It’s good to read that Wiley understands the findings of the neuroscientist. So sad that we don’t elect people who also understand that the world is not just one or the other but an infinite number of ways a person can be born.
For those that think raising an Asperger’s Syndrome child is all blue skies and roses, think a very demanding child who does not go to sleep until 11:00PM (yes 2300) and gets up at 0300 AM expecting to be coddled to. Will lie on the floor outside the bedroom and unrelentingly kick the door until everyone is up. Yes there is more ……..
Small nit (well, not really, but I wanted to post something) — with a “full Earth” in the sky, it would be night on that side of the moon. Deep, dark, night. (OK, maybe we can see what we see because of Earthshine. Problem solved.)
I’m about to be brutally honest here, but please focus on the honesty part rather than the brutality, OK?
Homo sapiens has existed as a species for about a million years. And a major part of our continued success was the fact that we’re an incredibly social species, and mothers in particular are genetically programmed to look out for their offspring for years, as these big honkin’ brains (which are our main evolutionary advantage) continue to grow to adult size. (Compare this to newborn colts or calves strugging to their feet within minutes of being born.) Nonetheless, no matter how socially protective we are, there are limits. During our megayear on Earth, natural selection would’ve weeded out most autistic humans before they could ever reproduce. Most of them would’ve been either eaten by predators or abandoned when the going got too hard. We’ve reversed that in modern times. An autistic child who wanders away from a family picnic in the mountains and gets killed by a puma (which is simply following its natural instincts) will be avenged by a posse of humans taking out every mountain lion (or anything vaguely resembling a mountain lion) for 4 counties in every direction.
Autism is less like a valuable survival trait than an occasional anomaly, probably caused by genetic mutation but not as lethal as, say, Huntington’s Disease, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, or sickle-cell anemia. It’s hell on the family members who have to deal with it, which makes them both heroes and victims. But imagining that there’s something wonderful going on inside that closed box is just a rationalization due to wishful thinking. In any event, as long as that box remains closed (and there’s zero evidence that it will ever open), it’s no different than if Shakespeare had lived his entire life inside a closed cottage, fed thru a window, and the whole place had burned down along with all his papers when he turned 50. A tragedy, yes, but a waste? Who would know?
My problem with Jack is presenting him as a magic child with enviable abilities to see wonder in life and sometimes share this. As a person on the spectrum myself, I can sometimes see amazing things (how things fit together and how things work in a deeper way than many others), but I have serious deficits as well. When I was young I was distressed enough by my failures to connect with my peers that I even considered suicide while I was in my later grade school days. Maturity has brought me stability, but I don’t want to present autism as if it were all the cool stuff and none of the tragedy.
EasternWoods over 3 years ago
We’re all on the spectrum. Some a little more than others
willispate over 3 years ago
I swear, Jack oughta write books about his adventures!
TwilightFaze over 3 years ago
Jack is a little ball of adorable and Danae is as well for being in on the adventure. Love strips like these!
kaffekup over 3 years ago
St Elsewhere, anybody?
marilynnbyerly over 3 years ago
Some people believe that autism is our next step in brain evolution. If kids can do what Jack does, I’m cool with that.
Enter.Name.Here over 3 years ago
A poke on the nose (and a hit of acid) and yo can go anywhere! ;-) By the look on her face in the last panel, I don’t need to tell her.
Superfrog over 3 years ago
Great, Kid! Don’t get cocky.
Bilan over 3 years ago
Can Jack take care of that problem with Alexa and Siri tomorrow?
STEPUP over 3 years ago
Impressive!!!
Bilan over 3 years ago
Alien in Cel #5: How am I going to explain to AAA that I had an accident with a T-rex on Earth’s moon?
Kurtass Premium Member over 3 years ago
Is this a repeat?
hariseldon59 over 3 years ago
Reminds me of Calvin’s fantasy world
lee85736 over 3 years ago
Danae’s personal world could use a little shaking up….
Cheapskate0 over 3 years ago
Someone said that today’s Prickly City was a bit Calvin and Hobbes.
I’d say today’s Non Sequitur is very Calvin and Hobbes today.
SIERAGATOR Premium Member over 3 years ago
A little more bizarre than Calvin and hobbes I think..
Scorpio Premium Member over 3 years ago
@Wiley, I know you read these comments. More Jack please. (And Lars if at all possible)
comicsboi Premium Member over 3 years ago
I just realized this is a St. Elsewhere homage thing. Or, maybe not, but it certainly could be inspired by it.
EasternWoods over 3 years ago
If memory serves me right, Jack is inspired by one of Wiley’s family members
James Deveney Premium Member over 3 years ago
It’s good to read that Wiley understands the findings of the neuroscientist. So sad that we don’t elect people who also understand that the world is not just one or the other but an infinite number of ways a person can be born.
Chris over 3 years ago
um… thank you? :D
WDemBlk Premium Member over 3 years ago
Happy Passover (Pesach) to all.
