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Interview with the Creator of BitTorrent
brokencomputer writes "There is an interesting interview with Bram Cohen, the creator of BitTorrent, on my site, WrongPlanet.net. Because there is already a plethora of information about BitTorrent, this interview takes a different approach and focuses entirely on Cohen's Asperger's Syndrome. In addition to being interesting to anyone interested in BitTorrent, Cohen's story is extremely inspirational to those of us who do have Asperger's, and will probably be so even to those without Asperger's Syndrome."
There was a book I read recently which was written as if narrated by a teenage boy with Asperger's Syndrome.
It's called "The curious incident of the dog in the night time" and I recommend it to anyone who would like to learn a little more about Asperger's, or, just feels like an entertaining and moving read.
But that article seems to be sort of lacking. It seems rather short, has a few typos and errors, and doesn't really delve into anything technical about BitTorrent (admitted by the summary). Sure now the people who RTFA'd probably are a little more understanding of a certain syndrome, or are intrigued by the fact that somebody with the syndrome can achieve great things (the American Dream), but I really would have liked to see some deeper thought on the issues. Deeper sociological questions, perhaps more depth on the influence of the (lack of) college, or even his views on the future of any given tech sector or his other interests. I suppose that this all lies at the fault of the interviewer, and not the interviewee.
According to the Internet Movie Database, Steven Spielberg also suffers from Aspeger Syndrome.
A while back I was talking to this bloke who's young son has Aspberger's, and when they would be sitting watching tv and two or three ads would go by and then suddenly he would jump up and run out of the room screaming. Almost invariably one of a series of quite graphic government sponsored [TAC] road safety ads would then appear. Seems he had the ability to recognise the combination of the types of ads that immediately preceded the scary ones.
I was diagnosed with ADHD in the 4th grade. I was put on Ridilin, then switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Concerta and Strattera.
Then they diagnosed me with Aspergers Syndrome. But when I got into high school, I realized that I was not and spent a year trying to get the medical community to reavulate me. And they did.
Rediagnosed as "Deoressive and psychotic" I had such a low opinion of myself I was on the verge of suicide. there is nothing more detrimental to a person then to tell them they are basically insane.
In the meantime I was experimenting with myself and found out I was, to put it lightly, a transexual. So now I have Gender Dysophoria to throw onto the heap, but that I can live with because I myself believe it.
Two weeks ago I went under intensive treatment and testing by proffesional to see if I truly was insane.
The consensus? Severe Depression CAUSED BY Gender Dysphoria. Nothing else. I am no longer on any medecine and am instead doing therapy sessions twice a week.
Not a major success story but for me, I've managed to pick up the pieces of my life and move on.
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...is to have everyone assume that you were able to create this great original application because you have Asperger's, as opposed to crediting your creativity or perseverence.
I object to that article, and to the next reply.
actually, in some schools in my area, being diagnosed with a learning disability is quite popular. The diagnoses peak around sophomore year. Coincidentally, the College Board allows students with learning disabilities unlimited time on the SATs without being noted as such on the score.
I modded it insightful, because it is deserving of such; or troll if it's untrue.
I am the one of the oldest in my family (including cousins and such). I was diagnosed with a learing disability in grade school. They put me in a special class with the dumb kids (no disrespect intended). I was a poor school without the resources to even come close to diagnosing me.
In middle school and high school they told me I had ADD and put me on Ridilin. It worked. Although looking back on it, it was probably the side effects of the drug, not the intended result really.
I'm years out of school now. But I have a younger sister that is emotionally impaired. She has gone through much more extensive study than they ever gave me. After years of generalizations one doc finally came up with Asperger's Syndrome.
About the same time several other people on my Dad's side of the family were diagnosed with simial problems. Two were even directly diagnosed with Aspergers. It's genetic, skipping most of the family members. And when it does hit, the severity can vary widely.
I am a rather mild case. My sister is quite sever. I have two 2nd cousins that are sever too. And a few more family members who obviously have some form of it.
My only wish is to educate the teachers in our school systems now. So they can regonize and adapt to children who have these problems. Let me tell you first hand that generally Aspergers makes school (and work) hell.
It's not all negative though (mostly it is). Hyperfocus is one side effect of both Aspergers and ADD (ADHD too). Hyperfocus is being interested in something so far as to ignore external stimilus . You don't feel hungry, tired, don't care about the time, or mild concequences of your actions. You are focused, almost to a fault.
An insanely quick overview for the ignorant:
Aspergers is a type of Autism. General characteristics include social problems (no/few friends), disintrest in common things (sports for instance), and extreme intrest in other things (science usually). Commonly intrests are centered around scientific rules (systems like electricity, or computers, mechanical systems). Sometimes abstract rules are the intrest, commonly relationships (Soap Operas, and talk shows). See the Wiwipedia for much more information.
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I knew someone with AS. He went to college and was in our little circle. I even lived with him for a short time. If I had to guess I'd say he had mildly severe AS. He violated people's space all the time. He'd want to know what you were eating and would have his face an inch or so from your food. Saying hi was a in your face experience.
The kid was smart, but not super smart. He'd try so hard but would end up jumbling everything he learned. Confusing one fact with another. His problem was he'd believe anything anyone said to him. He definitely had preoccupations. Spaghetti was the main course every dinner. Despite his anability to function around many people, we liked him the same. Always had some great new fact for us.
It's not a guarantee that they'll have a higher IQ. It's not an east thing to deal with. It could reach the point of self confusion. It's not fun when you work on a weather map, draw everything in. It's full of high end stuff, but it's all wrong, or doesn't make sense. I feel sorry because it may not have any possitive sides for some.