Scientific Brain Linked to Autism

squoozer writes "The BBC is reporting that a leading scientist in area of Developmental Psychopathology, Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, is indicating that there is good chance that there is a scientific basis to the observed phenomenon that children with highly analytical parents are more likely to be autistic. He believes the genes which make someone analytical may also impair their social and communication skills. A weakness in these areas is the key characteristic of autism."

pwn3d

[mfh]

He believes the genes which make someone analytical may also impair their social and communication skills.

Genetics thrives on diversity and buckles under similarities; look at incestuous offspring and you'll see that diversity is the core requirement for better results.

Most of the geekiest people here at Slashdot lack the necessary tools to hold a decent conversation; if two slashdotters marry and produce offspring, the result would be dangerous to society!

Successful geeks have really hot wives (with possibly no intellect whatsoever) -- so perhaps science accounts for success and rewards success and punishes failure?

The point being -- if you have a really smart wife, you must be stupid or unsuccessful because that woman will own your ass.

Finally!

[Mr. Underbridge]

Proof that the dork and nerd genes are linked. Shocker, that.

I'm sorry ma'am...

[faloi]

But your child is an engineer.

I analyzed the article

[Anonymous Coward]

but I can't communicate my thoughts.

Fascinating fact

[Geeky]

Professor Baron Cohen is also the cousin of Sascha Baron Cohen, AKA. Ali G.

Autism

[Alex P Keaton in da]

I though it was from the mother watching the people's court during pregnancy... Gotta Watch Wapner, Gotta Watch Wapner....
Rimshot

hmm...

[Anonymous Coward]

now, if I conclude that I'm not analytic enough for my chid to be autistic, is that again too analytic, so my child will become autistic? Me logic broken :-/

and why is the code today "impotent"? meh...

Re:Fascinating fact

[Anonymous Coward]

Wikkit ! Restecp for my west-end brothers.

Full Dilbert Quote:

[TripMaster Monkey]

Doctor: I'm afraid your son has the knack.
Dilmom: The knack?
Doctor: It's a rare condition characterized by an extreme intuition about all things mechanical and electrical...and utter social ineptitude.
Dilmom (worried): Can he lead a normal life?
Doctor: No. He'll be an engineer.
Dilmom (crying): Oh No!
Doctor: there there...don't blame yourself.
Dilmom: Will it go away over time?
Doctor: It might but I pray it doesn't. If an engineer loses the knack the results can be devastating.

Re:pwn3d

[Average_Joe_Sixpack]

if two slashdotters marry and produce offspring, the result would be dangerous to society!

Such an event would probably cause a rift in space time, either that or result in really ugly kids.

Stop the presses!

[murderlegendre]

I'm still trying to figure out what people mean by 'social skills' here.

Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you our new Slashdot motto.

Pertinent question

[why-is-it]

Professor Baron Cohen is also the cousin of Sascha Baron Cohen, AKA. Ali G.

Autism - is it good, or is it whack?

Re:pwn3d

[mfh]

And you smoke what flavor of crack now?

Seriously.

I was mostly joking around, but on another note -- crack comes in flavours now???

Re:pwn3d

[Lehk228]

slashdot is overwhelmingly male, if two slashdotters marry the earth will be destroyed by NAZI's riding on dinosaurs.

Dumb Spouses

[Brownstar]

This is just more proof that I should pick the Hot dumb Cheerleader type for a wife. Honestly, it is for the kid's benefit.

Re:pwn3d

[op12]

Most of the geekiest people here at Slashdot lack the necessary tools to hold a decent conversation; if two slashdotters marry and produce offspring, the result would be dangerous to society!

This effect is now known as Slashdautism.

Re:Evolution

[E++99]

The point is that a balance is needed. Slashdotters: find yourself an artsy chick to get down with; one who's pretty smart and asthetically pleasing. Add a little creativity to them logical sperm you've been carrying around.

But try to avoid the phrase "asthetically pleasing" when complimenting her.

Re:Kim Peek & NASA

[sgstair]

When they x-rayed him, they also found out that his head was mostly filled with water and the result was a severe lack of brain tissue. However, he was a 4.0 grade point average student.

Well obviously he developed a form of organic water-cooling. This probably allowed him to overclock his brain to much higher speeds than those available by conventional cooling methods!
-Stephen :)

Obviously

[WetCat]

+2 INT -2 CHA

Re:Evolution

[lt.com.riker]

The probability of finding a mate that is beautiful, athletic, smart and on top of that would be interested in *you* are so small...

That is what communism is good for, the government needs to force the beutiful women to breed with the smart men.

Well I am autistic

[Anonymous Coward]

and while autisim is misunderstood, it it certainly does not impair my communication abi .. ... .... .....

Re:pwn3d

[Zenmonkeycat]

We're not "ugly," we're just "differently attractive."

Not always a problem...

[sczimme]

Basically, if something isn't said, it doesn't exist to them. That is a crippling disadvantage in social situations.

It's not always a problem. I have been in several situations with my wife where another female - e.g. a waitress, a cashier, a friend's sister - flirted with me and I had zero clue re: the flirtation. My better half explained it to me later (with some amusement). Had I recognized what was happening I could have been rather uncomfortable, but since everything went right over my head I was as happy as a happy thing. Sometimes (ignorance == bliss).

For you single /.ers - yeah, that could be an issue. :-)

Darwin vindicated!

[mallaigboy]

Really neat! Just when our species needs asocial individuals who will spend years in solitude playing with really geeky kit while they pilot starships away from a broken planet, evolution once again begins to provide the variation that fits the niche...

Re:Evolution

[ikkonoishi]

And like all arguments for communism it sounds good on paper, but you must remember that politicians consider themselves smart.

Re:Evolution

[HolyCrapSCOsux]

Yes it is. Rght after the book of Armaments is the book of Artsiness.

Thou that are lacking in all things aesthetic, take ye an artsy chick so that thou shalt not be shallow, and lonely, and excessively pale of skin, and desultory, and urefined, and shunned, and ...

Re:pwn3d

[JourneyExpertApe]

Don't worry, it won't happen until they perfect male pregnancy.

Re:Evolution

[jawtheshark]

Only got married last summer. No kids on the way yet. Not even on the current roadmap. First we'll try to have a good house or something like that.

Re:pwn3d

[Isotopian]

Your mom need's a -1 "Bad Taste" Moderation.

Re:Evolution

[elgatozorbas]

Slashdotters: find yourself an artsy chick to get down with; one who's pretty smart and asthetically pleasing.

Great advise! What do you think we've been trying to do for *years*?!?

Re:Evolution

[Citizen of Earth]

But try to avoid the phrase "asthetically pleasing" when complimenting her.

Use phrases more like "Pardon me, female, will you marry me?"

Re:Social skills are overrated

[Anonymous Coward]

Usually, the people who disagree with me the most strongly are people who are quite stupid, have no genuinely productive capabilities, but talk well. Go figure.

republicans?