Gargantuan
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Understanding neurotypicals and neurodivergents
It has been a while since I last created a high-effort thread, but I felt compelled to write this one as this myth of ‘’NTmaxxing’’ needs to die out.
To preface, this thread is not an attack on those who preach about the supposed "importance" of being neurotypical. Instead, it aims to dismantle misconceptions that one can magically "become" neurotypical through superficial strategies or behavioural changes.
The neurological wiring of any individual is SET IN STONE and cannot be altered through actions. This thread will explore the differences between neurotypicals and neurodivergents and delve into the cognitive and cultural dynamics that highlight why NTmaxxing is a flawed pursuit.
What are neurotypical people?
Within neurodiversity, neurotypicals (NTs, also colloquially referred to as normies) are individuals whose neurological wiring aligns with societal norms, enabling them to function smoothly in structured environments. They represent the overwhelming majority of the population in any given context. Neurotypicals excel at adhering to the status quo (irrespective of what that may be), hierarchies, and social cues.
Characteristics:
- Hierarchical nature: NTs operate within pyramid-like social systems, where rank, authority, and power balances dominate social and workplace dynamics.
- Mental shortsightedness: Their thought processes focus on immediate and tangible concerns. Abstract, long-term, or large-scale consequences often fall outside their scope of consideration.
- Blind social conformity: NTs thrive on shared norms, valuing harmony and predictability over critical evaluation or innovation.
Consider their stance on the COVID-19 vaccines, a few years ago.
NTs all rushed to take it, citing the immediate benefits of taking the jab: being able to travel and go to gyms, restaurants, clubs etc. without even considering the long-term ramifications and/or the damage that these experimental and unproven vaccines could end up doing to their bodies.
This reflects an inability and/or unwillingness to think beyond their immediate needs and scope.
What are neurodivergent people?
Within neurodiversity, neurodivergents (NDs) include those with a wide range of atypical neurological traits or conditions. This group spans individuals with autism, ADHD, and other "non-standard" ways of thinking and perceiving the world. Neurodivergents often demonstrate exceptional creativity, analytical abilities, and a propensity for groundbreaking innovation.
Characteristics:
- Big-picture thinking: Neurodivergents often analyse situations holistically, considering far-reaching implications and multi-layered outcomes.
- Innovation and creativity: They are disproportionately represented among inventors and pioneers of revolutionary ideas and technologies.
- Struggle with norms: Their divergence from societal norms can create friction, particularly in structured, hierarchical environments.
Going back to the COVID-19 vaccines, the neurodivergent approach was vastly different: NDs approached it with far more caution, scrutinizing the lack of long-term data and the unprecedented speed of its development.
This reflects their tendency toward analytical thinking and prioritizing potential future risks over immediate benefits. While this scepticism may seem overly cautious to NTs, it stems from a focus on broader implications and a need for a more thorough understanding before acting.
There are a lot of substances that are known to cause cancer that we could do very well without like glues, construction materials, and other stuff like that that we have perfectly viable alternatives for, but that are also still produced and used by the millions gladly by NTs.
And if you're going to tell them about the dangers and propose them alternatives, in general, they'll just laugh it off and say you're crazy. They just won't do what should be done.
There are so many large-scale common problems for which the solutions are already there and that the NTs just aren't interested in applying because they fall outside of the consensus.
Within any given society, there's always a dynamic at play whereby a part of humanity is able to understand and invent technologies that the other part cannot understand. Most inventors are not normal/NT people, but rather NDs.
For instance, take pesticides. The chemists who invent pesticides can identify most of the effects they will have on a wide variety on things, not just on pests.
Biologists can also understand the effects, but the NTs cannot. The NT goes to the shop, wants something that kills the bugs, and then sprays it on the crops.
They will not think, and even if they do think about it, will not understand the wider implications of applying pesticides such as health risks and the negative impact it will have on the rest of the ecosystem.
And if you're going to tell them about the dangers and propose them alternatives, in general, they'll just laugh it off and say you're crazy. They just won't do what should be done.
There are so many large-scale common problems for which the solutions are already there and that the NTs just aren't interested in applying because they fall outside of the consensus.
Within any given society, there's always a dynamic at play whereby a part of humanity is able to understand and invent technologies that the other part cannot understand. Most inventors are not normal/NT people, but rather NDs.
