What is Digg?485 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -16/+48I would be interested in all of these geeks stop playing the "victim" card and stop trying to identify with autism. Seriously, between the ***** of articles about autism on here and Slashdot, it's like geeks WANT to be diagnosed with autism. I mean, what the ***** is that about?!
- admirabumblebee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2848.
Well it works at least. Verified autistic since childhood. - theone3, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1934 too. I guess we should talk sometime, but I really don't want to. ;).
- chickan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2034. I think it's probably just because of my hatred of people
- Toshibi, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18I have to agree with Seumas a little on this one. Honestly, most of us would be a little better off with slight behavior modification instead of pointing to some disorder to explain why we act the way we do. ADHD, is in my opinion an over diagnosed disorder in kids (my psych professor in college felt the same way about it.) and do we want all the geeky kids doped up because their parents and teachers are worried they're going to fail in life?
Me, I'm a social retard, have to add all the numbers in telephone numbers together whenever they flash on the TV, read license plates and do weird things and count how many steps I go when I walk. I dont think I'm autistic....just a little weird and slightly more happy being a cerebral person. I have a few good friends and prefer it that way.
Not everyone is meant to be "normal". - WALZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14I got 47 but I already knew that I have Asperger's Syndrome for sure.
Want to know more about Asperger's? Visit http://WrongPlanet.net/ - rblinne, on 10/12/2007, -6/+19While it is true that technical people have latent autistic tendencies, tests like this promote over diagnosis of the problem. Here's a recent news article from the journal Science (http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/308/5724/948b)
If cases of autism are on the increase, as some believe, here's one provocative explanation: Blame the rise on marriages between like-minded people, whom psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen of Cambridge University in the U.K. calls "systemizers."
Baron-Cohen argues that autism and related conditions like Asperger's are manifestations of what he calls the "extreme male brain": one with weak social skills and a strong tendency to "systemize," or think according to rules and laws. In a study of 1000 U.K. families, he has reported that the fathers as well as the grandfathers of children with autism spectrum conditions are more likely to work in professions such as engineering. And the mothers are also likely to be systemizers "with male-typical interests," he says.
Baron-Cohen, whose theory is in press at the journal Progress in Neuropsycho-pharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, says he and colleagues are performing genetic studies, collecting subjects, and conducting population surveys in systemizer-heavy areas, such as Silicon Valley, to test the idea that techies marrying each other is raising autism rates.
Some balk at the idea. Psychologist Elizabeth Spelke of Massachusetts Institute of Technology says there's no good evidence for an "inborn, male predisposition for systemizing." But psychiatrist Herbert Schreier of Children's Hospital in Oakland, California, believes the intermarriage of techies "probably does account for why you have pockets of high autism around Stanford and MIT." Drawing on his own practice, he adds that fathers of children with learning disabilities have a disproportionate tendency to be engineers or computer scientists.
My son and a number of my technical friends' children do have autism spectrum disorders. BTW, here's the real test from DSM-IV which was the criteria for my son's diagnosis:
DSM-IV Criteria, Pervasive Developmental Disorders
299.00 Autistic Disorder
A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
(1) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(a) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors, such as eye-to- eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(b) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)
(d) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
(2) qualitative impairments in communication, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
(b) in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
(c) stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
(d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level
(3) restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities as manifested by at least one of the following:
(a) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(b) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting or complex whole-body movements)
(d) persistent precoccupation with parts of objects
B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's disorder or childhood disintegrative disorder.
299.80 Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified
This category should be used when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder, or avoidant personality disorder. For example, this category includes "atypical autism" --presentations that do not meet the criteria for autistic disorder because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these.
299.80 Asperger's Disorder
A. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(1) marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors, such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(4) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
B. Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years).
E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
F. Criteria are not met for another specific pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia. - nymphetamine, on 10/12/2007, -0/+119.
wtf does that mean? omg, i'm retarded!!! - rolf, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16I got a 32 and I was moderating my answers.
In response to Seumas with "playing the victim card" and trying to get autism - I think I read elsewhere that certain types of the population have higher than average rates of autism or aspergers. Maybe this includes geeks, I don't know, but I do have a cause for concern because I can function normally NOW but was really really ***** up as a kid especially in social situations and my maternal aunt had severe autism.
I don't know why parents never had me tested - perhaps just an unwillingness to admit I was different (and I was) - but it would be nice to know that these days some kids can get preliminary tested early enough and not have their adolescent/teenage years be the absolute hell mine was.
