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Welcome to my essay page! Here you can read some nonfiction I've written outside the realm of class assignments. Enjoy!
INTRODUCTION TO MY ESSAYS
I am diagnosed with mild Tourette's Syndrome and mild Asperger's Syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder), and my social life is rather difficult because of that. Among the
symptoms of my Tourette's are periodic bouts of acting like a complete
maniac, and as if that weren't enough, I experience the typical autistic
confusion regarding human society.
I have figured social skills out to some degree, but even now, I often can't
tell whether something I've done or said is acceptable until I see
people's reactions to it, and sometimes I misinterpret those reactions.
This is, in large part, why I've identified with Star Trek's
half-Vulcan-half-human Mr. Spock ever since I first found out about him.
Many autistics find kindred souls in conflicted beings like Spock and
Data, who constantly endure the struggle between the side that badly wants
to fit in and the side that is incapable of comprehending illogical human
behavior.
My life outside the norm has also gotten me thinking about lots of philosophical subjects, like childlessness and the nature of belief. The essays on this page come from all parts of my psyche.
ESSAYS
Connections
It took me a while to figure out why I was so fascinated by Mr. Spock,
but gradually I've realized the extent to which I identify with him.
Here's a list of connections I've noticed between us. (This was written in my freshman
year of college, I believe.)
The Burnt Toast Analogy
One of my most interesting insights as a fence-sitter between religion and atheism.
Oppression
The story of a member of an oppressed group.
Unselfish Reasons
I was shocked when I heard that some people think it's "selfish" not to have children. Here is
my say on the subject.
Rhyme Rules
Frustrated by the unclear definition of a rhyme, I came up with
five rules of rhyming.
Free Will
Do people have free will? Depends on your definition.
Honesty
Thoughts on eye contact, lies, and hidden emotions.
Theory of Mind
Thoughts on theory-of-mind-challenged neurotypicals, and an exploration of the most useful applications of the Golden Rule.
Sally and Anne
Why did I fail that theory-of-mind test when I was a little kid? Unfortunately, there are a lot more possibilities than just the simple and obvious one.
The Ethics of Curing
Some troubling thoughts about the idea of curing, genetically engineering, or aborting selectively to prevent autism spectrum disorders... and why I have had so much trouble forming an opinion on the subject.
Writing Fiction
Some insights that have occurred to me while writing my latest book. Thoughts about my own style of fiction writing, as well as about fiction in general.
MINI-ESSAYS
These are some essays that are too short to go with the other ones, but too long to go on my Insight Page. Someday I may assemble them together into longer essays, but for now, here they are.
Language Musings
I posted this somewhere, and a friend loved it, and urged me to make an HTML page for it.
Conversation
Talking about things is important.
Leadership
Being a leader is not as necessary as society says it is.
Words and Children
Censorship of children's speech is a puzzling double standard.
Not Worth Saving
I don't like Ferris Beuller.
Tool User
Thoughts on humans as a tool-using species.
On the Changing of Words
Language changes-- that's the way it is.
Thanks for visiting!
Send me feedback at humanalien@gmail.com
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Erika Hammerschmidt's Essay Page