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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to feel conflicted about Elon Musk having ASD?

112 replies

Apparentlychanged · 09/05/2021 21:58

Elon Musk announced he has Asperger's disorder on SNL. On one hand I'm glad someone famous is openly stating that they are on the spectrum, but on the other, I feel that it perpetuates a stereotype of people with ASD being male tech gurus with a serious case of 'being a bit of an asshole'. AIBU to think that way? Should I just be happy for more representation?

OP posts:
tttigress · 09/05/2021 23:42

I recon he is getting his excuses in early for when he gets sued for pumping cryptos that collapse.

A bit like that guy that fixed Libor, but got an ASD diagnosis just before his trial.

UhtredRagnarson · 09/05/2021 23:42

Well then they don’t “both have autism or Aspergers” Confused

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 23:42

I can't really be open about my own diagnosis because of the stereotype autism = insensitive/callous, which would be devastating in my own line of work, so part of me is a little bemused.

I feel like you are part of the problem OP. The more people who are open about their diagnosis, the more evenly spread things will become. The less the stereotype will fit.

Bigbluebuttons · 09/05/2021 23:42

I think fixing Libor is as solid a diagnostic tool as any other, frankly! Grin

Moonpeg · 09/05/2021 23:47

flashylamp
These parents let their children run round the neighbourhood, putting bricks in windows, terrorise other kids at the park, scratch cars. These boys shouldn’t be running around the streets. I’m blaming the parents here. These kids can’t help who they are but fecks sake the parents can do something. It’s so bloody frustrating

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 23:49

@Moonpeg

flashylamp These parents let their children run round the neighbourhood, putting bricks in windows, terrorise other kids at the park, scratch cars. These boys shouldn’t be running around the streets. I’m blaming the parents here. These kids can’t help who they are but fecks sake the parents can do something. It’s so bloody frustrating

My was asking why you thought the need to post it here. This is a discussion about Elon Musk and his diagnosis. You are just having a rant about kids in your street Confused

Moonpeg · 09/05/2021 23:51

flashylamp
Well scroll on then.

greeneyedlulu · 09/05/2021 23:51

Yep you're right, he's done ASD no favours because he is just an arrogant prick!! All that stuff over calling that guy a pedophile because he felt jealous his help wasn't needed? Prick and will always be a prick. And urgh, his face, it literally needs a frying pan across it! Smuck!

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 23:51

@Moonpeg

flashylamp Well scroll on then.

I shouldn't have to was the point. Stay relevant.

Bigbluebuttons · 09/05/2021 23:52

Moonpeg will you answer my question please? How is their ASD relevant to their behaviour?

wotchhha · 09/05/2021 23:52

Prick and will always be a prick. And urgh, his face, it literally needs a frying pan across it! Smuck!

Harsh but ...

Original poster
Apparentlychanged · 09/05/2021 23:53

@flashylamp

I can't really be open about my own diagnosis because of the stereotype autism = insensitive/callous, which would be devastating in my own line of work, so part of me is a little bemused.

I feel like you are part of the problem OP. The more people who are open about their diagnosis, the more evenly spread things will become. The less the stereotype will fit.

The last time I was open about my diagnosis at work, I ended up having to leave as the amount of discrimination I was suddenly facing became insurmountable. Not everyone has the luxury of disclosing that they are autistic to ravenous applause and understanding. I learned that the hard way.
OP posts:
Serpenta · 09/05/2021 23:57

@greeneyedlulu

Yep you're right, he's done ASD no favours because he is just an arrogant prick!! All that stuff over calling that guy a pedophile because he felt jealous his help wasn't needed? Prick and will always be a prick. And urgh, his face, it literally needs a frying pan across it! Smuck!
Such a prick. Getting away with that paedophile slur made me so furious. Cannot stand to see Elon Musk's bloody mug.
flashylamp · 09/05/2021 23:59

The last time I was open about my diagnosis at work, I ended up having to leave as the amount of discrimination I was suddenly facing became insurmountable. Not everyone has the luxury of disclosing that they are autistic to ravenous applause and understanding. I learned that the hard way.

But you must recognise that is wrong? I'm not holding you accountable or anything, I just think the louder the rest of us shout the better chance we have of being heard and subsequently changing peoples attitudes

greenlynx · 10/05/2021 00:03

The more people who are open about their diagnosis, the more evenly spread things will become. The less the stereotype will fit.
I agree with this^.
I wasn’t surprised to hear that he’s got ASD. It’s not excuse for any sort of bad behaviour ( if there was any, I don’t follow him closely) but it explains some things.

LookingGlassMilk · 10/05/2021 00:06

This is the first I've heard of this and I just ran upstairs to see if ds1 was still awake so I could tell him. Ds1 is 13 and has ASD but is very ashamed of the diagnosis. He idolises Elon Musk.

