Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons
From: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: is this funny?
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Date: 9 Oct 90 19:18:45 GMT
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Hi Ed,

As I recall the joke that started this thread, it had to do with
the difference between an autistic person and a programmer. The
punch line was that Autistic persons can, I repeat *can*
communicate.

Now, of course I wouldn't tell a joke of this kind because it is in
bad taste, but the person that was being slighted was the
programmer, not the autistic person. If you think about it, it's
kind of a backhanded compliment.

Now, I repeat, when I sent in my views of this joke I said I
thought it was mildly funny, the kind of funny that you say,
"uhuh." and leave it at that.

I am sorry that a person who is autistic took the joke the wrong
way. That's why jokes of this kind are in bad taste. They can be
misconstrued.

I guess the best thing to do is tell jokes of that kind, if you
have to tell them, not on public echoes or on bulletin boards or in
any kind of public setting.

I am, for those who wish to know, a Norman Cosens fan. I think that
humor is one of the prerequisites of life it keeps us sane. Those
who can not laugh, and especially at themselves are on the edge of
mental illness.

No, I am not a psychologist, just a teacher and human being with an
opinion.  Take care, see you on-line.

Ann P.

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