Michael Fitzgerald - Autism Cosmologist?

dogjones · 28th September 2009, 09:33 AM

So I read this article which states that Mozart, Orwell, Einstein, Beethoven and Newton all had autism. Not "may have had", but "had."

I had never heard of this before. So I googled "Mozart Orwell Einstein autism" and lots of people seem to be saying it.

Most seem to be based on the work of one Michael Fitzgerald of Dublin University. Anyone read him? Is he some kind of autism cosmologist, like autism explains everything? Or is there something in what he says?

Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book."

Dave Rogers · 29th September 2009, 01:32 AM

This sort of retrodiagnosis seems very popular, and I don't believe a word of it. I don't think it's quite as simple as Difficult + Genius = Autism, but any result that depends entirely on anecdotal information has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I can accept that there's evidence to suggest that X, Y and Z historical figures had autism, or that it's likely that they did, but to make a definite diagnosis strikes me as rather irresponsible.

Dave

arthwollipot · 29th September 2009, 01:36 AM

Originally Posted by dogjones

Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book."

Your avatar says it all.

These journalists are crazy!

DevilsAdvocate · 29th September 2009, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by dogjones

So I read this article which states that Mozart, Orwell, Einstein, Beethoven and Newton all had autism. Not "may have had", but "had."

I had never heard of this before. So I googled "Mozart Orwell Einstein autism" and lots of people seem to be saying it.

Most seem to be based on the work of one Michael Fitzgerald of Dublin University. Anyone read him? Is he some kind of autism cosmologist, like autism explains everything? Or is there something in what he says?

Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book."

They didn't include Michelangelo?

It seems any nerd now has autism or Aspergers. Can we give douche bag jocks a complex and give it a name? Anger management complex? Sexual harassment syndrome?

Aren't these "personality traits" and not "syndromes" and "diseases"? Some people like to be left alone and learn and prefect music and art and math and science. Others hate that stuff and want to go out and socialize and be cool and do whatever they need to do to get laid.

wollery · 29th September 2009, 01:59 AM

From what I know of Mozart he wasn't autistic, he was a spoiled brat.

Einstein, pretty definitely not autistic. Autism is a social interaction disorder spectrum, and by all accounts Einstein was a pretty normal guy.

No idea about Orwell.

dogjones · 29th September 2009, 06:53 AM

Check this out, by Belenos - everyone has autism. Everyone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_..._been_autistic

28th September 2009, 09:33 AM	#1
dogjones Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bermuda Posts: 1,281	Michael Fitzgerald - Autism Cosmologist? So I read this article which states that Mozart, Orwell, Einstein, Beethoven and Newton all had autism. Not "may have had", but "had." I had never heard of this before. So I googled "Mozart Orwell Einstein autism" and lots of people seem to be saying it. Most seem to be based on the work of one Michael Fitzgerald of Dublin University. Anyone read him? Is he some kind of autism cosmologist, like autism explains everything? Or is there something in what he says? Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book."
	__________________ It's great being ideologically flexible.

29th September 2009, 01:32 AM	#2
Dave Rogers Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through a scribbled morning waving necessary ankles Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In a world lit only by fire. Posts: 17,894	This sort of retrodiagnosis seems very popular, and I don't believe a word of it. I don't think it's quite as simple as Difficult + Genius = Autism, but any result that depends entirely on anecdotal information has to be taken with a pinch of salt. I can accept that there's evidence to suggest that X, Y and Z historical figures had autism, or that it's likely that they did, but to make a definite diagnosis strikes me as rather irresponsible. Dave
	__________________ "We will punish the murderer together. Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance and more democracy." - Fabian Stang, Mayor of Oslo SSKCAS, covert member

29th September 2009, 01:36 AM	#3
arthwollipot Observer of Phenomena Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The other side of your screen Posts: 42,990	Originally Posted by dogjones Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book." Your avatar says it all. These journalists are crazy!
	__________________ Jadey (in RvB game thread): I just want to take a moment to commend Arth on his role as Parasitic Alien Tumor. I think he really connected with the character and there were times when I forgot that he was just acting. That's the kind of talent that you can't teach.

29th September 2009, 01:46 AM	#4
DevilsAdvocate Illuminator Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,643	Originally Posted by dogjones So I read this article which states that Mozart, Orwell, Einstein, Beethoven and Newton all had autism. Not "may have had", but "had." I had never heard of this before. So I googled "Mozart Orwell Einstein autism" and lots of people seem to be saying it. Most seem to be based on the work of one Michael Fitzgerald of Dublin University. Anyone read him? Is he some kind of autism cosmologist, like autism explains everything? Or is there something in what he says? Certainly it must be difficult to diagnose long dead people. I can't help thinking that he's read something like "Mozart was a difficult boy" and thought "Aha! Mozart was a genius as well! So by the Fitzgerald formula of Difficult + Genius = Autism, it's time to write a new book." They didn't include Michelangelo? It seems any nerd now has autism or Aspergers. Can we give douche bag jocks a complex and give it a name? Anger management complex? Sexual harassment syndrome? Aren't these "personality traits" and not "syndromes" and "diseases"? Some people like to be left alone and learn and prefect music and art and math and science. Others hate that stuff and want to go out and socialize and be cool and do whatever they need to do to get laid.
	__________________ Heaven forbid someone reads these words and claims to be adversely affected by them, thus ensuring a barrage of lawsuits filed under the guise of protecting the unknowing victims who were stupid enough to read this and believe it! - Kevin Trudeau Last edited by DevilsAdvocate; 29th September 2009 at 01:47 AM.

29th September 2009, 01:59 AM	#5
wollery Protected by Samurai Hedgehogs! TLA Winner Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Land of Eternal Hope Posts: 10,313	From what I know of Mozart he wasn't autistic, he was a spoiled brat. Einstein, pretty definitely not autistic. Autism is a social interaction disorder spectrum, and by all accounts Einstein was a pretty normal guy. No idea about Orwell.
	__________________ "You're a sick SOB. You know that, Wollery?" - Roadtoad "Just think how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider!" --George Carlin

29th September 2009, 06:53 AM	#6
dogjones Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bermuda Posts: 1,281	Check this out, by Belenos - everyone has autism. Everyone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_..._been_autistic
	__________________ It's great being ideologically flexible.