MattBaldwin Premium Member over 3 years ago
I love this. My son is on the spectrum. He takes me on wild adventures too.
rs0204 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Dear Wiley,
I love strips about Jack and his special world.
Thank you.
ishannon5289 over 3 years ago
It is probably too late, but I would love it if you were to do something special with Jack for April.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Dinosaurs in Space. I’m getting a Dr. Who vibe here. I wonder if Jack has been inside the Tardis?
jscarff57 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Well, she asked if she could join him…
JudyAz over 3 years ago
Danae’s greeting in panel 2 should never be used in an airport!
BiathlonNut over 3 years ago
For those that think raising an Asperger’s Syndrome child is all blue skies and roses, think a very demanding child who does not go to sleep until 11:00PM (yes 2300) and gets up at 0300 AM expecting to be coddled to. Will lie on the floor outside the bedroom and unrelentingly kick the door until everyone is up. Yes there is more ……..
Calvins Brother over 3 years ago
“BINK” me next, please.
DondiDoo over 3 years ago
Imagination is reality that just hasn’t happened yet.
Huckleberry Hiroshima over 3 years ago
Well it’s about time.
Fido (aka Felix Rex) over 3 years ago
Small nit (well, not really, but I wanted to post something) — with a “full Earth” in the sky, it would be night on that side of the moon. Deep, dark, night. (OK, maybe we can see what we see because of Earthshine. Problem solved.)
Thank you for your attention.
alexius23 over 3 years ago
He needs to meet Calvin & Hobbes
Ermine Notyours over 3 years ago
Just a little ditty, about Jack and Danae…
mokspr Premium Member over 3 years ago
They should have gotten Wiley to write the sequel to "Independence Day ".
TravisTarrant1 over 3 years ago
Love this! Any strip with Danae in it is gold.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 3 years ago
I’m about to be brutally honest here, but please focus on the honesty part rather than the brutality, OK?
Homo sapiens has existed as a species for about a million years. And a major part of our continued success was the fact that we’re an incredibly social species, and mothers in particular are genetically programmed to look out for their offspring for years, as these big honkin’ brains (which are our main evolutionary advantage) continue to grow to adult size. (Compare this to newborn colts or calves strugging to their feet within minutes of being born.) Nonetheless, no matter how socially protective we are, there are limits. During our megayear on Earth, natural selection would’ve weeded out most autistic humans before they could ever reproduce. Most of them would’ve been either eaten by predators or abandoned when the going got too hard. We’ve reversed that in modern times. An autistic child who wanders away from a family picnic in the mountains and gets killed by a puma (which is simply following its natural instincts) will be avenged by a posse of humans taking out every mountain lion (or anything vaguely resembling a mountain lion) for 4 counties in every direction.
Autism is less like a valuable survival trait than an occasional anomaly, probably caused by genetic mutation but not as lethal as, say, Huntington’s Disease, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, or sickle-cell anemia. It’s hell on the family members who have to deal with it, which makes them both heroes and victims. But imagining that there’s something wonderful going on inside that closed box is just a rationalization due to wishful thinking. In any event, as long as that box remains closed (and there’s zero evidence that it will ever open), it’s no different than if Shakespeare had lived his entire life inside a closed cottage, fed thru a window, and the whole place had burned down along with all his papers when he turned 50. A tragedy, yes, but a waste? Who would know?
RAGs over 3 years ago
Just wondering, with all of her discussions and adventures with Lucy, is Danae on the spectrum also?
librarian4hire over 3 years ago
Chag Pesach Sameach & “a zissen Pesach” (a sweet Passover), everyone!
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 3 years ago
I think I really like Jack.
dot-the-I over 3 years ago
Hmm. Is not each of us on some “spectrum” or ’nother, defining our shared commonality and special genius at the same time?
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 3 years ago
I wish that part was true. For many with Autism it is a labor to get through the day.
bakana over 3 years ago
Jack isn’t really “On the Spectrum”.
It’s just that, what with all the Important tasks he’s responsible for, he doesn’t have much time to pay attention to our “Reality”.
einarbt over 3 years ago
Thank you, Jack.
chromosome Premium Member over 3 years ago
My problem with Jack is presenting him as a magic child with enviable abilities to see wonder in life and sometimes share this. As a person on the spectrum myself, I can sometimes see amazing things (how things fit together and how things work in a deeper way than many others), but I have serious deficits as well. When I was young I was distressed enough by my failures to connect with my peers that I even considered suicide while I was in my later grade school days. Maturity has brought me stability, but I don’t want to present autism as if it were all the cool stuff and none of the tragedy.
Mario500 over 3 years ago
“AH…HE’S ON THE SPECTRUM, RIGHT?”
(wonders about this “SPECTRUM”)
Mario500 over 3 years ago
“AND YOU’RE WELCOME, EVERYBODY”
(does not like this dialogue)