> U.S. law though is highly non-autistic and what you were trying to do is just as important as what you superficially did.

Love this way of putting it. Stealing for future conversations with fellow software developers.

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mh- 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I favorited the comment for the same reason. It's a perfect way of describing it.

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mikeweiss 13 hours ago | parent [-]

I think it's insulting

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mh- 13 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Not sure if you mean to software developers, or to those who are autistic, but I'm both.

	▲	s08148692 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Same - also thought it was hilarious

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tbrownaw 12 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

What's the less insulting but similarly concise way to make the same substantive point?

	▲	dns_snek 10 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		The law is teleological. As in: > When interpreting EU law, the CJEU pays particular attention to the aim and purpose of EU law (teleological interpretation), rather than focusing exclusively on the wording of the provisions (linguistic interpretation). https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/5993... https://definitions.lsd.law/teleological-interpretation
	▲	Lanrei 12 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Replace autistic with literal.

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ludston 12 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

It is, and autism is just the swap-in vulnerable minority of the day that is socially acceptable to be the butt of the joke.

If you don't understand what I mean, swap out "autistic" for "retarded" and the joke still functions, but a lot more people will be offended by it.

I still laughed though.

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JauntyHatAngle 11 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I don't think that makes sense.

I'm not disagreeing with your overall point, but autistic in that comment is attempting to capture that "literal rhetoric but socially unaware" style of argument people can have when they argue a point too black and white.

"Retarded" does not imply this

I would say the problem with the comment is more in line with how OCD or adhd is used, improperly. Like despite autism being a spectrum with traits that can't be reduced to that one stereotype.

It's being used to invoke a stereotype of neurodivergence. Not as a stand in for general stupidity.

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bcrosby95 12 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Yeah, shit's re.... dumb I mean. It's interesting we're still allowed to use dumb this way.

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ludston 11 hours ago | parent [-]

Most of our insults against intelligence come from medical terminology originally. Every word eventually starts being used offensively, and then a new one gets coined and the cycle continues.

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NopIdoN 11 hours ago | parent [-]

yeah like how dipshit used to be a term of endearance

	▲	ludston 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I assume you're being sarcastic, but moron, retard, stupid, dumb, idiot, mad, imbecile, mongoloid, spastic, lame, lunatic, maniac and psycho were all used as medical terms before they became stigmatic. Filter out sexual and scatological insults and there is very little left.

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smrq 13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It's kind of funny and also kind of insulting. I'd laugh if a friend said it but said seriously by some rando on the Internet, nah, find a better way to put it.

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crtified 10 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Why even choose a mental health condition as the linguistic pivot point for a zingy social phrase?

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saimiam 10 hours ago | parent [-]

I think you’re trying to ask the person you are replying to not to use medical terminology to make a point in a catchy way but I honestly have no idea what the Michael Scott segue was supposed to mean.

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crtified 9 hours ago | parent [-]

I realised that reference would not be well understood, so edited it out.

FYI it was a reference to fictional character Michael Scott from television production The Office (US). The characters main trait was unintended verbal faux pas, where he meant well but actually caused awkwardness and offense.

Often by stereotyping the traits of specific minorities.

	▲	sourcecodeplz 7 hours ago \| parent [-]
		now i have to watch it again, haven't binged the office in a couple of years now. it is time