A human-accelerated neuron type potentially underlying autism in humans

Pretty clear theres a tradeoff between social intelligence and other forms of intelligence

Is there now?

High functioning autism exists, but autism in general doesn't seem to give any advantage to general intelligence. And the low end of functioning in autism is really, really low.

An observation I've made is that the most people ("the general population") will compromise on hard facts without pause to attain social goals. I.e.: They will follow instructions from a workplace superior with zero push-back even if the instructions are total nonsense or impossible to physically implement.

It's a rare breed (1-2%) of the population that will actively push back, insist on facts, and stick to only the "hard, unyielding reality" of physics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, logic, etc...

There is a very high correlation between these types of people and autistic people.

You have to not care about how other people "feel" or what their conflicting priorities might be to prioritise reality above the personal whims of others.

To be truly intelligent, you have to be able to call the emperor naked.

PS: It's easy to disagree with the above, but this is invariably an instance of "the fish is the last to know it lives in water" idiom. Something like 80% of the adult population goes along with Santa for Grownups because of peer pressure, also known as "mainstream religions". Don't get me started on partisan voting against one's own interests. Etc...

I've seen a related effect: most people will stick with an emotional position despite conclusive proof that it's based on a flawed "reality".

I have a strong suspicion that autism is a case of too much of a good thing. Things like being a carrier for Tay Sachs confers a survival advantage but two copies is lethal.