Authenticity and honesty in dating can lead to genuine connections, even for individuals with unique characteristics or disorders.
Love for people on the autism spectrum may have its own emotional language, which may differ from societal norms and require a unique approach to finding meaningful connections.
Deep dives
Finding love through imperfections
Bill Miller, an individual on the autism spectrum, decided to try an unconventional dating site called Settle For, where users share their imperfections and what they are willing to settle for. Despite being nervous, Bill embraced his honesty and openness in his profile, mentioning his spectrum disorder and other personal characteristics. Eventually, he made a connection with a woman who was willing to understand and accept him. They shared a dinner date and even had their first kiss after 25 years. However, the relationship didn't last due to communication issues, reminding Bill to rethink his approach to relationships and find a way to pursue a connection that aligns with his unique emotional language as someone on the spectrum.
Artistic love as a different culture
Bill reflects on his experience and contemplates the idea that love for people on the autism spectrum, or what he calls 'artism,' may have its own emotional language. He discusses the difficulty of putting it into words but mentions that he experiences deep love for his cats and would do anything for them. Bill believes that when he finds a genuine connection, he will do everything he can to hold onto it. He acknowledges that his understanding of love might not conform to societal norms but expresses his commitment to find a lasting and fulfilling connection that aligns with his unique way of experiencing emotions.
In a special podcast bonus, co-host Hanna Rosin checks in with Bill Millar, who we met in Season 2's "Flip the Script." They talk about dating, cats, and how love can look different for everyone. Listen to the original episode here: http://apple.co/2x0aWE3.