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Asperger's syndrome

"Spielberg has been characterized as someone with Asperger's syndrome; while he certainly exhibited intense absorbtion in a special topic as a child, he was able to form friends, did not seem particularly lacking in empathy, and was not addicted to one-sided conversations, so this claim seems dubious at best." What's the source of this information? IMBD says that Spielberg has been diagnozed with Asperger's syndrome. You cannot refute it only by spreading false information about Asperger's syndrome, and then saying that Spieberg doesn't fit into your description of it.

People with Asperger's syndrome don't lack empathy. It is an urban legend, it doesn't belong to the medical Asperger's syndrome criteria. Empathy means an ability to put one's soul into another person's feelings. Certainly Aspergers can do this, their only problem is that they may misunderstand the neurologically typical person's feelings or show empathy in ways that the neurologically typical person wouldn't expect. But the possibility to misunderstanding is mutual, so to be consistent you would have to also say that neurologically typical people lack empathy, because they have difficulties in understanding Asperger people.

How about the one-sided conservations? Aspergers have difficulties to realize what is socially appropriate behaviour. (E.g to whom to say hi, how to respond to question "How are you?" etc) I know this because I have Asperger's syndrome. That's why Aspergers are probably more prone to one-sided conservations, but that doesn't mean that all Aspergers talk aloud as often as they desire. I have consciously met tens of Aspergers, and never noticed this kind of behaviour. I consider it odd behaviour. So I debunked more of your text.

Asperger's ability to form friends is lower than neurologically typical person's. However, that doesn't mean that an Asperger wouldn't have any friends. But to get friends he have to either learn how neurotypicals act when they form friends (hard, this kind of behaviour doesn't come naturally from an Asperger), think up own methods (also hard and unsafe) or meet other Aspergers (they are rare).

Now remove that precious section from the article and stop spreading offending misinformation (lack of empathy etc) about Aspergers! This kind of ignorance is the reason why I decided not to reveal my real name here. I'm already known as an Asperger in Wikipedia, and discrimination based this kind of misinformation is real! And don't call a person an Asperger, when he behaves rudely in Internet communities. (I'm not talking any more to the writer of the section, I'm talking to the whole world.) Asperger's syndrome isn't about intentional rudeness, but about lower ability to perceive unwritten social rules. -Hapsiainen 22:13, Oct 11, 2004 (UTC)

I have full high-functioning autism, and I concur wholeheartedly. People with autism spectrum disorders are not lesser people, and autism needn't be a nasty stigma. They are merely different people whose neurons develop differently from "neuro-typicals". If society were ever mostly autistic people, then neuro-typicals would be the different ones. You may form a personal opinion about Steven Spielberg, but you shall not defame his nature. He has true Asperger's syndrome — which is a difference, not necessarily a blight — and it is completely unnecessary to try to remotely undiagnose him. Accept him for who and what he is, because it's not going to change. - Gilgamesh 22:19, 12 Oct 2004 (UTC)
You know, the cited web site has just this: Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
If you look around the web, you find some contradictory information. It relates to him as a child. It relates to him as a young man, saying 'symptoms' (well, a symptom is something else - probably means a sign). The most convincing quote is Spielberg saying he has been 'tested'. Not a diagnosis, i.e. a medical term; most likely a psychological test. And Spielberg, apparently, agrees that the test showed AS. Well, I can believe that faced with a list of signs, and enough correlation, he might agree that that is indeed his make-up. But in this case, as in others, I think tremendous care is required in saying something honest and responsible.
Charles Matthews 13:58, 14 Oct 2004 (UTC)
Stephen Spielberg could not have received a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome as a child or young adult. AS only became a diagnosable condition outside of Germany and Austria after 1994! This indicates he does not have AS. The rumour appears to have developed in relation to Speilbergs connection with Mozart and the Whale, a film about a couple with AS. He was supposed to direct that film but withdrew shortly before filming started.
The only people supposed to be on the page, List of people with autism spectrum disorders, are those officially diagnosed and Aspies and Autists described by doctors in books and journals...not rumours, claims, TV or on the radio. This way it stops people arguing.
The reason for the more robust level of proof is that I have had complaints from a person who thinks Asperger's Syndrome = Geek. And that the page turned into a list of Geeks. But AS =/ Geek, some AS are Geeks and most Geeks are not AS.
Diamond Dave 08/11/2004 19:29 I have AS btw.
AS can be diagnosed also when the person is an adult, although their parents' memories about the person's childhood behaviour are then useful. -Hapsiainen 22:28, Nov 8, 2004 (UTC)