This will be so helpful to ds. He is going through a really tough time at the moment and is just about to start counselling.

TurquoiseLemur · 10/05/2021 00:07

@Nowthereistwo

I think it's amazing what he's achieved and I liked this quote (taken from BBC):

"Look, I know I sometimes say or post strange things, but that's just how my brain works," he said.

"To anyone who's been offended, I just want to say I reinvented electric cars, and I'm sending people to Mars in a rocket ship. Did you think I was also going to be a chill, normal dude?"

This is the same man who described the man who organized the rescue of the Thai schoolchildren stuck in a cave as a paedophile. God knows how he still won the case, it was obvious he had said it and to call someone a paedophile who isn't one is probably the biggest slur out there. A slur that can destroy someone's reputation and also put their life in danger.

Someone shouldn't have the right to slander someone on globally-watched media just because they have reinvented electric cars. Or because they have Asperger's. Elon Musk needs to learn some social niceties. He can be as eccentric as he likes but "X is a paedophile" isn't eccentric or quirky, it is nasty.

TurquoiseLemur · 10/05/2021 00:13

@Seafog

I am glad to see him hosting it, it's good to see examples of someone with Asperger's who is able to work, have a wife and child, be uncomfortable in public, but still succeed. It's another person who reminds us that when we harness our interests and energy, great things can happen. He has overcome an abusive father, and the struggles of ASD to achieve so much, and inspire so many. He was inaccurate, as Dan Akroyd did it first, but it doesn't diminish what Elon has achieved.
Ah yes, the child whom he and his partner have given an unpronouncable name to. They seem to think it's funny and oh so cutting edge. It's just cringeworthy. And of course it will impact the child adversely.
Roboticcarrot · 10/05/2021 00:13

@Apparentlychanged

Elon Musk announced he has Asperger's disorder on SNL. On one hand I'm glad someone famous is openly stating that they are on the spectrum, but on the other, I feel that it perpetuates a stereotype of people with ASD being male tech gurus with a serious case of 'being a bit of an asshole'. AIBU to think that way? Should I just be happy for more representation?
So he shouldn't be able to speak about it because he 'fits a stereotype'? Are we now gatekeeping what people can and can't say about themselves, that sounds tedious. Of course not everyone with ASD will achieve what he has (which whatever you think of him, and ASD or not is impressive), but similarly his success doesn't take it away either, why should he be quiet about it? Its not a dirty little secret that he should be ashamed of, and the more people who want to be honest and talk about it the better.
Chasanddive · 10/05/2021 00:15

Moonpeg
You’ll always get people on here who will be aggressive and argue with you, but I’m sorry your going through this. I would contact social services as the parents aren’t doing their job.

TurquoiseLemur · 10/05/2021 00:16

@NiceGerbil

And really obv he can and should say what he likes... It's not a personal thing more a general impact thing. To discuss.

It does feed into the 'extreme male brain' / genius thing which has left a lot of girls and women undiagnosed. So that's another side.

He said on well-publicized media that another person was a paedophile. With no evidence whatsoever.

No, he shouldn't say what he likes, whatever he likes. No one should. And pointless to say "It's not personal", of course that was personal! That is a slur that can ruin someone's life.

Pinkpaisley · 10/05/2021 00:19

You might be upset about the stereotype of the tech genius, but when the only support programs want to group your child with children whose autism manifests completely differently, having those examples to point to is incredibly valuable. There is basically no support out there for kids who are extremely intelligent, highly verbal, but deal with overwhelming stress from trying to just get through the day in a world built for NT people.

TurquoiseLemur · 10/05/2021 00:24

@Moonpeg

There are two young boys in my street aged 12. Both are horrible little bullies. They both have autism or Aspergers. Their parents let them terrorise the street. The police can’t do anything. The parents hide behind the fact they have disabilities if anyone goes to the door. We have had enough and are ready to sell up and move. My nerves are shattered with these total little shits
I'm sorry to hear this.

Actually, the police could do something, it sounds like they are choosing not to. Probably out of a misplaced sense of pity. I have a son myself with an autism diagnosis-it should NEVER be a reason for parents and others not to insist on boundaries. Everyone needs boundaries and people with an autism diagnosis need especially clear boundaries in place. For their own sake as well as that of others.

"You can't criticize X, he has a disability" is crap parenting. If a child is struggling, and s/he has a disability, then we need to bring understanding to the situation. That should never mean allowing the child to hurt or terrorise others.

Greenmarmalade · 10/05/2021 00:27

@Bigbluebuttons I can relate to this.

user1471457751 · 10/05/2021 00:28

Is anyone actually surprised that he's neurodiverse?