Aspies For Freedom

Just because people don't quote you doesn't mean they are not listening or that you lack credibility. Some comments  just make for better "sound bites" maybe.

But if what you are looking for is an actual critique, here is one perspective:

1. I'd aim for shorter commentary - a lot of the longer stuff gets skipped over by some who have difficulty mounting the wall of text. There is a whole audience you may be missing. Also, as words go less is often more.  Succinct often offers greater impact.

2. Portray greater confidence in yourself ... or at least in what you are saying.  Go back and read some of your posts. I recently noticed you often downplay the importance of what you are saying within the text of the post itself. If you are not sure of the value of what you have to offer then why should anyone else be?

On the flip side, I will tell you I have seen a lot of both BS and unkindness thrown around, both real world and on line, that seems to get largely adopted by others simply because the individual professing it comes across as knowledgable and sure of him/herself.  I personally prefer the text offering where the words/ideas behind it need be judged solely on their merit.

3. Offer/originate your own thread such as you did here.

Having stated the negatives I'll also state the positives:

1. Your sincerity shines through in all your posts.
2. There are no airs about you.
3. I can recall no instance of your attacking another person as person.

For what it is worth I do read you.  While I sometimes find it hard to relate to your perspective, simply because I live/experience differently, I do take it into consideration, most especially when looking at how ideas plays out for those across the entire spectrum.

Hope this helps.

hm...so Batman, as you view it, which people would be top on the pecking order?

not counting mods and adminds, for obvious reasem

Batman, your posts are almost always insightful, if sometimes a little too harsh on yourself.

B"H

Batman55,

I hope that my words are meaningful to you.  I do not know what is going on through PM, since, frankly, I am not part of any "gang."  I am thinking of forming one, however.  I would call it e^2, or the "e squared boy'z".(-:

Seriously, I honestly do not see you as being anything other than a valuable contributor.  I see you as a valuable, contributing member of the AFF community.  Other than beating up on yourself, which is not healthy, I cannot see any negativity coming from you.  We have had our disagreements, but I think that you and I have been able to resolve them.  

There is another perspective on this.  Frankly, I am not "high up there" either.  To me, that is a *GOOD* thing.  It means that I am kept separate.  Separate in Hebrew is KDSh, which also implies holiness.  By being separate, you are kept apart from sin.  If you are separate, then you might be preserved spiritually.  In my life, I am glad that I did not follow a majority to commit evil.  (Exodus 23:2, in what you would term "The Old Testament")

A lot of people here are upset that they cannot find girlfriends or boyfriends.  My best suggestion is to refrain from sex until marriage, whether to a fellow Spectrumite or to a sympathetic and loving NT.  That is something that is part of being "KDSh", or separate in a holy sense.

And, as for the politics, I agree with Batman55 and others when they take me to task for getting too caught up in political subjects.  My statements had a time and place.  I was right to make them then, and, having made my point, I will rest my case. I have said what I need to say on those subjects.

Thanks again,

ATM: No, but I'm pretty far up there!  And, that's sometimes the best thing.

ATM: Well, I understand.  But, being separate may be a starting point.  It is a chance to make a decision about one's life philosophy.  If one does not make it, then yes, we become self-destructive.  

I know from experience.  I don't want to go there anymore, but I do know it.  As for me, I agree with the others.  I don't see any deficiencies in your posts.  Honestly, this is not condescension.  I do not see anything "lesser" about them.  Period.

Batman, I love your posts. They have never seemed unintelligent to me in any way. And furthermore, I admire that you have the courage to stand up for your views, even though you don't have a lot of confidence in them.

I do know what you mean, although it's much worse in real life.  I have always had a lot of trouble with timing in conversations.  Often I just can't get in or when I think of something the conversation has moved on.  The worst thing though is when I do get in and everyone is looking at me expecting something worthwhile to be said, which makes me nervous.  So yes, I'm fairly low on the pecking order in real life.  Always will be I suspect, except with those few people who I feel comfortable with.