I wrote some rather lengthy comments about Spielberg and Asperger's Syndrome on another talk page Talk:List of persons with autism spectrum disorders, and thought it might be helpful to mention those comments here. In short, I am a special education teacher who works with autistic individuals, I live in California, and among other things, know firsthand that IMDB can be a very inaccurate reference at times. We absolutely should take these rumors about Spielberg and Asperger's with a grain of salt. Voicing solidarity with people who have autism, and perhaps wondering aloud if you were "in the spectrum" as a child, is not the same thing as getting a formal diagnosis. Link to the page to read more. Sandover 20:29, 8 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I've edited List of notable people with autism spectrum disorders" it now says of Steven Spielberg, (It is said he has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.)"Barbara Shack 17:11, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

On removing "Back to the Future"

Spielberg did not direct "Back to the Future", Robert Zemeckis did.

About: "He is noted for the patriotism of his work"

elpincha 22:24, 22 Nov 2004 (UTC) says: Huh?

Both "Empire of the Sun" and "Private Ryan" are non-patriotic even though the temptation was there.

"ET" and "Close Encounters" have a 60s anti-system tone to them as well.

I agree ... much of Spielberg's work transcends national borders to portray the human side of matters ... the "patriot" tag does not fit. CES 03:45, 30 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Abuse of others

One consistent theme in his work is the abuse of others, whether it is a father abusing his children (physically or verbally) or a government agency abusing an entire class of people.

What abuse is in Jaws, Close Encounters, Jurassic Park, Hook? Mandel 11:39, Dec 8, 2004 (UTC)

Films by Spielberg

Since this section in the article has the comment "The most famous films he directed", I suggest the list be pared down to the following movies:

The rest were little more than noise and did little to nothing at the box office (and are therefore not as famous). Some in the list he didn't even direct (such as Poltergeist). Paring down the list is even more reasonable since we have a complete list of his works here on the 'pedia. Comments? — Frecklefoot | Talk 16:21, Dec 9, 2004 (UTC)


SeaQuest

Where does a mention of SeaQuest best fit? Alison9 05:19, 6 Feb 2005 (UTC)

I don't show Spielberg as being involved in that. Care to elaborate? — Frecklefoot | Talk 18:27, Feb 7, 2005 (UTC)
Steven Spielberg was listed as one of three Executive Producers. (Source IMDB) ~ WCFrancis 21:42, 14 July 2005 (UTC)

Urban Legend?

The article doesn't seem to have made up its mind about this story that Spielberg squatted in an empty office at Universal Studios while waiting for his big break. It's first presented as either true or likely true in the "Move to theatrical films" section, then labelled an urban legend at the end of the article. SS451 03:58, Mar 30, 2005 (UTC)

It's an urban legend, debunked on Snopes.com. Spielberg made it up himself and spread it. I'll check and fix the mentions in the article. — Frecklefoot | Talk 15:25, Mar 30, 2005 (UTC)

Misnamed article on Spielberg

Steven spielberg biography might be merged with this one. There are a number of links that may also be useful as research material --WCFrancis 29 June 2005 01:38 (UTC)

The page as it appears right now. I put it on VfD and so far it has gotten only merge votes. At the close of VfD, I'll put a redirect on the article page. --WCFrancis 6 July 2005 21:01 (UTC)
Redirect now in place WCFrancis 21:39, 14 July 2005 (UTC)

