Hypersensitivity

[Autindividual]

It's kind of interesting that so far, there really isn't much being
mentioned about hypersensitivity. From what I've read, it's supposedly
common among the neuroexceptional i.e. autistic, and is credited for our
abilities in the areas of close attention to detail and the stimulation
of talent in the sciences and arts.

But in nt-typical disparagement of the "wonderfully wired"
neuroexceptional, it's usually suggested or otherwise implied that we're
somehow incapable of appreciating much less enjoying stimulation like
'normal' individuals are, so as to imply that we're not interested in it
at all, when in fact, our hypersensitivity enables us to Potentially
appreciate and enjoy it to a far greater extent than most (nt) others.

Case in point - a very interesting device often crudely if not
inaccurately referred to as a "hug machine":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine

I've seen descriptions of this most interesting device, more properly
known as a "crush", which imply that autistic individuals would rather be
'hugged' by a machine rather than another person (hence the use of silly,
stupid, Offensive terms like 'emo retard') when in all honesty, it's
quite obvious that what hypersensitive individuals really need is to be
stimulated PROPERLY, the RIGHT way - and that Requires INDIVIDUAL
CONSIDERATION and ATTENTION, something nt Depersonalization 'society' is
Notorious for IGNORING, hence the desire for a "crush" machine because
the individual actually gets to control it in real time and thus adjust
it for maximum comfort.

I'd love to experience this fascinating device for myself. Has anyone out
here, or anyone they may know, ever experienced it? It sounds very
pleasant.

I'm extremely hypersensitive in all senses, or "channels" as I like to
call them, but particularly so in the tactile and auditory "channels". I
remember being born and I believe that was because of the traumatically
intense stiumlation of all senses I was bombarded with from all angles
and sides the moment I entered this alien world.

I discovered at a very early age that I could take two positions with
regards to sensory stiumlation - I could run, or try to, away from it,
which was practically impossible, and I'd probably go crazy in the futile
process, or I could start embracing it and learning everything I could
about it and probably learn to live with it with my sanity, or most of it
;) intact. Happily, I chose the latter alternative and matched my
hypersensitivity with hypersensuality, becoming a sensualist in the
process, an important coping mechanism that not only enabled me to live
with hypersensitivity, but actually learn to enjoy it.

Fact is that I really CAN enjoy being stiumlated - all the things the nt
Bigots like to pretend we don't like. I love being held, and touched
***IF*** and that's a Very BIG ***IF*** and ONLY IF it's done Right! If
not, I'll bolt, or otherwise violently withdraw instantly from the
stiumlation.

Has anyone else out here experienced similar conditions?

[Nick Cramer]

Post by Autindividual
It's kind of interesting that so far, there really isn't much being
mentioned about hypersensitivity. From what I've read, it's supposedly
common among the neuroexceptional i.e. autistic, and is credited for our
abilities in the areas of close attention to detail and the stimulation
of talent in the sciences and arts.
[ . . . . ]

Many 'nt's have autie traits, as well.

[Autindividual]

Post by Nick Cramer
Many 'nt's have autie traits, as well.

Definitely, they're not quite as 'nt' as they're Expected to be ;)

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Nick Cramer
Many 'nt's have autie traits, as well.

Definitely, they're not quite as 'nt' as they're Expected to be ;)

How does Expected differ from expected or eXpected?

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
How does Expected differ from expected or eXpected?

That's called capitalization, where a capital letter us used for the
first letter of the word. The purpose is to indicate importance of the
capitalized word. The idea and Objective behind all the hype about autism
is to achieve greater Conformity, conducive to greater Uniformity,
conducive to greater Compliance, conducive to greater Control of ALL
individuals through the prospctive Manipulators' favorite means,
Depersonalization through various forms of Corecion to Behave as They
Expect us to - according to Their Designed and Designated Standard of
what They have Decided is to be 'Typical' Behavior - NeuroTypical
Behavior.

Perhaps, if They, those Intent on Manipulating and Controlling us for
Their own purposes, ever get their way, that is, if we're Foolish enough
to Give it to Them, They may one day realize Their dream of Eliminating
anything that might cause any of us to be different on a genetic level
ala Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World", but until then, far and way THE
most Blatant single factor in all of this in Practice is Behavior. Thus,
we are Expected to behave as They have planned. In other words, we are
all Expected to Behave according to the NeuroTypical Standard and
cooperate with our own Depersonalization by ignoring or otherwise
forsaking our own Individuality.

While it's a well known fact that those naturally inclined to autistic
behavior are often if not usually quite capable of much nt behavior,
whether by mimicry or actual adjustment, the reverse is also true, that
those naturally inclined to nt behavior are also quite capable of much
autistic behavior, whether by mimicry or actual adjustment.

But so long as those who see themselves as our SLAVEMASTERS are being
Given the upper hand, They will Expect Their nt Behavior - from Everyone
of us, and they'll Coerce it through whatever means they can, including
calling nt behavior 'normal' and 'cool', and holding it up as a role
model, or calling autistic behavior 'abnormal', and 'weird', and even
'diesased' requiring 'treatment' - to MAKE us Conform.

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
How does Expected differ from expected or eXpected?

That's called capitalization, where a capital letter us used for the
first letter of the word. The purpose is to indicate importance of the
capitalized word.

Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

Who said anything about rules?

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

Who said anything about rules?

Autistics live by rules. How else would we survive? We get in trouble
when the rules are unspoken so we do not know them.

In the end, it comes down to a question: Do you write to communicate? Or
to indulge yourself?

If you want to communicate, the rules help all parties understand each
other. Those, who choose to indulge their whims and to ignore the rules,
appear unhinged and less than credible. The emphasis is worthless when
ignored.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
Autistics live by rules. How else would we survive? We get in trouble
when the rules are unspoken so we do not know them.

And yours truly has gotten into trouble over that an almost infinite
number of times since the very beginning, which is precisely why I
question the rules, as in WHOSE rules?

Post by Bob Badour
In the end, it comes down to a question: Do you write to communicate? Or
to indulge yourself?

I've always thought it was at least an attempt at communication, but as
for indulging myself by writing, my only question would be; indulge
myself in What?

Post by Bob Badour
If you want to communicate, the rules help all parties understand each
other. Those, who choose to indulge their whims and to ignore the rules,
appear unhinged and less than credible. The emphasis is worthless when
ignored.

A bit of Relatively unconventional Capitalization never hurt anybody. And
whimsy has nothing to do with it. Take a look at some of America's
original Founding documents and note the similar capitalizations there.

I had posted this thread regarding sensory hypersensitivity, but now,
it's beginning to appear that there may be another kind; capitalization
hypersensitivity - I wonder who's doing the indulging now.

[Aquarian Monkey]

Post by Bob Badour
Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

Ah, but when a word is Capitalized in the middle of a sentence and does not follow the known Rule, the brain automatically pauses--just a bit--thereby placing the desired emphasis on the word. I think the effect is probably even larger for us rule-bound folk because of the way we scan the environment for things that are Out Of The Ordinary, and our inquiring minds try to make sense of it.

The same holds true for those. pesky. periods. that people put in the middle of their sentences that help you read the cadence they intend. They do not follow the written rule, and it is the fact that they do not follow the written rule that causes the desired effect.

Clearly purposeful violations of writing conventions--IMHO--cause us to notice. And are stylistic in nature. They help to portray the writer's voice. There are many longtime posters here that I think many of us would recognize, even without their names visible, simply because of the idiosyncrasies with which they write, many of which may not necessarily follow the "rules."

[Bob Badour]

Post by Aquarian Monkey

Post by Bob Badour
Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

Ah, but when a word is Capitalized in the middle of a sentence and does not follow the known Rule, the brain automatically pauses

You assume the rest of the piece gets read.

[Nick Cramer]

Post by Bob Badour

Post by Aquarian Monkey

Post by Bob Badour
Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
language.

Ah, but when a word is Capitalized in the middle of a sentence and does
not follow the known Rule, the brain automatically pauses

You assume the rest of the piece gets read.

Or, at least, the rest of the sentence, eh? Perhaps my 'nt' is showing, but
I find your posts rather tedious, 'Bob'. ;-|

[d***@fsmail.net]

> Capitalization rules have nothing to do with importance in the English
> language.
Ah, but when a word is Capitalized in the middle of a sentence and does not follow the known Rule, the brain automatically pauses--just a bit--thereby placing the desired emphasis on the word. I think the effect is probably even larger for us rule-bound folk because of the way we scan the environment for things that are Out Of The Ordinary, and our inquiring minds try to make sense of it.
The same holds true for those. pesky. periods. that people put in the middle of their sentences that help you read the cadence they intend. They do not follow the written rule, and it is the fact that they do not follow the written rule that causes the desired effect.
Clearly purposeful violations of writing conventions--IMHO--cause us to notice. And are stylistic in nature. They help to portray the writer's voice. There are many longtime posters here that I think many of us would recognize, even without their names visible, simply because of the idiosyncrasies with which they write, many of which may not necessarily follow the "rules."

I just wish I had been taught about semi-colons at school; they are so much fun!

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Nick Cramer]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Nick Cramer
Many 'nt's have autie traits, as well.

Definitely, they're not quite as 'nt' as they're Expected to be ;)

And the older one is when one discovers it, the more one is excited by the
discovery. ;-)

[Autindividual]

Post by Nick Cramer
And the older one is when one discovers it, the more one is excited by
the discovery. ;-)

Yes, it really is possible for each of us to be ourselves ;)

I even wrote a song about that; "Be Who You Are" on my just finished rough
draft of my album "Opening A Channel".

[Autindividual]

So does this mean that there's no interest in sensory hypersensitivity?

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual
So does this mean that there's no interest in sensory hypersensitivity?

Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.

However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

If your goal is to communicate, you need to write in a manner such that
others will take the time to read what you write. If your goal is to
indulge your own emotional needs by writing things without regard to an
audience, carry on.

[d***@fsmail.net]

> So does this mean that there's no interest in sensory hypersensitivity?
>
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.
If your goal is to communicate, you need to write in a manner such that
others will take the time to read what you write. If your goal is to
indulge your own emotional needs by writing things without regard to an
audience, carry on.

For what it is worth, I thought it was OK. The capitalisation was more than I would do, but to me it is just a bit of emphasis. I don't feel it was over the top in this case. In fact, I thought it added a reasonable amount of "colour" to the post.