I agree this victimization can get out of hand and it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy by seeing yourself in every question inaccurately in order to get a lower or higher score. For instance, instead of asking "Do you remember details like numbers often," they should show a picture/cartoon/illustration for a few seconds and then ask if they saw/recalled the number that would be placed somewhere in the background (like on a license plate of a prominent car) - results would probably be more accurate. - JohnboiWaltune, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1238, definitely 38. Time for Judge Wapner.
- cdreiling, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I made it to question 5 then lost interest. I wonder what that means?
- piper999, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11I would be interested in what kind of scores Digg users get on this test.
- mushoo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+935
Totally agree, my constantly deep-seated hatred of people was probably the chief cause. - Hyperion, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9@Toshibi: Some of those things you mentioned probably mean you could have OCD. Seriously.
- mianos, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9ooor, you're a spoil sport. I was planning the rest of my life based on this test, like the one in the fashon magazine I did last week. :)
- itorres, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8In reply to Seumas:
I commit you to read Microserfs. I think Douglas Coupland got the trend of geeks in that book (it got mencioned in the article[1] that accompanies the test, BTW)
In the book he states "I think all tech people are slightly autistic".
I do find that a little bit of "autism" is required to concentrate on tech work.
[1] http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aspergers.html - TheGentleman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Er, your name is GuineaPig and you DON'T need a test? You should be subject to testing all the time! ;-)
- Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8You could be a pal with Paris Hilton I guess. :)
- Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -2/+925 :o
I'm a bit weird. I don't have anything against social occasions like parties at work or with friends, or meeting old friends, (I actually *like* this) but I can have trouble in/maintaining/starting converstations etc, which is a bitch when wanting to meet girls easily. :/
I often start thinking along the lines of "what's interesting to talk about now..." and brain goes "duurrhh.." and I just sit there quiet among a group of people, letting others do the talk. :-p I'm also fond of doing things the same and don't like new situations and spontaneousness so much. I guess these things combined and some traits being more in line with common social skills give me the bit "elevated" score. - tallin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I scored a 7. Interesting, because I have a cousin who I believe probably has Asperger's and we are very much social opposites. His mother refuses to have him tested for it because "nothing is wrong with him. He's just a little shy." I'd bet my savings account that he has it after reading several sites and articles on the subject. He's a good kid, but he unintentionally offends people in conversation and is obsessed with geographic locations. He beat a bunch of 7th and 8th graders in a geography bee when he was in the 3rd grade.
- admirabumblebee, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1023, Im lucky to have interests that make me good $$. Im married and own a nice house as well..
I really just stay alone most of the time and work on my kites and dabble with synthesizers constantly. That's it really. I had horrible trouble in school, but was always revered as the smartest person in school. Very high IQ but not like it matters much I think.
I guess the only thing is I constantly have trouble talking to other people with verbal speech, it's extremely hard for me. Stuttering, repeating words and generally i'll just ramble on about things I think other people are interested in... but apparently aren't :( Im told Im extremely rude and/or brutally honest nearly everytime I go out... Which I've always thought is stupid, but apparently from what I read that's just 'the condition'? I dont know, the world would be a better place I think if people didnt always be so much into covering themselves up.
Im not an aspie, i am autistic btw. There is a difference, not all autists are retarded and not all high-functioning autistcs have aspergers. - heinous, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8To those of you pondering whether or not your score means you're autistic, even those of you who have been diagnosed: read the introductory paragraph. It plainly says, "The test is not a means for making a diagnosis." Also, the fact that this test is plainly introduced as a test of degree of autism renders it completely worthless as a statistical measure-- there is no way to be certain that the people who take it are not primed to answer a certain way because of their own biases. In order for a test like this to have meaningful results, it must be blinded-- that is, the test takers must be unaware of the purpose of the test, or double-blinded-- when the test takers are deceived about the intentions of the test. These factors considered, and since the poster here has framed this as something that computer workers will score high on (which is not an idea proposed by the article) and since this "test" is written to attract attention (it's in Wired magazine, not exactly the pinnacle of objective science), I would take any results listed here with a grain of salt.
- heretic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+631.
I never liked labels. - mike_p, on 10/12/2007, -1/+726 ... what!? I'm social... I just like being a geek more =P
My girlfriend just hates me when I pay more attention to TES: Oblivion than her... - spazm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6After my 100th test I scored a 17, is that normal.
- Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"I got 3, what does that mean?"
You're like Ballmer when he does the monkey dance ;) - tallmatthew, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Being diagnosed with Asperger doesn't change anything, particularly, but it does provide explanations, which is a comfort in itself.
Having difficulty with social interactions is not an easy thing to live with, particularly when you're young. Personally, I thought I was simply a coward for years until I realized that there was something else going on.
