutisticCommunity #AutisticJoy 2026-07-07T08:22:11Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs99wvyscse24slkmly40xpld4l3t4da87j826zm3lczv4hguf9m5szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv6ygkad In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsqh5vyzjnyaf74zjwyxlwh5ux8uus5rhx8qdct7esw2qs5kjrw20sy0af8z'>nevent1q…af8z</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 9 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>Resistance to manipulation. 🫏<br/><br/>Autistic people can be hard to praise or punish into compliance. Often due to inability more than any active rebellion. Though we may feel a lot of shame around this.<br/><br/>My take: it&#39;s not always a positive thing to fit in.<br/><br/>10/11 2026-07-07T08:21:49Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqh5vyzjnyaf74zjwyxlwh5ux8uus5rhx8qdct7esw2qs5kjrw20szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvdaur82 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsvklz9nprjh5c8t8uu2jteh3en5ql0x6r4c9705hvhptlnnstzfmgnwuhrz'>nevent1q…uhrz</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 8 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My non-conformist mind. 🎋<br/><br/>To many autistic people, “because everyone else is doing it” is NOT a good reason for doing something. <br/><br/>I see this non-conformist thinking style as an important safeguard against herd mentality. <br/><br/>9/11 2026-07-07T08:21:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvklz9nprjh5c8t8uu2jteh3en5ql0x6r4c9705hvhptlnnstzfmgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv943jzr In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8w0uauaj2ltd3a66gu87m3vkugh3kzq47ue694vlqalchktx6vvqwh5yde'>nevent1q…5yde</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 7 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>Asking, &#34;Why?&#34; ❓<br/><br/>There&#39;s often a strong autistic tendency to look for the “why” of things: to question systems, notice patterns and wonder about them. <br/><br/>And then to creatively imagine how things could be changed.<br/><br/>8/11 2026-07-07T08:21:25Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8w0uauaj2ltd3a66gu87m3vkugh3kzq47ue694vlqalchktx6vvqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv9me4fp In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsgmf2cgtmdxhplfmenl9jf7z70sz7yqsy8ry7h32kqtam044pnuxqzjqa9y'>nevent1q…qa9y</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 6 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>Unusual imagination 🍃<br/><br/>Autistic imagination can be wonderfully various, rich, strange, vivid, or deeply felt. <br/><br/>Some autistic people have whole inner worlds!<br/><br/>While for some, there are no inner visuals. For some, memory - if present - comes by sensations.<br/><br/>7/11 2026-07-07T08:21:09Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgmf2cgtmdxhplfmenl9jf7z70sz7yqsy8ry7h32kqtam044pnuxqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv7t5ttl In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs9snsg5ae6qlhzn3c275a5ysdu84exlvxp4lx6atqejeqag209e7c8df70g'>nevent1q…f70g</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 5 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>Getting right into the details of things. 🎼<br/><br/>Autistic attention to detail can be difficult, for example when trying to shift focus - but it can also mean unusual observational powers, precision, and noticing things other people don’t.<br/><br/>6/11 2026-07-07T08:20:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9snsg5ae6qlhzn3c275a5ysdu84exlvxp4lx6atqejeqag209e7czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvplceq2 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsdfdt7l6ncjqxna566w2lss5zg5eglfj4l2lm8yta4yqzmdl5hkmgd07tm4'>nevent1q…7tm4</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 4 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My hyper-sensory experiences. 🤪<br/><br/>These can be totally overwhelming. But, on the positive side, I might notice ambient nuances, beauty and subtlety – smells, textures, sounds.<br/><br/>They can also be handy, e.g. for noticing in time if the house is on fire!!<br/><br/>5/11 2026-07-07T08:20:37Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdfdt7l6ncjqxna566w2lss5zg5eglfj4l2lm8yta4yqzmdl5hkmgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv05sjv5 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsp7x579yze6ctag9mjttwgnq0pz6zge3rmcn6l22e39z2kw80c95sefxp4s'>nevent1q…xp4s</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 3 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My selective hyper-memory and hyper-focus. <br/><br/>This can mean persevering past the point where others would give up – so developing knowledge, skill, or creativity to unusual depths. ⚓<br/><br/>That said, I may sometimes forget how to use a kettle.<br/><br/>#Hyperfocus <br/><br/>4/11 2026-07-07T08:20:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp7x579yze6ctag9mjttwgnq0pz6zge3rmcn6l22e39z2kw80c95szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvpjysvv In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsqjxh09fnkeyenrhk32z8rek3u76gdeyseszazj0fhu449nd057asgflmpq'>nevent1q…lmpq</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 2 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My unusual empathy. 💟<br/><br/>Autistic empathy can be intense! It tends to also be pretty democratic: for people, animals, plants, and even objects. <br/><br/>Our empathy often isn&#39;t interested in hierarchies - and doesn&#39;t exclude those who don’t appear useful or successful in society.<br/><br/>#AutisticEmpathy<br/><br/>3/11 2026-07-07T08:20:02Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqjxh09fnkeyenrhk32z8rek3u76gdeyseszazj0fhu449nd057aszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvlgj9fv In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs86gydsjuvzy97vcxr36umqelqc66jtcn8z6h00sstlw9p03ps9jskr4zdm'>nevent1q…4zdm</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Reason no. 1 &#34;why I like being autistic&#34;<br/><br/>My way of processing information. 🔢<br/><br/>Autistic different ways of processing information can lead to unusual perception: seeing patterns, details, connections, and possibilities that may not be obvious from the mainstream view.<br/><br/>#AutisticCognition<br/><br/>2/11 2026-07-07T08:19:48Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs86gydsjuvzy97vcxr36umqelqc66jtcn8z6h00sstlw9p03ps9jszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvljnwfd ♾️Ten reasons why I like being autistic♾️<br/><br/>Maybe surprisingly to some, being autistic isn&#39;t all bad.