Author Archive

your dreams will be reduced down to breathing, and you will be grateful

The thing about not-being-a-person is: They will say those people and the price of being a person is to nod and agree that yes, those people aren’t people at all. They will have no idea who they are talking to. You yourself will start to forget, too. They will say a million small things that sow the seeds for violence done against you, and you will smile and let them. You will do math, constantly. How much do I want to be a person today? How much do I want this project to succeed? How much honesty can I afford? How much dishonesty will kill me? What is the cost of coming out? Is there a way to delay, soften, transmute? How long can I survive as half a person? Ever since the world ended ... I don't go out as much. People that I once befriended, just don't bother to stay in touch. Things that used to seem so splendid, don't really matter today. It's just as well the world ended -- it wasn't working anyway. Your dreams will be reduced down to breathing. [Read More]

on 03/5/12 | 2 Comments | Read More

Round-up: Autism & Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

In response to some discussions I have seen on Wrong Planet and other ASD forums I decided to delve into the concept of an autistic culture. Having been familiar with Hofstede's dimensions I decided...[Read More]

on 08/23/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 8: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Indulgence v Restraint

The last of Hofstede's dichotomies, Indulgence v Restraint (IVR) was introduced via a study performed by Michael Minkov in 2010. It is the least studied of the dimensions and I only include it here ...[Read More]

on 08/18/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 7: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Long Term Orientation

After Hofstede's initial research various researchers explored his findings and looked for areas that might have been overlooked. In 1985 a group of primarily Chinese educators administered a test t...[Read More]

on 08/16/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 6: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Masculinity v Femininity

The dichotomy I will be addressing in this post is bit problematic because the naming of it is challenging in its sexist titles. Hofstede decided that countries that show competitiveness, assertiven...[Read More]

on 08/11/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 5: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Uncertainty Avoidance Index

The Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) from Hofstede measures how a culture handles ambiguity, uncertainty and change. Those groups that measure high on the UAI tend to experience high anxiety regard...[Read More]

on 08/9/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

Part 4: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Individualism v Collectivism

Next up for Hofstede's dichotomies is Individualism v. Collectivism. This measures the degree to which individuals are integrated into groups and how they perceive themselves in that group. Individu...[Read More]

on 08/4/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 3: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory - Working well with those in authority

Hofstede's Power Distance Index (PDI) measures how we perceive the hierarchical authority in a given situation (family, work, etc.). On one end you have more autocratic and/or authoritative expecta...[Read More]

on 08/2/11 | No Comments | Read More

Part 2: Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

Before I jump into Hofstede's dimensions it is worth taking a look at the concept of people with autism as a culture unto themselves. There certainly has been enough discussion on the concept of thos...[Read More]

on 07/28/11 | No Comments | Read More

Introduction to Autism and Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory

This is the introduction to a series of articles I will be producing on Hofstede's Cultural Dimension Theory and how it relates to ASD. Cultural theory is a complex subject and when mixing cultures ...[Read More]

on 07/26/11 | 1 Comment | Read More

Update: Psychopaths, Sociopaths, ASPD and ASD/Aspergers: Recap and Resources

A few years ago there was a rage among psychologists and sociologists looking at the prevalence of sociopaths/ psychopaths in the workplace.  I got caught up in that and did a ton of research; at on...[Read More]

on 07/14/11 | No Comments | Read More

Narcissism, ASPD and ASD/Aspergers

Narcissistic people and Sociopaths/Psychopaths are very similar in their effects on the ASD population in that dealing with either is stressful and can damage our self-esteem and career.  However t...[Read More]

on 07/14/11 | No Comments | Read More

Protecting Yourself Against Psychopaths in the Workplace

Once you suspect that you are working with or for (and in some cases above) a sociopath/psychopath/ASPD person the next step is protecting yourself.  This protection goes beyond just keeping your job...[Read More]

on 07/7/11 | No Comments | Read More

Spotting Psychopaths in the Workplace

One of my favorite books is Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe:  A Novel.  There is a chapter that starts out talking about how a complete stranger is the only person to spot that an a...[Read More]

on 06/30/11 | 20 Comments | Read More

Conflict in the workplace: Introduction to Psychopaths, Sociopaths and Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Psychopath.  Sociopath.  Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).  Whatever you want to call it, in the workplace, these individuals are poison and prey upon their coworkers as means to get an end ....[Read More]

on 06/30/11 | 3 Comments | Read More