However, I would agree with you that it is worth conforming to norms if you want to maximise readership. There are different types of bad habits that would put me off.

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Autindividual]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
For what it is worth, I thought it was OK. The capitalisation was more
than I would do, but to me it is just a bit of emphasis. I don't feel
it was over the top in this case. In fact, I thought it added a
reasonable amount of "colour" to the post.
However, I would agree with you that it is worth conforming to norms
if you want to maximise readership. There are different types of bad
habits that would put me off.
Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

Another BIG reason why I write like this is because without it, it's
monotone and unless I'm extremely depressed, I tend to be a very 'bubbly'
person and since I am so hyper, any time I get excited, and that happens so
very easily, I inflect a lot more than usual when I speak, so why would I
suddenly abandon that when I write postings?

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by d***@fsmail.net
For what it is worth, I thought it was OK. The capitalisation was more
than I would do, but to me it is just a bit of emphasis. I don't feel
it was over the top in this case. In fact, I thought it added a
reasonable amount of "colour" to the post.
However, I would agree with you that it is worth conforming to norms
if you want to maximise readership. There are different types of bad
habits that would put me off.
Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

Another BIG reason why I write like this is because without it, it's
monotone and unless I'm extremely depressed, I tend to be a very 'bubbly'
person and since I am so hyper, any time I get excited, and that happens so
very easily, I inflect a lot more than usual when I speak, so why would I
suddenly abandon that when I write postings?

Separating bubbly from manic is difficult enough in person. Impossible
in text.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
Separating bubbly from manic is difficult enough in person. Impossible
in text.

I've posted quite a lot here, you should know me by now, at least insomuch
as is possible with disembodied text.

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Separating bubbly from manic is difficult enough in person. Impossible
in text.

I've posted quite a lot here, you should know me by now, at least insomuch
as is possible with disembodied text.

And I haven't read quite a lot of it. As soon as I see a large block of
text Shouting, I move on.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

It's not really shouting. This particular method only offers two choices,
lower case and upper case, with nothing in between those two, so there
really aren't any other choices other than what practically amounts to
binary, since that's what only two choices come to, a one or a zero, upper
case or lower case, set or reset, on or off, important or unimportant,
therefore I tend to use case selection to convey that as best as a simple
binary system can. Now, if a much more complex code could be developed
here, perhaps hexadecimel, there would be more choices, but also more
difficulty working with it. So rather than thinking of the use of caps as
shouting, I regard the withholding or otherwise absense of caps as
whispering, muttering, or otherwise being the 'equivalent' of quiet and
therefore indicating a lack of importance, that's how I look at it...the
other side of the coin.

Post by Bob Badour
If your goal is to communicate, you need to write in a manner such that
others will take the time to read what you write. If your goal is to
indulge your own emotional needs by writing things without regard to an
audience, carry on.

I write the way I write, and the way I write is as personal and individual
as the rest of me, whether it's postingss, engineering evaluations, songs,
or anything else.

And speaking of engineering evaluations, I always wrote, or rather printed
them in all caps because they were easier to see and to read, just like
here. Handwriting would be out of the question, nobody would be able to
read it, sometimes even including myself.

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

It's not really shouting.

That's how others perceive it. Communication demands painting the
intended picture in another mind--not just any picture.

The most persuasive prose enumerates facts: brevity, active voice, and
nouns unembellished and unadorned by emphasis, adjective or adverb.

Less is more.

A quiet voice grabs attention.

Post by Autindividual
So rather than thinking of the use of caps as
shouting, I regard the withholding or otherwise absense of caps as
whispering, muttering, or otherwise being the 'equivalent' of quiet and
therefore indicating a lack of importance, that's how I look at it...the
other side of the coin.

quiet prose compels...

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
If your goal is to communicate, you need to write in a manner such that
others will take the time to read what you write. If your goal is to
indulge your own emotional needs by writing things without regard to an
audience, carry on.

I write the way I write, and the way I write is as personal and individual
as the rest of me

In other words, you write to indulge yourself. The rest of us matter not
a whit.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
That's how others perceive it. Communication demands painting the
intended picture in another mind--not just any picture.

Not everyone, I certainly don't, and there are those who write personal
messages to me who regularly use caps to accentuate - and I'm not in the
least offended because I recognize that they feel strongly about certain
things and in a manner somewhat similar to my own, often use caps to
express it.

Post by Bob Badour
The most persuasive prose enumerates facts: brevity, active voice, and
nouns unembellished and unadorned by emphasis, adjective or adverb.

I've found that it's those embellishments and adornments that add interest,
not unlike adding spice to food, to what would otherwise be quite bland. I
certainly do it in my music, adding various 'chops' rather than playing or
singing blandly and quietly all the time. Besides, all I'm doing is being
myself, and considering what this ng is about, the last place I should be
getting any static about it is HERE!

I even wrote a song about it on my "Opening A Channel" album, entitled; "Be
Who You Are", an excerpt from the second verse:

"...just being yourself and living life in the spirit of laissez faire,
yet there're some who seem to think you're doin' somethin' that you
shouldn't dare..."

Post by Bob Badour
Less is more.

And:

war is peace

freedom is slavery

ignorance is strength

1984 is one of my favorite books, so I'm well aware of Orwellian Newspeak
and philosophy, I just don't happen to agree with it, because I'm into
Freedom and Liberty.

Post by Bob Badour
A quiet voice grabs attention.

If only advertizers would adopt that view! But they don't - ever wonder
why?

Post by Bob Badour
quiet prose compels...

Often boredom.

Post by Bob Badour
In other words, you write to indulge yourself. The rest of us matter
not a whit.

If that's how you Personally Choose to regard my unconventional approach
and nonconformity, well, you're the beholder. I've been hearing messages
like that in one form or another constantly for practically my entire life
- always someone trying to change me from being who I am, to being like
everyone else. But isn't there a rather strong element of Hypocrisy there,
particularly in view of what this ng is about?

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
That's how others perceive it. Communication demands painting the
intended picture in another mind--not just any picture.

Not everyone, I certainly don't, and there are those who write personal
messages to me who regularly use caps to accentuate - and I'm not in the
least offended because I recognize that they feel strongly about certain
things and in a manner somewhat similar to my own, often use caps to
express it.

Post by Bob Badour
The most persuasive prose enumerates facts: brevity, active voice, and
nouns unembellished and unadorned by emphasis, adjective or adverb.

I've found that it's those embellishments and adornments that add interest,

Suit yourself. plonk!

[astri]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

It's not really shouting. This particular method only offers two
choices, lower case and upper case, with nothing in between those

there is also emphasis via the use of *asterisks* or _underline_.
generally on usenet, shouting is expressed via ALL CAPS.

i don't use any caps. it's faster. i don't have to bother much with the
shift key. and i like that it's quiet.

<shrug>

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Phil W Lee]

Post by astri

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

It's not really shouting. This particular method only offers two
choices, lower case and upper case, with nothing in between those

there is also emphasis via the use of *asterisks* or _underline_.

I believe the convention is that those represent bold and underline,
respectively, and it is also possible to use /italics/ as an
alternative form of emphasis.

Post by astri
generally on usenet, shouting is expressed via ALL CAPS.

Yeah, it's a good way of making any text almost, but not quite,
entirely unreadable.

Post by astri
i don't use any caps. it's faster. i don't have to bother much with the
shift key. and i like that it's quiet.
<shrug>
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Bob Badour]

Post by Phil W Lee

Post by astri

Post by Autindividual

Post by Bob Badour
Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
interest is certainly present.
However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
suspect almost everyone else does too.

It's not really shouting. This particular method only offers two
choices, lower case and upper case, with nothing in between those

there is also emphasis via the use of *asterisks* or _underline_.

I believe the convention is that those represent bold and underline,
respectively, and it is also possible to use /italics/ as an
alternative form of emphasis.

Post by astri
generally on usenet, shouting is expressed via ALL CAPS.

Yeah, it's a good way of making any text almost, but not quite,
entirely unreadable.

And all of the above are synonyms for shouting as the cranks learn that
one is shouting and the others are "emphasis", which is, of course, what
shouting is.

Post by Phil W Lee

Post by astri
i don't use any caps. it's faster. i don't have to bother much with the
shift key. and i like that it's quiet.
<shrug>
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Aquarian Monkey]

Post by Bob Badour
And all of the above are synonyms for shouting as the cranks learn that
one is shouting and the others are &quot;emphasis&quot;, which is, of course, what
shouting is.

Emphasis is not shouting. No way. No how. If we were face-to-face I could give you all kinds of emphasis without ever raising my voice. That's what cadence and prosody are all about.

When I was a kid growing up, my probably Aspie dad forbid perfume. At the time I just thought he was being a jackass, but now I know he really couldn't tolerate the smell and I feel bad for thinking he was a jackass because of it.

[toto]

On Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:03:23 -0700 (PDT), Aquarian Monkey

Post by Aquarian Monkey

Post by Bob Badour
And all of the above are synonyms for shouting as the cranks learn that
one is shouting and the others are &quot;emphasis&quot;, which is, of course, what
shouting is.

Emphasis is not shouting. No way. No how. If we were face-to-face I could give you all kinds of emphasis without ever raising my voice. That's what cadence and prosody are all about.
When I was a kid growing up, my probably Aspie dad forbid perfume. At the time I just thought he was being a jackass, but now I know he really couldn't tolerate the smell and I feel bad for thinking he was a jackass because of it.

AQ can you fix your line wrap?

[Buzzard]

Post by Aquarian Monkey

Post by Bob Badour
And all of the above are synonyms for shouting as the cranks learn that
one is shouting and the others are&quot;emphasis&quot;, which is, of course, what
shouting is.

Emphasis is not shouting. No way. No how. If we were face-to-face
I could give you all kinds of emphasis without ever raising my voice.
That's what cadence and prosody are all about.

I haven't read the whole thread, far from it;
But i do see a distinction:

If entire sentences are capitalized, I would definitely
see that as shouting. A rather long phrase, even.

But if its only one word or a very short phrase that
is in caps, then I tend to see it as calling attention
to that word or phrase as being what is important in
the paragraph, rather than something else; used well,
it could prevent misunderstandings before they happen.

At what point you draw the line is a bit subjective.

...

As for the topic, yeah, I know I'm hypersensitive to
noises, enough so that other people have noticed it
(and ridiculed me for it).

[Autindividual]

Post by Buzzard
As for the topic, yeah, I know I'm hypersensitive to
noises, enough so that other people have noticed it
(and ridiculed me for it).