<br/><br/>Here are some things that may get missed when autism is defined *only* through our difficulties &amp; struggles. <br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AuDHD <br/><br/>A thread 🧵<br/><br/>1/11 2026-07-07T08:19:25Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsv276ultk9efgjqhrw797y7fqz65qvsszxnmm5qymqjujlha0rxnszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv5zn7a3 In the UK, 89-97% of autistic adults aged 40+ may be undiagnosed.<br/><br/>That&#39;s a whole generation of people who&#39;ve been blamed for traits they naturally had that went unnamed. 😢 <br/><br/>#LateDiagnosedAutistic #Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent 2026-06-27T08:11:57Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfd6ajx59gmv6vm6tfdhz39kys90pvxyaxsdxvpjqqvydjwpzdmcgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvd2wf2j In 46% of cases where therapy is used to stop an autistic child from stimming, the child has come out with symptoms that meet the criteria for PTSD.<br/><br/>#ABA #Autism #Masking #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic 2026-06-26T10:35:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs22khsddvq65ceu3ll2h3mz9tyxvnuxppymx2ysx97t8m475fjzmqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvax7vku Subject: Autistic perception <br/><br/>Studies suggest that autistic people give relatively more weight to incoming perceptual detail - and less weight to prior expectations, or assumptions. <br/><br/>A thread 🧵 <br/><br/>#Autism #AutisticPerception #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic 2026-06-20T09:21:09Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsz44cxn5rj79d66pu2cmrgna8uvhwsy9ucjltpdsd5gtzsg9cclnszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvnvg872 Many more women than men have been diagnosed over the years with ‘personality disorders’. <br/><br/>These labels are much more personally damning than autism or ADHD - as they judge who you are, rather than explaining how you function. <br/><br/>#Autism #ADHD #AuDHD #Diagnosis #Sexism #GenderEquality #Neurodivergent 2026-06-07T06:57:42Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvjlz9as4x4p3kr94wvwqft69xukplmg07dahe6uvwks2a0dslj5gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv0ak5qt I think a lot of autistic people must have like a Masters degree in &#34;pretending to be okay when I&#39;m actually not.&#34;<br/><br/>Becoming such a constant that you literally don&#39;t know what it feels like to not be doing this. 😬<br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Anxiety #SocialAnxiety #MentalHealth #Masking #Neurodivergent 2026-06-04T06:48:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqszly94e6k742vkwep6wk5r9cymurdycuf4tuj3f4t39fvtcj3vzkczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvnec0dk Slide from AutisticNotWeird, Chris Bonello. <br/><br/>#Autism #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/656/527/857/686/075/original/1837fadd5b112f31.png"> <br/> 2026-05-29T06:49:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsw9mnmza7gjd3r8tj9sh0dt0t8uehcmrp9ctqp4eypegvdunga9xgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv5tyr8v A still-quite-popular belief about autistic people is that we lack empathy.<br/><br/>But perhaps what we mostly lack is socially approved ways of expressing fellow-feeling. And this then gets construed as lacking empathy.<br/><br/>#AutisticEmpathy #ActuallyAutistic<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/611/493/606/241/121/original/4e34a0764211de02.png"> <br/> 2026-05-21T07:56:24Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfsz60pjazgqph4vftpp47x558adq7yfxtm3pekg57yquvrye9h8czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvhmagdd In research, education, &amp; policy making, autistic people are expected to accept a situation where non-autistic &#34;experts&#34; speak with authority about them.<br/><br/>An autistic person&#39;s lived experience is seen as less valid than external observations of our behaviour.<br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #AutismResearch 2026-05-17T07:24:59Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyrqd69kw5d5ftty8n2ap7w8qaeg7we8snt3u3u3rh6wl2d7yzlfqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv479a45 Autistic people don’t just ‘fail to fit’ into social norms and into the social order.<br/><br/>It seems quite a lot of the time we actually challenge the social order - often even just by existing.<br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent 2026-05-16T04:52:45Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqswe27s6r2vlz5hamhhl3m3hn6rdfntl2chvskz20cnmtnpvgkezrczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvn7w56q Anyone still wanting a reason to not do shitty things?<br/><br/>😂<br/><br/>#AuDHD #ActuallyAutistic #adhd #Neurodivergent<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/116/526/378/439/897/463/original/7773e8529acc1571.jpg"> <br/> 2026-05-06T07:10:29Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsggn6xr2675wdc9u86a4lqr33tw52l7rjvr6y6q3njd2xydfgwkpgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvzke2hq What has autism got to do with trauma?<br/><br/>Quite a lot, actually.<br/><br/>And not only because of what happens inside the autistic person, but because of what happens around us.<br/><br/>A thread 🧵<br/><br/>1/10<br/><br/>#Autism #Trauma #Neurodivergent 2026-04-11T06:36:12Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8f3kasqzs2w56as7xvlfsj3v6kjlhuwperj0re3x98c9av5qfjnqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvh2mqra In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsgj8tgs2trxz4ftymh9wg07xvz982wufnzcgwvd8m307u49fwee5qgus0gh'>nevent1q…s0gh</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>So what could ethical research look like, instead?<br/><br/>Here&#39;s the proposed researchers’ code of ethics:<br/><br/>1. Co-participation,<br/>2. Respectful language,<br/>3. Autistic differences not always as deficits,<br/>4. No alignment with those promoting ABA, eugenics, and similar harms.<br/><br/>Far from today&#39;s reality.<br/><br/>7/11<br/><br/>Thanks <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1ralemvrt56v04cu6aamepuzq6lcl2f6tq2mz8z05ee0jra4a3k0qp0mtp8" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>⁂ Panda | 한돌</span> (<span class="italic">npub1ral…mtp8</span>)</a></span> for this! And your work is in the references. 