...(edit) I don't know if there was any discussion around here on the movie Zero Theorem, but I just saw it this week. The main character is textbook ASD; I can relate easily to him, and I surged with emotion at times. ...(edit)
You and
Slithytoves suggest a very interesting possibly. You are readily able to relate emotionally with a film character who appears to be on the spectrum. Slithy mentions an extra degree of difficulty in resisting emotional reaction to another Aspie's meltdown. It seems we all, Aspie and NT alike, are more likely to be emotionally affected by those people and situations to which we can somehow relate. This would make sense in myriad respects, and explain why we are often not as moved by the same evocative prompts as an NT. We are coming from an essentially different place.
It should be said that I generally make a distinction between feeling emotions because of something, and feeling emotions because of the emotional responses of others around me to the same. I am judged most harshly by NTs if I fail to respond emotionally when
they do. It seems to be more about that than the actual situation at hand.
Either a fictional or real life tragedy moves you enough to cry or it doesn't. It's not equivalent to e.g. doctors switching off their emotions, because doctors do vital sh*t like saving peoples' lives - you obviously can't do your job if you're a blubbering emotional wreck....(edit)
I disagree with this.
"Either a fictional or real life tragedy moves you enough to cry or it doesn't." The OP himself states that he can control his responses at will, to situations up to and including real-life tragedy. Slithy seconded this, and I can usually do the same. That's at least three examples among a handful of responses.
"It's not equivalent to e.g. doctors switching off their emotions." With respect, it is indeed equivalent. This sort of emotional control is largely learned, though not everyone can master it. Many medical students struggle with maintaining control in their first years of direct exposure to human suffering. Some learn self-regulation, while others drop out for their inability to do so. The same applies to psychologists, social workers, aid workers, clergy, and so on.
I don't understand why the 99% allow their emotions to play a part in the decision making process, nor why they seem to want to keep in contact with them at all times.
I think I have very strong emotions, but I keep them switched off when working or engaged in a special interest.
Since I was called into this discussion, I'll pay it forward and call in
NTgirl4276. She recently made some very good comments about the value of emotive reasoning. As I can't find them easily, perhaps she will lend a few new words on the subject here.
I find it fascinating to hear that you keep your emotions switched off when engaged in your special interest. I can switch off nearly everything in the universe when pursuing my principal SI, but find my emotions harder than usual to control. I wonder what makes us so different, and how others here would answer the question.