That is so obnoxious - just goes to show just how Inherently Intolerant the
Uniformity of the NT Standard really is. I get ridiculed for it in my own
home just for mentioning it. My brother seems to think I'm 'proud' of a
'weakness', which I've explained over and over is Not a weakness, but
rather what I now consider to be a unique strength.

I'm hypersensitive in all "channels" aka senses, and particularly so in the
tactile and auditory "channels". But I've learned to successfully not only
cope with it, but to actually appreciate and enjoy it.

I've long since learned that hypersensitivity can not only be most
unpleasant, it can also be extremely pleasant - in other words Bad stimuli
and Good stimuli...and since I've been into 'stimming', and experimenting
and exploring sensation since just about day one of my existence, I've
learned that Good, Pleasant stimuli can be downright Awesome, which can
more than offset the horrendous instances of it, such as I had mentioned in
the beginning of this thread. Overall, the most basic concept of coping
with hypersensitivity by hypersensuality is to be able to more than counter
the unpleasant stimuli with a very pleasant variety and at least for
myself, that approach works very well.

For example, after I had been caught off guard, not mentally prepared for
that Horrible loud sound of the "L" train passing overhead, upon arriving
home, I switched on my keyboards and played for quite some time,
essentially 'washing' most of the horror of that noisy train out of my
"neurosphere" and replacing it with the infinitely more pleasant sounds of
a concert grand piano and Hammond B3 organ, plus the Wonderful tactile
sensation of the keys on my fingers, and it worked great - no bad dreams! I
highly recommend a similar approach.

[d***@fsmail.net]

Post by Autindividual
I'm hypersensitive in all "channels" aka senses, and particularly so in the
tactile and auditory "channels". But I've learned to successfully not only
cope with it, but to actually appreciate and enjoy it.

I am quite sensitive to some sounds. Something I find very difficult to manage is the sound of someone other than myself eating an apple. I don't like either the bite or the sound of them eating it.

The person who sits next to me at work an apple every day. However, fortunately they eat it very quickly (less than a minute) so either I tolerate it or I take the opportunity to go for a short walk. However, the person I used to sit next to in a different employment ate their daily apple incredibly slowly (it must have taken them over 10 minutes). It became increasingly frustrating for me as I didn't feel anyone would understand if I tried to do anything about it (e.g. ask the person politely if they would mind eating their apple someone else or asking if I could swap desks with someone).

I feel that there should be general etiquette that people shouldn't eat at their desks at work, at least not anything which others can smell or which makes a sound as it is eaten. (Something like cake is OK.)

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Autindividual]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I am quite sensitive to some sounds. Something I find very difficult
to manage is the sound of someone other than myself eating an apple. I
don't like either the bite or the sound of them eating it.

I've learned to eat very quietly, besides, biting into an apple the way
most people do isn't only noisy, it's also messy. I much prefer to use a
small sharp knife, slice carefully, and eat carefully ;)
And noisy eaters remind me of The Simpsons - hysterical in the animation
but not very funny, or polite, in person.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
The person who sits next to me at work an apple every day. However,
fortunately they eat it very quickly (less than a minute) so either I
tolerate it or I take the opportunity to go for a short walk. However,
the person I used to sit next to in a different employment ate their
daily apple incredibly slowly (it must have taken them over 10
minutes). It became increasingly frustrating for me as I didn't feel
anyone would understand if I tried to do anything about it (e.g. ask
the person politely if they would mind eating their apple someone else
or asking if I could swap desks with someone).

No, I'm sure they wouldn't understand, and mentioning it to them might
actually cause more problems than it might solve.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I feel that there should be general etiquette that people shouldn't
eat at their desks at work, at least not anything which others can
smell or which makes a sound as it is eaten. (Something like cake is
OK.)
Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

If they'd only do it more carefully and considerately, it wouldn't be so
bad.

[Buzzard]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I am quite sensitive to some sounds. Something I find very difficult
to manage is the sound of someone other than myself eating an apple.
I don't like either the bite or the sound of them eating it. (snip)

Sound of something metallic being schreeped across a desk:
instant cringe terrible ugh! Any loud unexpected startling
noise leaves me with a lingering unsettled feeling.
Biting into some meat and finding some gristle:
Intense wave of nausea.

[astri]

Post by Buzzard

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I am quite sensitive to some sounds. Something I find very difficult
to manage is the sound of someone other than myself eating an apple.
I don't like either the bite or the sound of them eating it. (snip)

instant cringe terrible ugh! Any loud unexpected startling
noise leaves me with a lingering unsettled feeling.
Intense wave of nausea.

sudden loud sounds

scents (especially flowery scents)

textures/touch:
anything between my fingers or toes (except my wedding band)
seams on socks
clothing tags (sometimes even the painted on "tags")
nail polish (sometimes my fingernails themselves)
makeup
ointments
any skin cream that doesn't disappear immediately
those gel hand sanitizers

visual overload

lots of food textures:
anything that squelches between my teeth (e.g., canned mushrooms)
anything slimey, especially soft and slimey
drinking anything with any amount of foam

i'm sure there's more that ai'm not thinking of right now

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Buzzard]

Post by Autindividual
For example, after I had been caught off guard, not mentally prepared for
that Horrible loud sound of the "L" train passing overhead, upon arriving
home, I switched on my keyboards and played for quite some time,
essentially 'washing' most of the horror of that noisy train out of my
"neurosphere" and replacing it with the infinitely more pleasant sounds of
a concert grand piano and Hammond B3 organ, plus the Wonderful tactile
sensation of the keys on my fingers, and it worked great - no bad dreams! I
highly recommend a similar approach.

Have you tried the new style of FM synthesis that allows
for sounds having so much variability they can be made
to seemingly evolve as you play them?

[Autindividual]

Post by Buzzard
Have you tried the new style of FM synthesis that allows
for sounds having so much variability they can be made
to seemingly evolve as you play them?

I've never even heard of such a thing. What are some of the names they go
by? I'll be sure to look them up. I have an FM synthesizer, but it's a
1980s vintage Yamaha DX7.

[Buzzard]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Buzzard
Have you tried the new style of FM synthesis that allows
for sounds having so much variability they can be made
to seemingly evolve as you play them?

I've never even heard of such a thing. What are some of the names they go
by? I'll be sure to look them up. I have an FM synthesizer, but it's a
1980s vintage Yamaha DX7.

I've been using MadTracker http://www.madtracker.org
and just typing in tunes using the PC keyboard.
But I'm sure other software can use the same kind
of plugins. Is the DX7 fixed-preset, or editable?

[Autindividual]

Post by Buzzard
I've been using MadTracker http://www.madtracker.org
and just typing in tunes using the PC keyboard.

I'd be interested in something that can be triggered by a musical
controller keyboard.

Post by Buzzard
But I'm sure other software can use the same kind
of plugins. Is the DX7 fixed-preset, or editable?

The DX7 is editable - kind of a hassle though, considering the tiny LCD
display to view it all through. On the other hand, I understand that
there are a lot of voices out there for it, but except for a few voices,
I'm not all that impressed with the sound quality, particularly where
authentic instrument sounds are concerned. Sure the strings aren't bad
but I'm into totally realistic sounds, particularly with acoustic pianos,
electric pianos, and organs, and specifically the Hammond B3 organ.

[Legal Alien]

Post by Autindividual
I'd be interested in something that can be triggered by a musical
controller keyboard.

Its raining cats and dogs here , so i decided to waste some electrons on your (re)quest ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=GSI+VB3

Cheers , Legal

[Autindividual]

Post by Legal Alien
Its raining cats and dogs here , so i decided to waste some electrons on your (re)quest ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=GSI+VB3
Cheers , Legal

Thanks, but I only have a dialup connection so I can't view anything that
requires bandwidth. Does that setup use a controller keyboard for actually
playing?

[Legal Alien]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Legal Alien
Its raining cats and dogs here , so i decided to waste some electrons
on your (re)quest ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=GSI+VB3
Cheers , Legal

Thanks, but I only have a dialup connection so I can't view anything that
requires bandwidth. Does that setup use a controller keyboard for actually
playing?

It needs a computer with low latency soundcard and midi keyboard
or a hardware VST host and the Vb3 hammond organ vts plugin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

Its a shame you cant see streaming video ,
However i do not play i listened a lot in the 80s and i enjoyed listing
to the Hammond with a Leslie box this morning
The new synthesizers are awesome , maybe you want to see some demos
played on youtube the next time you're in a town / Internet cafe ?

Cheers , Legal
--
Located 1 mile from the VDSL2 telephone exchange

loop length is 1454m
current rate upstream: 3072 kbps
impulse noise protection upstream: 2.0 symbols
current rate downstream: 26300 kbps
impulse noise protection downstream: 4.0 symbols
attainable rate upstream: 4056 kbps
attainable rate downstream: 28198 kbps

[Autindividual]

Post by Legal Alien
It needs a computer with low latency soundcard and midi keyboard
or a hardware VST host and the Vb3 hammond organ vts plugin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

Sounds interesting.

Post by Legal Alien
Its a shame you cant see streaming video ,

I'll second that!
Perhaps in the future, particularly if my album takes off ;)

Post by Legal Alien
However i do not play i listened a lot in the 80s and i enjoyed
listing to the Hammond with a Leslie box this morning
The new synthesizers are awesome , maybe you want to see some demos
played on youtube the next time you're in a town / Internet cafe ?
Cheers , Legal

Nah, I rather go to Guitar center and Sam Ash Music and jam on them
myself since I'd much rather experience them by playing them personally
because I'm so very well aware of just how awesome they are, and I'll
probably make a day of it ;)

[Autindividual]

Post by astri
there is also emphasis via the use of *asterisks* or _underline_.
generally on usenet, shouting is expressed via ALL CAPS.
i don't use any caps. it's faster. i don't have to bother much with the
shift key. and i like that it's quiet.
<shrug>
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

I sometimes use asterisks too.

[d***@fsmail.net]

Post by Autindividual
I sometimes use asterisks too.

I mistakenly used to think I used asterixes. It was Gaulling to find out.

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, sekf-diagnnosed AS)

[Bob Badour]

Post by d***@fsmail.net

Post by Autindividual
I sometimes use asterisks too.

I mistakenly used to think I used asterixes. It was Gaulling to find out.

It has been a while -- I need to get a fix.

