The future of our society and our planet lies in recognizing Neurodiversity. Different brains are organized in different ways and are skilled at different tasks. People with so-called Bipolar Disorder have different brains. People with so-called Attention Deficit Disorder have different brains and people who are Autistic have different brains. Having a Neurodiverse mind presents all kinds of challenges and may require learning certain skills both for dealing with sensory stimuli and with social settings, but it does not mean that the Neurodiverse individual is not completely beautiful as they are and that they cannot do amazing wonderful things that can save the world.
Alan Turing was on the Autistic Spectrum. Harvey Milk was almost certainly Bipolar (II) and had a lot of ADHD traits. Would we want them any other way? No.
In the novel series, you will see how Alan has many of the traits associated with Autism. He was brutally honest, trusting, pure, and at times child-like. He has at his disposal a huge supply of facts. He takes people’s words literally. He is always evaluating fresh data to build up his incredible mental map of the universe. When Alan is interested in something, he goes all the way and learns it, and that will include anyone lucky enough to be loved by him. Alan’s eye contact is either non-existent or full-on staring. Often he has a distant look in his eyes. He cannot understand a world in which being Gay is illegal, since he sees it only in its natural purity. He has trouble figuring out what other people are thinking but his tender heart is full of kindness and he has enormous empathy, so much so, it often floods his system.
Oh yes, and he did stop World War II and invent the field of Artificial Intelligence, and many more achievements.
My working theory is that Autistic people are emissaries from a galactic civilization way more advanced than ours. They probably are a telepathic civilization, hence the inability to read faces. They saw all the manipulation and cruelty and poor critical thinking of the humans on earth and volunteered to help us out.
Stuck in an elevator, there is no contest. I would want an Autistic companion. I cherish every time I spent hours discussing Computer Science or Math or Theology with someone who is Autistic, It is joyful, fun and mind-stretching. An Austistic person expressing their passions is a most beautiful life-enhancing thing.
In my novel series. Autistic Alan is the perfect match for Harvey Milk, who like Alan, also has his special interests (Opera) and does not really fit in anywhere. Harvey has had some rather difficult romantic relationships in which he was treated very cruelly. What a blessing and relief for him to find such an honest, caring love, who like many Autistic people, could be incredibly funny when in his natural habitat. Harvey desperately needs to be with someone who can cast mental as well as sexual sparks and Alan usually does both at once! Autistic people can make incredible partners and be incredible parents!
Long live Neurodiversity! Let’s build educational systems that support all kinds of brains and help them thrive!
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How Alan Would Like to Be Remembered (Gay YES, Martyr NO)
Mathematical Knitting with Alan
How Did Alan Turing Break the Enigma?
