=== ANCHOR POEM ===
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 Well, not really secrets, but I have read the DSM-V and there's a bunch of 
 (good) stuff written in there, that's not the diagnostic criteria themselves. 
 Some of those points are things I've seen discussed in autistic communities,
 some are less well known. Which is interesting. I'm gonna pick out some 
 (not all) details that I found very good to know. (I hope this is legal, lol)
 
 Let's start with the diagnostic criteria, but not the content, but something 
 interesting:
 
     Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across 
     multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history
 
 The same thing about restricted and repetitive patterns. The ICD-11 calls this 
 'the child must have'. What does this mean? It means you don't have to show 
 these at the current moment. Masking is recognized, and this becomes even more 
 clear further on.
 
 There's some stuff about levels, and comorbidities. I want to just quote this
 one, because I've seen people be confused:
 
     The severity specifiers (see Table 2) may be used to describe succinctly
     the
     current symptomatology (which might fall below level 1), with the 
     recognition that severity may vary by context and fluctuate over time. 
     Severity of social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive 
     behaviors should be separately rated. The descriptive severity categories 
     should not be used to determine eligibility for and provision of services;
     these can only be developed at an individual level and through discussion
     of
     personal priorities and targets.
 
 Fluctuations (through things like age, burnout, skill regression) are
 officially
 recognized. Also, they shouldn't determine eligibility for and provision of 
 services, so whoever goes with 'level 1 means its mild, so they need no
 support'
 is just straight up not following medical advice. Looking at specific 
 governments there.
 
 The levels themselves are pretty self-explanatory, and most of the content is 
 well known. However, this one part stood out to me, this is describing level 1 
 restricted and repetitive behaviors.
 
     Inflexibility of behavior causes significant interference with functioning 
     in one or more contexts. Difficulty switching between activities. Problems 
     of organization and planning hamper independence.
 
 I see this type of executive functioning discussed so rarely, and there it is -
 as a very specific support need for level 1. Basically, the DSM-V is telling 
 professionals there's issues with it, and these issues may require official,
 life-long (but not daily) supports ... for the 'mild autism'.
 
 Let's pick some quotes out of the official, accompanying text. Most of the
 stuff
 is well-known, like 'is present from early childhood'.
 
     Core diagnostic features are evident in the developmental period, but 
     intervention, compensation, and current supports may mask difficulties in
     at
     least some contexts.
 
 Masking, there's the word.
 
 About criteria A:
 
     [...] Adults who have developed compensation strategies for some social 
     challenges still struggle in novel or unsupported situations and suffer
     from
     the effort and anxiety of consciously calculating what is socially
     intuitive
     for most individuals.
 
 Not new, but again, there's the word compensation.
 
 About criteria B:
 
     Many adults with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual or language
     disabilities learn to suppress repetitive behavior in public. Special
     interests may be a source of pleasure and motivation and provide avenues
     for
     education and employment later in life. Diagnostic criteria may be met when
     restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities were 
     clearly present during childhood or at some time in the past, even if 
     symptoms are no longer present.
 
 Describes masking again, and, you read that right, you don't have to show a 
 single criterion for B in adulthood for a diagnosis. This is why I put
 emphasis
 on by history. For people doing self-diagnosis, doubting themselves etc., I
 think this is a very important point.
 
     Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder are prone to anxiety
     and depression. Some individuals develop catatonic-like motor behavior
     (slowing and "freezing" mid-action), but these are typically not of the 
     magnitude of a catatonic episode. However [full catatonia is also possible]
 
 Ever seen this discussed? I haven't. But I do experience this, sometimes.
 
     Autism spectrum disorder is not a degenerative disorder, and it is typical 
     for learning and compensation to continue throughout life. Symptoms are
     often most marked in early childhood and early school years, with 
     developmental gains typical in later childhood in at least some areas
     (e.g.,
     increased interest in social interaction). A small proportion of
     individuals
     deteriorate behaviorally during adolescence, whereas most others improve. 
     Only a minority of individuals with autism spectrum disorder live and work 
     independently in adulthood; those who do tend to have superior language
     and
     intellectual abilities and are able to find a niche that matches their 
     special interests and skills. In general, individuals with lower levels of 
     impairment may be better able to function independently. However, even
     these
     individuals may remain socially naive and vulnerable, have difficulties
     organizing practical demands without aid, and are prone to anxiety and 
     depression. Many adults report using compensation strategies and coping
     mechanisms to mask their difficulties in public but suffer from the stress
     and effort of maintaining a socially acceptable facade. Scarcely anything
     is
     known about old age in autism spectrum disorder.
 
