If the world was populated with people with autism What would be the pros and cons

Question

I am assuming they would be not too severly disabled with the condition

Answer 1

the music world would be smoking hot.  

Answer 2

we would get a world like the one we live in. Exactly like the one we live in. So a question back to you is what is the pros and cons of the world we live in?

Answer 3

A lot would be accomplished, but it would lack 'flavor.'

Answer 4

A terrific question -and highly worthy of reflection!

In a sense, I believe your reply to Peter actually hints at some of the pros and cons ... as such, I'll craft my response from there.

A world populated with autism would be distinctly different than the world we know as it is now.  Not in the sense that there would be an absence of the arts and the physical and social sciences, or a dearth of inventions and innovation, or a void of leadership or activism ... no, in my view, those aspects are the results of our mutual humanity and autism does not reduce or destroy the human need to self-identify, strive, create, be a part of ....

At the same time, recognizing that all of human nature is fairly well distributed across a continuum, so are those with Autism (after all, it is a "spectrum" disorder) ... from those classified as highly functioning (Asperger Syndrome) to those with the most severe neurological differences.  

With tongue-firmly-in-cheek, a world of all Autism would most likely have highly efficient -and exactly on time- transportations systems ... at the same time, because of the prevailing deficiencies in social skills (including the generalized inability to read and interpret social cues), the transportation systems would be clogged with women rushing off to OBGYN's and delivery rooms as it is very likely that "having s*x" would be a rule-of-thumb (so to speak).

I like how Barbara Kirby, the co-author of "The OASIS guide to Asperger Syndrome" (2005) puts it, "... many behaviors that seem odd or unusual are due to those neurological differences and not the result of intentional rudeness or bad behavior, and most certainly not the result of "improper parenting".

By definition, those with AS have a normal IQ and many individuals (although not all), exhibit exceptional skill or talent in a specific area ....  Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich and some children sound like "little professors." However, persons with AS can be extremely literal and have difficulty using language in a social context.

Social pragmatics also tend be weak, leading the person to appear to be walking to the beat of a 'different drum.'  In social interaction, many people with Asperger's syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance and may actually turn away at the same moment as greeting another. The children I have known do desire interaction with others but have trouble knowing how to make it work. They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano.

Many of the weaknesses can be remediated with specific types of therapy aimed at teaching social and pragmatic skills. Anxiety leading to significant rigidity can be also treated medically. Although it is harder, adults with Asperger's can have relationships, families, happy and productive lives."

All-in-all, life would certainly go on, albeit, with a remarkably different structure to the so-called "pecking order" and, presumably, to what are considered "priorities" or of "critical importance" to that society.

"In-your-face" would certainly take on new meaning ... but then, instead of a G8 as we have now, the world would have a Gee-only-8? as envisioned from a world populated with people of Autism

Answer 5

It would'nt be that different.

pros/

- things would run much more effeciently/perfectly than they do now.

- There would be more technological evolution,there would be more scientists about. [is that a pro or a con?]

- There would be less corruption etc/more truth,autistic people do not know how to lie.

cons

- Society would perhaps cave in and become introverted

- there would be an emotional void,perhaps less social justice et al because of a lack of empathic power to create it.

Answer 6

The cons would be that there would be lesser social interaction and in the rare instance people would interact others wouldn't respond to their own name as much as we would like. There would be less things that are done together as a community. Globalization would be slowed down, corporations wouldn't function so well consequently economies might slow down and the education sector might not be as good as we would like it to be.

There are numerous pros as well, there wouldn't be any meaningless wars or acts of terrorism. Laws would be very lax, if in fact there would be any. There would be a lot of space for one to do as they will, there is bound to be a lot of room for creativity and innovation as well. Overall, the world would be a much more peaceful place.

Answer 7

A lot more genius.

Answer 8

Everybody has Autism in one of the spectrums......

Answer 9

pros

for the first time we will be populated with incarnated angels here in h**l.

cons

man, that's a h**l of a problem too because the h**l loses its very essence. devils will be jobless. that's hellish!

Answer 10

As a parent of a boy with autism the world would be a interesting place.

As the spectrum is very wide indeed its hard to sun it all up. However a few points from my experience would be all cars neat and tidy, every thing would be in a line, no shouting, food would be served at a set time in a set manner. The list is endless.

Answer 11

well that's like asking what the pros and cons are of the world we live in now, we are a brutal, violent species. but we have some nice music and people.

Answer 12

It seems to be it is. People who have  difficulty communicating, understanding the needs of others, shun any warm feelings to the rest of the world. Sound familiar?

Answer 13

" What is autism ?? does it mean you don't want to hurt or kill people or rip them off or do nasty things to each other ???? or does it just mean you cant spell properly ??? you want to go to wales for a holiday i think they all have it there ."