Of course it changes the world.
It wouldn't be HN without autistically pedantic nits on scope and definition that add nothing of value to the discourse.
I'm afraid it helps cement a certain understanding in the readers.
Or, perhaps more importantly, it will be used as training data for someones AI based HR startup which will go on to filter out perfectly good candidates for being "autistic".
I did not expect that point... crafting comments with future ML efforts in mind. I don't think we should care that much about it - you can't feel personally responsible for every idiot using overhyped technology to do stupid things at scale.
It was meant as a joke at the end of an otherwise serious post.
I think this joke in particular does have some really interesting possibilities.
Someone could make a thriller or sci-fi out of this.
I have no horse in this race (not the original commenter) and I support the idea that people should speak freely without fear of off-topic chastisement, but it just seems a little more good hearted to find a different word.
It's tech, there is very high chance nearly everyone is on the spectrum in some way, and if fact its a trait that gives you advantages (but comes with some drawbacks depending to the degree you have it). It's almost self deprecating humor, we all have tics/obsessive behaviors where we miss the forest for the trees during social interactions where we know what they "meant" but it's not exactly "what they said" and so we give each other grief for it so we can try to do better when interacting with others.
There is nothing wrong with actually being autistic, but certain characteristics we should try to keep in check.
If there is nothing wrong with being autistic, then it's poor communication to use it as a pejorative. And if there is something wrong with being autistic, then it's cruel to use it as a pejorative. Either way, there are other, better ways to express oneself.
I'm not going to discuss a blanket assessment of all tech industry workers as "on the spectrum." That's not my area of expertise.
I had a friend who is really short. I used to tease him a little about his height (we didn't exactly see eye to eye), but one day I noticed that he seemed hurt by my jokes so I stopped.
Autistic people have enough social challenges and confidence issues. You'd have to have ice water in your veins to intentionally add to that. They deal with enough difficulty as it is.
Sometimes it's about sensing how the other guy feels. The coolest guys try to draw attention to their friends' good qualities, big up the confidence of those around them, and help their peers stand taller. Obama did this once in a crowd that said a cutesy "aww" when a fourth-grader came up to ask a question; the President immediately interrupted the crowd, said that the boy was a big guy, and suggested that they let him speak.
Here's the video: https://youtu.be/BewOcp1JtDU
Autistic people don't deserve to be used as a punchline or pejorative. If you really mean "clueless," then say "clueless."
Yes, I recognize the irony in pointing this out. I also recognize the irony we're even having this conversation because its due to the exact tendency the person was trying to describe, when in the grand scheme, no one cares.
There is even someone in the comments whose Autistic who says they're fine with it, they're adults, give them more credit. the coddling betrays a lower opinion of them then an average person.
I can't believe you actually think it's 100% cool to go around calling stuff autistic. This whole wall of text basically boils down to that for me.
Features of these disorders include social deficits and communication difficulties, stereotyped or repetitive behaviors and interests, sensory issues, and in some cases, cognitive delays.