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What are your obsessions?

SciFiGreg

Apparently it's common for Aspies to have unusually focused or niche interests so I figured I'd find out what other peoples interests are.

I'll go first.

Mine are:

  • Sci-Fi TV (Trek, Stargate, Babylon 5, The Expanse - Trek was my gateway drug, which I started watching at the age of 5. I even remember episode titles from a few seconds of viewing or starship registry numbers)
  • Trance & Progressive House music - not commercial bilge you hear played on the radio - underground stuff you'd hear at a proper club or event rather at your local meat market (I pretty much exclusively listen to these genres)
  • Cats (If I see one in the street I have to make friends, if it's a timid cat I have to try and win its trust - for some reason a friendly cat makes me super happy, perhaps I have toxoplasmosis)
  • The Simpsons
  • Technology (I work in IT support and am always using or fiddling with tech)
  • Science - I listen to a number of podcasts and find things like advances in genomics interesting
  • Religion - more specifically from the view of an atheist (me) - trying to understand how people are duped into believing such things from a neurological and psychological perspective (this stems from being raised by fundamentalist evangelical Christians, who've turned out to be massive hypocrites)
  • in reply to Plastic

    I'm not a medical professional but I'm pretty sure my department manager has some form of ASC.

  • in reply to SciFiGreg

    I've worked in ultra-high tech my whole life and I pass as NT most of the time - but even I could spot the Super-AS weirdos tucked in their offices unable to communicate with anyone. But they were catered for because they invented the stuff that could be developed into money-spinners.

  • in reply to Martin56

    Yeah the book Neurotribes said there seems to be a prevelence of Aspies in tech environments.

  • Golf play at every opportunity and when not playing watching it. 

    Horse riding although this has more turned into horse collecting, bought our first last August after loaning for many years, we have 3 now.

    Photography mostly wildlife and nature based currently trying to work this and horse ownership into a business.

    Woodwork. 

  • It is amazing how many are into the tech element.  

    I was an electronics engineer for many years but now just have a fascination for it and need to upgrade and buy the latest gadgets which I must have and then put to the side when the next one comes along.  I am trying to wean myself away from this habit but it is hard work.

    History both local and world history and expanding on the alternative approaches as well where a decision made wrong or rightly (depending on your view point) has such a massive impact on the outcome.

    My family history to the degree where hours and hours can disappear as I try to work out the connections and search for information.

    Photography where I can thousands and thousands of pictures but only be happy with one single picture.  The others (according to others) are good but I am not happy with them.

    Comedy films and programs but not slapstick because to me they are not funny.  

  • My obsessions are rather mixed, but include:

    • Tech (I work with computers - I'm a geek (i.e. a nerd with a personality) but also interested in new tech, engineering and science, etc
    • Literature - poetry, books, books, books
    • Philosophy - western and eastern 
    • Etymology and word play
    • Nature and wildlife - folk lore, tradition
    • Culture / humanity - different cultures and traditions and psychology (in terms of the latter, I am a bit of a zombie as curious how people's minds work, their logic and behaviour)
    • Also a big fan of music - currently listening to alot of eastern European folk music, gypsy jazz... it's all accordions and violins at present!!!

    I also like the journey of research and finding things out! - a curious miswired bean!

  • in reply to SciFiGreg

    I don't have Netflix - it's probably on Youtube somewhere. I never liked Rick & Morty. I do like Robot Chicken - especially the Star Wars parodies.

    I enjoyed Deadpool 2 and Hardcore Henry (I've never met anyone who has heard of it).but my favourite films are Galaxy Quest and The Fifth Element. Valerian could have been the new Star Wars if they had better lead actors and not so obvious contractual appearances.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Final Space looks pretty similar to Rick & Morty from what I've seen.

    I watched a bit of the first episode but it wasn't really grabbing me, my work colleagues think it's good so I may give it another shot.

    If you like your Sci-Fi I'd definitely recommend The Expanse - the first two seasons are on Netflix and the third finished broadcasting in the US a couple of months ago.

  • in reply to SciFiGreg

    Not seen The Expanse - I got into Final Space (10-part epic) but couldn't belive the way it ended. Love Pixar but hated Inside Out. I like the simplicity of the themes. I seem to like to be manipulated in a controlled way by a film or piece of music - I can stop it anytime. I use them as emotional release when the stress of the world is frying my brain.

    I love the whole Trump-thing. Watching people frothing at the mouth about a guy in another country who they nothing about apart from the MSM lies - it's hilarious how triggered they all are.

    We've had a couple of cats - both lived to 20 but as we're both 52, the next one might outlive us so we'll satisfy ourselves with making friends with all of the cats we meet on our outings.

    It's odd, but dogs make a bee-line for me. They seem to see me as an oasis of calmness and clarity among a sea of NT craziness. They always come and just sit with me - often just making light physical contact as a sort of plea of 'save me'.

    The NTs always comment as 'he never, ever does that normally' when their dog is asleep at my feet.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Do you watch The Expanse?

    It's easily the best sci-fi series since nuBSG and if I'm honest, is probably better.

    I bet you like Pixar movies, I like many of them too. Went to see Inside Out at the cinema most recently.

    I have a vivid memory of seeing the Pixar short with the lamps and ball during a Channel 4 animation weekend when I was a kid.

    I'm interested in certain aspects of people, as an example I find the whole Trump situation fascinating and follow it quite closely.

    People generally I feel are quite selfish and I'm very cynical about their ultimate intentions.

    I love animals as a whole too but love cats especially, for the same reasons you list. No mind games, you know where you stand with them.

  • Mine are similar - I'm an engineer so sci-fi, technology, complex things and science in general light me up. I like structures so I'm renovating a house and I get a buzz from doing things that cost NTs a fortune that I can do for practically nothing - and mine is better.

    I'm fascinated by people. The way the bumble through their pointless lives without noticing the world around them.

    I love animals - the way they just live for the moment. No hassles, no politics, just being there.

    I love Disney theme parks. I'd live there if I could (I have disabilities which give me an access pass so I don't have to suffer the queueing way the other 50,000 people around me do).

    Kids movies - mostly cartoons like Igor, Over The Hedge, Storks, Up etc. The movie environment can be made perfect without real-life. The backgrounds, the charactors, the story, the pacing and the voices can all be manipulated to perfection. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs? Yes please.