2026-03-28T19:14:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgj8tgs2trxz4ftymh9wg07xvz982wufnzcgwvd8m307u49fwee5qzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvm87v5z In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqst5ruwj5q3ejna4a47kswz62vr6nvl305n598mc7pt3uug8wekghq7ac3aa'>nevent1q…c3aa</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Then, as we’re not listened to, society&#39;s understanding of autism develops without us.🤷🏽‍♀️<br/><br/>That flawed understanding is then used to overrule us, again.<br/><br/>Strange little loop. ➰<br/><br/>6/11<br/><br/>#EpistemicInjustice #Autism #AutismResearch 2026-03-28T19:13:43Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst5ruwj5q3ejna4a47kswz62vr6nvl305n598mc7pt3uug8wekghqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvs0sn93 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsf0csla6852r2s0r5g9kuwjdauw0vthhzewmvw9qlgtv6vc2qfkqsc0t2ms'>nevent1q…t2ms</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Because a ‘world without autism’ isn&#39;t abstract.<br/>It&#39;s a world without autistic people. 🙎🏽‍♀️🙎🏾🙎🏻‍♀️<br/><br/>There’s also a deeper issue here.<br/><br/>Autistic people aren&#39;t believed about our own experiences. Or we don&#39;t get asked at all.<br/><br/>#UtaFrith said it would be unscientific to do so. More on her views here: <a href="https://mas.to/@KatyElphinstone/116206483353899881">https://mas.to/@KatyElphinstone/116206483353899881</a><br/><br/>5/11 2026-03-28T19:13:19Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsf0csla6852r2s0r5g9kuwjdauw0vthhzewmvw9qlgtv6vc2qfkqszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv024qas In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsvhj435waqzsj2xcczwzvg34dvymxm8knf8t4eenygwvxteu7reequqltz6'>nevent1q…ltz6</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>The implication here – sometimes unspoken, &amp; sometimes not so unspoken – is that autism is something to be reduced, corrected, or even eventually eradicated ☠️<br/><br/>So my questions are:<br/><br/>1/ Whose problem is autism being treated as? <br/>2/ And whose interests are served by that?<br/><br/>4/11 2026-03-28T19:12:56Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvhj435waqzsj2xcczwzvg34dvymxm8knf8t4eenygwvxteu7reeqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvau4l9h In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsry2act5sqt56wd9lq2vyys4frm0wn5t8f6rk06y2f3djalv2ctuc8l96aq'>nevent1q…96aq</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>That idea – that there’s a separable ‘pure self’ – is basically not one that&#39;s shared by us. <br/><br/>But it&#39;s very popular elsewhere!<br/><br/>Many millions are poured into #autism research every year, in the areas of treatment, intervention, prevention, and the hunt for biomarkers.<br/><br/>💰💰💰<br/><br/>3/11 2026-03-28T19:12:10Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsry2act5sqt56wd9lq2vyys4frm0wn5t8f6rk06y2f3djalv2ctuczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvrsjj7u In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsz9n59xzn7y7mh74aevzveq24c0w6v9et4gcucafc7e4xvjtjkz2c7jm9pl'>nevent1q…m9pl</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>For us, autism doesn&#39;t feel like some detachable defect.<br/><br/>Take it away – and you don’t leave me, just improved. You change who I am.<br/><br/>This feeling isn’t limited to one ‘type’ of autistic person. Across support needs, most autistic people say the same (refs at the end).<br/><br/>2/11 2026-03-28T19:11:40Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsz9n59xzn7y7mh74aevzveq24c0w6v9et4gcucafc7e4xvjtjkz2czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvh8248k Most autistic people, despite everything, actually like being autistic.<br/><br/>Not all, of course. But most of us.<br/>And I don’t just mean ‘making peace with it’.<br/><br/>I mean: it&#39;s bound up with who we are.<br/><br/>A thread 🧵<br/><br/>1/11<br/><br/>(refs at the end)<br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent 2026-03-28T19:11:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsx9nj2e8gazlk3suv4av5mpahl90hu8hf6f72d7ss3eze6yr6632gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvpd9tjw In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsruegj36spnzqwj8ydk9llus2xr4p93e59kwce6nn495mfhw43djcjs7q4p'>nevent1q…7q4p</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Her view: Autism in women has gone too far. <br/><br/>Reply: Interesting. Has freedom in women gone too far, too? <br/><br/>_________<br/><br/>Her view: We must categorise autism into smaller subgroups.<br/><br/>Reply: Interesting also - a bit like how Hans Asperger did in Nazi Germany? I think, in this case, the purpose is to exclude a lot of people from the category &#34;autism&#34; and to divide the autistic community. <br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#Autism #Research #Neurodiversity 2026-03-10T19:19:41Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsruegj36spnzqwj8ydk9llus2xr4p93e59kwce6nn495mfhw43djczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvs66dxw In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsw9uhlk737v7zrdczuj8r9t9vmyd828zk552fwgsylwmtymfl6x9g7v3tvt'>nevent1q…3tvt</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Her view: The concept of masking is “unscientific” because it’s unfalsifiable.<br/><br/>Reply: So is the concept of pain. Should we treat that as irrelevant in medical or psychological contexts, as well?<br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#Autism #Research #Masking #UtaFrith 2026-03-10T19:18:40Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsw9uhlk737v7zrdczuj8r9t9vmyd828zk552fwgsylwmtymfl6x9gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvqw25s9 Replying to Uta Frith&#39;s views, one by one.<br/><br/>With thanks to all the members of the autistic community who&#39;ve informed me &amp; inspired me to write this thread.<br/><br/>For those lucky not to know about her article in The Times, and various other related statements, links at the end. <br/><br/>CW: it&#39;s upsetting 😟<br/><br/>A thread 🧵 <br/><br/>#UtaFrith #Research #Autism #Autistic #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent 2026-03-10T19:16:57Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp8vp9dngxksyupxslt5rw3nxsnxau5hg2gmxkmv9j0ws8j299k2qzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvztqu4x #AskingAutistics <br/><br/>How would you describe your ordinary daily level of anxiety (if any at all)?