[Aquarian Monkey]

&gt; Bob Badour &lt;&gt; wrote in news:ve-dnXeyBu88tJbNnZ2dnUVZ5u-
&gt;
&gt;&gt; Most, if not all, autistics have some form of sensory issue so the
&gt;&gt; interest is certainly present.
&gt;&gt;
&gt;&gt; However, when I see large blocks of text with lots of Shouting, I
&gt;&gt; conclude the author is a nutjob or crank and move on immediately. I
&gt;&gt; suspect almost everyone else does too.
&gt;
&gt; It&#39;s not really shouting. This particular method only offers two
&gt; choices, lower case and upper case, with nothing in between those
there is also emphasis via the use of *asterisks* or _underline_.
generally on usenet, shouting is expressed via ALL CAPS.
i don&#39;t use any caps. it&#39;s faster. i don&#39;t have to bother much with the
shift key. and i like that it&#39;s quiet.
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

Hi, Astri,

I have missed you! :)

[astri]

Post by Aquarian Monkey
Hi, Astri,
I have missed you! :)

hi. i've been too busy to have much to say. all the words get used up.

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[d***@fsmail.net]

It&#39;s kind of interesting that so far, there really isn&#39;t much being
mentioned about hypersensitivity. From what I&#39;ve read, it&#39;s supposedly
common among the neuroexceptional i.e. autistic, and is credited for our
abilities in the areas of close attention to detail and the stimulation
of talent in the sciences and arts.

OK. Here is a go at an on-topic response.

I think I have much more sensitivity in some areas than NTs, but I am not sure if I am hypersensitive. As an example, I am very ticklish, and I can't tolerate extremely loud music that many people do (e.g. at concerts), but I am not as sensitive as some people who are autistic.

I think my hearing can be quite acute though. For example, on the London Underground there is a passage at the bottom of one of the escalators towards the Northern Line. You go down some steps then along quite a long passage (maybe 50 metres?) and then turn right down some more steps. One day when I entered the passage I was just sure that there was a train waiting on the platform ahead because what I could hear was very slightly different. However, I couldn't explicitly hear any sound, it was just that the "silence" was different. So I ran and sure enough a train was waiting with the doors open (it had stopped because of a red signal).

Similar things have happened in other situations (where I sense something very slightly different) so at times it feels like a sixth sense.

But in nt-typical disparagement of the &quot;wonderfully wired&quot;
neuroexceptional, it&#39;s usually suggested or otherwise implied that we&#39;re
somehow incapable of appreciating much less enjoying stimulation like
&#39;normal&#39; individuals are, so as to imply that we&#39;re not interested in it
at all, when in fact, our hypersensitivity enables us to Potentially
appreciate and enjoy it to a far greater extent than most (nt) others.

Yes, I agree.

Case in point - a very interesting device often crudely if not
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hug_machine
I&#39;ve seen descriptions of this most interesting device, more properly
known as a &quot;crush&quot;, which imply that autistic individuals would rather be
&#39;hugged&#39; by a machine rather than another person (hence the use of silly,
stupid, Offensive terms like &#39;emo retard&#39;) when in all honesty, it&#39;s
quite obvious that what hypersensitive individuals really need is to be
stimulated PROPERLY, the RIGHT way - and that Requires INDIVIDUAL
CONSIDERATION and ATTENTION, something nt Depersonalization &#39;society&#39; is
Notorious for IGNORING, hence the desire for a &quot;crush&quot; machine because
the individual actually gets to control it in real time and thus adjust
it for maximum comfort.
I&#39;d love to experience this fascinating device for myself. Has anyone out
here, or anyone they may know, ever experienced it? It sounds very
pleasant.

I have not tried it. I have sometimes hugged inanimate objects (e.g. a rolled-up duvet) for the pressure. I haven't had a proper hug for years, but used to like them (and expect I still would).

I have sometimes wondered what it would be like to hug a tree. I haven't done so though as I think most people would think it very odd. Maybe one day if I am completely alone and if there is one the right size (and if I remember; quite an unlikely trio)!

I&#39;m extremely hypersensitive in all senses, or &quot;channels&quot; as I like to
call them, but particularly so in the tactile and auditory &quot;channels&quot;. I
remember being born and I believe that was because of the traumatically
intense stiumlation of all senses I was bombarded with from all angles
and sides the moment I entered this alien world.
I discovered at a very early age that I could take two positions with
regards to sensory stiumlation - I could run, or try to, away from it,
which was practically impossible, and I&#39;d probably go crazy in the futile
process, or I could start embracing it and learning everything I could
about it and probably learn to live with it with my sanity, or most of it
;) intact. Happily, I chose the latter alternative and matched my
hypersensitivity with hypersensuality, becoming a sensualist in the
process, an important coping mechanism that not only enabled me to live
with hypersensitivity, but actually learn to enjoy it.
Fact is that I really CAN enjoy being stiumlated - all the things the nt
Bigots like to pretend we don&#39;t like. I love being held, and touched
***IF*** and that&#39;s a Very BIG ***IF*** and ONLY IF it&#39;s done Right!

Absolutely. Firm is always good. Gentle can be stimulating. However, too gentle a touch and it can be more "painful" than a blow.

If not, I&#39;ll bolt, or otherwise violently withdraw instantly from the
stiumlation.

Being tickled was agony (and could be dangerous for the person if they tickled my feet as I would instinctively kick out and I have strong legs).

Has anyone else out here experienced similar conditions?

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Autindividual]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
OK. Here is a go at an on-topic response.

Thank you so much!

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think I have much more sensitivity in some areas than NTs, but I am
not sure if I am hypersensitive. As an example, I am very ticklish,
and I can't tolerate extremely loud music that many people do (e.g. at
concerts), but I am not as sensitive as some people who are autistic.

Interesting you should mention those two situations. My hypersensitivity
grew to such an intensity that through ages 5 and 6, the sound of a buzzing
fly would practically drive me mad - I'd run for my life to an area,
usually a room, where I thought I'd be safe - just the very thought of a
fly or other insect buzzing and/or crawling on me totally unnerved me -
until I faced my terror head-on and got into entomology, where I heard
plenty of buzzing and both handled various insects and had them crawl on
me, because through the discipline of science, I was able to reason what
was going on despite my hypersensitivity.

And I'm extremely ticklish, although I tend to believe that
hypersensitivity predisposes one to that - but I've learned to LOVE that
too, but ONLY if it's done Right ;)

I also got into sound, both as a musician and as an electroacoustics
engineer working with loudspeakers, designing them, and inventing various
loudspeaker-manufacturing equipment and procedures. This gave me more
control over the sounds I'd hear and enabled me to better cope with
auditory hypersensitivity.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think my hearing can be quite acute though. For example, on the
London Underground there is a passage at the bottom of one of the
escalators towards the Northern Line. You go down some steps then
along quite a long passage (maybe 50 metres?) and then turn right down
some more steps. One day when I entered the passage I was just sure
that there was a train waiting on the platform ahead because what I
could hear was very slightly different. However, I couldn't explicitly
hear any sound, it was just that the "silence" was different. So I ran
and sure enough a train was waiting with the doors open (it had
stopped because of a red signal).
Similar things have happened in other situations (where I sense
something very slightly different) so at times it feels like a sixth
sense.

It may be entirely possible that that's what that so-called 'sixth sense'
really is - the processing of hypersensitively-acquired input, because I
have situations happen to me like that all the time, not with the 'tube'
but other things, because hypersensitivity simply brings in so much sensory
data to be processed that otherwise undetectable patterns can become
profoundly made manifest.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Yes, I agree.

Yes indeed, hypersensitivity can have its advantages, if one bothers to
pursue them, although since that's pretty much part of coping with the
condition, one fails to see another practical alternative.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I have not tried it. I have sometimes hugged inanimate objects (e.g. a
rolled-up duvet) for the pressure. I haven't had a proper hug for
years, but used to like them (and expect I still would).

I don't think I've ever had a truly proper hug, that is, one with the right
motive, namely that I'm actually loved for being who I am as I am - been
waiting far too long for that kind. But the duvet sounds pleasant.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I have sometimes wondered what it would be like to hug a tree. I
haven't done so though as I think most people would think it very odd.
Maybe one day if I am completely alone and if there is one the right
size (and if I remember; quite an unlikely trio)!

Trees are hard and soft feels soooo much better ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Absolutely. Firm is always good. Gentle can be stimulating. However,
too gentle a touch and it can be more "painful" than a blow.

Really! I absolutely LOVE a gentle touch, it can never be too light or too
gentle and depending on how and where it's applied, the results can be
anything from so soothing to the point where I practically 'melt' to such
an intense turn-on, particularly from tickling, that it drives me crazy,
pleasantly, of course, giggling, wiggling, and screaming with delight at
even the very slightest touch, like a feedback loop ;) And anything in
between...although I do Love to be held and hugged with various levels of
firmness, by someone who truly cares, that is ;) For me it's a most
profound means of communication since it's about neurostiumlation and
hypersensitivity only makes it all that much more profound...and pleasant
too ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Being tickled was agony (and could be dangerous for the person if they
tickled my feet as I would instinctively kick out and I have strong
legs).

Real tickling should Always be pleasant, and a profound turn-on. So-called
'tickle torture' is in fact torture which uses, or rather abuses some
tickling techniques - it's disgusting to say the very least. And why so
many fixate on the feet when there are so very many other much better spots
being neglected, I just don't know ;)

[d***@fsmail.net]

It may be entirely possible that that&#39;s what that so-called &#39;sixth sense&#39;
really is - the processing of hypersensitively-acquired input, because I
have situations happen to me like that all the time, not with the &#39;tube&#39;
but other things, because hypersensitivity simply brings in so much sensory
data to be processed that otherwise undetectable patterns can become
profoundly made manifest.

Yes, that is what I expect too. I think it can happen with sight as well - noticing something that is just the tiniest bit different to the normal.

I don&#39;t think I&#39;ve ever had a truly proper hug, that is, one with the right
motive, namely that I&#39;m actually loved for being who I am as I am - been
waiting far too long for that kind. But the duvet sounds pleasant.

To me the "being loved" part doesn't matter too much. Very occasionally (about every couple of years or so) someone will take the initiative and offer a brief hug (e.g. when saying goodbye after we have met). That feels good even though there is no sexual feeling and no love (just a sort of friendship, even if that is just that they are an acquaintance I am being friendly to).

