Re: Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal (radio programs)

On Wed, 4 Jun 2025 16:06:54 +0000, Kerr-Mudd, John wrote:

On Wed, 04 Jun 2025 05:12:34 -0230
David Dalton <dalton@nfld.com> wrote:
>

Tonight on CBC Radio One on Ideas they broadcast the first part of
Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal . Both parts are available at
>
https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-neurodiversity-adhd-evolutionary-
advantage-1.6447090
>
or, since that may be hard-wrapped across two lines, at
>
https://tinyurl.com/avfe7bj5
>
The programs discuss the evolutionary advantages of having
members of society who have conditions such as autism,
ADHD, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and schizophrenia.
>

>
Well, we've had ^w^w have leaders with lack of empathy big time.

I object to the way these objections to __normal__ are framed.
Normal exists. It is, essentially, a mathematical concept that
characterizes a distribution. But that's all it is.
The problem is the association of __normal__ with default value
propositions such as 'it is better to be normal'.
The athletes who win Olympic gold metals are rarely _normal_
in their abilities. Examples where wee can assign a value
proposition across a bell curve distribution are fairly easy
to come up with. But this is a context specific value proposition.
The fastest sprinter might not be best if the race is long.
Being _normal_ between better at short distance or long is not
innately good or bad.
In a broader context with relevance to evolution, populations
that maintain diversity across many features are likely a good
thing. It is important to note that this applies as a value
proposition to a _population_, as opposed to individuals.
That can be a difficult conceptual frame of reference shift
to grapple with for some people.
For example, when a population is threatened by a new virus,
or a change in environment, having individuals who are different
from the most typical phenotypes (the normal ones) can enhance
the potential for some members of the population to survive or
even thrive under the changed environment.
And as mentioned, having diverse "not normal" perspectives
has potential advantages to a society (analog of population)
respective to innovation, as in the offered example of
making creative scientific advancements.
Yours in pressingly pushing evolutionary perspective,
JND