Reply #16: I don't understand

[amazona]

I hope you reveal that if you're ever on a jury.

That's pretty cryptic. Can I get excused from jury duty because I don't make eye contact?

My experience is, if a certain type of guy even THINKS you're making eye contact, even if you're looking at something else, he will come over and try to hit on me. Who needs the hassle? Since I'm pretty ordinary looking, I have to assume that I'm not the only woman in America who has experienced this. To certain people, we are the prey. Best to do what you can to protect yourself and not draw attention of the predator.

I have heard the opposite argument made, that you can sometimes scare off the predator by looking at him HARD right in the face as if memorizing his features, but since I can't look do that -- I really cannot make myself just stare in someone's face, I just can't -- then I'm not going to test it.

You just do the best you can with what you've got.

I don't mind the extra screening I've gotten at the airport, although it is a wicked waste if the reason is because I don't make eye contact. I don't think high-functioning autistics as a class, or even as individuals, have ever bombed anyone.

But at least there is a logical argument that some people might be shifty-eyed and refuse to make eye contact because they are nervous. Usually only good people are nervous, and sociopaths are pretty blithe, but it is not beyond that realm of possibility that a terrorist could be nervous if he really believes in what he is doing. So I accept the argument that I should be (as I have been) screened somewhat extra at the airport.

But I'm not getting the leap from "we have to screen shifty-eyed people a little extra" which at least seems marginally logical to..."shifty-eyed people who can't make eye contact are unfit for jury service."

I'm afraid you'll have to spell that one out for me! Perhaps I am just completely missing your point.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72