<br/><br/>#Autism #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #AuDHD 2026-03-07T18:56:11Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvred8u9nn0dq96y00wvpsgc2uecfzsh624nyftjaqp2lzuvqf5wczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv2ytknz Subject: Autistic ‘black and white’ thinking. <br/><br/>It&#39;s framed as a deficit often seen in autism, but... is it that simple? :shrug2: <br/><br/>Autistic people are traditionally criticized for our inflexibility, or cognitive rigidity. <br/><br/>But I think this isn’t the whole picture. <br/><br/>To start with what we know, here are ten things we autistic people generally have in common (refs at the end of the thread):<br/><br/>⬇️ <br/><br/>#Autism #Neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Neurodiversity 2026-03-03T11:16:30Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs89e7xhvu0qswfww382cpfm5tk3z9h0tv3dwkmcvzkuuu2pvnd5lqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv79nj9n In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs253n6ezqe3prtf3fk2tpt54lkyekhwmsls0vkzpvzlttwgy6wn4c0ewx4h'>nevent1q…wx4h</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Autistic people, after all, are known for preferring logic (I certainly do). <br/><br/>And we’re also known for thinking outside the box – meaning that if we’re forced to make false decisions based on faulty assumptions, then we are quite likely to make the ‘wrong’ choice.<br/><br/>Interested to hear others’ thoughts on this! And I’ll be looking for another influential study to look closely at. <br/><br/>I really enjoy analyzing things! 😊 <br/><br/>End of thread. 🧵 2026-02-14T17:33:34Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs253n6ezqe3prtf3fk2tpt54lkyekhwmsls0vkzpvzlttwgy6wn4czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvn3gsz6 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsfqyudvajr7nhpnac5jj2u2vdhdwky0s9tvrhjahyut9uw78pm66s2aeteg'>nevent1q…eteg</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>This would mean: <br/><br/>- responsibility should be proportional to agency, influence, and ability to change outcomes (this would be not just logical but also extremely useful),<br/><br/>- individual / exclusive blame is not required in all situations where harm occurs,<br/><br/>- but *responsibility* to take appropriate action is not the same thing as blame, and conflating the two is an error.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:32:16Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsfqyudvajr7nhpnac5jj2u2vdhdwky0s9tvrhjahyut9uw78pm66szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvjr58s3 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsw5ac5rdyhf0l0kddfz90e4s6av70v2m5sk75jvdgel3pu8z9tthq3qajer'>nevent1q…ajer</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Here’s an alternative take. <br/>(Note: These are just my thoughts, I’m very open to discussion and other suggestions!)<br/><br/>It may be – though we can’t know this, since participants weren’t asked – that autistic people in the study didn’t lack anything, but rather tended to reason in logical terms.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:31:11Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsw5ac5rdyhf0l0kddfz90e4s6av70v2m5sk75jvdgel3pu8z9tthqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvq4fcvs In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqstmq4g8ge62a46equkgp6t8er7r04ze2wythd4qkw7jlsu7lp85wcy7z4tv'>nevent1q…z4tv</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>...are tasked with the enormous and near-impossible job of ‘educating them’ (and blamed for failing when they don’t manage to).<br/><br/>But, sadly, the privileged ones are selectively deaf or you didn’t use the right tone or… or… well, I think you get the gist.<br/><br/>⬇️ <br/><br/>#EpistemicInjustice #Racism #BlackLivesMatter #Patriarchy #GenderEquality #TransLivesMatter #LGBTQ+ 2026-02-14T17:30:28Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstmq4g8ge62a46equkgp6t8er7r04ze2wythd4qkw7jlsu7lp85wczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv3m9zkk In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsytlke4pqy6vkj5puyrrxakyvd47fpnxw9v05yjr88x25kem46rvgxpd8ms'>nevent1q…d8ms</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>I’ve noticed that being innocent of knowledge is a good defense for many crimes in our society. <br/><br/>Those with the most power to change things seem to often be the most innocent of knowledge. <br/><br/>While people who are marginalized, discriminated against, and who don’t have much in the way of resources, influence, or free time...<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:30:07Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsytlke4pqy6vkj5puyrrxakyvd47fpnxw9v05yjr88x25kem46rvgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv8pfdn5 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqswvfjt8d9nykg2w835mmxpe739skvtp24t9uswcmy0kch7nwn49sqgkshs5'>nevent1q…shs5</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Within this frame, prioritizing outcomes over intentions is coded as a moral error... <br/><br/>A lack of understanding about the situation and about other people.<br/><br/>Even though, for the person who’s now dead, intentions make very little difference, while the outcome has been quite important to them.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:29:34Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqswvfjt8d9nykg2w835mmxpe739skvtp24t9uswcmy0kch7nwn49sqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv47qhnp In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsx7204er7rsg40t6umtwrau99ypuj3deafzrp6l809demqr3mj4cga4zsh3'>nevent1q…zsh3</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Error 1) Presupposition / Loaded framing. The task assumes that when harm occurs, someone usually gets blamed. That assumption isn&#39;t tested &amp; is built into the question.<br/><br/>Error 2) False dichotomy. Moral evaluation is reduced to blame vs no blame, leaving no room for partial, shared, or non-punitive responsibility.<br/><br/>Error 3) Category error. Conflation of blame and responsibility. Responsibility for outcomes is treated as identical to moral condemnation, collapsing two very different concepts.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:28:37Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsx7204er7rsg40t6umtwrau99ypuj3deafzrp6l809demqr3mj4cgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv4tyjnz In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsykuesxnkpkmgjkmu76rgnk8tnaqu2l2auxm59vmnrgd2wfpc50dc4ptf5g'>nevent1q…tf5g</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Autistic participants were more likely than non-autistic participants to say Sally was to blame, despite her good intentions. <br/><br/>This was interpreted as evidence of faulty moral reasoning or reduced empathy.<br/><br/>But that conclusion rests on three errors of logic built into the task itself, and not on evidence that autistic people care less about others.