Dartman

I don't know if anyone else has had this same idea, but I've been wondering about the possibility of a music band/group made up exclusively of people who either have an AS condition or Asperger's Syndrome. I have been writing my own songs for about two or three years, but I can't play instruments to save my life. I might be able to sing a bit, though. Anyway, I have written enough songs for a single/EP - they are mostly love songs, based around discovery, recovery, acceptance, enjoyment of life, and similar themes. Just wondered if anyone's thought of this before, Dart

I have been to this service, as I live in Chesterfield. They will assess you by talking - a consultant psychologist at the Centre will talk to you privately (one-to-one) and from there, s/he will be able to tell you what sort of support you need. That's from what I can remember, mind.

This is what the Sun might look like before it blows: Key to elements (lightest to heaviest) H - Hydrogen He - Helium C - Carbon O - Oxygen Ne - Neon Mg - Magnesium Si - Silicon S - Sulphur Ni - Nickel Fe - Iron, the last element the Sun will create before exploding. When the Sun does explode, it will take the whole Solar System with it. It will also spew the elements inside of it out into space, and the hydrogen (and dust) that is left will form a nebula; the birth place for the new 'Sun' or more stars.

This is one of the songs that will stay with me for the rest of my life - this is a live performance, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrR8C_-dyjU&feature=related

I'm glad I found this thread - I'm a massive car fan, and I will look and stare (for a few seconds) at historic cars that I encounter. I used to go to a rally festival at Chatsworth House, and I've also seen lots of historic cars at a big motorsport show at the NEC, but for me, historic road cars win - especially famous historic cars - or historic race/rally cars. I remember once seeing a 1960s Citroen DS (first car in the world with turning headlights) and feeling slightly amazed - I thought that a car that old would have been parked in a museum, but no, it was still on the road. Other cars I will probably remember seeing include at least a couple of Morgans (made of wood), a Rolls-Royce (also made of wood), a 1957 Fiat 500, and, of course, the Ferrari 360 Spyder that I once sat in (and went for a ride), and the howl of the MG Metro 6R4 Group B rally car.

I agree with darkshine - we'll either have become extinct, or humanity will have found a way to colonise nearby solar systems. As to the Sun becoming a red giant and then exploding, we can't really stop that - the Sun is 1,000 times the size of the Earth, and because of the way it creates energy (from nuclear fusion) it will fuse heavier elements as the star ages - each fusion requires more and more energy, and by the time the Sun tries to fuse iron, the amount of energy needed to fuse will probably exceed the amount of energy given off in heat and light. Currently, the Sun is fusing hydrogen- 1, so two hydrogen-1 atoms fuse to make a helium-2. Helium fuses to make beryllium, beryllium fuses to make oxygen, etc etc. I'm not an expert on fusion, but the periodic table of elements can help to explain the elements and their atomic masses (their atomic numbers). I'm also a chemistry fan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodic_table

I'm so glad I haven't offended anyone. I thought I would do when I posted this. Anyway, what probably worries me is the current government's ideological outlook - the Conservatives are a 'Right' party - they believe in lack of change and the dominance of the status quo. The party presumably has a lot of voters who are very rich, and don't want the young and the working/middle classes to rise (through the force of social mobility) into positions of power, because when that happens, the rich few will be challenged Finally, this line of Scapegoat (Not Them But Us: Society's Challenge, Page 226) made me wonder if the general public do have a sense of fear towards disabled people: q. "Those who can work that upon rigorous medical examination turn out to be just thick or bone idle to undertake intenstive (sic) course in employability, where they will learn to be punctual, meticulous, smartly dressed, articulate, and gain working attitute. Those who fail the course to be deployed in Afghanistan as IED deterrants.' That quote appeared on HM Treasury's website, following a invitation from the general public on ways to reduce welfare spending.

This might be a bit critical - please be aware that what I've written is my opinion, and it wasn't intended to offend anyone. Anyway, what I'm worried about is that in the future, people with Aspergers' Syndrome, autism and other similar conditions will be viewed in a similar way to the views that some charities (for example, the National Autistic Society) try to portray people with ASDs as - people who are needy. Too needy. However, after reading Scapegoat by Katherine Quarmby, my views have deteriorated - in her book, she pointed out a strong link between austerity and the lack of generosity expressed by the general public. Because people with ASDs (even weak ASD conditions) often have problems getting into work, and problems at work, they could be viewed as 'inferior', mainly because their behaviour is 'strange', but also the fact that they (and myself, for example) need more support at work and in life. Because of their increased support needs, the general public may feel that people with ASDs are getting 'something for nothing' - for example, help to get on the employment ladder without making visable sacrifices themselves, such as improving their behaviour. The reason I mention 'something for nothing' is that it is a line walked by the Government - senior Tory ministers have used it, including David Cameron. Anyway, rant over. I just wondered if anyone else feels the way I feel (I also feel that free speech is being eroded in this country - yes, online RIP trolls need to be censored, but not the 59.9 million or so people in the UK who have decent, honest opinions)

Errr... all I can say to your question, Tanya, is that I'm not in the rosiest of workplaces at the moment. I'm currently trying to sort said problems out, though, so it's not 100% doom and gloom.

Hi everyone, Dart here. I'm 22 years old and I come from the North of the UK. I was diagnosed with Aspergers' Syndrome at about the age of 3, and at the moment, I'm studying a computer-related degree at university. I also work part-time. In terms of my hobbies, I enjoy talking, watching motorsport, casual sport - cycling/cricket/walking, listening to indie music (Oasis, Feeder) writing (predominantly modern fantasy) as well as lyrics for songs. I also draw. Finally, I find it hard to make (and keep) friends - often I have made friends who don't turn out to be friends. I only have a few 'true' friends, but I would like to meet more people, and talk with them, too. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you on the forum, Dart PS - Amberzak invited me to this forum - we're members of an online writing group.