For instance, take pesticides. The chemists who invent pesticides can identify most of the effects they will have on a wide variety on things, not just on pests.
Biologists can also understand the effects, but the NTs cannot. The NT goes to the shop, wants something that kills the bugs, and then sprays it on the crops.
They will not think, and even if they do think about it, will not understand the wider implications of applying pesticides such as health risks and the negative impact it will have on the rest of the ecosystem.
Why NTmaxxing is a myth
Now that we’ve established the basic framework let’s extrapolate this further, using the forum as a case study.
If you’re on this forum, especially if you've been here for a prolonged period, it’s safe to conclude that you are NOT neurotypical and NEVER will be.
The very existence of these spaces, a form of "neurodivergent social media", arises because traditional social media platforms often fail to resonate with ND thought processes.
Yet, many users desperately cling to the belief that they can somehow transform into NTs through external means like "NTmaxxing"
But this belief misunderstands the very essence of ND and NT cognitive styles.
Just think about it, the very idea of a ''blackpilled'' community does NOT stem from NT minds and their subsequent wiring but instead, stems from ND minds since they view the world on a different level
The same principle could be applied to the redpill
, as it also niche and falls beyond the scope of conventional, neurotypical wiring Additionally, a trait that is highly common in these places, is the rigid adherence to the continuously perpetuated systems, rules and guidelines that operate with the PSL sphere rules and guidelines.
A behaviour commonly associated with individuals on the autism spectrum:
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism, are also prone to viewing the world in black-and-white terms.
This binary mode of thinking manifests in a failure to recognize nuance since in reality, there will also be shades of grey.
For example, many users here dismissively categorize traits or strategies as either entirely good or entirely bad.
Coincidentally, only half of the users who participated in the Looksmax.org 2024 survey were able to confirm that they are not on the autism spectrum:
The forum survey also revealed that 8.2% of the participants confirmed they are on the autism spectrum, a figure that is approximately 192.86% higher than the 2.8% prevalence rate observed in the United States, the largest demographic contributor to the forum.
Globally, this percentage is 720% higher than the 1% global prevalence rate:
To further illustrate this, they will oversimplify concepts, declaring:
- ''blue eyes good, brown eyes bad''
- ''jaw is law/eyes are the price’’
- ‘’6’3 or below is manlet’’
This black-and-white thinking can also be applied to behaviour:
- ‘’Just NTmaxx and you will get girls, bro’’
Rather than striving to become something that you're not, you would unironically be better off embracing your unique strengths.
Bottomline: genetic determinism
Neurodivergence is not a choice. It stems from deeply rooted neurological differences that manifest as introspection, introversion, and even melancholia (all very common here). Historically, these traits were adaptive, providing unique insights and roles in cooperative communities.
But today, in a hyper-conformist and individualistic world, these traits often seem maladaptive. As society shifts toward rewarding sociability and immediate gratification, ND traits - like long-term thinking - are increasingly undervalued.
Despite the challenges posed by modern society, NDs can thrive by building systems suited to their cognitive styles and leveraging their strengths rather than striving to emulate NTs. To do this, you must understand and accept NTs as they are
Conversely to trying to emulate NTs, the other major mistake NDs will make is to project their desires, values, and ways of thinking onto NTs.
Neurotypicals are not going to change because you want them to, nor are they equipped to think beyond their immediate mental horizons. Instead of wishing they were different, neurodivergents must learn to observe neurotypicals objectively - almost like a zoologist studying a different species:
Neurotypicals function in their narrow hierarchical systems and transactional mentalities. Once you accept this as an unchangeable reality, you WILL be able to handle them more effectively and without frustration.
You can’t force neurotypicals to think holistically, but you can learn to work within their systems to achieve better outcomes.
Rather than striving to become something they are not, neurodivergents thrive by embracing their unique strengths and building systems suited to their own cognitive styles, avoiding the pitfalls of black-and-white ideologies
The changing world may appear to marginalize ND traits, but the solution is not to conform to NT norms, nor is to try and change or convert NTs into your way of thinking.
Instead, it is to acknowledge and harness the unique value of these traits in ways that align with their intrinsic strengths.