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-14T17:27:36Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsykuesxnkpkmgjkmu76rgnk8tnaqu2l2auxm59vmnrgd2wfpc50dczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv7g6wmy Have you wondered where the claim that autistic people lack empathy came from?<br/><br/>The “jellyfish” study (2011) was influential in this, as it concluded that autistic people lacked Theory of Mind &amp; capacity for moral reasoning.<br/><br/><a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-01-autistic-mind.html">https://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-01-autistic-mind.html</a><br/><br/>In the fictional scenario given to participants, Sally tells a friend it’s safe to swim with jellyfish. She believes they’re harmless. The friend is stung and dies.<br/><br/>⬇️ <br/><br/>#Autism #Empathy #Neurodiversity #Psychology #TheoryofMind #ActuallyAutistic 2026-02-14T17:27:11Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsychsc649xpmdumq75zc3lylm3ft6ztymu8x302q690cg48h67hyqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv8yxq7p In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsrhnv4rlg6jmu0370kems92u66cst0ah9w0x4muq3ttjtgh9g43jchjsjnf'>nevent1q…sjnf</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;We call ourselves a ‘civilized nation’ but we lack rules and accountability around what a person claiming to be law enforcement is permitted to do to another human being.<br/><br/>I am not afraid.<br/><br/>And I am not afraid to keep working on this problem even after ICE is gone.<br/><br/>Thank you for your time.”<br/><br/>End of transcript. 2026-02-06T20:41:15Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrhnv4rlg6jmu0370kems92u66cst0ah9w0x4muq3ttjtgh9g43jczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv53sl2s In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs2amvja2gds46p4uda3qwjatul73rsa77l9kdlvxeglqtahduxvmctw3ygf'>nevent1q…3ygf</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;But I do not deserve more humane treatment than anyone else US Citizen or not. And I am here today with a strong spirit and a duty to the many people who haven’t had the privilege to tell their stories, or see their loved ones come home.<br/><br/>I am extremely distressed by the pattern of violence from law enforcement [that] has been happening to black and indigenous communities for centuries and to DHS survivors for over 20 years. <br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:40:50Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs2amvja2gds46p4uda3qwjatul73rsa77l9kdlvxeglqtahduxvmczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvnfd26k In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqst02m9pz09ce6a5yal53g75eqa29ar5dwsnudtjzxdkps46cpa9aggk4qwk'>nevent1q…4qwk</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;When I became unable to speak, my cellmate pleaded for me. The last sounds I remember before I blacked out on the cell floor were my cell mate banging on the door pleading for a medic and a voice outside saying,<br/><br/> ‘We don’t want to step on ICE’s toes.’<br/><br/>When I opened my eyes at Hennepin County’s emergency room, I learned I was brought there to be treated for assault. The impacts of DHS detention on my physical, mental and financial well-being and safety have been very severe...<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:40:27Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst02m9pz09ce6a5yal53g75eqa29ar5dwsnudtjzxdkps46cpa9agzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv8j9r8g In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsrqp8dcylxpcllfe55hn7pn6w06q2safp3rr9jtllan9ent8z0u4q88u5l2'>nevent1q…u5l2</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;Agents did not know if the facility had a wheelchair.<br/><br/>When I was finally placed in one to be taken to interrogation, agents taunted me, <br/><br/>‘You were driving right? So your legs do work.’<br/><br/>I pleaded for emergency medical care for over an hour after my vision had become blurry, my heart rate went through the roof, and the pain in my neck and head became unbearable.<br/><br/>It was denied.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:40:03Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrqp8dcylxpcllfe55hn7pn6w06q2safp3rr9jtllan9ent8z0u4qzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvwncsnh In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsgh737t9pk06h3ap6k0rxc3jv2yggauqjjxl0jyc0kuw0s09tdlfqmh8l9j'>nevent1q…8l9j</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;You have no reason to believe you will make it out alive if you are already being called a body. <br/><br/>Agents had to repeatedly stop and ask how to do tasks. I received no medical screening, phone call, or access to a lawyer. I was denied a communication navigator when my speech began to slur. Agents laughed as I tried to immobilize my own neck. I asked for my cane and was told, &#39;No&#39;<br/><br/>Pulled up my arms and prodded forward in leg irons by agents, laughing &amp; saying,<br/><br/> ‘Walk, You can do it, walk!’<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:39:32Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgh737t9pk06h3ap6k0rxc3jv2yggauqjjxl0jyc0kuw0s09tdlfqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvqcgszf In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsf8cy2pls8vlsvazp5m5epmeejl3eesfshejdy3eggkv6yyjyqf3sz74njs'>nevent1q…4njs</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;Approaching the Whipple Center, I saw black and brown bodies shackled together, chained together, being marched by yelling agents outdoors.<br/><br/>I continue to hear the word ‘bodies’ because that is how the agents refer to us.<br/><br/>‘We’re bringing in a body.’<br/><br/>‘They’re bringing in bodies 7-8 at a time, Where do I put em?’<br/><br/>‘We can’t use that room, there’s already a body in there.’<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:39:01Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsf8cy2pls8vlsvazp5m5epmeejl3eesfshejdy3eggkv6yyjyqf3szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvksa8cx In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsrhnvcfp8d6mamq9vntdvy5p8nv4k26a947m2xy2344u9klevaqhgeu0qxk'>nevent1q…0qxk</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;Shooting pain went through my head, neck and wrist when I hit the ground face first and people leaned on my back. I felt the pattern, and I thought of Mr. George Floyd who was killed four blocks away.