I am rarely scared by a horror film. I don't often watch them, but when I do, I'm rarely scared. Of course the heart-racer shock killer behind you moments gets me, but it's just shock. And as for gore films, they are as amusing as old films with then state of the art effects which now pale in comparison to what a six-year-old could do on a tablet. Straight horror films bore me.
But I've never wanted to be scared. I was telling this to an NT and there was proof how well they knew me. I said I didn't see the point of trying to scare yourself. The response was along these lines: you're an Aspie, and as such the world is a little scarier for you than NTs, so why would you try to relax by feeling unsafe? You probably like safe and happy films the most, probably RomComs.
Probably about 5% of my (vast) film collection is classified as RomCom. But some of the other films I have have romantic themes, or at least romantic aspects. That still only raises them to maybe 10%. That compares to almost 25% Sci-Fi & Fantasy. That doesn't change the facts though: I like them not only for their predictability (there are only two main plot variations), but because of the happy and safe feeling.
Why seek out fear? Thrills, yes. Excitement, yes. But actual shake you fear? No thanks. I've been scared before, and I will be again, and I won't choose it, it will be thrust upon me. If I can control my world, I want it to be a happy place. Always.
Showing posts with label differences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label differences. Show all posts
28 Sept 2012
4 Sept 2012
My Friends Don't Like Their Friends
I'm not entirely sure whether this is an Aspie/NT issue, or just an issue with the people I know. I lean towards the former, since it's with more than one social group. Some of my friends do not like the people they call friends.
Now, I think that's odd: to socialise regularly with someone, converse and have a laugh with them, and still not like them is something I can't understand. I would say there is some male-female divide but although more females have told me about their dislike than males, it is not a clear cut division. When guys don't like each other, they either act civil but mostly ignore the other one, or they are antagonistic and maybe start a fight. It's always worse with girls, or at least I think it is, and is worst with two.
My view of social relationships is that you like your friends. "A bond of mutual affection" is not what I see with some of my friends. Actually, I always saw it and had to be told later that they disliked a particular person. I don't associate with people I don't like. So to hear what my friends to was a bit shocking. Remember I wrote about "Alice"? Soon after she left, another friend told me "I never liked her", which surprised me. On the other hand, the Soaps on TV seem to be full of these relationships. I don't watch them because I don't like them. I don't want them in real life either.
But NTs seem to like these shows, and they seem to live like that. Maybe that's the link.
Now, I think that's odd: to socialise regularly with someone, converse and have a laugh with them, and still not like them is something I can't understand. I would say there is some male-female divide but although more females have told me about their dislike than males, it is not a clear cut division. When guys don't like each other, they either act civil but mostly ignore the other one, or they are antagonistic and maybe start a fight. It's always worse with girls, or at least I think it is, and is worst with two.
My view of social relationships is that you like your friends. "A bond of mutual affection" is not what I see with some of my friends. Actually, I always saw it and had to be told later that they disliked a particular person. I don't associate with people I don't like. So to hear what my friends to was a bit shocking. Remember I wrote about "Alice"? Soon after she left, another friend told me "I never liked her", which surprised me. On the other hand, the Soaps on TV seem to be full of these relationships. I don't watch them because I don't like them. I don't want them in real life either.
But NTs seem to like these shows, and they seem to live like that. Maybe that's the link.
9 May 2012
The Aspergian Brain
I don't profess to be a neuroscientist, or any other brain-studier, so what you read here may not be 100% accurate, but it's what I can pull together about how the difference in 'wiring' produces these different results.
The Frontal Lobe:
I understand that it controls/regulates things such as emotions, some motor skills, impulse control, long term memory, and decision making. Studies into children with AS have found that there is reduced activity in this area when making a decision. This is purely my speculation, but I'm thinking that the further along the spectrum, the less this area reacts. Think Rainman - Raymond was completely unable to determine right from wrong, or to decide his future.
Also, deficiencies (or deviations from the norm) in this area could mean a reduced emotional response or emotional competence. If the neurons aren't firing like those of NTs, then behaviour will be different. Interestingly, the frontal lobes are involved with the sense of humour, and I know that some Aspies are described as lacking in that department. Quite importantly, the area believed to be involved with detecting deception, irony, and sarcasm is in the frontal lobes.
If there is simply a difference in structure, and not a deficiency in brain chemicals, this may explain the single-mindedness - the ability to be completely absorbed , the stubbornness, even the genius. Research into adult Aspergians has found higher levels of protein in the frontal lobes (cerebral cortex). This same difference may also be linked with the difficulty in social interaction. The communication between parts of the brain may be hindered by the different layout or concentration of hormones.
More activity in this region could account for better non-task memory: fact recall.
The Amygdala:
This is supposedly where the emotions are decoded. If they are incorrectly decoded, or the message is misinterpreted at the other end, then I believe that would result in 'emotional incompetence'. As this is also the area that deals with threats and senses. This could explain why some people have sensory overloads: they perceive 'normal' things as threats or as bad things, and this part of the brain takes over, trying to get the body away and possibly warning others (wailing and jerking).
Possibly, the difference in the structure means that people with an ASD could be hyper-vigilant or unable to shut certain things out. The amygdala is in constant contact with the cerebral cortex, and if it thinks there is danger, it will be sending more messages to the frontal lobes, causing anxiety.
It has also been linked to social emotional processing (empathy).
If anyone with learning or knowledge in this area wishes to contradict me, please do, as this is all speculation based on perfunctory research.
The Frontal Lobe:
I understand that it controls/regulates things such as emotions, some motor skills, impulse control, long term memory, and decision making. Studies into children with AS have found that there is reduced activity in this area when making a decision. This is purely my speculation, but I'm thinking that the further along the spectrum, the less this area reacts. Think Rainman - Raymond was completely unable to determine right from wrong, or to decide his future.
Also, deficiencies (or deviations from the norm) in this area could mean a reduced emotional response or emotional competence. If the neurons aren't firing like those of NTs, then behaviour will be different. Interestingly, the frontal lobes are involved with the sense of humour, and I know that some Aspies are described as lacking in that department. Quite importantly, the area believed to be involved with detecting deception, irony, and sarcasm is in the frontal lobes.
If there is simply a difference in structure, and not a deficiency in brain chemicals, this may explain the single-mindedness - the ability to be completely absorbed , the stubbornness, even the genius. Research into adult Aspergians has found higher levels of protein in the frontal lobes (cerebral cortex). This same difference may also be linked with the difficulty in social interaction. The communication between parts of the brain may be hindered by the different layout or concentration of hormones.
More activity in this region could account for better non-task memory: fact recall.
The Amygdala:
This is supposedly where the emotions are decoded. If they are incorrectly decoded, or the message is misinterpreted at the other end, then I believe that would result in 'emotional incompetence'. As this is also the area that deals with threats and senses. This could explain why some people have sensory overloads: they perceive 'normal' things as threats or as bad things, and this part of the brain takes over, trying to get the body away and possibly warning others (wailing and jerking).
Possibly, the difference in the structure means that people with an ASD could be hyper-vigilant or unable to shut certain things out. The amygdala is in constant contact with the cerebral cortex, and if it thinks there is danger, it will be sending more messages to the frontal lobes, causing anxiety.
It has also been linked to social emotional processing (empathy).
If anyone with learning or knowledge in this area wishes to contradict me, please do, as this is all speculation based on perfunctory research.
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