Being an audiophile is a lonely hobby

[Pancreas]

Whether we wish to address it or not, the vast majority of us audiophiles are on the autistic spectrum. Many of us are capable of limited social interaction and excellent at being flatscreen warriors when the situation calls for it.

I'm on the spectrum myself. Autistics have very refined senses and can hear frequencies, tones, and sounds that nonautistics cannot.

Audiophilia and the pursuit of better tone/sound is a solitary pursuit. Music/hifi is a big part of that solace

 

[holdingpants01]

this guy in the photo seems to hate high frequencies, speakers are aimed at absorbers on the wall behind him, HF are beaming, yet he still cover his ears

 

[kacos]

this guy in the photo seems to hate high frequencies, speakers are aimed at absorbers on the wall behind him, HF are beaming, yet he still cover his ears

lol .. and he's not alone

 

[fpitas]

HF are beaming,

With those silly horns? Oh, yeah.

 

[XpanD]

Autistics have very refined senses and can hear frequencies, tones, and sounds that nonautistics cannot.

Huh? Not sure what that would have to do with anything. Focusing on different things, sure, but actually hearing different things?

 

[fpitas]

Huh?

I wondered about that, too.

 

[Digby]

Huh? Not sure what that would have to do with anything. Focusing on different things, sure, but actually hearing different things?

As far as I know this is true, but more a case of (increased) perception, rather than any superhuman abilities.

 

[TonyJZX]

i would agree that some aspects would tend to suit autists

but remember there are also audio shows (not here but in other parts of the civilised world)

i think the other side is obvious... people need to buy stuff, from shops... and so you have some kind of interaction there but of course, our Chinese friends are doing there bit to minimise that

there's a lot of hobbies that tend to suit... loners?

 

[Digby]

Audiophilia and the pursuit of better tone/sound is a solitary pursuit.

says the man with a handsome German Shepherd!

 

[fpitas]

there's a lot of hobbies that tend to suit... loners?

Well, of course. Boredom is a great driver of purchasing.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Autistics have very refined senses and can hear frequencies, tones, and sounds that nonautistics cannot.

...Maybe it's my English, but in my book, autism and autistic disorders are diagnosed pathologies and not some gimmick buzzwords...

the vast majority of us audiophiles are on the autistic spectrum.

So, no. Just nope.

Audiophilia and the pursuit of better tone/sound is a solitary pursuit.

Because our hobby is kind of solitary doesn't mean that we all are socially awkward. I'm pretty confident to say that I ain't.

 

[Digby]

Because our hobby is kind of solitary doesn't mean that we all are socially awkward. I'm pretty confident to say that I ain't.

Yes, but you are French, so you would say that you're not even if you are!

 

[fpitas]

I have to think some people take up the hobby to find friends with similar inclinations.

 

[Doodski]

..Maybe it's my English, but in my book, autism and autistic disorders are diagnosed pathologies and not some gimmick buzzwords...

Well stated. Using mental diagnosis terminology to label groups of peeps is demeaning and belittling to those that have such a diagnosis.

 

[Digby]

I would hazard a guess that the technical side of music appreciation (the equipment) has higher percentages of autistic people (properly diagnosed or otherwise), than the general 'music appreciator' category - if I was to bet, probably vinyl, horns, valves and other such esoteric side alleys probably have higher autism rates than general audiophile population.

Using mental diagnosis terminology to label groups of peeps is demeaning and belittling to those that have such a diagnosis.

I don't believe it was intended to be derogatory and AFAICS, it is probably factually correct. Not the 'vast majority', but that there are higher rates among audiophiles, than in general population.

 

[Doodski]

I would hazard a guess that the technical side of music appreciation (the equipment) has higher percentages of autistic people (properly diagnosed or otherwise), than the general 'music appreciator' category - if I was to bet, probably vinyl, horns, valves and other such esoteric side alleys probably have higher autism rates than general audiophile population.

You can hazard all you want but I don't think autistic people are concentrated in audio pursuits.

I don't believe it was intended to be derogatory and AFAICS, it is probably factually correct. Not the 'vast majority', but that there are higher rates among audiophiles, than in general population.

Probably factually correct is a stretch. The appreciation of music is pursued around the world by many kinds of people. The diversity and mix is huge and not autistic people.

 

[Digby]

You can hazard all you want but I don't think autistic people are concentrated in audio pursuits.

That isn't what I said. They are obviously not 'only' audiophiles, but are there are probably more who consider themselves such (as a percentage of all that consider themselves audiophiles) than in the general population - two different things.

Probably factually correct is a stretch. The appreciation of music is pursued around the world by many kinds of people. The diversity and mix is huge and not autistic people.

The topic is about audiophiles, if you stretch to include everyone who appreciates music, then of course you will be correct, but that is not what is being discussed.

I don't understand what would be wrong about speculating, one way or another, if there are more or not. Nobody is using this information to have a go at anyone else.

Are you saying the discussion itself should be off limits for some reason or other?

 

[Doodski]

That isn't what I said. They are obviously not 'only' audiophiles, but are there are probably more who consider themselves such (as a percentage of all that consider themselves audiophiles) than in the general population - two different things.


The topic is about audiophiles, if you stretch to include everyone who appreciates music, then of course you will be correct, but that is not what is being discussed.

I don't understand what would be wrong about speculating, one way or another, if there were or not. Nobody is using this information to have a go at anyone else.

Are you saying the discussion itself should be off limits for some reason or other?

I'm saying this is a science based website with millions of viewers.

 

[Digby]

What do you mean by that? Doesn't all science (including social science) start with either observation and/or speculation as to x thing, then sets out to see whether that thing is correct or not.

Whether it is science based or not doesn't stop us having a discussion, does it....? I'm honestly perplexed.

 

[Doodski]

What do you mean by that? Doesn't all science (including social science) start with either observation and/or speculation as to x thing, then sets out to see whether that thing is correct or not.

Whether it is science based or not doesn't stop us having a discussion, does it....? I'm honestly perplexed.

If you are going to label audiophiles/music aficionados using science then you need proof. You don't use science and simultaneously use this website.