In some places there are "Cuddle Clubs" where people pay to hug strangers! Apparently it releases some chemical.

Trees are hard and soft feels soooo much better ;)

I agree, although trees have helped me in the past. I once had to attend a difficult meeting. I knew there was someone there who I had fallen out with. As I walked down the road to the building where the meeting would be held I put my hand out and just put my palm on the trunk of the tree for about 10 seconds. I didn't feel anything, but symbolically I felt I was connecting with something much more important than the subject of the meeting. I felt it helped when during the meeting they gave me hostile looks whenever I was speaking.

I have done the same since on occasion, although the last time I ended up with a hand of green slime which I felt made the experience negative overall.

&gt; Absolutely. Firm is always good. Gentle can be stimulating. However,
&gt; too gentle a touch and it can be more &quot;painful&quot; than a blow.
Really! I absolutely LOVE a gentle touch, it can never be too light or too
gentle and depending on how and where it&#39;s applied, the results can be
anything from so soothing to the point where I practically &#39;melt&#39; to such
an intense turn-on, particularly from tickling, that it drives me crazy,
pleasantly, of course, giggling, wiggling, and screaming with delight at
even the very slightest touch, like a feedback loop ;) And anything in
between...although I do Love to be held and hugged with various levels of
firmness, by someone who truly cares, that is ;) For me it&#39;s a most
profound means of communication since it&#39;s about neurostiumlation and
hypersensitivity only makes it all that much more profound...and pleasant
too ;)

I like a gentle touch. If a woman who is friendly to me touches my arm fleetingly and very gently then I typically feel very favourable towards her. This happens even when I am not attracted to them.

However, if someone's hair accidentally brushes against my face (for example, when standing on a packed train) then I do not like that at all.

I think the distinction for me is that a fairly light "dab" is OK (though the lighter it is the more it becomes not OK), but a light brush is not.

For me tickling is not at all pleasurable. I feel uncomfortable and want it to stop. Consequently I tend to thrash out. I don't think I could learn to like it even if it happened in (say) a room with lots of cotton wool padding so that I could thrash out without fear of hurting myself. I just get no pleasure out of tickling at all and always feel that it has been a very negative experience when it has happened.

Fortunately it hasn't happened for a very long time (one of the perks of being on my own). I am sorry that it is the opposite for you.

I cannot, of course, tickle myself (hardly anyone can), but I do like the very gentle touch of myself on my skin. Sometimes I will do that followed by gently scratching the area I have stimulated. Depending on the temperature, humidity, and a few other factors (including the types of food I have recently eaten) that combination of stimulation and gentle scratching can be amazing! It isn't the same as a sexual reaction, but at its best can be just as pleasurable in a different way.

Real tickling should Always be pleasant, and a profound turn-on. So-called
&#39;tickle torture&#39; is in fact torture which uses, or rather abuses some
tickling techniques - it&#39;s disgusting to say the very least. And why so
many fixate on the feet when there are so very many other much better spots
being neglected, I just don&#39;t know ;)

I think we just respond differently. I wonder if it might in part be a male / female thing. Our anatomies are different.

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Autindividual]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Yes, that is what I expect too. I think it can happen with sight as
well - noticing something that is just the tiniest bit different to
the normal.

Definitely, with all of the senses. The only two senses where I have some
attenuation is vision, because my eyes arent the best, and the olfactory,
because I have excessive mucus postnasal secretions, althoug those
"channels" are as hypersensitive as ever...and I can still detect things
visually that others with much better vision than I completely miss, and if
I wish to sample a fregrance such as perfume, I'll usually just sniff
around the bottle cap when it's tightly in place and usually, that's quite
enough.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
To me the "being loved" part doesn't matter too much. Very
occasionally (about every couple of years or so) someone will take the
initiative and offer a brief hug (e.g. when saying goodbye after we
have met). That feels good even though there is no sexual feeling and
no love (just a sort of friendship, even if that is just that they are
an acquaintance I am being friendly to).
In some places there are "Cuddle Clubs" where people pay to hug
strangers! Apparently it releases some chemical.

That chemical is most likely oxytocin, the so-called "cuddle hormone"...I'd
love to try it and see what it does. I'm forever experimenting ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I agree, although trees have helped me in the past. I once had to
attend a difficult meeting. I knew there was someone there who I had
fallen out with. As I walked down the road to the building where the
meeting would be held I put my hand out and just put my palm on the
trunk of the tree for about 10 seconds. I didn't feel anything, but
symbolically I felt I was connecting with something much more
important than the subject of the meeting. I felt it helped when
during the meeting they gave me hostile looks whenever I was speaking.
I have done the same since on occasion, although the last time I ended
up with a hand of green slime which I felt made the experience
negative overall.

Just have to check it out carefully first ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I like a gentle touch. If a woman who is friendly to me touches my arm
fleetingly and very gently then I typically feel very favourable
towards her. This happens even when I am not attracted to them.

Things similar to that, often including just hearing someone's voice, can
what I refer to as "put me under" sometimes, getting me instantly into a
soothed state, I say soothed rather than relaxed because I'm never really
relaxed, unless I receive general anestesia ;), sometimes even to the
extent of making a headache vanish instantly and completely.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
However, if someone's hair accidentally brushes against my face (for
example, when standing on a packed train) then I do not like that at
all.

I don't blame you, that's becaue of overcrowding, a Most Stressful
condition - no joy in that!

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think the distinction for me is that a fairly light "dab" is OK
(though the lighter it is the more it becomes not OK), but a light
brush is not.

I tend to regard such things in terms more related to neuroelectrodynamics,
sometimes able to be detected in part, at least insomuch as their
eminations are concerned, by Kirlian photography, which only detects a
small electrostatic portion of the energy involved. Sharks and most other
fish can also 'read' these signals via their own electrohypersensitive
lateral line. There's nothing supernatural about it, it's very natural.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
For me tickling is not at all pleasurable. I feel uncomfortable and
want it to stop. Consequently I tend to thrash out. I don't think I
could learn to like it even if it happened in (say) a room with lots
of cotton wool padding so that I could thrash out without fear of
hurting myself. I just get no pleasure out of tickling at all and
always feel that it has been a very negative experience when it has
happened.

A lot of guys are like that, they usually hate receiving but usually enjoy
administering it, but conversely, the vast majority of women, myself
definitely included, thoroughly enjoy receiving it - if it's done right ;)
Theories range from upbringing and socialization, to estrogen-induced
predisposition to being extra sensitive (and I'm already hypersensitive)
and finding it pleasurable.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Fortunately it hasn't happened for a very long time (one of the perks
of being on my own). I am sorry that it is the opposite for you.

That's mostly because Quality is so important to me ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I cannot, of course, tickle myself (hardly anyone can), but I do like
the very gentle touch of myself on my skin.

I can. I've experimented extensively with that starting around the time I
was learning to talk, and I've learned a lot...which means I can let
someone else, the right person of course, know how to do it right ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Sometimes I will do that
followed by gently scratching the area I have stimulated. Depending on
the temperature, humidity, and a few other factors (including the
types of food I have recently eaten) that combination of stimulation
and gentle scratching can be amazing! It isn't the same as a sexual
reaction, but at its best can be just as pleasurable in a different
way.

And to think that the nt misrepresentation of us once again Limits our
abilities - if they'd bother to Honestly get to know about us, they'd learn
what Real "stimming" is! And I've also explored tactile stimulation
techniques to 'neutralize' any erotic neurological conditions that may be
present, it's almost a kind of partial desensitization, to the erotic, that
is, it still feels wonderful though, just different.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think we just respond differently. I wonder if it might in part be a
male / female thing. Our anatomies are different.
Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

From what I've read so far, that's entirely possible - but are you disposed
to enjoy administer the tickling, assuming it's to a woman who loves it?

And that's only the tactile "channel", the auditory "channel" is equally
fascinating and arousing, and I enjoy the most synesthesia between the
auditory and the tactile...which is another reason why I so thoroughly
enjoy making music since to me, as I'm always telling this to the others in
my band, making love and making music is the same thing, only in different
"channels", that's all...one can be every bit as intimate and profound as
the other. I'm always explaining to other musicians, about what I refer to
as the "Love-In" effect/eperience, which was the original intent of the
Love-Ins of the '60s and '70s, usually rock concerts intended to produce a
mood, a vibe, which could have such a profound effect on everyone involved
as to bring about change. Unfortunately, it really didn't happen all that
much as there weren't enough Real hippies present, just mostly posers,
pretenders, and other phonies, i.e. plastic people. I'm trying to introduce
the band to this wonderful condition because it's literally musical
intercourse on the most profoundly intimate basis, it's awesome, and it
really changes the band members for the much better. I suspect that's why
the bands who are still together after so many years, like the Stones,
still are, because they've experience this wonderful phenomenon. Musical
orgasms are very real, and absolutely awesome!

Sensation can be wonderful, hypersensation even moreso!

[Bob Badour]

Post by Autindividual

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Yes, that is what I expect too. I think it can happen with sight as
well - noticing something that is just the tiniest bit different to
the normal.

Definitely, with all of the senses. The only two senses where I have some
attenuation is vision, because my eyes arent the best, and the olfactory,
because I have excessive mucus postnasal secretions, althoug those
"channels" are as hypersensitive as ever...and I can still detect things
visually that others with much better vision than I completely miss, and if
I wish to sample a fregrance such as perfume, I'll usually just sniff
around the bottle cap when it's tightly in place and usually, that's quite
enough.

That would be too much perfume for me. I avoid department stores because
they erect perfume barriers at their entrances.

Post by Autindividual

Post by d***@fsmail.net
To me the "being loved" part doesn't matter too much. Very
occasionally (about every couple of years or so) someone will take the
initiative and offer a brief hug (e.g. when saying goodbye after we
have met). That feels good even though there is no sexual feeling and
no love (just a sort of friendship, even if that is just that they are
an acquaintance I am being friendly to).
In some places there are "Cuddle Clubs" where people pay to hug
strangers! Apparently it releases some chemical.

That chemical is most likely oxytocin, the so-called "cuddle hormone"...I'd
love to try it and see what it does. I'm forever experimenting ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I agree, although trees have helped me in the past. I once had to
attend a difficult meeting. I knew there was someone there who I had
fallen out with. As I walked down the road to the building where the
meeting would be held I put my hand out and just put my palm on the
trunk of the tree for about 10 seconds. I didn't feel anything, but
symbolically I felt I was connecting with something much more
important than the subject of the meeting. I felt it helped when
during the meeting they gave me hostile looks whenever I was speaking.
I have done the same since on occasion, although the last time I ended
up with a hand of green slime which I felt made the experience
negative overall.

