As regular readers of Autism's Gadfly know, I've been waiting for publication of Wired writer Steve Silberman's book about neurodiversity for a long time. Originally, it was slated to be published in 2013. The date was subsequently moved up to 2014 and now the tentative date is 2015. Silberman published a magazine article on the subject way back in 2001. He's received a plug in this article It's nothing really new. Silberman is still citing the rapid rise of autism in the silicon valley and the assortive mating theory as a reason. I wonder if Silberman's book (assuming it's ever published at all) will cite statistics showing autism grew faster in the silicon valley than in other parts of the country or world. I've written previously that of the 21 regional centers in California, the rate of autism growth for the San Andreas RC (which serves the silicon valley) was 9th, falling far behind the rate of growth of the Lanterman and West Los Angeles regional centers. I wonder how Silberman will explain that growth rate. I've written about problems of the assortive mating theory and proponent's Simon Baron Cohen's lack of knowledge about genetics elsewhere.
Silberman name drops the notable Zuckerberg, Gates and Tesla and it looks likely he'll try to prove those people had autism. Of course he does not go as far as Temple Grandin who has claimed that half of the silicon valley has autism but never bothered to get a diagnosis. He also goes on about harnessing autistic intelligence and how if we stopped researching genetics and ways to harness the strengths of autistic people they can live more independently. I'll look forward to reading about that hopefully sometime next year.
I'm also a tad curious whether Silberman, a gay man married to another man, will make comparisons between homosexuality and autism that others with neurodiverse leanings have made in the past.
As I've said before, I'll be interested in reading the book at some point and dissecting it point by point in a blog post. Hopefully the publication won't be postponed to 2016 when we hit the end of 2014 or beginning of 2015.
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Jonathan, as people who actually read the article will note, I did not "drop the names" of people like Zuckerberg and Gates. That was the reporter's speculation -- and one I disagree with, having insufficient information to make those kind of speculations. Please try not to misattribute others' quotes to me. Also, as my comments in the article make very clear, assortative mating is not the focus of my book, as your post here suggests. Thank you.
@ Steve Silberman. I don't think I said that assortive mating was the focus of your book. I will concede I can't completely judge your book by it's metaphorical cover as the old cliche goes. That's why I've been waiting patiently for this book to come out so I can read it and possibly comment on it further. I hope you really do publish it before 2015 is out and don't postpone it a third time.
Speaking of plugs, I just plugged your book on my blog. I know, it's a little late, but I figure better late than never. I don't have much of a following on my blog, but I every little bit helps! http://stumblingalongthespectrum.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-mu-rhythm-bluff.html
Shanti, thanks so much for plugging my book and thinking of me.
hey mr. silberman, if you think being autistic is damn wonderful, ever thought about becoming an 'aspie' yourself, along with all the negative stuff like sensory issues, forgetting the small, but important stuff(car keys for example), lack of motor control, negative thought patterns, being isolated from humanity,etc, as well as the alleged positives? I bet you 10-1 if you live out life as an 'aspie' for even just an 1/2 hour, you'd be crying & screaming & begging to get back to normalcy ASAP! Chew on that!
BTW, have you heard anything about Daryl Hannahs' autism & on whether she likes being autistic or not? Maybe you ought to ask her about that 1 of these days. To the extant I've checked out her social media pages, she hasn't even said a damn word about it since her revealing of her autism later last year.
I certainly wish I could meet Daryl Hannah and ask her about it, but I don't think that's going to happen. I haven't heard her say anything about her autism lately either, but I remember last year when she came out as being on the spectrum.
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