<br/><br/>I was carried face down through the street by my cuffed arms and legs while yelling that I had a brain injury and was disabled. I now cannot lift my arms normally. <br/><br/>I was never asked for ID. Never told I was under arrest. Never read my rights. And never charged with a crime.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:38:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrhnvcfp8d6mamq9vntdvy5p8nv4k26a947m2xy2344u9klevaqhgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv2vthfn In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsxfzm2wwr8alr5hfhl7ledz8rg8drnvdrd3lg03w5dtp9vt96esdq35arve'>nevent1q…arve</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;I felt immersed in a pattern, and I thought of Genoa Donald, an autistic black man, killed by police during a traffic stop in 2021. I remembered Mr. Silverio Villegas González who was killed by ICE in his vehicle last year.<br/><br/>An agent pulled a large combat knife in front of my face, which I thought was for cutting me, and I later learned, was used to cut off my seat belt. <br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:38:20Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsxfzm2wwr8alr5hfhl7ledz8rg8drnvdrd3lg03w5dtp9vt96esdqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvn0a7pg In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8v06cwd6dk2nuvhk5pwv5lh93ly2jkua65eh9rj5f4gkj5wh2skc8n24nd'>nevent1q…24nd</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;His first instruction.<br/><br/>Agents, on all sides of my vehicle, yelled conflicting threats and instructions that I could not process while watching for pedestrians.<br/><br/>Then, the glass of my passenger side window flew across my face.<br/><br/>I yelled, ‘I’m disabled.&#39; at the hands grabbing at me.<br/><br/>An agent said, ‘Too late.&#39;<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:37:58Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8v06cwd6dk2nuvhk5pwv5lh93ly2jkua65eh9rj5f4gkj5wh2skczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv5rupj4 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsf5ruevqhww7ttuh66ksdu905e4eqdpu2dh9s8t2kkatlhzwpymycue6z49'>nevent1q…6z49</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;On January 13th, on the way to my 39th appointment at Hennepin County’s Traumatic Brain Injury Center, I encountered a traffic jam caused by ICE vehicles and no signs indicating how to get around it.<br/><br/>I had not wanted to pull into a blocked, chaotic intersection, but verbally agreed to do so and rolled down my window after an agent yelled:<br/><br/> ‘Move! I will break your f•ing window!’<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:37:36Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsf5ruevqhww7ttuh66ksdu905e4eqdpu2dh9s8t2kkatlhzwpymyczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv2va4m8 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsgjle2wccldj9jpmr5lju5j0plw534f3nq68e2kkm9andzxsjjtzq7cnpg7'>nevent1q…npg7</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>&#34;And while what the world saw happened to me exactly 3 weeks ago today, on video, was a terrible violation - it is still nothing compared to the horrific practices I saw inside the Whipple Center. <br/><br/>So, I am here today with a duty to the people who have not had the privilege of coming home. And I offer this data, because these practices must end now.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:37:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsgjle2wccldj9jpmr5lju5j0plw534f3nq68e2kkm9andzxsjjtzqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv282xdc In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8lgex8r9npnuqus7sqhf82wsxdxk2dhcllxz76dsdnxac5zvv4gqumjmj6'>nevent1q…jmj6</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>“Thank you members, for taking the time to be here today, and thank you staff for making this happen. <br/><br/>My name is Aliya Rahman and I’m a resident of South Minneapolis. I’m a Bangladeshi American born in Northern Wisconsin and I’m a disabled person with autism and a traumatic brain injury. <br/><br/>Not all autistic brains do this, but mine fixates on sounds, numbers and patterns.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2026-02-06T20:35:07Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8lgex8r9npnuqus7sqhf82wsxdxk2dhcllxz76dsdnxac5zvv4gqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvxlkugc Aliya Rahman&#39;s statement after being abducted by ICE.<br/><br/>The transcript is in the posts below (courtesy of Jenny Carter on FB).<br/><br/>If you watch it, at the link below (it&#39;s on Instagram), I should mention I was crying by the end of her statement.<br/><br/>🧵⬇️<br/><br/>#Autistic #Neurodivergent #ICE #Fascism #Democracy #Racism #Minnesota #Trump #ActuallyAutistic (me) #BlackLivesMatter #Disabled<br/><br/><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUU_Vjijgth/?igsh=djJjbDRxMHE4MHF4">https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUU_Vjijgth/?igsh=djJjbDRxMHE4MHF4</a> 2026-02-06T20:34:14Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9ag0qwdv0vdsz30699zsg7n9vyz4484z29qtxrh0pydw02kus02gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv6twe23 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8x5hksgw6rsahx85mzxdfm6umkv5pxtdnuauhzrm2cn67gtwvqfcu8rfrh'>nevent1q…rfrh</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Apparently not 🤷‍♀️<br/><br/>Rather like we don&#39;t have the &#39;right&#39; kind of empathy*<br/><br/>*I&#39;ve just written an article about this because of studying power structures, and realizing how closely empathy (or social intuition) relates to that stuff!<br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub19v877z9gt0zm5yvhx2a975ypcl2mumvhu50wearq03cu90ufu8pqyhgsx7" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>FoolishOwl</span> (<span class="italic">npub19v8…gsx7</span>)</a></span> 2026-01-24T09:06:03Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyau5wg4y7erpxx79d60gng6tctvr3szmtw5c4werffwtnqsypr0szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvhrqt2s In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsgha04rs8l09zwfsd229nz3al82gqud9n8rs0esl2hwxhtf0tqcks04rkt8'>nevent1q…rkt8</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Exactly!!<br/><br/>What prompted me to ask this question was a Facebook post by Naomi Fischer, she&#39;s basically saying what you&#39;re saying...<br/><br/><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17xKsSdyr8/">https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17xKsSdyr8/</a><br/><br/>And I started wondering about imagination more generally. I think the idea we don&#39;t have any - or limited - might be a great deal to do with societal expectations. 