A hundred moments in autism - Terrence Oblong goes to the cinema

Cherry

By Terrence Oblong

Sun, 06 Oct 2024
  • 129 reads
4 comments
 

I am alone. 

This is not uncommon. I am off to the cinema. I had really gotten into going to the cinema with a small group of friends during my university years, but having moved to London I found myself going on my own.  

On my way I meet the gang from work. They too are off to the cinema. 

I am off to see Celebrity, the latest Woody Allen film, with Kenneth Branagh and Leonardo DiCaprio 

They are off to see the Phantom Menace, the Star Wars re-boot. Some of them have already seen it, yet want to see it again for some reason. I was invited to join them, but I declined. 

We part ways.  “Tell me all about it at work tomorrow,” I say. ‘Never mention the film again as long as I live’, I meant. 

It’s not uncommon for autists to spend a lot of time on their own.  Alone time is especially important for autists who find many sensory inputs especially draining.  Social situations in big groups can be especially draining.   

However, my preference for loneness on this occasion is for a different reason. Crowds of neurotypical people often want to do completely shit things. The group mind pitches at the lowest common denominator then,  pitches a rung lower just in case.  

I have no interest at all in great swathes of mainstream culture. When a band I like achieves fame I am jointly delighted and horrified. Actually mainly horrified.  I still recall with horror the change in the audience from the last gig of Amy Winehouse's Frank tour to the first gig of her Back to Black tour, after the tabloids had bigged her up. Up to that point I’d thought zombie films were fiction. 

But that’s another moment. Maybe I’ll see you there.  

Certificate 15
Biography
50 moments in autism
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by HarryC on

Right there with you, Terrence.  I need to spend a lot of time alone - always have, since childhood.  It was my 'escape' from the world.  Nowadays, with culture the way it seems to be going, I'm even more reclusive.  The less time I spend around other people, the better I feel.  I like to spend time alone, without distraction of any kind, just thinking - questioning myself, trying to get thoughts and ideas in order.  I sometimes wonder how many people do such a thing now, when the instant go-to distraction of the phone is always there.

I used to love the cinema.  Nowadays, I tend to go towards the end of a run, when there are fewer people.  On occasion, I've had the entire theatre to myself - a rare luxury.  I can't stand whisperers, bag-rustlers, popcorn chewers, the continuous lights from people checking their phones.

I'm not anti-social, though.  It's a mistake to think that. I like people.   I'm 'sociable' - just not 'social'.

Submitted by Penny4athought on

I don't think Fame is a friendly place to be, or be around; if not navigated carefully, it can destroy and has destroyed many a talented person. Amy was a talented person who should have been here longer. As for alone time, I cherish mine, and I also like to question myself and life in general when I have that quiet, in my recliner, moment. smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by celticman on

Most writers, I'd guess, need to be alone. I'm not a Woody Allen fan. But Phanton Menance, exactly. It is. 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

I feel like that too, hate spectator sport and on the TV even, much rather have intelligent conversation. Perhaps it is great to get so carried away with the crowd and your team and meaningless antics really for me life is exciting enough as it is. Don't want overload either.

Can autistic people also get catatonic like some scizophrenisa patients?

Cheers! Tom