Do you get a chance to talk about your special interests?

I certainly think so. There is a very nice silver birch right outside of where I work, the colours and patterns of the bark and various layers are really interesting to observe throughout the different seasons of the year. The willow you described sounds fascinating too. I really enjoy the cascading shapes that tumble from willow trees. They are like clouds that are tethered to the ground. A truly interesting species in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I get the impression that a lot of us are quite hard on ourselves here. That certainly is the case for me anyway. The feeling of imposter syndrome is an odd thing to describe to those who have never experienced it, but my low self-esteem certainly doesn’t help navigate this either. Like many have reassured me of here though, your interests would be well regarded in this community I am sure. I know I certainly wouldn’t mind reading a few of your thoughts. Though I can’t imagine just walking up to somebody on the street and asking them questions! I once got talking to someone in the forestry service, I’m ashamed to say that I think the depth I went into about trees bored even them!

A lovely image! An acorn was in my collection of small things that I used to display as a child. But you’re right, the journey that you describe is one that really stood out to me. The phrase ‘if it could speak’ really applies here I think. I’d love to get a snapshot of what it’s ‘seen’

Thank you. I hadn’t really intended it to be, I just started ‘talking’ about something I am genuinely passionate about. I’m not going to lie, it’s a strange feeling having the kind responses I got here vs. the usual ‘just humouring you here mate’ style responses or the outright ‘I’m not joining in because this is boring’ style ones.

I understand completely. I get like my entire person as a whole is a pain to everyone around me and what I say even more. I do feel like it's just our autism though, making us a tiny paranoid (humour please...). You must be yourself when talking with someone and conversation will come on its own. 

For example, a recent new friend of mine has never a movie I love. I usually never talk about it because I feel it would bore everyone or make me look crazy or nerdy. I offered to come to my house to see it but then she got very excited at the idea of seeing my pets. Making me wonder if she's more excited about our night together and me as a person or just my animals. She is lovely, to me it's just a complete miss of trust.

Point is, I might have trust issues, but if I hadn't been myself, I would have never found out I could make her discover something new. You must have faith that you will meet people who are interested or even do like me: express your interest differently. There are so many writing websites, drawing or even real clubs you could go to and find interested people. And don't quite bring your interest up, they may be out of their league but they listen and remember: trust me, I know what I am talking about.  

Trees are fascinating. I was looking at the branches of a willow in my garden recently and noticed that the colour of the bark varied between grey and brown depending on the thickness. Often the standard colour to use for tree branches or trunks is brown, yet they vary greatly.

Oakling said:

Just be yourself they say… but obviously don’t actually be yourself!

That is so true! Exactly how people treat us

I get to talk to my wife about my special interests and my uncle as he shares some of them. My main special interest is Germany and in particular the GDR or East Germany. My uncle travelled there a lot so I can definitley share it with him.

No, I wasn't aware of Steve Wright, thanks. I had to google him as I am not a radio listener. And the tyre thing is amazing! And I also love the word fictoid which I haven't heard before, did you make it up?

Thanks Luna. Hugs x

I recently spotted that aucademy do a bunch of special interest groups on Discord if anyone is looking for another to chat to.

That does seem counterintuitive that other scientists aren't interested in discussing science!

I'm sorry you had to block the person who was harrassing you.

Hi :) I do wish there were more people I could talk to about my special interests (science and hiking). I do get to talk about science sometimes as I studied it at uni and I now work in a lab and most of my friends are scientists too. But sadly in my current lab there aren’t many people that are happy to really have fun science discussions- it’s a bit sad, I thought initially all scientists would be as keen as me to talk about it but that’s not the case. In one of my previous labs there was someone who was just as happy to talk about everything and anything science related and we had a great time together and spent lots of evenings in lab together running experiments and talking. I miss that. I also had one ‘friend ´ that was always up for science discussions but i had to block him due to harassment and assault- i’m still really sad about that. 

your interest in woods, tree species and grain patterns sounds great! I would be very into hearing about that!! 

I also have a feeling of impostor syndrome regarding some of my interests, at least in some situations. I think it's quite common. There might even be a thread on it somewhere here.

Part of me would like to unmask and speak more about my interests, but I worry about the consequences of doing so. Talking about my Judaism is something that I'm particularly wary of doing because some people are uncomfortable with religion, although there are so many misapprehensions about Jews out there that I feel like I should say something. Occasionally strangers stop me in the street with questions about Judaism. Sometimes, they're Christian missionaries, but sometimes they are just curious, but it's a weird dynamic for a conversation even without autism and social anxiety. I think your poetic and relatable thoughts about wood would be quite normal in comparison!

It is really quite sad. It's said to be le Carré’s most personal novel, and that comes across in the tv programme.

I've seen The Sandbaggers too, also excellent, although uncomfortably dark in some places.

The two Smiley dramas are excellent, I've got them both on DVD. I haven't seen A Perfect Spy, although I've read the novel.

You’re welcome! I hope I’ve remembered it correctly. Otherwise it’s a Fictoid. 

Blimey!

I did start to watch it once (think it's on Youtube or Daily Motion) but crisps approached again or something. 

Also it was written by an actual spy, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances while writing the last episodes. 

I keep meaning to see it. I recommend The Sandbaggers as supplementary viewing. Similar turf. The realities of yer actual Cold War espionage in late 70s/early 80s Britain. Lots of difficult conversations in Whitehall corridors. And a tiny bit of gruelling non-glam action. The antidote to James Bond’s nonsense. And Roy Marsden is great in it. Think it might be on BritBox.