We’re not talking about the 1970s!
Quote from: Risso on March 07, 2020, 11:39:23 AM'Rainman' has been used on here lots of times over the years, to mean somebody with an obsession with stats etc. I don't think it's intended as an insult to people with autism.Whether its intended to insult or not, it is one. Would you walk up to someone with autism and call them Rainman to their face?It may be intended as light hearted banter but there are plenty of examples of people thinking they are being funny but actually being offensive.That the original poster of the comment apologised for causing offence and yet others are suggesting it's acceptable is odd.
'Rainman' has been used on here lots of times over the years, to mean somebody with an obsession with stats etc. I don't think it's intended as an insult to people with autism.
Quote from: Drummond on March 07, 2020, 11:48:00 AMQuote from: Risso on March 07, 2020, 11:39:23 AM'Rainman' has been used on here lots of times over the years, to mean somebody with an obsession with stats etc. I don't think it's intended as an insult to people with autism. Whether its intended to insult or not, it is one. Would you walk up to someone with autism and call them Rainman to their face?It may be intended as light hearted banter but there are plenty of examples of people thinking they are being funny but actually being offensive.That the original poster of the comment apologised for causing offence and yet others are suggesting it's acceptable is odd. I am autistic, didn't find it offensive. And even if I did so what. It's a forum people rant sometimes.Edit. For the record, the real life character rain Man was based on did not have autism, it was a different condition. It gets a bit annoying sometimes, as do Sheldon Cooper references.
Quote from: Risso on March 07, 2020, 11:39:23 AM'Rainman' has been used on here lots of times over the years, to mean somebody with an obsession with stats etc. I don't think it's intended as an insult to people with autism. Whether its intended to insult or not, it is one. Would you walk up to someone with autism and call them Rainman to their face?It may be intended as light hearted banter but there are plenty of examples of people thinking they are being funny but actually being offensive.That the original poster of the comment apologised for causing offence and yet others are suggesting it's acceptable is odd.
I know there was no offence meant by the original post.However, this is a more complex issue than many seem to be treating it as. The National Autistic Society has a video review of the film on their website, that was made by people with a diagnosis of autism. They found a number of issues that weren't at all positive about the way the character and the film were portrayed and felt may things were very outdated (the reviewers were all born after the film was made; it's quite an interesting watch if you're interested).The original post and reference to Rainman wasn't made in a positive way. It was made in a derogatory way about someone's obsession with stats and pulling posts apart by minute detail. Most of the time when people call someone Rainman, they are doing it in jest, joking about the person's obsession with numbers and statistics. In my view, it is a lazy and inaccurate stereotype that reinforces, to many, that being autistic and/or being a 'savant' or 'high-functioning' (both outdated terminology) is somewhat strange; the film doesn't help that. The film, the character and autism can't be separated here, as they are intrinsically linked.People sing a song about the size of Ezri Konsa's cock, they may not mean to be offensive; they may even think they are being positive because it's so great to have a big cock (believe me, it isn't all it's cracked up to be), but they are relying on an old, outdated and racial stereotype. They are, rightly, called out on it and criticised. I believe, in time of not now, that this will be one of those things that gets called out more.I know the original post didn't mean to be offensive, and that many of you, including Ashton Villa, weren't offended, but in my view it was because of the intention to use it in a negative way. I'm not going to continue this because I'm clearly in a minority and haven't the time to continue responding to everyone on it. But, I will fight the corner of those more vulnerable, because that's what people in a decent society do. I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, and also for going on about it, but when I see discrimination as often as I do, I become frustrated and feel the need to stand up and be counted when I encounter it.
I suggest you follow the links below. Some Court advice from the StatesSome Government advice from this side of the pond.