'The pain of isolation...'

Nice article, you seem to do a lot of research on the internet.

I prefer to read books.

I'm currently reading 'Neurotribes'.  And I'm picky with my internet research.  It was published in 'Psychology Today', which I've always thought of as a decent publication - as opposed to much online nonsense.  It wasn't 'research', anyway.  Simply something I was directed to by a friend who knows of my interest in the suicide rates of middle-aged people with ASC.

We have to be as careful with the books we read as we are with the internet articles we choose to believe.    Books can misinform just as easily.  The fact of having words published on paper does not make them any more salient than any other words, however published.  True intelligence is about having the ability to make such discriminations.  I don't think that the publishing medium of the article in question detracts in any way from the points it has to make.

By all means, though, continue with your preference for books as reliable sources of information.  I wish more people would do so.

I'm currently reading 'Neurotribes'.  And I'm picky with my internet research.  It was published in 'Psychology Today', which I've always thought of as a decent publication - as opposed to much online nonsense.  It wasn't 'research', anyway.  Simply something I was directed to by a friend who knows of my interest in the suicide rates of middle-aged people with ASC.

We have to be as careful with the books we read as we are with the internet articles we choose to believe.    Books can misinform just as easily.  The fact of having words published on paper does not make them any more salient than any other words, however published.  True intelligence is about having the ability to make such discriminations.  I don't think that the publishing medium of the article in question detracts in any way from the points it has to make.

By all means, though, continue with your preference for books as reliable sources of information.  I wish more people would do so.

Now, that's a very revealing Rorschach, I would say...

Another reason I like books is that they contain memories of something that happened while I was reading that particular book.

Many years ago I was on a coach departing Milton Keynes, and the jolting start spilt my coffee all over me and the book I was reading.

The coffee stain is still visible.

Thanks.

Haha!  Such misunderstandings happen!  It's another Aspie thing.  I often say something with a particular meaning attached, but the other person will interpret it another way.  On a few occasions, it has led to the other person taking offence at something I actually meant as a compliment.

An example - I was at a (rare for me) social gathering of some people I used to work with.  I went to the bar to get a drink, and when I came back I found myself having to get past a rather large woman who'd come and sat in the seat next to mine.  Her friend jokingly said to me 'Can you get by?  There's much less of you than there is of my friend.'  To which I responded 'I'll say!' - meaning, really, to emphasise and draw attention to my skinniness.  The large woman glared at me - and it was a few seconds before I realised that she'd taken it to refer to her size, which was clearly much more obvious.  To everyone else except me, that is!

I, too, prefer the feel and smell of books.  I have hundreds of books.  I go into bookshops just to absorb that smell.  Unfortunately, I have a problem with certain types of book paper and cover.  Usually glossier paper.  I get contact dermatitis from it.  I've had patch tests, and they can't establish exactly what it is that causes the reaction.  So... glossy books and magazines have to be read with gloves on, which is a major pain.

Congrats on the OU Degree!

Slight misunderstanding, when I said I prefer books, it's because I liked the feel of the written page.  When I buy a new book it has a distinct smell when I first open it. Old books are also often musty and smelly.  And I can write inside books.  Use book markers. 

Books are memorable, I leave hair behind in them as I pull it out while reading. I leave blood in them as I pop spots. (Just some of my nasty habits )

I also have a nice collection and plenty of choice.  My bedroom bookcase.

It's true, though, that - in spite of having an English degree, with a specialism in the work of Charles Dickens (oh, those interminable novels!) - I struggle with books.  My attention span is terribly short.

I've even been referred to as an intellectual lightweight because of it - which could, nonetheless, also be true.

I've read it - my father bought a copy as he was interested to learn more about neurodiversity following my diagnosis, and I thought it sounded really good, so got a copy for myself. I thought it was very good, though seriously scary in places. Makes me glad I was not an autistic person in the US about 30 years ago, that's for sure! Are you enjoying it?