I don't think you have to be autistic for this to apply. That's why my feelings are often hurt when you take 7 to ten to 13 days to reply. It makes me feel disrespected. Chelle
The internet kept me from feeling too isolated when my energy was too low from lyme disease , so it has it's up side for us sick people. I always look forward to your new posts! Regards - Sue
Lilac You know about parasocial relationships, how they are supposed to be a problem because people process them in the same way as two-way social relationships? I think that for autistic people it’s the opposite. Due to deficiencies in theory of mind we process all relationships in the way that parasocial relationships should be processed. You know, with the implicit assumption that the other person is an NPC who doesn’t fluidly react to your behavior, and we have to consciously remind ourselves that such is not the case.
Interesting theory. Most of my social life is online which I wonder how much that affects things. I do worry about my lack of people in the real world wondering if I have a problem connecting with others. I wondered if it was my fault spending so much time online. I have close online friends but spend a lot of time on parasocial relationships. I think autistic people probably do see those differently. I know I face major deficiencies in theory of mind, I can become very close to friends but there's a lot of people I have no idea what they are thinking or even what motivates them. It does concern me often my life seems devoid of people outside of husband, his best friend and friend of mine and 3-4 local friends and close online friends. I really paid for the ACON childhood, because going no contact wiped away a lot of people, but then I wasn't allowed to be close to those people or was held a distance away. I think I process relationships differently, and even acquaintances are far more important to me than normal people, if this makes sense to you. Like I will "miss" someone I used to see in a group for some years etc.
I don't think you have to be autistic for this to apply. That's why my feelings are often hurt when you take 7 to ten to 13 days to reply. It makes me feel disrespected.
ReplyDeleteChelle
I always like your comments and want to answer so seriously not person. I know a few times, I posted and then forgot to come back.
DeleteI found the comment I missed, and responded more to you there Chelle.
DeleteThe internet kept me from feeling too isolated when my energy was too low from lyme disease , so it has it's up side for us sick people. I always look forward to your new posts!
ReplyDeleteRegards - Sue
I agree, it's helped me too during the housebound times all these years. Hope your lyme disease gets better Sue. Thanks.
DeleteMy Lyme disease is a lot better, thank-you. Now it's cancer, which, so far, is much easier and better than lyme disease was.
ReplyDeleteSue
I have another online friend with Lyme, she told me what a nightmare, yeah cancer is bad but Lyme does a lot of bad stuff.
DeleteHope you become fully healed from both, and Lyme is over for you now too for good.
DeleteLilac
ReplyDeleteYou know about parasocial relationships, how they are supposed to be a problem because people process them in the same way as two-way social relationships? I think that for autistic people it’s the opposite. Due to deficiencies in theory of mind we process all relationships in the way that parasocial relationships should be processed. You know, with the implicit assumption that the other person is an NPC who doesn’t fluidly react to your behavior, and we have to consciously remind ourselves that such is not the case.
Interesting theory. Most of my social life is online which I wonder how much that affects things. I do worry about my lack of people in the real world wondering if I have a problem connecting with others. I wondered if it was my fault spending so much time online. I have close online friends but spend a lot of time on parasocial relationships. I think autistic people probably do see those differently. I know I face major deficiencies in theory of mind, I can become very close to friends but there's a lot of people I have no idea what they are thinking or even what motivates them. It does concern me often my life seems devoid of people outside of husband, his best friend and friend of mine and 3-4 local friends and close online friends. I really paid for the ACON childhood, because going no contact wiped away a lot of people, but then I wasn't allowed to be close to those people or was held a distance away. I think I process relationships differently, and even acquaintances are far more important to me than normal people, if this makes sense to you. Like I will "miss" someone I used to see in a group for some years etc.
Delete