The costs of masking are... basically never mentioned, outside of debates among autists. Everyone knows that you should build some ramps for people in wheelchairs, but I have never heard mentioned the negative impact of working at an open space on autists -- with zero privacy, masking becomes a full-time job. At least in academia I suppose there are still some doors one can close and drop the mask once in a while.
Freedom from academic incentives is great, but... you still need some source of income, and different sources may come with different pressures. Unless you are financially independent or find a generous patron, you may be trading one problem for another.
But academic environment also provides you contact with other people who solve similar problems. So I suppose the best thing would be to stay physically in academic environment, just get your income from somewhere else.
“ The answer dates back in time to the Italian renaissance epoch. The rich at the time realized the essentials of human industry and dexterity and invested heavily to it. Da Vinci, Marco Polo, Da Dama and so on. These men we sponsored by aristocrats who saw the future. What we have today is a money system (no thanks to the Medici family) that has blinded the world to the endless possibilities of the most sophisticated machine - the human mind. Neurodivergence is the new idiot, while the simple influencer/motivational speaker is celebrated and showered with wealth. There would be a turn in the tide, sooner than we think... Wanted to add a comment to your post but also didn't want to sign up”
In reflecting on historical figures like Einstein and Tesla, it becomes clear that disproportionate contributions often come from just a few highly impactful individuals—even within neurodivergent populations like those with Asperger’s. While many people with similar cognitive architectures work within conventional systems, these extreme outliers often seem to achieve more radical, transformative breakthroughs by working outside traditional structures.
This leads me to question whether systemic constraints in academia, corporate environments, or neurotypical-dominated social systems are holding back the majority of individuals with neurodivergent cognitive traits from realizing their full potential.
Disproportionate Contributions of a Few
Throughout history, there have been disproportionately high contributions from individuals with neurodivergent traits, like Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and potentially even Thomas Edison. These figures were able to achieve breakthroughs that changed the trajectory of human knowledge and technology. The question is, why do these major breakthroughs come from only a few, while many others with similar cognitive abilities seem stifled?
The answer, I believe, lies in external pressures and systemic constraints.
Independence and Environment:
External Stressors:
The Constraints of Neurotypical Systems
In neurotypical-dominated systems like universities or corporations, individuals with Asperger’s may struggle not only because of the external pressures mentioned above but also due to:
Working Outside the System
This brings me to a critical realization: maybe the most impactful way forward isn’t working within these systems but working outside of them. Many of the historical figures who made groundbreaking discoveries did so by stepping away from traditional structures:
In my own journey, I am now questioning whether remaining inside these existing systems—whether it’s through academia, institutions, or even forums—will ultimately result in meaningful progress. To foster real breakthroughs, perhaps it’s necessary to cultivate environments that are free from neurotypical expectations, where individuals with neurodivergent cognitive architectures can think and operate without the overwhelming pressures that constrain their creativity.
Leveraging Technology and Collaboration
At the same time, AI augmentation and Neuralinks offer a potential pathway for making these cognitive leaps. Technologies that enhance rationality, reduce cognitive strain, and allow for faster thinking could be key to allowing those with Asperger’s or other neurodivergent traits to achieve breakthroughs without the constraints of existing systems.
However, these technologies must be embraced by communities of like-minded individuals, potentially outside the mainstream, to truly push human progress forward.
The next question is, how can we build alternative networks, support systems, and collaborative efforts to allow those with neurodivergent cognitive architectures to thrive and push the boundaries of rationality, technology, and human evolution?
Conclusion
While platforms like LessWrong are valuable for connecting with rational thinkers, I’m beginning to wonder whether my post here—or even contributing to systems like this—will have the impact I envision. Perhaps the true breakthroughs will come from those who operate outside of mainstream structures, just as Einstein and Tesla did.