Movies are usually known for their actors and actresses, but Steven Spielberg revolutionized directing. From being a young boy to an adult, he has devoted himself to directing, writing and producing. He always wanted to become a director and wouldn’t compromise for anything less. elthough at times it became difficult because his parents only had one thing in common: the love for their children. Directing helped mold Steven to whom he is today. December 18, 1946 one of the greatest directors, writers and producers was born. The other children in the elementary school knew him as the weird, skinny kid; but little did they know he would grow up to be one of the most accomplished directors. Steven had a mother named Leah, and a father named Arnold. He also loved to play pranks on his three younger sisters Anne, Sue and Nancy. A disappointing event occurred when Steven was in high school. Leah and Arnold got a divorce; they couldn’t settle their differences. Steven grew up traveling throughout several states including New Jersey, California, Ohio, and Arizona. When he lived in Arizona his father woke him up at 6 to take him to a meteor shower. Steven had one thing that always loved, and that was music. He joined the band in fourth grade and he played the clarinet. It was pretty significant because the two shared a big interest in science and astronomy. Steven spent the late 1950s and 1960s in Scottsdale, Arizona. Steven was very poor at games and sports. Steven got his first camera when he had to cut a frog in biology. He threw up so his father bought him a camera so Steven could become more self-confident. Steven soon took over the house with his moviemaking. According to Leah, his mother, Steven didn’t comprehend the meaning of the word “no”. At age twelve, he rented movies and charged thirty-five cents to watch the movies. Steven made his first movie at age thirteen called “Battle Squad”. Steven asked his worst nightmare, the school bully, to be the hero of the movie but he just laughed in his face. Steven asked and asked until finally he agreed. To Spielberg he called his early years “semi-unhappy”. He said there were too many moves, too many arguments between his solemn, stern father and his entertaining, affectionate mother. Steven thought his movies were an escape where he could construct and experience the warm family life that he’d missed. (Powers. P. 10-15) (http://www.biography.com/search/article.jsp?aid=9490621&search=steven+spielberg) Spielberg went to Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Spielberg joined the theater arts program after realizing he had other choices than being an athlete or a weird skinny kid. At age fifteen he made his biggest film yet. It was a two and a half hour science fiction film classic called “firelight”. The traditional film was five hundred dollars and took a year to make because he only worked on it during weekends. He ended up making fifty dollars more than what the film had cost him. He begged a Phoenix movie theater to let him show Firelight. The film’s “world premier” took place on March 24, 1963. In Arizona Steven was always made fun of but in 1964 things got out of hand. They didn’t make fun of him because of weirdness. They made fun of him because of his heritage: A Jew. He was made fun of and during study hall when people threw objects at him and beat him up. (Powers. P 15-19) In high school, Steven’s grades weren’t the highest so in college while trying to get into the best film program, but they would ‘t accept him. He ended up going to California State University. He was very self- conscious about the low grades which arisen from the poor reading skills. The tremendous reading skills were from reading comic books when he was little and not literature. He spent more time chilling and watching television and being a couch potato than reading. Spielberg often snuck unto the sets where movies were being made. One fortunate day Spielberg became blessed after all of the mischief of sneaking on to the sets of movies. He finally saw one of his heroes in action, Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred was making a film called “Torn Curtain”. After he saw his hero in action he decided to continue visiting Universal Studios after he was thrown out. He made a movie called Amblin. The day after it was shown he was offered a job of directing by Sidney Sheinberg. Steven didn’t know what to do because he still had one year left of school, but he said yes and in 1969 he signed a seven-year contract to direct television shows and movies for Universal. He quit so fast he didn’t even clean out his locker. His first assignment was a science fiction television series called Night Gallery. Soon television direction wasn’t an art form anymore, it became just a job and soon Steven became tired