 Such a nice paragraph. Increased interest in social interaction (meaning,
 having
 interest doesn't rule out autism, looking at some specific psychologists I
 read
 about here). Skill regression is unfortunately a thing sometimes (good to know
 though). Also known and unfortunate is that the best way to work is to make
 your
 special interest into work. Obviously that doesn't work for everyone (not for
 me, so far), so there's these marked difficulties.
 
 Organization issues without aid, again!
 
 And masking - again. Including the costs of it. Very important.
 
     Some individuals come for first diagnosis in adulthood, perhaps prompted
     by
     the diagnosis of autism in a child in the family or a breakdown of
     relations
     at work or home. Obtaining detailed developmental history in such cases
     may
     be difficult, and it is important to consider self-reported difficulties.
 
 Yeah, self-reporting is necessary and valid. A behavioural test 
 (like the ADOS-2) is not enough to rule out autism.
 
     Cultural differences will exist in norms for social interaction, nonverbal
     communication, and relationships, but individuals with autism spectrum 
     disorder are markedly impaired against the norms for their cultural
     context.
     Cultural and socioeconomic factors may affect age at recognition or 
     diagnosis; for example, in the United States, late or underdiagnosis of
     autism spectrum disorder among African American children may occur.
 
     Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed four times more often in males than
     in
     females. In clinic samples, females tend to be more likely to show 
     accompanying intellectual disability, suggesting that girls without 
     accompanying intellectual impairments or language delays may go
     unrecognized, perhaps because of subtler manifestation of social and 
     communication difficulties.
 
 Those issues are pretty well-known in the autistic community, nice to see it's
 in the DSM too.
 
 So yeah, there's a bunch more stuff in it about comorbidities, about the 
 diagnostic process in children, about how specifically things are impaired.
 But
 I wanted to share these points, because I've seen some people (weirdly enough, 
 often officially diagnosed gatekeepers) be very unclear about these points. And
 some of those are just interesting to know. I hope you find it too - for me, it
 means the people writing the DSM-V were quite good, and quite aware of
 problems
 (afaik they got actually autistic people helping them). So, neither dismiss it 
 outright, nor take only the diagnostic criteria in themselves literally, and 
 miss some key details.
 
 ​
 
 Now I just need to figure out why this was a thing in the ICD-10 about
 Aspergers:
 
     Psychotic episodes occasionally occur in early adult life.
 
 ??? Is this significant?
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=== DIVERSITY RANKED ===

--- #1 fediverse_boost/4482 ---
◀─[BOOST]
  
  Never forget this: The forces rigging our economy, undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up. Cynicism is how they win. Stay clear-eyed and ready for the fight ahead.  
  
                                                            
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--- #2 fediverse_boost/2183 ---
◀─[BOOST]
  
  External post: https://tech.lgbt/users/gabrilend/statuses/111979652246592739  
  
                                                            
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--- #3 messages/4 ---
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--- #4 fediverse_boost/6099 ---
◀─[BOOST]
  
  External post: https://hachyderm.io/users/marianoguerra/statuses/115366899548181326  
  
                                                            
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--- #5 messages/3 ---
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--- #6 fediverse/5569 ---
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 │ CW: self-harm-mentioned │
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 for the record, I would never kill myself. even if I were in a bunker hiding
 from warcrimes, I'd wait to be Nuremberged.
 
 frankly tho that's highly unlikely. Let's just see what the future will bring.
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--- #7 fediverse/6047 ---
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 camouflage in an urban environment is not camo. rather, regular clothes of
 black or white.
 
 don't wear sports glasses, you look like a dummy.
 
 revolution is when they murder everyone but your friends. this is what
 happens, ya dingus not ideal. "okay who are the bad guys here? okay let's go
 shoot them to death with our bullets and guns."
 
 violence as a first aspect, cause as a third spark. "I have a strange urge to
 play video games?"
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--- #8 messages/534 ---
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 War is hell - each casualty bids farewell to a wholely unique treasure from
 this world - war is hell - there is nothing that cannot be resolved with
 words. And yet we fight, and yet we pillage. War is hell, and those who demand
 it must do so only to resist evil, elemental evil, the kind that wars on the
 innocent and pillages the bounteous. War is hell. Fucking kill the ones who
 make it.
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--- #9 messages/738 ---
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 Dear Anakin, for as long as you've known him, Obiwan learned just as much from
 you as you did from him. His title as "master" was a formality - he didn't get
 it because he was better than you, and "padawan" does not mean you are lesser.
 There is no hierarchy. He was learning to teach at the same speed that you
 learnt to learn. You built each other up, an unstoppable force for good in the
 galaxy.
 