Just have to check it out carefully first ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I like a gentle touch. If a woman who is friendly to me touches my arm
fleetingly and very gently then I typically feel very favourable
towards her. This happens even when I am not attracted to them.

Things similar to that, often including just hearing someone's voice, can
what I refer to as "put me under" sometimes, getting me instantly into a
soothed state, I say soothed rather than relaxed because I'm never really
relaxed, unless I receive general anestesia ;), sometimes even to the
extent of making a headache vanish instantly and completely.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
However, if someone's hair accidentally brushes against my face (for
example, when standing on a packed train) then I do not like that at
all.

I don't blame you, that's becaue of overcrowding, a Most Stressful
condition - no joy in that!

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think the distinction for me is that a fairly light "dab" is OK
(though the lighter it is the more it becomes not OK), but a light
brush is not.

I tend to regard such things in terms more related to neuroelectrodynamics,
sometimes able to be detected in part, at least insomuch as their
eminations are concerned, by Kirlian photography, which only detects a
small electrostatic portion of the energy involved. Sharks and most other
fish can also 'read' these signals via their own electrohypersensitive
lateral line. There's nothing supernatural about it, it's very natural.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
For me tickling is not at all pleasurable. I feel uncomfortable and
want it to stop. Consequently I tend to thrash out. I don't think I
could learn to like it even if it happened in (say) a room with lots
of cotton wool padding so that I could thrash out without fear of
hurting myself. I just get no pleasure out of tickling at all and
always feel that it has been a very negative experience when it has
happened.

A lot of guys are like that, they usually hate receiving but usually enjoy
administering it, but conversely, the vast majority of women, myself
definitely included, thoroughly enjoy receiving it - if it's done right ;)
Theories range from upbringing and socialization, to estrogen-induced
predisposition to being extra sensitive (and I'm already hypersensitive)
and finding it pleasurable.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Fortunately it hasn't happened for a very long time (one of the perks
of being on my own). I am sorry that it is the opposite for you.

That's mostly because Quality is so important to me ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I cannot, of course, tickle myself (hardly anyone can), but I do like
the very gentle touch of myself on my skin.

I can. I've experimented extensively with that starting around the time I
was learning to talk, and I've learned a lot...which means I can let
someone else, the right person of course, know how to do it right ;)

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Sometimes I will do that
followed by gently scratching the area I have stimulated. Depending on
the temperature, humidity, and a few other factors (including the
types of food I have recently eaten) that combination of stimulation
and gentle scratching can be amazing! It isn't the same as a sexual
reaction, but at its best can be just as pleasurable in a different
way.

And to think that the nt misrepresentation of us once again Limits our
abilities - if they'd bother to Honestly get to know about us, they'd learn

You had me until here.

[Autindividual]

Post by Bob Badour
That would be too much perfume for me. I avoid department stores
because they erect perfume barriers at their entrances.

I've managed to even learn to like only certain fragrances, and I have a
problem with excess mucus secretions which do attenuate olfactory
sensitivity somewhat, which affords some protection, unitl it temporarily
clears and I get a sudden blast of sensation, which can be startling to
say the least. But I've learned that a favorite scent is a lot like a
favorite song, it's a matter of controlling the intensity.

Post by Bob Badour
You had me until here.

You chopped off the part which went on to say that a lot of us are into
"stimming" that's far more involved, elaborate, and profound than the
'hand flapping' and such that's usually ascribed. Or for that matter, the
stereotypical image of the autistic kid stacking cans - I used to do that
a lot, and just about anything else that could be stacked too, until my
sister got the big canister of Lincoln Logs for Christmas - and that was
it for me stacking cans - I had found something much more fun to stack!

[Phil W Lee]

Post by Bob Badour

Post by Autindividual

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Yes, that is what I expect too. I think it can happen with sight as
well - noticing something that is just the tiniest bit different to
the normal.

Definitely, with all of the senses. The only two senses where I have some
attenuation is vision, because my eyes arent the best, and the olfactory,
because I have excessive mucus postnasal secretions, althoug those
"channels" are as hypersensitive as ever...and I can still detect things
visually that others with much better vision than I completely miss, and if
I wish to sample a fregrance such as perfume, I'll usually just sniff
around the bottle cap when it's tightly in place and usually, that's quite
enough.

That would be too much perfume for me. I avoid department stores because
they erect perfume barriers at their entrances.

I've complained to some that the erection of these perfume barriers is
unlawful.

Never seems to achieve anything - they just don't seem to have any
conception of how breathing is preferable to the alternative, and the
stink makes breathing impossible. Fine if you can hold your breath
long enough to run through that barrage.
I got sprayed by some salesperson once, and went apeshit on her.
Why they allow people to be assaulted in their stores - and even
employ people to do it - is a mystery to me.
That store did at least undertake to retrain it's
salespeople/demonstrators, but I don't know how effective it was, or
how long it was maintained.

[d***@fsmail.net]

Things similar to that, often including just hearing someone&#39;s voice, can
what I refer to as &quot;put me under&quot; sometimes, getting me instantly into a
soothed state, I say soothed rather than relaxed because I&#39;m never really
relaxed, unless I receive general anestesia ;), sometimes even to the
extent of making a headache vanish instantly and completely.

Voices do not do that to me, but some music does. If I have a stressful day at work (e.g. a meeting which didn't go well and perhaps I feel embarrassed about the way I handled it) then all I need to do is listen to a couple of Prokofiev's violin concertos (Nos. 1 and 2) and it takes away all the negativity, self-criticism and stress. Every time it removes it completely.

Other music has helped in other areas. Rachmaninov's piano concerto No. 2 is great if you are feeling down (because the first movement aligns with your mood and then it gets much more positive later so it drags you up with it).

I think both these are like medicines, in fact much better than any drugs.

I don&#39;t blame you, that&#39;s becaue of overcrowding, a Most Stressful
condition - no joy in that!

I don't mind overcrowding for short periods. I also like travelling on trains generally because of the people-watching opportunities.

On the trains I travel on if they are crowded it is more likely to result in firm pressure rather than brushing (they are rarely at that point where everyone has 'almost enough' personal space - it is usually enough or none).

I tend to regard such things in terms more related to neuroelectrodynamics,
sometimes able to be detected in part, at least insomuch as their
eminations are concerned, by Kirlian photography, which only detects a
small electrostatic portion of the energy involved. Sharks and most other
fish can also &#39;read&#39; these signals via their own electrohypersensitive
lateral line. There&#39;s nothing supernatural about it, it&#39;s very natural.

I hadn't thought that there might be an electrical charge. This might be right, but I don't think that is what I notice.

&gt; Sometimes I will do that
&gt; followed by gently scratching the area I have stimulated. Depending on
&gt; the temperature, humidity, and a few other factors (including the
&gt; types of food I have recently eaten) that combination of stimulation
&gt; and gentle scratching can be amazing! It isn&#39;t the same as a sexual
&gt; reaction, but at its best can be just as pleasurable in a different
&gt; way.
And to think that the nt misrepresentation of us once again Limits our
abilities - if they&#39;d bother to Honestly get to know about us, they&#39;d learn
what Real &quot;stimming&quot; is! And I&#39;ve also explored tactile stimulation
techniques to &#39;neutralize&#39; any erotic neurological conditions that may be
present, it&#39;s almost a kind of partial desensitization, to the erotic, that
is, it still feels wonderful though, just different.

I don't see what I'm doing (as described above) as stimming. Isn't stimming doing something repetitively. What I describe may only last a few minutes (or even less than a minute if the conditions aren't right for it to work well).

I agree with you about neutralising the erotic though. What I do is non-sexual and I never have any sexual thoughts at the same time. It couldn't be incorporated into a sexual relationship with anyone else because it is so personal (i.e. it requires me to exert exactly the right amount of touch / pressure and no-one else could possibly get that right; it varies a bit from day to day depending on the conditions so cannot be taught or learnt).

From what I&#39;ve read so far, that&#39;s entirely possible - but are you disposed
to enjoy administer the tickling, assuming it&#39;s to a woman who loves it?

No. If I were in a relationship and my partner wanted it then I would happily do it. However, I would not enjoy doing it other any more than anything else.

Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

[Canth]

Post by d***@fsmail.net

Things similar to that, often including just hearing someone&#39;s voice, can
what I refer to as &quot;put me under&quot; sometimes, getting me instantly into a
soothed state, I say soothed rather than relaxed because I&#39;m never really
relaxed, unless I receive general anestesia ;), sometimes even to the
extent of making a headache vanish instantly and completely.

Voices do not do that to me, but some music does. If I have a stressful day at work (e.g. a meeting which didn't go well and perhaps I feel embarrassed about the way I handled it) then all I need to do is listen to a couple of Prokofiev's violin concertos (Nos. 1 and 2) and it takes away all the negativity, self-criticism and stress. Every time it removes it completely.
Other music has helped in other areas. Rachmaninov's piano concerto No. 2 is great if you are feeling down (because the first movement aligns with your mood and then it gets much more positive later so it drags you up with it).
I think both these are like medicines, in fact much better than any drugs.

While I find many pieces of classical music relaxing and/or
stimulating, I also can get overwhelmed by music emotionally. Some
songs can make me cry, no matter how often I hear them. I came across
a Tommy Fleming concert on the TV today; his "Isle of Hope" is one
such, as is "Willie McBride".

Music in films can also overwhelm me. There are very few films I can
see these days as all have music continuously from start to finish,
and I am soon overwhelmed by the intensity of the emotional responses
evoked. "Christmas 1915" by Celtic Thunder is almost unbearable,
particularly when you match it to the actuality of trench warfare in
WWI.

Post by d***@fsmail.net

I don&#39;t blame you, that&#39;s becaue of overcrowding, a Most Stressful
condition - no joy in that!

I don't mind overcrowding for short periods. I also like travelling on trains generally because of the people-watching opportunities.

I have strong personal space requirements and find crowding in even
short bursts intolerable. Again there is a massive emotional response
which is overwhelming.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
On the trains I travel on if they are crowded it is more likely to result in firm pressure rather than brushing (they are rarely at that point where everyone has 'almost enough' personal space - it is usually enough or none).