of it. (Powers P. 20-29) Besides directing, Steven had a relationship with a woman named Amy Irving. Amy and Steven flew to Japan, planning to get married but then they broke up. He started to date Kathleen Carey, but then got back together with Amy, and married her. Amy Irving and Steven Spielberg were married in November of 1985. They had a son named Max. In 1989 Amy and Steven divorced. He then was remarried to Kate Caps haw in 1991. He had seven children: Max, Theo, Jessica, Sawyer, Sasha, Mikaela, and Destry. (http://www.biography.com/search/article.jsp?aid=9490621&search=steven+spielberg) Steven had a big impact on society. In 1971, Duel, a movie made for television was Steven’s breakthrough. Duel is about a salesman named David Mann. He is driving through central California on a business trip. ON the highway David was behind a road hog truck. After he zipped past the truck, all the truck wanted to do was to run him off the road. Soon after bumping together and trying to kill Mann, they locked on together and drove off a cliff but Mann escaped his doom by jumping free at the last second. With the success of Duel, Steven got the chance to direct a major motion picture in 1974, The Sugarcane Express. It wasn’t very popular with the audience but it was very well made. After this movie Spielberg was finally able to make a killer shark movie, Jaws, which was released in 1975. This was the most difficult film he had ever tried to make. Executives at Universal asked the producers at the movie; David Brown and Richard Zanuck to either replace Steven or cancel the entire project. They just refused. Sidney Sheinberg, the new Universal president and Steven’s old mentor backed them up. Many people n Hollywood were angry and jealous of Spielberg for becoming so successful before he was thirty years old. After “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, everybody was extremely envious of Spielberg. In 1979 Spielberg tried to make another blockbuster movie but it bombed. It was a comedy about the whole World War II called “1941”. After “1941” flopped in the box office he needed to restart his career. In 1981, Spielberg created a single hit called “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. In the 1980’s Indiana Jones kept Spielberg in Hollywood’s most popular filmmakers. Soon “E.T” was the new hit. Carlo Rambaldi created the E.T. model. E.T. , Indiana Jones, and Temple of Doom gave Spielberg three smashing hits in a row. IN 1982 Spielberg co-produced and co-directed a movie based on the old television series Twilight Zone. The movie was called “Twilight Zone-The movie”. Soon Spielberg started to grow up and directed three serious films: “The Color of Purple” (1985), Empire of the Sun (1987), and Always (1989). All of these were made but were not as successful as his playful movies. When Steven created Jurassic Park, Stan Winston made Jurassic Park’s dinosaurs. “Schindler’s List” was a very important movie that Spielberg made in 1992. Steven joined Dream works in 1994 and created “Saving Private Ryan”. This movie won five Oscars including Best Director for Steven. In 1999, American Beauty won five Oscars. In 2000, “Almost Famous” made a lot of money as well. In 2001, Steven produced “Shrek”, awarded for being the first ever Academy Award for an animated feature film. Spielberg got back to hand s on work with 2001’s “Artificial Intelligence: I”. He wrote, produced and directed this film. He also directed 2002’2 “Minority Report” and “Catch Me If you Can”. In 2003 DreamWorks released “house of Sand and Fog” ,nominated for three Academy Awards. In 2004 Spielberg directed “The Terminal”. (Power. P. 32-104) (http://www.biography.com/search/article.jsp?aid=9490621&search=steven+spielberg) Steven Spielberg’s personal qualities are unbelievably impressive. He can produce, write and direct movies or television series. He can play the clarinet. Hw is 5’ 7” and wears glasses. He has a very creative mind and can wander out of reality and walk into his own imaginative world. Steven has very unique qualities. (http://www.biography.com/search/article.jsp?aid=9490621&search=steven+spielberg) Steven has a very interesting life story, impact on society, and personal qualities. He went through many moves, a hard divorce, and being teased about his heritage, but he got through it all by directing and being able to escape reality and jump into his own world. “ I dream all day. I dream for a living.”ya rightihate myself

KBE

Since his KBE is a British award, and he is American, should it really be listed after his name at the beginning? tregoweth 19:14, August 3, 2005 (UTC)

I don't know. If I were knighted, I'd darn sure want people to know about it! :-) — Frecklefoot | Talk 20:48, August 3, 2005 (UTC)
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