Paying attention


Are things really different, or are you just being told that they are?
As a guy with Asperger's Syndrome, I also track stories about autism and brain function. Most of them aren't appropriate for a political blog, but this one had an interesting observation. Emphasis added.

In his new book Unstrange Minds: Remapping the World of Autism (Basic Books), Mr. Grinker analyzes how psychiatric understanding of autism has changed over the decades and how those shifts have influenced society. In recent years, the numbers of people diagnosed with autism and related disorders have shot upwards. Government statistics released this year suggest the condition now affects one in 150 American children. The surge has raised fears that an epidemic is sweeping through the nation, with some parents blaming vaccines for their children's autism.

That claim, rejected by most doctors, will be the focus of a federal court hearing scheduled to begin next month. And Mr. Grinker marches straight into this controversial arena by arguing that the epidemic is actually an illusion.

The rates have gone up, he says, because doctors have broadened the diagnosis to include more people — and because society is more willing to see autism and other mental disorders. Children who were once hidden behind the doors of institutions or a family's back bedroom are now marching with their parents to demand more research. Those same children are also entering public schools, and even growing up into adults who blog about bigotry and the need to accept what they term "neurodiversity."

Bingo! This is important, and not just with autism. The information flow is increasing, and hasn't yet diversified to the point were there are multiple respected voices with divergent views. We live in a world where there are hundreds of television channels and the internet, yet most of our news (and most of our opinions) come from a very small set of sources. Read the New York Times and you will have a good idea of what the cable news stories will be for the following few days.

It's the old purple car syndrome. If I tell you that your rich uncle will be visiting and driving a purple car, you'll watch for the purple cars you see. Each purple car will be very important until you can prove it isn't.

Same thing works with the global warming movement. If you are told enough times that human caused global warming is a serious problem and the weather is full of unexpected storms, then there is "obviously" a connection until someone can show you overwhelming proof there isn't. Even then, it may not be enough.

Are we losing in Iraq? Which news sources are you following?

Is the Bush Administration corrupt? Depends on if you count the ethical problems of the Congressional Democrat leadership or not.

The point is that the situation may not have changed, but how you pay attention has.

Sadly, it's very easy to manipulate that uneasiness into fear and distrust. Especially once it gets going.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - May 12, 2007 at 03:25 PM  Tag


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