The difference between having Asperger's and not is that the aversion to social situations never goes away, regardless of how much work you put towards it. I would constantly throw myself into situations I felt uncomfortable in, hoping that the exposure would diminish the fear, which is the standard approach for phobias, but it never worked. That apprehension was always there.
I've since gone on medication that lessens the anxiety, but I still hate dealing with parties and dates and crap like that. Now I just don't care. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5You know Simon Baron-Cohen's cousin is Ali G
I have AS and I both offend and bore people on a daily basis... - MonkeyNuts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+546! w00t, but i knew i was autistic already.
- chris9902, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5i got 21.
I thought I was much worse then this. Maybe I should go outside and try my new round social skills.
* goes to walk outside *
... ummm maybe later
*looks around* - Slippy1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+537 - And it's never bothered me. High level sys-admin, ex programmer.
My friends just consider me odd, though I do have very,very few close friends. Longtime extrovert girlfriend. Weaker social skills handled with help and much (years) practice. If I was worse, that might not be true.
I always found the "symptoms" helped me in my job. Dating, not so much - look for girls who take control socially. - us3ecandme, on 10/12/2007, -0/+532--know what you mean
- Remadot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I disagree. Simon Baron-Cohen is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge and Fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge and his questionnaire is incisive.
- bradeshbach, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5267 pretzels... definitely 267 pretzels
- wizzat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+524, and i'm reasonably positive that I'm completely normal. Except for the brutally honest thing. I just don't see the point in lying to someone about whatever question they asked. If you don't want an answer, don't ask the damn question. =]
- smuirhead, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I slightly agree
- szelij, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Score: 13
Uhh...am i unusual to have such a low score? - leonbev, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I just got a 36. Ouch. Funny... I always thought that the problem was that people just didn't understand ME.
- pwrstick, on 10/12/2007, -0/+419. AND I'm a slacker.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I got 3, what does that mean?
Basically my interpretation of my score is that im much more socially capable than the majority of digg users.
Most of the questions seemed to be asking things about how people behave socially and whether they are into patterns and maths.
Ive always had a good imagination, read fiction, been social and socially aware and so guess I am the opposite of aspergers/autistic. - jemnery, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I scored 12 too, and I'm a math graduate and programmer! I think a few years ago I would have scored *much* higher but as I got into my late twenties and early thirties I became much less introverted, I started exercising more, starting expanding my social network etc. Small changes like that create a wonderful virtuous circle and you can become a much more rounded person.
Take it from an ex-hardcore geek -- experience the *real* world (not games or fantasies) through and with other people and you're much more likely to find happiness.
By the way people, low scores DO NOT indicate low intelligence, as some people here seem to think! :-) - nicepants, on 10/12/2007, -2/+620 - Just a Geek with an eye for details ;-)
- xtracto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Ha.. I got 35 also.
In my case it may be the product of a psycological trauma provoked when I lost a thumb when I was a kid (for those who are wandering, yes, I can write I lost the left hand distal phalanx). I guess that caused an antisocial behaviour on myself (as everybody could imagine what I had to get through in basic and secondary school) =o)
Nowadays I believe I have got over it. But, I am sure my behaviour was affected by that - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4i fell asleep on a online iq test and got 70
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5You're a very good driver, yeah.
- dimatt, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7People with autisim are not crazy jackass :
- piper999, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"it's like geeks WANT to be diagnosed with autism"
Not really. I submitted the link to get a quantifiable feedback on scores of people either working in or very interested in technology (such as myself) and also to get an idea of whether this test gives false positives.
The results have been very interesting with some very good comments below in particular from people scoring high and the information they have given very much matches up to my own experience. - kickmenow, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Some kind of lame test. You're required to choose among four choices, but the results consider only two possibilities for each question. Duh. So a person who is "strongly" on a bunch of pro-Asperger's questions and "somewhat" on a similar number of anti-Asperger's questions will wind up scoring neutral, even though in reality they probably tend toward pro-Asperger's.
Ignoring for the moment that most of the questions are pretty obvious pro- or anti- in the first place, making it nearly impossible for the test-taker to provide an answer without considering the implications of the answer in the final result (which skews the test).
Oh well, what did I expect anyway? Wired sucks. For a magazine supposedly targeted at some reasonable subset of intelligentsia, they sure have a problem coming up with relevant articles, as well as with basic fact-checking. Yeah, they've had some good articles, but so many are so lame, it can get to be a drag finding the gems amongst all the dung. - hobbsy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I agree in part, although the test was put up on Wired's website in Dec 2001, so the Asperger answers might not have been so obvious 5 years ago ?
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