Comments on Whose Planet Is It Anyway?: A Change in the Air

We agree: a hearty Bravo (!) to all voices contrib...

2008-04-03T19:48:00.000-04:00

We agree: a hearty Bravo (!) to all voices contributing to the "tipping point"...

"David: If you applied for the position that Larry...

2008-03-20T05:37:00.000-04:00

"David: If you applied for the position that Larry mentioned on his blog, I think it's perfectly suited to your interests and abilities, and I hope your interview goes well."

Just looked there... I wish I had applied for that! Would mean me and Heini moving to the UK; but I doubt we'd miss Finland that much!

Nah, I got new services. Looking interesting but it's early days.

I'm writing an article on what happened before though, with a view to publication. A two-three month review of things under the new scheme could provide an interesting epilogue!

Joseph -- I've answered your comment here.

2008-03-19T19:08:00.000-04:00

Joseph -- I've answered your comment here.

Check out this 1966 Time Magazine article on homos...

2008-03-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

Check out this 1966 Time Magazine article on homosexuality. Historical comparisons are tricky, but are we roughly at that stage?

Leila and Geosaru: The author of the article misre...

2008-03-18T13:47:00.000-04:00

Leila and Geosaru: The author of the article misrepresents the neurodiversity movement, although this appears to be unintentional, by suggesting that we oppose research on autism. In fact, Ari and many others who have spoken publicly about autism research have called for more funding of studies on how autistics learn and communicate. Although genetic research may someday be useful in improving medical care, our funding priorities should focus on other research that can benefit autistic people now.

David: If you applied for the position that Larry mentioned on his blog, I think it's perfectly suited to your interests and abilities, and I hope your interview goes well.

Alyric: My apologies, I wasn't trying to give my Canadian readers frostbite!

If I open the window and breathe the spring air - ...

2008-03-18T10:02:00.000-04:00

If I open the window and breathe the spring air - I'm likely to do my lungs an injury - it's minus 7 (Celsius)out there and the daffodils are still hiding under two metres of snow:)

In the Newsweek article, after mentioning the fear...

2008-03-17T23:23:00.000-04:00

In the Newsweek article, after mentioning the fear that a pre-natal test would be used to select against autistics from being born, the author writes: "But the ultimate goal of the researchers, and the many families who support their work, is to solve the mystery of autism"

I wonder what other results of genetic research to "solve the mystery of autism" the author might think exists. The sort of understanding we need from others is not our genetics, but in the growth of mutual understanding, and the ending of doctors giving parents such grim, simplistic views of autism.

If the whole "shock and devastation" were taken out of the equation, or at least dampened with useful information to dispel stereotypes and open options, then a lot less parents I think would be desperate for cure.

I too get the feeling that in the next five years or so a lot is going to happen. And I believe the direction we are going is forward.

ABFH, there's been a change in the air here too.I'...

2008-03-17T22:07:00.000-04:00

ABFH, there's been a change in the air here too.

I'll tell you later when I can write clearly about it. but it is not negative, I can tell you.

I was also pleased to see Kristina and Ari in the ...

2008-03-17T18:35:00.000-04:00

I was also pleased to see Kristina and Ari in the story. As a parent who doesn't subscribe to the vaccination theory, and who is concerned about other people's ignorance regarding my son's condition, I'm very excited to see the neurodiversity movement growing. I may not agree with some of the activists' messages, but in order to promote change in society, we need people who push the envelope.