You're not low on the pecking order here.  You are noticed.  You have quite a few of the regular well-liked posters who like you, which makes you included.  So don't worry, this is a place where you have been accepted.

I will point out that for me I don't respond to you often because you have attacked me on a few occasions and I don't like putting myself out there for being attacked.  I know you might attack me now as well, but I thought I'd be honest with you, because you asked.
  
I feel that you need to stop comparing yourself to other people.  This is the problem.  This is what leads you to attacking others.  I know you're not stupid and I'm certain everyone here knows that. I just wish that you could see that about yourself.  Everyone has things about themselves that make them doubt their intelligence... they are natural flaws.  But be prepared to acknowledge the things you are good at.

Batman, your commentary is often the most direct and to the point statement on a thread.  I might not always agree with *anyone*, but your commentary often causes me to look at ideas in a new light.  Please keep posting.  

I also have "timing issues" in conversations, "real life" and online.

This can be a problem, in an 8..12 hour period often things have moved on to the point where to refer back several pages can make nonsense of a discussion.

I don't know why you are worried Batman, except that I think that we perceive ourselves differently to the way that others do.  
I certainly find many of your posts interesting, insightful & to the point. You question things which is good, some people don't have the courage to do this. ( me for instance )

Batman,
I always enjoying reading your posts

People tell me all the time that my son doesnt "look" autistic. I ask them " What does autism look like"? Kinda fun to watch them try to figure out the answer

You stated your intention in writing this thread as wanting to figure out how to gain credibility. This thread has done far more than that. It serves to validate the credibility you already have. A lot.

Lack of sincerity/honesty is not one of my particular faults Batman, rather it appears I bear tendency for precipitous judgment and action... an equally cardinal sin.

I am working on it.

I know what you mean Batman- although admittedly it's worse in real life. (I've got a couple of noisy aunts, and if theyre talking I can't get a word in edgeways) Do you think that you could be thinking you're being ignored on here even if you aren't because of you being ignored in real life? I know that if soemthing goes wrong for me, then I feel like EVERYTHING's gone wrong and everybody hates me. In that state of mind you can take things very personally and see hostility everywhere, so if you have that then there's one explanation.

Also there is a chance you were:
a) Posting in a cliquey thread. I haven't noticed any cliques on AFF, but then I don't notice much so there could be some. If there are cliques ganging togther in one thread then I've heard that they tend to blank anyone who isn't in the Club.
b) Posting late in a discussion where your point had already been made.
c) Sometimes it's just one of those things. If you post and then somebody posts a minute later with a more detailed argument then they might be the ones who get the replies. That isn't anything personal and happens to everybody. Likewise, if you post something serious in a thread, and it turns out that everyone just wants to make jokes then you may be blanked.
d) It might not be intentional at all. I know that I don't really take much notice of other posters over a long period of time. I don't mean that in a nasty way at all, I just don't as a rule recognise others' posting styles, remember everything they've posted, know exactly who posted what in any given thread and post on long threads for ages- I tend to di in and out. I struggle to keep track of what I've posted. How am I meant to keep track of the rest of the forum as well?
I think loads of people are probably like this, and if they are then they are unlikely to realise who they're blanking and who they're not. They may not even know or remember that they replied to you in the first place.

I've never seen you as the sort of person who'd get blanked, you're quite a regular poster. I can't say anything else because, as I said, I'm crap at untangling posters and noticing certain posting styles and being able to put a name to them.

Earlier on in this thread I read that you have a habit of putting down your own opinion. That isn't a good idea. If people are backing an argument up, they back up the strong arguments. If people are challenging an argument then they challenge the strong ones that are challenging them harder. If you discount your own argument then you might get overshadowed by people who are more sure of themselves.

Jesus Christ, I've just realised I sound like my Dad!

Sorry if I was a bit blunt at any point in this post- it's one AM and my literacy skills aren't at their best.