2026-01-24T07:26:02Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqszp0wu5a9f54z6l60nypctu7aafdj2ahk4rdn44djlsw6vhgtkslczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvn3g7v3 One of the current diagnostic criteria for autism is a lack of imagination. <br/><br/>Would you say you lack imagination?<br/><br/>Whatever way you answer, I&#39;d love to hear more detail - if you&#39;ve time &amp; inclination.<br/><br/>Reposts also appreciated ☺️ <br/><br/>#AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic #Diagnosis #Neurodivergent 2026-01-24T07:08:06Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs90sapet6yfsavytmheapcvlgyvwudmg8ck46zacm5kh9xnr32slczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvwl0pce *Reasons are for people with power*<br/><br/>My son was telling me about a short he&#39;d seen, contesting the idea that if women were in charge there&#39;d be no wars. Commentator said there would, but just &#34;for no reason.&#34; Everyone was laughing; my son wasn&#39;t. 💓<br/><br/>So 🤔... perhaps &#39;reasons&#39; are for those with power (it goes unspoken they&#39;re ‘good’ reasons)?<br/><br/>While things like &#39;excuses&#39; are for those with less power who aren&#39;t doing exactly what you want them to. Think of a kid arriving late at school.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-12-16T06:29:02Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqszsg9dl6ku5p3tkk3xkpqy5lejf0mc8j406mjjr389vktu4jj2ftqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrve74gws ** Convenient myths **<br/><br/>Myth no. 1:<br/><br/>🚸 That children must be harshly disciplined to become decent, polite, kind people (it&#39;s actually the opposite).<br/><br/>Myth no. 2:<br/><br/>👹 That humans are naturally lazy, selfish beasts who, if they were kindly &amp; gently treated from birth, would be monsters. <br/><br/>Myth no. 3:<br/><br/>🤷 That autistic people are terrible at communicating properly, so allistic people have to be very patient and accommodating with them. <br/><br/>A little thread 🧵 <br/><br/>⬇️<br/><br/>#Childhood #ActuallyAutistic 2025-12-11T19:02:18Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs90p7qawchn05gk0phh57e869c8pwt3mps8sqerf4kaqtkfpc9k3czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvsvyg3m Does anyone have advice, or know of any networks or organisations in Belfast for neurodivergent folk.- where a young adult could make friends, or meet people, or so?<br/><br/>Any and all ideas welcome 💟😊<br/><br/>#AskingAutistics #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #belfast #Ireland 2025-12-01T21:03:53Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrgryk7kkul6q03vsw7xr553sehlguztr606a88yy3qn3hxxd4f2szyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvkz3jvz #Neurodivergent #AutisticJoy #ActuallyAutistic<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/115/629/564/032/878/155/original/1906a171a60f3b67.jpg"> <br/> 2025-11-28T21:58:47Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqstxajlulmgyny5m5kyht0jc58df2n6735726s686zjpxphxrug0nqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvqyntdv &#34;What have you got to be anxious about?&#34;<br/><br/>#Neurodivergent #Autism #ActuallyAutistic #SocialAnxiety #Anxiety<br/> <img src="https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/115/590/290/262/855/288/original/01fa82956cbfbcb9.jpg"> <br/> 2025-11-21T23:30:57Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspampwvfk9z7apua53yf8hsq5sr5vneujwnuzm8nduefx587v4weszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv2t2ckh In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsp6m500hpgpu3kudn8uk2ejup2xn3ydexphaejxzwh0j02gpq8s0cznv9yk'>nevent1q…v9yk</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Plus, if you stick only to problem-solving instead of judging then it’s more likely that… uh… problems will get solved?<br/><br/>The true revolution, I think, isn’t in judging, polarizing, ridiculing, or punishing. <br/><br/>It’s in compassion.<br/><br/>End of 🧵 <br/><br/>My articles on ‘the doghouse’, and on ‘morality and inertia’:<br/><br/><a href="https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/dynamics-of-blame.html">https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/dynamics-of-blame.html</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/what-makes-bad-people.html">https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/what-makes-bad-people.html</a><br/><br/>#ActuallyAutistic #Neurodivergent #SocialJustice #Capitalism #Media #Tech #GlobalEconomy #Politics 2025-11-15T17:15:00Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp6m500hpgpu3kudn8uk2ejup2xn3ydexphaejxzwh0j02gpq8s0czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvf4hvvk In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsqpyn5anttdadea2ud2wjxdjjl9jalqhndd8lxyxar7yhepf2v80cfqwz83'>nevent1q…wz83</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>The ‘blame and punishment’ model upholds the power structure, and separates us from each another and from ourselves.<br/><br/>Studies show that moralistic thinking reduces empathy. <br/><br/>If you don’t believe in blame, badness, or indeed inferiority of any kind, it’s really hard to dehumanize people. Even if you want to, you find you can’t. <br/><br/>(Reduced empathy article: <a href="https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/decreased-empathy.html">https://www.neurofabulous.org.uk/decreased-empathy.html</a>)<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:13:14Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqpyn5anttdadea2ud2wjxdjjl9jalqhndd8lxyxar7yhepf2v80czyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv49ey9v In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqswwv36xsksks2lmmeupqu5x933jqy5shz6xnzgpczxxe49kj4x6lqvjg2rp'>nevent1q…g2rp</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>While if you don’t have a doghouse at all (instead having more understanding and compassion towards others and yourself) you don’t need to be so scared. <br/><br/>You can be honest, instead. <br/><br/>That way lies self-awareness. <br/>Growth. And connection.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:12:52Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqswwv36xsksks2lmmeupqu5x933jqy5shz6xnzgpczxxe49kj4x6lqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvgvwesq In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsp9yhgfmthkmfxatdd8wuj72fgzaka6vzfy4sg7fpcrr6vlgsxymqf0ea7c'>nevent1q…ea7c</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>A hard and fast rule becomes: never admit fault, never confess to a mistake – not even to yourself. Never make yourself vulnerable. Always be right – and if the evidence suggests you’re not, say you’re right anyway.