@jpaskaruk @CatHat to hazard a toe dip into a difficult...

@jpaskaruk @CatHat to hazard a toe dip into a difficult conversation. It seems:
- you both know what theory of mind is, but that you have experienced it differently.
- Both being autistic, you have encountered the phrase.

But that experience has been different. For one the term comes with a belittling judgement of the autistic mind.

I guess using the term brings with it baggage of context of the diagnosis. Perhaps saying "lacking empathy" might make the same point and avoid trauma.

Peace ☯️

Like 2 March at 5:12 | Wall-to-wall | Open on mastodon.online

6 comments

JimmyChezPants replied to :David

@davidcampey

Not tagging the other person cause they're done they said.

There's an assumption that I was applying a moral judgement. I actually was not. I see the ruling class as a bunch of very sick people who need to be taken to the woods and made to do things like chop their own wood, cook their own food, carry their own water, for at least a year. Because they are sick, and that will likely heal them.

Of course we need to take their power away first. Nonviolently ideally, but...

2 March at 13:34 | Open on growers.social

JimmyChezPants replied to JimmyChezPants

@davidcampey

My oldest friend exhibits symptoms of narcissism and borderline and so forth, and we actually ceased contact not too long ago because he is harming people and sees it as the other people's fault; any other action I could take would only make it worse. He accused me of some pretty heinous stuff as I walked away.

I still see him as sick, not evil, and while I doubt he will, I hope he finds help that works. I hope the failsons who have never been held to account for anything also.

2 March at 13:38 | Open on growers.social

:David Campey replied to JimmyChezPants

@jpaskaruk On the point of the assumption, I personally didn't assume your l were making a moral judgement, but rather using a term that had meaning for you.

However it was received in a different context overloaded with other meanings, and so sparked ire.

The use of the term is, I think what was initially objected to. Given that it might have implications to others beyond your intent, it might be worth reconsidering choice of term for more effective communication in a crucial conversation.

2 March at 15:56 | Open on mastodon.online

JimmyChezPants replied to :David

@davidcampey

I don't think empathy is what they lack, though - I think they are living in a bubble of unreality and surrounded by yes people who do not make them listen to, for instance, the actually-knowledgeable scientists and tech workers who understand the world that they have the option to not need to live in.

A sociopath lacks empathy - if I have to armchair diagnose, I prefer to diagnose them with having distorted vision, rather than being fundamentally evil.

2 March at 18:49 | Open on growers.social

JimmyChezPants replied to JimmyChezPants

@davidcampey

I have also lived in a bubble of unreality because the people around me either could not or would not force me to see certain things in more than abstract terms. There was family affluence involved, but not just that, and more importantly, reality did finally assert itself to me in various ways I could not discount.

Someone who was born into more privilege, and never faced the mildly-difficult choices that made me see, has a disease, but it's not necessarily evil.

2 March at 18:51 | Open on growers.social

JimmyChezPants replied to JimmyChezPants

@davidcampey

My original comment was essentially, "they know not what they do," and that is what I think is at play here. It is very easy to create paper bogeymen and say things are easy; I decline to do so, even if it is very clear that those holding power right now have no connection to reality.

2 March at 18:53 | Open on growers.social