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Could Assortative Mating Explain Autism?
clm1970 writes "Researcher Simon Baron-Cohen has put forth the theory that 'how we mate and marry' could explain the increase in rates of Autism Spectrum Disorders, particularly Asperger's. When two technically minded people marry and have children, so the provocative theory goes, they are more apt to produce a child who crosses the line into mild autism."
isn't one of the major tenets of geekdom the inability to attract the opposite sex?
The theory of "assortative mating" was first put forth by neuroscientist Simon Baron-Cohen, a leading autism researcher and something of a rock star in the field. He's the first cousin of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, and like his cousin, his prolific work tends toward the out-of-the-box. Combine that with his outspokenness — uncommon for a scientist — and it's clear why at a recent international conference in San Diego, he was "frequently mobbed by fellow attendees and treated with near universal adulation," Warner writes.
I don't have proof but this guy looks and sounds like he's just putting for a controversial theory to be controversial and get his name in the papers. I wouldn't give much credit here.
So we should cause cheerleaders to date nerds, and football players fangirls? Maybe no one who can name all eleven doctors should be allowed to marry at all, but rather should be put full time to impregnating Olympic athletes?
I like the idea that Aspergers is associated directly with intelligence. I also like the whorish way that the paper's author plays with the concept of eugenics to get more hits.
I also like the way that the author tries to ignore environmental conditions such as increased urbanization and subsequent hyper-socialization.
Hoist Number One and Number Six.
I read the article, but could not find anything. Is it just his speculation? It sounds, and I use this word lightly, plausible as a thought experiment. Question is, is it just that?
I am diagnosed with AS and I am always interested in science behind it.
Does TFA add anything new?
Or so the article states. But, having read the article, the "results" are actually more speculation than anything else (and one line in the article says as much). He hasn't really studied it, he just thinks he's seen some evidence and decided to say so.
Now to pull some criticism out of my nether regions (gotta match the story for scientific rigor)... based on my observations, this seems like groundless speculation. Looking at all the couples I know socially, none of them are in the same field. Broadening the search to people of whom I'm aware... maybe a total of two couples are in the same/similar fields; so I have a hard time believing this hypothesis will turn out to have any significant basis in fact.
#DeleteChrome
we all know autism/aspegers is caused by vaccines....
Increasing rates in Autism are due to the ever expanding classification system of the DSM. Behaviour that was previously not included in the 'diagnosis' (qualifications, if you prefer) are now included.
You could read Jon Ronson's Psychopath Test for a small insight into the way the people behind the categorisation process simply make shit up and grow the criteria for inclusion to a category like they're pulling rabbits out of a hat stuffed with millions of rabbits.
Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. - Ambrose Bierce
Quote from article: "The theory is still largely speculation, shored up by seductive anecdotes about Asperger's appearing unusually commonly in MIT alums and their children..."
Let us know when you have more than speculation and we will be quite interested.
By the way, I was diagnosed with Asperger's so this isn't a troll post. Theory becoming something that gets peoples' minds moving in a direction that can cause false categorization of ideas is normal but not newsworthy.
Actually, yeah, it is. Fear, panic, and fascination keep the money flowin' :)
Under the Americans With DIsabilities Act, Asperger's Syndrome is a get-out-of-stupid-corporate-team-building-activity-free card.
Now just try to claim, without giggling, that you're not tempted to go out and get diagnosed.
if you have ENOUGH geeks just sitting around, something's BOUND to happen. Even by accident. Probability, man.
Quantum tunnelling?
" I am only really into girls on the spectrum who are hyper intelligent and 'nerdy' which in a lot of ways is all being an aspie is"
No it isn't, and in fact being 'aspie'* does not mean more intelligent.. but please, go on.
Oh, and then you diagnose others based on opinion in a non science setting. interesting, please go on.
"It Psychology as a whole has only been around about a hundred years," This falls under neurology, but please, stop.
You are clueless about what you are talking about.
We are just recognizing it and being able to diagnose it properly. The evidences is strong it genetic; but this article is nothing but speculation and musing.
*Shortening a name like that is derogatory. I know that may not make sense to you, but it is.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
The world is round here, no corners.
So, put enough geek boys and and enough geek girls in a room and you produce Shakespeare?