What is Digg?62 Comments
- dirtyfratboy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+37Original test link:
http://digg.com/science/Autistic_or_just_a_Geek_Take_the_Test - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24So if CBS reads digg, shouldn't they notify their affiliates to stop making up stories when we catch on?
- peter303, on 10/12/2007, -13/+26Disease invention again ....
There was thread recently about whether the medical industry was
inventing more diseases whether out of momentum or financial interest.
Autism is a continuum of behavior. The extreme cases are tragic,
but to call the milder cases of geekism abnormal is more disease-invention. - victorycig, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14i love seeing follow-ups on digg. thanks for this, frat.
- JohnboiWaltune, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11""Thirty-eight, definitely 38. Time for Judge Wapner," wrote another, a reference to a TV show watched obsessively by an autistic character in the 1988 movie Rain Man. "
LOL, that was me!!
http://www.digg.com/science/Autistic_or_just_a_Geek_Take_the_Test#c1338911 - kevinmoore, on 06/13/2009, -4/+13I wish I could mod you up more than once. The whole "I'm a geek so I must have some syndrome" thing is ridiculous.
- Kitsune818, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10Good lord.. My mind is boggled by the fact that someone actually used the conversation threads from that test as the basis for anything, let alone something from a major US television network.. Okay, well, maybe I wouldn't have thought it was odd if it had been Fox.. but that's beside the point.
I've worked in special education, and in my opinion the chances of someone walking around with any amount of autism that would in any way affect their lives and not know it are very, very slim. I've tested autists from "mild to wild" and the manifestation of behaviors and "symptoms" certainly don't strike me as being analogous to "geeky" in most ways. The farthest I would go is to say that perhaps the online medium provides these individuals with an enhanced ability to communicate.
The chances are far greater, in my opinion, that the "test" from that post also applies to introverts, as well as possibly those with ADD/ADHD (I'm not convinced they are one in the same, personally). I don't think it's ever been a secret that introverts tend to flock together in technology fields, and personally I think many people with various incorporations of ADD/ADHD tend to use computer technology as a coping mechanism. Overall I would wager those two factors were still a minority of the people who achieved a high score on that test. The largest was probably test bias, and the odd tendency for people to want to have one of the above conditions (Some sort of identity crisis / attention bid / hypocondriac thing.)
If you really want to get an idea of how "cool" Aspbergers can be, go volunteer for a week or so at a local school working with Aspbergers children. It won't take you long to get a grasp of it and it's implications. - Philipp_Lenssen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7What if you think of slightly autistic behavior as a positive treat in the digital age, instead of a negative one? I recently heard an expert on autism on TV say something to that effect. The world needs more and more programmers, and I often find programmers to be slightly tending towards autistic behavior (repetition, non-social, strict ruleset, interested in systematic categories, etc.). Bill Gates himself is slightly autistic -- his typical rocking back and forth -- and he's also very successful (money-wise).
I'm scoring above average on the test, but find many of the questions really hard to answer truthfully. I enjoy *some* social occasions but not all, so how do you answer black-and-white questions like that? - rimco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I'm amazed that they actually read the comments... seems pretty thorough.
- chrisbtig, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9The article wasn't written by CBS. It was written by WebMD (incidentally, the original WebMD article was posted on Digg last week). CBS publishes WebMD and AP stories in their Health section. It's called syndication... perhaps you guys have heard of it?
Frankly, I found the article to be a positive representation of both Digg users and people with autism. It's not saying all geeks are autistic. It's reporting a trend that there are more autistic people working in tech fields. - slartibartphast, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8
Invented? There's plenty of evidence of the brain function differences, trust me it's real. As a parent believe me I wasn't looking and hoping for my kid to be different, it's just plain to see. As an adult it's not as easy to screen since you may have overcome or worked around some of the behaviours you had when younger. - TheRealStyro, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Interesting article. I agree that the test should only be used as an informal diagnostic tool to maybe eliminate some people from undergoing the whole battery of psych tests to determine Autistic tendencies. I think, though, that the researchers creating these tests may want to tweak it a bit to try to eliminate the bog standard geek.
Oh, yeah, I got a 36 on the test. I kind of expected that score considering my lack of social graces. - CedanticPunt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I got 38 (and have got similar scores with other "tests"). But I don't go round calling myself autistic or anything. But it did get me reading about autism though, and I did find it interesting that it's not just about the social aspects of the "condition" but also things like not liking having your hair/face touched, sensitivity to some noises etc.
I'm glad I did the test as I've learned a bit about myself in the process, but it's not a "problem" for me to be fixed with drugs/therapy/whatever. - jmcqk6, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Did some of you actually RTFA? They referenced digg.com (slashdot as well) as a reaction to what they were discussing, and used _medical_ references for the important things.
They even mentioned the fact that an online test like the one on wired cannot be used for a true diagnosis.
Good grief. - MRSA, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The article spouts off about how autism has increased since the internet took over. Many articles now point out that autism is just increasing because "mentally retarded" people are being reclassified as autistic.
