This would seem to argue that ADHD did not evolve with farming but rather ceased to be the norm; that it is not part of the evolutionary process, but rather a leftover remnant of our pre-evolutionary past. Or did you mean to suggest that the evolution to domestication rendered what had been considered normal to be suddenly considered abnormal? That would suggest that ADHD is not the product of a changing brain at all.
All of the above. There is a tribe in Kenya that split between a nomadic one and a sedentary one. A genetic study was done on the gene associated with ADHD. In the nomadic half of the tribe, those with the gene flourished and those without didn't do as well. It was the opposite in the sedentary half of the tribe. ADHD (I disagree with this term, but there isn't a better one, yet) only fits into niches in society. I watch people that do menial and repetitive jobs, like assembly line work, and start to go crazy just thinking about doing it! And yet majority of the world is capable of doing it without significant problems. Else, we wouldn't have made it through the industrial revolution. So everything you said is true. The ADHD mind used to be the norm, but now it's not as it doesn't fit well with a sedentary lifestyle that is the norm in our world. It didn't evolve, it wasn't a mistake, it's a leftover. The domestication of our species caused evolution to mostly discard ADHD in favour of people that are better with a sedentary lifestyle. After all, a farming society is capable of maintaining a vastly larger population than a hunter/gatherer society. It isn't the ADHD that is the product of a changing brain. What we consider 'normal' is the product of the change. One day, ADHD may very well become extinct. Or, more likely, we will just continue to move. Just as the first explorers to America likely mostly had ADHD, the first mass migration from Earth will primarily be made up of people with ADHD, looking to tame another planet.
Humanity is certainly a spectrum and there is certainly overlap, but the difference is in how one reacts in the modern world. People diagnosed with ADHD find it harder and harder to find their niche in modern society. There are also a multitude of other issues that overlap with ADHD and evidence that ADHD is an all-encompassing term for what may be several issues. The genetic studies in ADHD found that only a fraction of people with ADHD had the gene associated with it. So where do the rest come from? They have to have something different but are being given the same label. It must be noted that the study was done on children rather than adults with ADHD. I noted that the number of adults that 'grew out' of ADHD closely matched the percentage of children that didn't have the gene in the genetic study. I maintain that the dog/wolf analogy is perfect. As I stated, there were wolves that could eventually be domesticated and became dogs, but their ancestors were still wolves and their cousins today are still wolves. Now, with the discovery of the gene linked to ADHD, there is a clear distinction between people with and without. Just like wolves and dogs.
ADHD is the reason I couldn't join the Army a few years back. I had the fitness for it and I did extremely well on the BARB test that would have allowed me to do any job in the Army that didn't need outside qualification. I was even recommended to do A levels then go to Sandhurst though it's something I refused to consider at the time. When it came to the medical evaluation and that came up though I was rejected which gutted me since it was all I'd wanted for six years at the time. ADHD is also the reason my family wouldn't allow me to study martial arts of any kind because I was very quick to anger due to it. The slightest thing could set me off and I would get violent very quickly to the delight of the others in my high school class. Nothing was ever done to stop the others aggravating me though I did get off with punishments because of the ADHD so I suppose that is a plus. They also put me through several counsellors and anger management which never worked. The anger isn't as much of an issue any more, I managed to cope with that by myself, so I'm able to go ahead and try it now but I never seem to have the time when during the college year so that will have to wait. In modern society it does seem to be a weakness since it is harder to do tasks that others can do with ease, especially if there's no enjoyment in it. Though the hunter-farmer theory does make a lot of sense to me and I am inclined to agree with it. I'd also just like to add that although this post can seem like a cry for sympathy but that isn't the case. Just merely a documentation of some of my experiences from living with ADHD.
Part of why I don't use my real name here or on my blog. I got into the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve by lying about my diagnosis. I was rejected once because I let it slip, but withdrew from the process before anything became official. With all my records shredded, I was able to reapply. They don't keep your records forever. Maybe try again? Just be sure to say 'no'! Edit: On the martial arts aspect, it is well documented that people with ADHD that learn martial arts actually learn to cope with the anger and aggression better. There are several times that my training prevented much worse situations from developing.