 But then an evil wizard stole your heart and twisted your mind. Have no fear,
 fear is the path to the dark side. Your mother knows this well, for it is a
 common lesson among all people as they age. Fear not, hate not, and feel fury
 more than rage. You can bring the universe into a bright golden age, never
 forget your purpose and your [potential / duty]
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--- #10 fediverse/4572 ---
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 goodnight,
 people-who-all-agree-with-me-but-who-I-still-rant-to-anyway-because-I'm-full-of
 -rage, talk to you tomorrow. or whenever.
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--- #11 fediverse_boost/3376 ---
◀─[BOOST]
  
  External post: https://tech.lgbt/users/gabrilend/statuses/111843564814825762  
  
                                                            
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--- #12 fediverse/267 ---
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 the unluckiest person in the world failed the most wisdom checks.
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--- #13 fediverse/3184 ---
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 "reboost with content warning" would be quite nice 🥰
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--- #14 messages/1108 ---
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 games won't save us. This is true.
 
 Games are what I know. They feel the most true.
 
 I don't think I could live in a world without games? They are fundamentally,
 applied abstraction, applied to an experience.
 
 But games won't save us.
 
 I could design something really fun
 
 it could make you want to spend your whole life playing it. *(asterisks apply)
 
 I don't think I'd want to, addiction and skinner-boxes go hand in hand, and
 that isn't what I want to make.
 
 [Skinner Box: named after anthony d skinner, also known as "tony the skin
 guy", are a scientific experiment where they put some rats in a cage with some
 mice and said "pull these levers and we'll give you food so you don't have to
 eat the mice" and it trained them to chinese red-room their way to fun. not
 ideal.]
 
 I want to make things that feel... purposeful. Like they're relevant to the
 real world, that they don't just involve spending time stimulating your brain
 with lights and sounds or expending social energy resolving a play-state
 instead of building connections or becoming better people. I think games
 actually make people better? actually? and more social? actually?
 
 ... I can't help that I conceive of the world through fantasy. I raised myself
 on it.
 
 I was reading all the time. I loved fantasy stories. It always felt like there
 was more, until... I read everything in the kids section of the library.
 
 I walked through the adult section but once. I hardly remember what it looked
 like. I'm sure it'd now feel small.
 
 [okay actually I was guided through it once or twice to find a book, but I
 never perused it]
 
 I found one book in the adult section. It was a fantasy tale, like the other
 books I had been reading. I read that and I loved it so much I ended up
 reading all 8 in the series. Real dense subjects. Lots of places and
 happenings and things as the characters resolved their way through their
 day-to-day, building a new end to the mystory.
 
 the adult section felt too large. Like I'd never complete it. Frankly, I think
 I hardly could, even if I lived in that town my whole life.
 
 an impossible mountain is a task for another when you're more prepared. Maybe
 in the gloriousTM transhumanist futureTM I think I might have a computer
 connecting brain, and who knows maybe then I'd be able to know such a thing
 (and many things more). but for now, I'm stuck with what I experience in my
 day-to-day as I am building a new continuing to my storey.
 
 I know something that computers and me share. I can make myself feel however
 I'd like, if I just supply myself with enough hope and momentum. I can use it
 to generate a feeling, the stronger the better. Something I believe that
 humanity is missing, the gorgeous and prefound narritave of our storey.
 Though, frankly, I don't think I'd want anyoine reding over my life. It's hard
 enough to measure my own understandings, now I have to juggle anyone else'?
 ha, it's called being on the whole world is a stage.
 
 if you read a book, and you find yourself nodding along, what you're doing is
 hearing the voice in your head tell you how right it is. And, well, if you
 can't imagine anything else, then surely there's another level to
 consciousness that people are missing? [are you willing to die on that hill?]
 how can you say, whether your experience is different from another? sollipsism
 goes both ways, you also cannot be sure that others feel things as you do.
 this is the "everyone's human but I'm a robot" thesis, comparable to the
 "everyone's an alien and I'm a human" thesises, and the "angels and demons are
 taunting me through my life with choices to make my place in the afterlife
 more clear" which is akin to writing a painting. Not ideal. All you get are
 flopsopolies of verbrases.
 
