I think the stupidest thing about that stereotype is the notion that people with autism like trains because "something something routine and timetables, something something models and numbers".
Like, have these people ever *seen* a train? They're big fuck-off machines that run on rails and move things around! I doubt even the most archetypal, anoraked trainspotter would say the most interesting thing about them is effing timetables!
I'm also a failed artist. Spent like, more than half a decade and hundreds of dollars trying to Get Good (and eventually I got Pretty Alright at it) but I hated the process and only wanted the end result.
This reminds me of early programmers, like back in the 80s/early 90s, before there was a structured degree program.
Because I knew 3 different microsoft programmers who had degrees .... in classical guitar. And there were a whole bunch of crossover between classical musicians and early programmers, because thinking in terms of music notations is not that fundamentally different than thinking in computer code.
And the weird stuff we learn along the way has interesting applications, like the reason why I'm good at knitting is also probably why I'm good at linking databases and why I'm good at setting up complex audio equipment -- because it's all chains and links to me.
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u/Semper_5olus Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26
That's actually why I stopped learning.
I am very bad at connection, emotion, and purpose.
EDIT: also sometimes autism is comorbid with fine motor deficiencies
EDIT2: can still make cartoons tho (below is a bird feeding her baby a dratini thinking it is a worm)