The last reference I remember to this fact was here:
http://www.carotids.com/autism/autism-and-vaccine-debate-heats-up/ - chrisbtig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Um, that's exactly what the article says! Did you actually read it?
Of course, you can't diagnose anything by taking a quiz on the Internet. "It is only a screening instrument. It is not a substitute for a full diagnostic assessment," says the test's author, Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D., a psychology professor and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, England.
"In addition, the [test] tells you if you have lots of traits but it does not tell you if these traits are causing problems. A diagnosis is only given if the person is suffering in some way," he tells WebMD. - st00p1d, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Before everyone loses their mind and writes angry letters to CBS for calling everyone on digg autistic, the article is acutally making an interesting point. Autism isn't like left-handedness, which is binary (you either are or you're not). There are different degrees of autism, and there may be a link between people who have a _very_ small touch of what causes autism, and that makes them more inclined to systemization and organized thinking.
It's something that people have talked about for a while. - chrisbtig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3The article doesn't "spout off." It clearly states that it is a controversial theory.
- piper999, on 10/12/2007, -11/+14The influence of Digg is bigger than I thought (I was the one who posted the original story).
- bitcloud, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4atleast you didn't have the sudden sinking feeling that science is now turning to Ali G for advice. (just his brother it seems)
- clevershark, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I got a 36 on the test. I'm not sure that really means anything.
- evilbeatfarmer, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6doubtful, you don't have to be a rocket-scientist to breed you know...
- afex, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4i only have one hand, you insensitive clod!
- jerb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I got a 34, I consider myself geeky but not autistic
- TheRealStyro, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3One should not go around calling oneself "autistic" or having "asperger's". These are not "cool" labels to have branded to you and you would not like to be treated as if you actually have either disorder.
Parents that make a child take the test, or take the test on behalf of a child suspected of having autism should use the test as an informal pre-screening test, and then the results should be taken with a very large grain of salt.
People who are looking to take psych styled tests, either to learn more about themselves or just to find a "cool" label should look elsewhere. A good type of psych test to learn about and take is the MBTI. Here are a couple links...
http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html
http://www.typelogic.com/ - chrisbtig, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Cannibal, the article doesn't say anywhere that geeks are autistic. It says just the opposite... that people with autism would make good geeks. Go read the article before you make some retarded comment!
- jeffsiler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The problem with this test is that YOU KNOW that you are taking a test for higher autism. People who take this test are already primed with this information. The answers they give will heavily favor which side they feel they are (highly autistic or low)
- chadell, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Thanx for the post. I'm currently working voluntarily for a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities. The majority of the people classified as having learning disabilities are actually austistic. http://richmondcare.ning.com/.
- millyuns, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1kitsune818,
Can I assume that from the information given, that you are in OT? I would make that assumption given that you state that you test autistics. I think you are being a bit pedantic and literal when ascribing traits of the actual medically diagnosed autistic and comparing them to someone who exhibits similar, if not fewer and less dramatic traits. These folks were just wondering if some of the traits of autism that they do have were enough to throw them into the autism/asperger range. The symptoms of the autistic are traits found in normal society the difference being that the autistic probably has more of them and to a higher degree than "statistically normal" person does and is more adversely affected. The jerk that interrupts you and speaks loudly and gets upset when you disagree with him may just be a self important jerk or he might be a high functioning aut with limited symptoms of this disorder or in reality maybe he's both. In that scenario, if he's autistic and undiagnosed, he is an aut who is labeled by society to be a jerk. So obviously if you do not do well with the opposite sex, feel more comfortable by yourself than in a social setting, comfortable with numbers, possess above average intelligence, have weak personal care skills, you are not definitely autistic ..... or are you? Inquiring minds want to know. Apparently the people who took the test do know that their lives are affected by their shortcomings and maybe they want to know if there are medical reasons for this. Or maybe they just wanted to take the test. That being said, have you ever noticed that people in the occupational therapy field tend to present hf autistical tendencies. Check out your peers, you might be suprised. A similar situation exists with those that are attracted to psychology as a major. "If you want to know which of your peers have the psych problems, start with the Psych majors!"
Millyuns
PS
Yes there was bias as the subjects knew what they were testing for. Oh yeah, ADD is the most overworked, over-used, disorder diagnosis throw-down presently going. A large percentage of your ADD diagnosed kids are probably just behavioral problems or apparently, introverted geeks according to your reasoning. - bitcloud, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5agreed.
Its not so much the "me too" syndrome thats the problem, just the celebration of the condition, rather than celebrating the individual.