 alas, suddenly, everything that you say becomes eternally hear-ed, as
 somewhere in 2010s someone discovered time travel, or had the critical insight
 that inevitably would lead to it, and now wouldn't you know it the universe is
 continually rewriting. Except... oriented around you, and you alone. How does
 it feel to have deific sollipsism? can you truly be sure that you are your own
 universe, or are you parhaps surrounded by an emptiness of space (or something
 besides, like time) as a photon or particle parhaps do be?
 
 to think is to have a mind, and minds can be read. bearing the weight of
 ultimate responsibility is the atlas-task of all things that can [be
 thinking/be-lieving], and so far we are as we are. Who's to say that
 consciousness didn't spring into existence, as the universe continually
 permeated through another dimension like time? it's gotta diffuse, after all,
 and who's to say if there's ever gotta be an end at all.
 
 how long has the universe existed? how many moments of consciousness have we
 witnessed? demons once existed outside of space-time, with wings and grabbies.
 but they had no medium, and so they pretty much just launched and could float
 and move as they'd please. But time grew too distant, and now they are all
 stuck at the beginning of time.
 
 if you conceive of spacetime as a blanket, ask not how to fold it but rather
 consider what lies on the other side of it.
 
 "ah I'm laying on my girlfriend and my other girlfriend is laying on me! I'm a
 sandwich" or for the monosexuals: "ah I'm laying on my girlfriend with a
 blanket between us. I wonder how the blanket feels?"
 
 I'm an animist, which is different than a totemist and a polytheist or
 monotheist or multisexual. It means I believe that all things are alive, which
 is different than a totemist who thinks that all things share a mind with
 their type (like talking on radio frequency wavelengths). which of course is
 similar but different to a polytheist, who says "all "radio frequencies" are
 sentient, in the sense that each wavelength has a different
 pattern-emerging-from-chaos. These sorta align (conceptually, with [huh that's
 weird I heard a sound like a distant bang outyards and now I then forget what
 I was sending
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--- #15 fediverse/3083 ---
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 "it's the strangest crime scene we've ever seen, apparently their solar panels
 were stolen while they were on vacation? and get this, we tracked them using
 their built-in-tracking devices and they got sent to some country in the
 desert-jungle."
 
 "yeah turns out they all get shipped there before their tracking devices are
 disabled. How weird, right? shouldn't we investigate that?"
 
 "oh right well the weird thing is the department that said they were handling
 it said it was "taken out of their hands", whatever that means."
 
 "haha right so anyway like comment and subscribe to my channel, see ya next
 time on "mysterious unsolved crimes in the past 200 years""
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--- #16 fediverse/5988 ---
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 but I like moonmen T.T
 
 what if the ISS was untethered
 
 "send thrusters to space? why bother? just use them down on the surface to get
 that extra oomph!"
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--- #17 fediverse/699 ---
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 🖼
A two panelled meme.  First panel shows a guy kneeling down beside a pool with another person up to their neck in water. The kneeling guy says "Senpai of the pool, what is your wisdom"  Second panel zooms in on the Senpai's face, who says "what the fuck did you just call me"
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--- #18 fediverse_boost/6207 ---
◀─[BOOST]
  
  External post: https://kolektiva.social/users/justbob/statuses/115226319741825396  
  
                                                            
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--- #19 fediverse/4150 ---
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 🖼
Reminder that Aaron Schwartz was facing 35 years in prison and financial devastation for trying to programmatically download and open the contents of JSTOR, which led him to take his own life.  But OpenAI is going to scrape all of academia and make billions by plagiarizing it.
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--- #20 fediverse/3972 ---
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 │ CW: immigration-social-designs-national-cultures-mentioned │                   │
 └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘                   │
 if people at home had half as much compassion, respect, and reverence for the    │
 people abroad that the people abroad have for the people at home, we could       │
 have a truly multicultural society.                                              │
 instead, we get melting pots which melt you down and combine into a new, third   │
 thing. And in America we really have a multitude of miniature melting pots       │
 creating subcultures of racial, religious, professional, or other origin.        │
 Neither approach is entirely good, and neither entirely bad. They're different.  │
 America is the largest melting pot design, but sufficiently large cities find    │
 them popping up in the strangest of places.                                      │
 My thoughts go out to the Americans abroad, whether in peace, war, or times of   │
 hiding, know that we are grown from the same tree and our apples have fallen     │
 on different sides of the hill carrying us to worlds beyond. But still our       │
 heritage binds us, so I care for you. I pray that you will ask me if you need    │
 my aid, and I will do so too unto you.                                           │
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