<Snip>

AS! ds++:+++ a++ c+++ p++ t+ f-- S+ p+ e++ h++ r++ n++ i+ P+ m++ M
I've been ignored by better people than you.

[Autindividual]

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Voices do not do that to me, but some music does. If I have a
stressful day at work (e.g. a meeting which didn't go well and perhaps
I feel embarrassed about the way I handled it) then all I need to do
is listen to a couple of Prokofiev's violin concertos (Nos. 1 and 2)
and it takes away all the negativity, self-criticism and stress. Every
time it removes it completely.

Music is a powerful force that can work wonders, and that's only from
listening to it - Making it is even more awesome!

Post by d***@fsmail.net
Other music has helped in other areas. Rachmaninov's piano concerto
No. 2 is great if you are feeling down (because the first movement
aligns with your mood and then it gets much more positive later so it
drags you up with it).

Great strategy - I call that "steering" because it goes in the direction
you start off in, then "steers" you into a better direction.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I think both these are like medicines, in fact much better than any drugs.

For one thing it's much faster than any drug could ever be.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I don't mind overcrowding for short periods. I also like travelling on
trains generally because of the people-watching opportunities.

I can tolerate it if truly needed, but I still Hate it, and I prefer to
watch people under more comfortable conditions.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
On the trains I travel on if they are crowded it is more likely to
result in firm pressure rather than brushing (they are rarely at that
point where everyone has 'almost enough' personal space - it is
usually enough or none).

Oh, tell me about it!!!
Many years ago, I took a train to downtown Chicago on July 3 to see their
Independence Day fireworks display on the lakefront - that train was so
overpacked, I was getting crushed and I believe that if I were to pull my
feet off the floor, I'd stay just where I was without sinking lower
because all of the pressure from all sides holding me up. I began to fear
that I may not be able to get off at my stop until I realized that just
about everyone else was getting off at that stop too. Still, I resolved;
NEVER AGAIN!!!
I'd Much rather use the so-called 'hug machine' if I want to be crushed -
at least that'd be pleasant!

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I hadn't thought that there might be an electrical charge. This might
be right, but I don't think that is what I notice.

Neurological function is always associated with electrical charge. Sharks
are fascinated by electrical equipment such as video recorders used by
divers and will become interested enough to come in close, usually
without attacking because the circuit's electrostatic signature is unlike
that of living creatures, to check it out since they're sensitive to the
circuit's electrical activity. Also, sharks can electrically sense the
condition of their intended meal, dead, dying, or vibrantly alive. Also,
because they don't want to get hurt in the process themselves, when a
shark attacks, it's usually a quick lunge and bite, then the shark
quickly moves off to a safe distance to evaluate the situation and
'read' the electrical condition of their prey to see if their attack has
sufficiently weakened the prey to justify either another quick attack, or
time to start eating.

I also believe such sensitivity also forms much of the basis of
telepathy, which many of us, myself definitely included, regularly use,
another reason why so many of us are well-known to easily communicate and
establish rapport with nonhuman creatures.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I don't see what I'm doing (as described above) as stimming. Isn't
stimming doing something repetitively. What I describe may only last a
few minutes (or even less than a minute if the conditions aren't right
for it to work well).

To me it's a form of stimming, which can have variable repetition rates.
Sure, I've got little things I'll do, like scratch my lips with any loose
cuticle on the fingers and things like that, but self-stimulation is
still self-stimulation and some of it can be far more repetitive and
simple, or less repetitive and far more elaborate.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
I agree with you about neutralising the erotic though. What I do is
non-sexual and I never have any sexual thoughts at the same time.

I was searching for a means to bring everything to an 'idle' condition,
and it usually works.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
It
couldn't be incorporated into a sexual relationship with anyone else
because it is so personal (i.e. it requires me to exert exactly the
right amount of touch / pressure and no-one else could possibly get
that right; it varies a bit from day to day depending on the
conditions so cannot be taught or learnt).

Right. It's as Individual as the Individual making use of it - entirely
and totally custom-tailored to that Specific Individual Only...although
if I was trying to use such a technique on someone else, I'd have to
modify it to their own requirements, which would mean having a sufficient
rapport with that person in order to 'read' them and ideally, also their
own input to help direct my efforts.

Post by d***@fsmail.net
No. If I were in a relationship and my partner wanted it then I would
happily do it. However, I would not enjoy doing it other any more than
anything else.
Dolphinius
(Male, age 40 +/- a few months, UK, self-diagnosed AS)

Then it's probably a matter of preference, or in this case nonpreference,
because it works best when both the giver and receiver enjoy it.

[Autindividual]

On the subject of hypersensitivity, in this case the auditory variety,
what I've mentioned in the past about certain sounds that'll make me bolt
or otherwise want to leave the scene as quickly as possible for dear
life, and which I'm usually very careful to avoid, had befallen me today.

I was driving with 2 passengers, the air conditioning wasn't working so
the windows were open. And as Rotten 'luck' would have it, while talking
to my 2 passengers, I happened to pass under some 'L' tracks, just as a
train was passing overhead, and with the flow of traffic, I was right
underneath it all the while - I almost lost it - I tried to put my hands
over my ears and steer at the same time, but that simply wasn't enough -
that damn train was far too ultra NOISY - and I was just about totally
unnerved!!!
Afterwards, I was shaking, nauseous, gasping for breath, had chest pain
and was extremely tense, much moreso than usual - it was a Horrific
experience!

Biggest reason was that I was unprepared for it, mostly because I was
talking to my 2 passengers. Needless to say, I'll be MUCH more Careful in
the future. If only the stupid air was working, I would have had the
windows up and while the experience still wouldn't be the least bit
pleasant, it would have at least been tolerable. Now I'm kind of afraid
to go to bed tonight for fear that I might replay the event while
drifting off, or even worse, dream about it, so I'm really getting into
playing my keyboards right now, hoping I can muster enough pleasant
sounds to 'wash out' the nasty ones that really helped to ruin my day,
yet another experiment. Maybe I should write a song about it, but just
one problem, who else would understand it?

[astri]

Post by Autindividual
On the subject of hypersensitivity, in this case the auditory
variety, what I've mentioned in the past about certain sounds that'll
make me bolt or otherwise want to leave the scene as quickly as
possible for dear life, and which I'm usually very careful to avoid,
had befallen me today.
I was driving with 2 passengers, the air conditioning wasn't working
so the windows were open. And as Rotten 'luck' would have it, while
talking to my 2 passengers, I happened to pass under some 'L' tracks,
just as a train was passing overhead, and with the flow of traffic, I
was right underneath it all the while - I almost lost it - I tried to
put my hands over my ears and steer at the same time, but that simply
wasn't enough - that damn train was far too ultra NOISY - and I was
just about totally unnerved!!!
Afterwards, I was shaking, nauseous, gasping for breath, had chest
pain and was extremely tense, much moreso than usual - it was a
Horrific experience!
Biggest reason was that I was unprepared for it, mostly because I was
talking to my 2 passengers. Needless to say, I'll be MUCH more
Careful in the future. If only the stupid air was working, I would
have had the windows up and while the experience still wouldn't be
the least bit pleasant, it would have at least been tolerable. Now
I'm kind of afraid to go to bed tonight for fear that I might replay
the event while drifting off, or even worse, dream about it, so I'm
really getting into playing my keyboards right now, hoping I can
muster enough pleasant sounds to 'wash out' the nasty ones that
really helped to ruin my day, yet another experiment. Maybe I should
write a song about it, but just one problem, who else would
understand it?

sudden loud sounds that can't be escaped are definitely not ok. that
happened to me in a professional training a couple years ago -- a
situation in which i couldn't run away (which is what i wanted to do).
the trainer was trying to make a specific point by suddenly blasting
rap at top volume. cognitively, i get the point he was making. in
context, it made sense.

but my reaction was hands over ears, head to knees, autonomic nervous
system completely out of control. although i've learned pretty well to
freeze any overt physical reactions in professional situations, so
folding up and covering my ears was pretty significant. i basically
missed the next hour or two of the training, even though i was
physically there.

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Autindividual]

Post by astri
sudden loud sounds that can't be escaped are definitely not ok. that
happened to me in a professional training a couple years ago -- a
situation in which i couldn't run away (which is what i wanted to do).
the trainer was trying to make a specific point by suddenly blasting
rap at top volume. cognitively, i get the point he was making. in
context, it made sense.

It may have made sense, but it overloaded the sense too...and I sure
wouldn't like being Tortured just because someone wants to make a point.
People ought to be more considerate of the sensitivity of others before
they do something like that. At very least, they should let them know in
advance so that they can prepare themselves, either to endure it, or to get
away first. That's how I got 'zapped' so bad, which hasen't happened to me
like that in very many years - because I temporarily had my guard down and
was not prepared. And as for what happened to me, the sound wasn't really
sudden, it just kept growing, rather quickly, getting more and more intense
until I literally couldn't stand it anymore.

Post by astri
but my reaction was hands over ears, head to knees, autonomic nervous
system completely out of control. although i've learned pretty well to
freeze any overt physical reactions in professional situations, so
folding up and covering my ears was pretty significant. i basically
missed the next hour or two of the training, even though i was
physically there.
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

That's what I tried to do, but it wasn't anywhere near enough - I had to
call on every last bit of self-control and discipline I could muster on
such short notice and to say that trying to do that was a challenge would
be a gross understatement. And I don't remember too much of what I did
after that, except feel like I had been severely traumatized, which after
all, I was, complete with that sort of numb all over feeling, particularly
in the head, that follows such an overwhelming overload like that. When I
began to recover several hours later, that's when I began to consider the
horror of what had happened and worry about recalling it at the worst
possible time, like when trying to get to sleep or during sleep.
Thankfully, getting into my music helped and I wasn't further tormented by
the experience.

[astri]

Post by Autindividual

Post by astri
sudden loud sounds that can't be escaped are definitely not ok. that
happened to me in a professional training a couple years ago -- a
situation in which i couldn't run away (which is what i wanted to
do). the trainer was trying to make a specific point by suddenly
blasting rap at top volume. cognitively, i get the point he was
making. in context, it made sense.

It may have made sense, but it overloaded the sense too...and I sure
wouldn't like being Tortured just because someone wants to make a
point. People ought to be more considerate of the sensitivity of
others before they do something like that. At very least, they
should let them know in advance so that they can prepare themselves,
either to endure it, or to get away first.

after i calmed down, i actually did manage to say something coherent to
the presenter about future presentations. he apologized.