<br/><br/>If you’ve got a doghouse, with anyone in there (even if it’s Caligula, or Hitler, or so), then conceptually you’re being faithful to to the ‘blame and punishment’ model. <br/><br/>Given the right circumstances, you yourself, or your most loved people, could end up in there. <br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:11:51Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsp9yhgfmthkmfxatdd8wuj72fgzaka6vzfy4sg7fpcrr6vlgsxymqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvyrv4fa In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsz9a480yywttmkn8lpwl4yrjsgpt5xj9wnr5zz3jgsfh37pheg97gsg3cpw'>nevent1q…3cpw</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>We maybe punish with judgemental words, ridicule, harsh criticism. Often against them personally. <br/><br/>What they look like, how they talk, how stupid or evil they are – and maybe unnecessary details e.g. about their personal or family lives.<br/><br/>Only that the more punishment people receive, the more they hunker down. <br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:11:25Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsz9a480yywttmkn8lpwl4yrjsgpt5xj9wnr5zz3jgsfh37pheg97gzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv8tryc0 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqs8wtt3qmz040rh2t0grfp36kg6zalsevzs4n6vcg0v3pazt3smvfg3jytne'>nevent1q…ytne</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>We tend also (strongly encouraged by institutions like government, industry, the media, and big tech) to get personal very quickly. <br/><br/>It’s a pastime we often seem to find more satisfying than the search for solutions to problems; looking for someone who’s to blame and finding fault with them. Punishing them.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:10:31Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs8wtt3qmz040rh2t0grfp36kg6zalsevzs4n6vcg0v3pazt3smvfgzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv3wy25r In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsdg5v7m9j6nmak8vfxpqh6knxvc7dnp2sukv2kpy4pr4k65g5mhhs02ug9m'>nevent1q…ug9m</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Me: “Who are evil, you mean?”<br/><br/>Them: “Well, yes.”<br/><br/>Me: “I’m afraid I don’t believe in that, either.”<br/><br/>Them: “Why am I not surprised?”<br/><br/>We both laugh. End of conversation.<br/><br/>Let’s pick this apart a bit:<br/><br/>We tend to equate blame with responsibility, and punishment with prevention. But the outcomes are very different.<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:08:52Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdg5v7m9j6nmak8vfxpqh6knxvc7dnp2sukv2kpy4pr4k65g5mhhszyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv3d5f63 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsw4eh4kserjpcqnvl6edtpj63alm3snlpnthj5nyhrq2l3xsq4gmqg7rmre'>nevent1q…rmre</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Me: “I’d be really surprised if at this point in your life you went that way. But anyone who believes in blame and punishment is, yes, I think, more likely to do things like that that someone who doesn’t believe in them at all.”<br/><br/>Them: “Thanks for that (laughing). Well, I think you’re right for most people and situations, but… no… (shaking their head) for me there are just some people who are beyond the pale.”<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:08:27Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsw4eh4kserjpcqnvl6edtpj63alm3snlpnthj5nyhrq2l3xsq4gmqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvszl4x9 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsrfyyyr6ggj98gtyn9e67tqzg7w3uarllzxekd775xggkd7892rcq8gx5cd'>nevent1q…x5cd</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Me (cont&#39;d): &#34;Plus, I think a major and necessary ingredient for lacking empathy and (for example) going on to commit terrible acts like genocide is… um… believing in blame!”<br/><br/>Them: “Are you saying I’m the kind of person who might go on to commit genocide?” (mock serious)<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:08:05Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrfyyyr6ggj98gtyn9e67tqzg7w3uarllzxekd775xggkd7892rcqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrv3tjrqn In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsyv22yv609dxkuug2cp334txhx4998qxzhmq920wq67jg7854mwsck28ruy'>nevent1q…8ruy</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Them: “True, but some people have horrible backgrounds and end up nice people. I think you can’t use someone’s background to justify what they do.”<br/><br/>Me: “I don’t think it’s really about justifying, though. Just reasons. Everyone&#39;s background has specific ingredients, unique to that person, time, place...&#34;<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:07:38Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyv22yv609dxkuug2cp334txhx4998qxzhmq920wq67jg7854mwsczyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvcvp2m9 In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqsd769lpf35y3etyfvqhc97gxuczv7vfmkz34qr990cend00ed9kyq4w4rs8'>nevent1q…4rs8</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Them: “But what about people who are responsible for genocides, are you saying they aren’t to blame for it? They should be held to account.”<br/><br/>Me: “Well, it’s not like they land one day from Outer Space in front of a sign that says, ‘this way genocide; that way no genocide.’ There’s, like, a context. Of course I’d want to stop them from doing any more bad things, but it would be purely preventative. Not punishment.”<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:07:03Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsd769lpf35y3etyfvqhc97gxuczv7vfmkz34qr990cend00ed9kyqzyzqww6ldgc535uu5gannv2f092pyc9007t4svczc9xc2u2xjxctrvwgjwuu In reply to <a href='/nevent1qqswtwm2epx88l8jmrw3nd7pkemrjs8qa4q2qtfslc2y2apkwn7ng7g8z5du7'>nevent1q…5du7</a><br/>_________________________<br/><br/>Me: “Nuh. I don’t ever believe in blame at any level, for anyone. I think it’s illogical.”<br/><br/>Them: “Mostly I’d agree with you. But some people do really bad things. Cause untold harm. I don’t think they should just be let off the hook.”<br/><br/>Me: “I know people do awful things. But… well… if I were them I’d be doing the same thing (obviously, because I’d be them). The fact I’m not, I reckon, is more because of my trajectory than any intrinsic personal… um… saintliness.”<br/><br/>⬇️ 2025-11-15T17:06:35Z