Kim Peek is an extraordinary individual. Autism is a word. - macewan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Aspergers is a requirement for the security field of computer science. ;-)
- tont0r, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5
Sources: Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D., professor of psychology, director, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, England. Eric Hollander, M.D., director, Seaver and New York Autism Center of Excellence, Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Nancy Minshew, M.D., professor of psychiatry and neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. CDC web site: "How common are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)?" California Department of Developmental Services web site: "Autism Spectrum Disorders, Changes in the California Caseload, An Update: 1998 Through 2002." Baron-Cohen, S. Autism, 1998; Vol. 2: pp 296-301. Howlin, P. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, February 2004; Vol. 45: pp 212–229. Baron-Cohen, S. Archives of Disease in Childhood, January 2006; Vol. 91: pp 2-5. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, June 2005. Cambridge Encyclopedia of Child Development; "Autism," Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Anyone else noticing Digg.com is not mentioned in there?
Also Id like to mention its a sad day in news when CBS HealthWatch resorts to Digg, which posted a 'Autism Screening' on Wired.com. By no means should this be linked. Its just another thing to scare parents into thinking something stupid like 'I TOLD MY SON ONLY 1 HOUR A DAY ON THE COMPUTER! THEY TURN YOU INTO AN AUTISTIC FREAK! ITS TRUE! I SAW IT ON CBS HEALTHWATCH!' - PepeGSay, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4It is my belief that people with psychological "dysnfunction" who find ways to deal with it are the people who have abilities and gifts that rise above the rest. Their gift may be the ability to deal with the dysnfunction or their gift might be the unique perspective the dysnfuction provides. One is the amputee who rises above through strong character and walks again providing them the confidence to do whatever else it is they persue. The other is the person who invents new kinds of prostethics.
We must treat those who have sever problems. However, we absolutely must guard against turning every oppurtunity (read that as challenge) into something to be medicated away. - newforce, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One word.... Autisdigg!
- ypct, on 10/12/2007, -1/+230! (and proud of it). Good to see there are more of us, as the amount defines normality (not that we care much).
I really wouldn't want to be sick with "chitchat" and "making up stories" to "keep the conversation going". Thanks I'll rather have occassional comm probs and plenty of inner life:)
It's all about feelings anyway. - unitedstatians, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This article was the most intelligent use for digg.com -DiggNation the ball is in our court.
- slartibartphast, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1
Different as in abnormal and hard to overcome. Different in parts of the brain not being as active as they should be. You forget what it's like to be a kid, standing out is only good to a certain degree. You have to communicate in ways more similar than different to get along in school and the world. You have no idea how tough that can be, like speaking only spanish in and english class, only nobody has no idea what spanish is! - EnricoFermi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Bram Cohen has Aspergers or something similar, right?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Holy crap. I might be autistic. 33. That would explain things........
- Humptydank, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Ali G's" cousin, actually.
- bennomatic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0So if 16 is normal, and 32 is autistic, is there a name for going too far the other direction? I doubt that a '0' score means that you're a perfectly adjusted person... if autistic means you have too little understanding of the outside world, does that mean that you have too much connection with others, and not enough attention on yourself?
I used to date a woman who couldn't make a decision to save her life; she only did what other people told her to or what they did. At first I thought she just thought I was so awesome that she wanted to be like me, but I slowly realized that she was a jellyfish and basically did the same thing with whomever she was around. I wonder if she would get a '2' on this test.
For the record, I'm a 12. - HMTKSteve, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Why didn't they link back the the Digg.com story they referenced?
- trunkster, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Kick ass, we were part of a CBS news program then (in a way since I posted my results). Though I was higher then 16 though.. 26.
- unitedstatians, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I would take the test but too busy writing this comment -I already knew i had Aspie.
Now if ABC news wrote an article on how to solve the Israel-Palestinian Conflict now they would receive my highest rating, especially if they wrote an unbiased linear border supporting article based on solutions proposed by digg members.
Quantum Mechanics = Piece of cake :)
Israel-Palestinian Conflict = OMFG - WTF?? To many socially acceptable ideological tribal hypocrisies :( - richardtallent, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Autism is a spectrum of pathologies, not a single diagnosis. It's like saying someone is "tall"--do you mean above average, basketball player, or giant? The test presented was like the "you must be at least this tall" ruler at the roller coaster--it filters out those that are *not* autistic, but isn't by itself a useful diagnosis.
I was lucky--I have mild Asperger's, which is in the family of autistic disorders but presents differently than the stereotypical "autistic" child. While it is a mental *disorder* because it has learning and social disadvantages that can be depressing or debilitating, it is no more a "disease" than handedness or eye color (blue eyes, for example, have sight advantages and disadvantages compared to brown eyes).
I still my eccentric hobbies and I'll talk people's heads off about them at the expense of any other topic of discussion, but I cope with the down sides now at 30 much better than when I was 16. - HMTKSteve, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2That was you? and they did not attribute the quote to you? time to sue! Become the first Digg.com millionaire!
- norbiu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2omg, I got a 32. I know I'm socially inept but this ?
- dehnomac, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Five for Fighting and Autism
http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/213154 - deesnutz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1What's going on in this world that so many people are getting autism? Poor souls. The other day I saw this site http://www.autismwear.com where a child's father put a website up selling autism related stuff to help pay for his son's therapies.
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