Are Aspergers more likely to be whistleblowers?

[DuckRabbit]

Have any of you had experiences of telling the truth in some situation, or disclosing something, only to be excoriated or shunned by others who resent that that truth was disclosed?

When confronted with a truth or a criticism, many react defensively. They may attack the ‘whistleblower’, calling the whistleblower’s integrity, intelligence or sanity into question, rather than reflecting on the reality, behaviour or quality that the whistleblower has highlighted. E.g., the case of oil industry whistleblower Hamel
Oil industry whistleblower Hamel, subject of industry spy campaign, dead at 84

Many people choose not to expose the discrepant attitude or wrongdoing that they have witnessed for fear of losing their job or being excommunicated. They choose to protect their social standing, their livelihood or the company's reputation instead. They are able to compartmentalise the moral conflict and de-emphasise it in comparison to their own interests.

NTs by definition have no social deficits; they can be said to have more social-political aptitude. NTs therefore are more likely to realise in advance the implications of whistleblowing, and decide with more insight whether to blow the whistle or not. Due to their greater social embeddness, NTs may be more aware of the possibility of reprisals.

I'm wondering whether Asperger hardwiring doesn't predispose one to be a whistleblower more readily than NTs?

 

[WereBear]

I can certainly relate: I'm all "but this is the truth" and they are all "But we don't like it!"

 

[DuckRabbit]

Hmm, this is an interesting topic. I've read that Aspies are more predisposed to truth than NT's. That doesn't mean Aspies are incapable of lying, but rather lying tends to short-circuit their brain. In order for an Aspie to effectively lie, they have to immerse themselves in the deception so much that it becomes truth for them.

With that said, deception, corruption, etc, in my opinion, affects the Aspie the same way a lie does and they therefore feel compelled to expose it. I struggle with that at work constantly. There is so much corruption that it practically fries my brain and I want to expose it; and we are regularly "encouraged" to falsify our daily time sheets. I'll be eligible for a pension in 34 months and 8 days . . . not that I'm counting.

I can't help feeling that Aspergers are on the planet as a corrective force in this NT-dominant world, although very little 'correction' ever succeeds; more usually one takes one's life in one's hand if one points out a NT inefficiency, waste or unethical practice. Far from being appreciated, Aspergers efforts to save, be efficient, ethical and truthful are in many cases strenuously discouraged. The social-political truth (being in power, profits, organisation survival/ expansion) is irately imposed as more important. I just don't see how anyone can ever compete against that mind-set.

And the most blasphemous truth of all that an Asperger can reveal is that Aspergers and NTs have different takes on the truth, that NTs have a greater ability to lie and deceive. Imagine if we reversed what you said about Aspergers for NT individuals:

"I've read that NTs are more predisposed to lie than Aspies. That doesn't mean NTs are incapable of telling the truth, but rather telling the truth tends to short-circuit their brain. In order for a NT to effectively tell the truth they have to immerse themselves in reality so much that it becomes a lie for them.

"With that said, honesty, morality, etc, in my opinion, affects the NT the same way a truth does and they therefore feel compelled to conceal it. I struggle with that at work constantly. There is so much morality that it practically fries my brain and I want to expose it; and we are regularly "encouraged" to record our daily time sheets accurately."

 

[Danny 74]

Its the brutal honesty that has got me in trouble over the years.. Like that film liar liar when il just say something truthfully and all hell breaks loose...! Its just i really dont want to lie to people..!

 

[rainfall]

Yes, I have. I think that it comes down to a ton of factors. As you said, sometimes it's because it will gain them more than what they will lose for lying. A corrupt company is much more severe a problem than an individual lying, although, that's where it starts.

I have family that lies with no problem whatsoever and tells me to do the same. I can't, in good conscience lie, for any reason. I might not tell the entire truth or tell the truth in a way with the right wording that makes sure I'm not lying, but also not getting myself in trouble.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family and so I was brought to counselors to talk to them about what might be going on in my home during school without my parent's knowledge up to seventh or eighth grade and I didn't want to lie and knew better than to tell the truth so I said nothing at all until she said she'd have to call my mom. I burst into tears and frantically asked her not to. She was surprised and asked why I had that reaction but I clammed up again and would only say, please don't call her. She called her, it did not end well for me that day.

My theory is that in the beginning everyone is inherently truthful but learns to lie because of the reactions of others when they tell the truth. If you have a child that broke something and you ask them if they did it and they say yes and your response is to hit them or punish them, they unconsciously associate the truth with trouble/pain and it just continues as they get older and continuously ignore their conscience to the point it doesn't bother them anymore.

If you put that theory to a company it makes sense. How much trouble will they get into for telling the truth as opposed to continuing the lie? It's not right and plenty of other people are surely being brought in and hurt in the process. For them avoiding the repercussions of telling the truth by lying are greater in their view than the fact that what they and/or what they know others are doing is immoral/unethical. I don't think the majority of people see lying as that bad, but it has disastrous effects wherever they're used.

 

[Bella Pines]

I would say yes.

As an aspie I am more inclined to state the facts as I see them with little regard to the surrounding sensitivity. This may result in 'whistleblowing' but at the time, I wouldn't see it this way.

Secondly, as an aspie I am less likely to be persuaded by the masses and convinced by propaganda. So if there is a problem, I will see if first and call it out.

Thirdly, I'm not a social creature and so don't give a rat's bottom if my truth telling is frowned upon or discouraged