Post by Autindividual
That's how I got 'zapped' so bad, which hasen't happened to me like
that in very many years - because I temporarily had my guard down and
was not prepared. And as for what happened to me, the sound wasn't
really sudden, it just kept growing, rather quickly, getting more and
more intense until I literally couldn't stand it anymore.

Post by astri
but my reaction was hands over ears, head to knees, autonomic
nervous system completely out of control. although i've learned
pretty well to freeze any overt physical reactions in professional
situations, so folding up and covering my ears was pretty
significant. i basically missed the next hour or two of the
training, even though i was physically there.

That's what I tried to do, but it wasn't anywhere near enough - I had
to call on every last bit of self-control and discipline I could
muster on such short notice and to say that trying to do that was a
challenge would be a gross understatement.

it's an especially horrific experience to have when you're driving.

Post by Autindividual
And I don't remember too much of what I did after that, except feel
like I had been severely traumatized, which after all, I was,
complete with that sort of numb all over feeling, particularly in the
head, that follows such an overwhelming overload like that. When I
began to recover several hours later, that's when I began to consider
the horror of what had happened and worry about recalling it at the
worst possible time, like when trying to get to sleep or during
sleep. Thankfully, getting into my music helped and I wasn't further
tormented by the experience.

good

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Autindividual]

Post by astri
after i calmed down, i actually did manage to say something coherent to
the presenter about future presentations. he apologized.

Whenever I'm gong to mention something to someone about hypersensitivity
related issues, I'm always wondering if they'll even want to understand
what it's like, because so many people seem to think it's a big joke,
because they haven't experienced the horror personally. This is perhaps
best indicated and verified by so many movie soundtracks, actually the
musical elements in movies, particularly adventure, mystery, and of
course, horror movies, where a scary scene is Falsely made to seem more
scary by sudden, loud, nasty blasts of almost nonmusical sounds. But
that's only startling and painful, not scary in the context of the rest
of the movie, a real cheap shot...but easy enough to control with the
volume control. Of course, in a theater, that's another matter, which is
yet another reason I'm not all that interested in going to the movies -
too much Needless deliberate bombardment of the senses - makes me think
most people are quite insensitive, and from the looks of that, and the
so-called 'news', that does indeed appear to be the case.

Post by astri
it's an especially horrific experience to have when you're driving.

That most recent event was the worst experience while driving I've ever
had, in fact, it ws one of the worst expeiences I've ever had, driving or
not.

Post by astri
good
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

I had happily discovered that music, particularly the music I made myself
could really help with my hyperauditory condition - one of the really big
ones, and although I'm 'hyper' in all the senses, which I like to refer
to as "channels", I'm particularly sensitive in the auditory and tactile
"channels" - but I discovered long ago, around the time I was learning to
talk, that by exploring and embracing sensuality, or more accurately
hypersensuality, to go with the hypersensitivity, I could have an
effective means to actually cope with the condition by dealing with it on
a pleasant basis to counter the horrific situations that are practically
impossible to be sufficiently isolated from consistently...or to always
be able to run away from - like what happened to me a couple of days ago.

[Mouse]

Post by Autindividual

Post by astri
after i calmed down, i actually did manage to say something coherent to
the presenter about future presentations. he apologized.

Whenever I'm gong to mention something to someone about hypersensitivity
related issues, I'm always wondering if they'll even want to understand
what it's like, because so many people seem to think it's a big joke,
because they haven't experienced the horror personally. This is perhaps
best indicated and verified by so many movie soundtracks, actually the
musical elements in movies, particularly adventure, mystery, and of
course, horror movies, where a scary scene is Falsely made to seem more
scary by sudden, loud, nasty blasts of almost nonmusical sounds. But
that's only startling and painful, not scary in the context of the rest
of the movie, a real cheap shot...but easy enough to control with the
volume control. Of course, in a theater, that's another matter, which is
yet another reason I'm not all that interested in going to the movies -
too much Needless deliberate bombardment of the senses - makes me think
most people are quite insensitive, and from the looks of that, and the
so-called 'news', that does indeed appear to be the case.

Post by astri
it's an especially horrific experience to have when you're driving.

That most recent event was the worst experience while driving I've ever
had, in fact, it ws one of the worst expeiences I've ever had, driving or
not.

Post by astri
good
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

I had happily discovered that music, particularly the music I made myself
could really help with my hyperauditory condition - one of the really big
ones, and although I'm 'hyper' in all the senses, which I like to refer
to as "channels", I'm particularly sensitive in the auditory and tactile
"channels" - but I discovered long ago, around the time I was learning to
talk, that by exploring and embracing sensuality, or more accurately
hypersensuality, to go with the hypersensitivity, I could have an
effective means to actually cope with the condition by dealing with it on
a pleasant basis to counter the horrific situations that are practically
impossible to be sufficiently isolated from consistently...or to always
be able to run away from - like what happened to me a couple of days ago.

It takes a really exceptional movie to move me to subjecting myself to
the theatre sound system, earplugs help a little but are disorienting in
their own way.

[Autindividual]

Post by Mouse
It takes a really exceptional movie to move me to subjecting myself to
the theatre sound system, earplugs help a little but are disorienting
in their own way.

Same here. I almost never go to a theater to watch a movie - too many
unpleasant sounds and too loud. And I just hate surprises since the vast
majority of them that I've had throughout my life have not been pleasant
ones...which is also why I'm always asking about any movie I might find
interesting - I want what the nt crowd calls a 'spoiler', that is I
prefer a complete briefing so that I can prepare for surprises, and
knowing what's going to happen also enables me to focus on the details
better so I actually get more out of a movie that way, whether others can
understand or appreciate that or not. I can and that's all that matters
to me. In fact, to actually have a chance to enjoy almost any kind of
stimulation, particularly that of the auditory or tactile variety, I have
to be prepared for it beforehand.

[astri]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Mouse
It takes a really exceptional movie to move me to subjecting myself
to the theatre sound system, earplugs help a little but are
disorienting in their own way.

Same here. I almost never go to a theater to watch a movie - too many
unpleasant sounds and too loud. And I just hate surprises since the
vast majority of them that I've had throughout my life have not been
pleasant ones...which is also why I'm always asking about any movie I
might find interesting - I want what the nt crowd calls a 'spoiler',
that is I prefer a complete briefing so that I can prepare for
surprises, and knowing what's going to happen also enables me to
focus on the details better so I actually get more out of a movie
that way, whether others can understand or appreciate that or not. I
can and that's all that matters to me. In fact, to actually have a
chance to enjoy almost any kind of stimulation, particularly that of
the auditory or tactile variety, I have to be prepared for it
beforehand.

i almost never watch movies (or video of any sort). i have to be in a
certain mood to do so. otherwise, the visual stimulation is way too
much, i can't process the dialog with the background music unless the
volume is up, and i have a hard time maintaining focus throughout the
video.

-- astri

======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

[Autindividual]

Post by astri
i almost never watch movies (or video of any sort). i have to be in a
certain mood to do so. otherwise, the visual stimulation is way too
much, i can't process the dialog with the background music unless the
volume is up, and i have a hard time maintaining focus throughout the
video.
-- astri
======================
to email send to astri
======================
at volcano dot org
======================

The reason why I seldom watch movies, whether in a theater or at home, is
because so many of them are senseless crap. I don't let the visual
stimulation get to me at home, but in a theater, that's another matter. I
simply pay attention to the plot and if things start losing my interest
there, I just reduce the amount of attention, including to the visual
presentation since I'm no more interested in seeing a crappy story than
hearing one - that way I don't get so overloaded. If however, it's one of
those rare instances where it's a good movie, I pay very close attention
and check the visual presentation against the rest of the story - it's kind
of more of an analysis than entertainment but I can enjoy that, which is
why I like to know how the movie goes before I see it, so I can pay closer
attention and even get into it should that prove to be appropriate.

[Canth]

Post by Autindividual

Post by Mouse
It takes a really exceptional movie to move me to subjecting myself to
the theatre sound system, earplugs help a little but are disorienting
in their own way.

Same here. I almost never go to a theater to watch a movie - too many
unpleasant sounds and too loud. And I just hate surprises since the vast
majority of them that I've had throughout my life have not been pleasant
ones...which is also why I'm always asking about any movie I might find
interesting - I want what the nt crowd calls a 'spoiler', that is I
prefer a complete briefing so that I can prepare for surprises, and
knowing what's going to happen also enables me to focus on the details
better so I actually get more out of a movie that way, whether others can
understand or appreciate that or not. I can and that's all that matters
to me. In fact, to actually have a chance to enjoy almost any kind of
stimulation, particularly that of the auditory or tactile variety, I have
to be prepared for it beforehand.

I don't go to movies either - the sound levels are too high, but worse
the constant music overloads me & I cannot cope. I react emotionally
to a wide range of music. I also react to pictures & scenes. Combine
the two reactions and I am totally overloaded, even for cartoons. Even
TV, where I can control the volume, is too much. I have seen a lot of
movies by the "Stephen King" method at home.

(Stephen King was once asked if he had watched Alien. His reply was
that he rented it and eight hours of National Geographic tapes. He
would watch a bit of Alien, then half an hour of National Geographic,
then a bit more of Alien, etc until he finally saw it all.)

AS! ds++:+++ a++ c+++ p++ t+ f-- S+ p+ e++ h++ r++ n++ i+ P+ m++ M
I've been ignored by better people than you.

[Autindividual]

Post by Canth
I don't go to movies either - the sound levels are too high, but worse
the constant music overloads me & I cannot cope. I react emotionally
to a wide range of music. I also react to pictures & scenes. Combine
the two reactions and I am totally overloaded, even for cartoons. Even
TV, where I can control the volume, is too much. I have seen a lot of
movies by the "Stephen King" method at home.
(Stephen King was once asked if he had watched Alien. His reply was
that he rented it and eight hours of National Geographic tapes. He
would watch a bit of Alien, then half an hour of National Geographic,
then a bit more of Alien, etc until he finally saw it all.)
AS! ds++:+++ a++ c+++ p++ t+ f-- S+ p+ e++ h++ r++ n++ i+ P+ m++ M
I've been ignored by better people than you.

I haven't gone that far...yet. I can stay focused through an entire
movie, but it's got to be a good one or I'll just take a different
approach and not watch it at all ;)