Neurodivergent Thinking as an Asset in System Design and Problem-Solving
By
user_7832
Plain bagel done well. Pleasantly substantive.
Summary
The article explores how neurodivergent thinking patterns, often seen as defects in social contexts, can be valuable assets in system design and problem-solving. The author shares personal experiences of being described as a "purist" and having obsessive thinking patterns, arguing that these neurodivergent traits are actually ideal for building robust, logical systems. The piece challenges the pathologization of neurodivergence and suggests that what may be perceived as rigid or obsessive thinking in human interactions can be precisely what's needed for creating effective, well-structured systems in technology and other fields.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledA former manager once described me as a 'purist'. It wasn't the first time a colleague alluded to my obsessive way of thinking but it was the first time someone used it as a compliment.
What if neurodivergent 'defects' are the exact architecture the world's systems need?
Neurodivergence is often pathologized. You may have heard that you're too rigid, too blunt, too obsessive. These traits may irk humans.
Systems are different. I have built and worked on some of the strangest, most robust systems precisely because of my neurodivergent thinking.
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