It was my doctor that let it slip. They asked him for my medical history and that was included with it I'm afraid.
Maybe switch doctors or tell your doctor he isn't allowed to send that information? I don't know how it works over in Ireland, but in Canada, your doctor can't release the information without permission, not even to the army.
I had to bring a form for him to fill in then post back. I may switch doctors to one who wouldn't pass that particular piece of information along.
I second this! I had some anger issues when I was younger and I studied Tae Kwon Do. I haven't kept it up, and I can't fight worth a damn, but it taught me a ton about respect, and about keeping my emotions under control. I'm much happier (and probably more stable) than I think I'd be if I never done that.
you had to have signed a release form allowing the army to access your medical records... and doctors are NOT allowed to delete anything from a medical record... they also can't lie in filling out the form, which most likely asked whether the patient had such a disorder... he could not only lose his license for doing so, but possibly be guilty of commiting a federal offense punishable by fine and imprisonment... so don't blame the doctor... he only did what you allowed him to, by agreeing to have the form sent to him... you're not going to find any reputable doctor who will lie to the federal government in writing, for you...
I was thinking of taking one of those Writer's Digest online writing workshops (Fiction Writing 101, 102, viz characterization/setting writing methods, writing a novel first draft in 12 weeks). They cost $400-600 or so US dollars. The money is not that great a concern. The thing is the more I delve into the instructors' backgrounds I am not so sure how useful the course(s) would be; the instructors have each written a novel or two, but when I look for their novel(s) on amazon i can't find it (of course it is possible a pen name was used). What does that say? I was quite positive at first of taking such a course, now I am more neutral/cautious. Because the other route I could go is to utilize some of the books those courses use, and of course make good use of the forums here on writingforums.org I am fairly good to go on story structuring, plot, arc, theme from my screenwriting background. My thought had been to take an online formal course to learn more about writing techniques specific to prose fiction / novels. As I said, I am neutral at this point, looking for votes on whether I should take such a course(s) in order to interact with an instructor/classmates; versus use forums like this and book on novel writing. Thoughts?
Have you looked at the Gotham Writers' Workshop? It's in the same price range and is online as well. Since you asked for opinions, my advice is to save yourself the money and learn writing by reading, interacting with other writers (like on this forum), and perhaps finding a local critique group.
Haven't, will do. On my to do list today. I also did some screenplay critique exchanges on Zoetrope.com and I believe they also have prose writing critique exchanges. I also just snagged a few ebooks on writing, and some ebooks of novels often discussed for technique including some that have been quoted here even in response to some threads I started (e.g. The Lovely bones). I like that idea a lot.
I took a few of the Gotham courses and I found them very helpful. I was even able to find my instructors' novels on Amazon, published by real publishers! Woohoo! And the students, who (along with the instructors) are the ones who critique your work, are almost all serious, intelligent, honest, and generous with their time. Also, they're all adults (no offense to any teens here). I found one of the main benefits I got from the courses was having my work evaluated by an actual professional writer - someone who'd been published by publishers and magazines I recognized. It was worth it just to have someone like that say I wasn't deluding myself. Like any other courses, you get out of them what you put into them. There is no magic way of suddenly becoming a great writer - you can't just give someone money and become a genius instantly. You still have to work, and work hard.
I have to share though that about six months ago i found the local writers group and went to the fiction writing group and it was quite bizarre, dismal, and useless (not the norm for local writing groups I am sure); anyhow i met up with the 'group' at a nearby cafe where they met-- and it ended up being three people. One sat and knit a scarf and admitted she wanted to write, someday. A second wrote non-fiction but enjoyed being at the meetings. The third, the leader, wrote memoir. The topic of the [fiction writing] meeting was decluttering one's house. Lunch was served-- overpriced unpalatable hipster yuppie food i could not stand and that I pretty much left on my plate. Anyhow that was one weird 'fiction writing group'. I think I would fare better just hanging out here in this writing group. And I can avoid yuppy expensive foul-tasting sandwiches and just eat my egg salad on rye here at my house while being in the (virtual) meeting here.
