Breakthroughs, Neurodivergence, and Working Outside the System

post by j_passeri · 2024-10-14T16:54:16.617Z · LW · GW · 2 comments

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In reflecting on historical figures like Einstein and Tesla, it becomes clear that disproportionate contributions often come from just a few highly impactful individuals—even within neurodivergent populations like those with Asperger’s. While many people with similar cognitive architectures work within conventional systems, these extreme outliers often seem to achieve more radical, transformative breakthroughs by working outside traditional structures.

This leads me to question whether systemic constraints in academia, corporate environments, or neurotypical-dominated social systems are holding back the majority of individuals with neurodivergent cognitive traits from realizing their full potential.

Disproportionate Contributions of a Few

Throughout history, there have been disproportionately high contributions from individuals with neurodivergent traits, like Albert Einstein, Nikola Tesla, and potentially even Thomas Edison. These figures were able to achieve breakthroughs that changed the trajectory of human knowledge and technology. The question is, why do these major breakthroughs come from only a few, while many others with similar cognitive abilities seem stifled?

The answer, I believe, lies in external pressures and systemic constraints.

Independence and Environment:

• Einstein famously worked in the Swiss patent office, which gave him mental freedom away from the restrictions of the academic environment. He had the autonomy to explore unconventional ideas like special relativity.
• Tesla, although often under financial strain, worked independently of many constraints imposed by established institutions. His ideas often clashed with mainstream thought, but this freedom allowed for his remarkable creativity.

External Stressors:

• Many neurodivergent individuals, including those with Asperger’s, often operate within systems that impose neurotypical expectations. In academia, for example, masking and dealing with social pressures may cause them to spend more cognitive energy on conforming rather than innovating. This stifles potential breakthroughs.
• Even for neurodivergent individuals, stress can limit the brain’s capacity to operate at its highest potential. High pressure from external forces—whether social, economic, or survival-based—can create barriers to full cognitive performance, impacting their ability to achieve disproportionately large gains.

The Constraints of Neurotypical Systems

In neurotypical-dominated systems like universities or corporations, individuals with Asperger’s may struggle not only because of the external pressures mentioned above but also due to:

• Lack of understanding of their own condition: Many may not be fully aware of how their cognitive differences affect their ability to function within these systems. The constant pressure to fit in, mask traits, and meet neurotypical expectations can create cognitive overload, which hinders their ability to achieve breakthroughs.
• Survival demands: Social pressures and the demands for basic survival (financial stress, career competition, etc.) can diminish creativity and rational thought. The need to conform to existing structures can result in fewer significant breakthroughs.

Working Outside the System

This brings me to a critical realization: maybe the most impactful way forward isn’t working within these systems but working outside of them. Many of the historical figures who made groundbreaking discoveries did so by stepping away from traditional structures:

• Einstein’s independence from academic constraints allowed him to break free from established ideas.
• Tesla’s visionary ideas, often ahead of their time, came from his freedom to work outside corporate or academic systems.

In my own journey, I am now questioning whether remaining inside these existing systems—whether it’s through academia, institutions, or even forums—will ultimately result in meaningful progress. To foster real breakthroughs, perhaps it’s necessary to cultivate environments that are free from neurotypical expectations, where individuals with neurodivergent cognitive architectures can think and operate without the overwhelming pressures that constrain their creativity.

Leveraging Technology and Collaboration

At the same time, AI augmentation and Neuralinks offer a potential pathway for making these cognitive leaps. Technologies that enhance rationality, reduce cognitive strain, and allow for faster thinking could be key to allowing those with Asperger’s or other neurodivergent traits to achieve breakthroughs without the constraints of existing systems.

However, these technologies must be embraced by communities of like-minded individuals, potentially outside the mainstream, to truly push human progress forward.

The next question is, how can we build alternative networks, support systems, and collaborative efforts to allow those with neurodivergent cognitive architectures to thrive and push the boundaries of rationality, technology, and human evolution?

Conclusion

While platforms like LessWrong are valuable for connecting with rational thinkers, I’m beginning to wonder whether my post here—or even contributing to systems like this—will have the impact I envision. Perhaps the true breakthroughs will come from those who operate outside of mainstream structures, just as Einstein and Tesla did.

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