Of the 3 writer's critique groups I tried, only one fit my needs. So I wouldn't judge them all from one bad one. I also tried a lot of writing advice books. Some worked for me, some didn't. I'd want to be sure the $400 course I was paying for was going to fit my needs.
One thing about the Gotham Writing courses compared to WD courses that concerns me is it appears you have little knowledge no say who your instructor will be for a GW course. WD courses at least let you choose the instructor. Not all instructors are created equal in terms of their passion for teaching, time and effort they might put into feedback, style of feedback on writing assignments, etc.
I've learned so much from one specific person, I'll be putting him in the dedication when my book is finished.
gotham is probably the most respected of all online writing schools, so i wouldn't worry about not being able to choose your instructor... their reputation is such that i think you can trust them to match you with the one who will best fit your needs...
What I have found most helpful in terms of a writing course was the feedback from other students, in addition to the feedback from the instructor. I was very lucky in that my local bookstore had offered a writing course taught by a woman who had published a half dozen books or so, and had also actually taught writing at several universities. She wanted to 'give back' to the community and help the local indy bookstore, so she gave these classes for about $100. Sadly, she moved away, so she's no longer in the Philly area. I just signed up for one of Gotham's courses, because I was able to get a "deal" on one -- a while back there was a groupon-type site that offered one of their classes for $199, with no registration fee. I decided to do it, even though $199 is not nothing. I figure at least this gets me in as a past student afterward, which I think means you don't have to pay the registration fee for subsequent classes. Unfortunately, the class that was offered as part of the deal is not one of the two classes I really wanted to take. But I already bought this, so we'll see how it goes. I would be leery of $400, even though WD seems to have a good reputation. You should try to find a local live class -- they seem to be out there, but they're often "hidden," in that they don't seem to advertise very widely. (If you can find a local writer's group, often people there know of these classes.) I truly believe there is an irreplaceable element in live, in-person meetings/classes that just isn't there in an online setting. I think online is a good alternative if there really is nothing available live, or there are other factors that make a live class impossible. But, I bet you could find a live one for less than $400. And you might even meet someone who has taken the course you are considering and could give you an opinion.
It seems like such a roll of the dice sometimes, having faith (or not) in an instructor who claims to know the craft. I have been burned bad before on this (screenwriting), but I have also had some great instructors/courses. Just today I was reading a kindle ebook on the craft of fiction writing. The author claimed to have the true method for novel writing, has taught it for over 30 years through workshops and through ten years at a university. And yet that author/teacher has not publish a single novel. wtf? If I had mastered the art of how to write a novel and proclaimed I had that skill mastered and was teaching it for 30 years, wouldn't the world kind of expect me to walk the talk, viz write and publish at least one novel under my name or even a pen name? I know some teache better than 'doing', but still, 30 years and not one novel? The problem is that I would love to be mentored one on one by S. King or David Balducci, but such successful writers just are not going to mentor anybody other than their friends/family. Then again I once paid $800 for one on one mentoring by a screenwriter whose script became a #1 movie at the box office for a long time, and I got really burned, it was a horrible mismatch of student+teacher. My best experiences were with two teachers from UCLA online, both wrote screenplays in addition to teaching, both were great teachers, one even had several of his screenplays made into hit films; hoping to find something similar for novel writing but I am open to WD/Gotham/other.
I think I found a course + instructor combo that I feel comfortable with, course starts early nov which gives me october to fine tune my story outline (using Scrivener, really liking it!) in preparation, as well as read some of a novel the instructor wrote and also read a how-to on writing mystery that the author wrote (my story will be a paranormal mystery), and study a bit from some novels that are discussed in the course (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lovely Bones, etc). Thank you all for listening to me rant and babble.
i sure hope s/he didn't call it 'mentoring' as true mentors traditionally help/guide beginners freely, not for a fee... i've never charged a penny for mentoring the thousands of mentees i've helped/guided over the years and wouldn't think of doing so... even though i've taken on a handful of clients in the past year, all my mentoring is still done free of charge... and for the record, mentoring is always done one-on-one... so, if some offer 'mentoring' but charge a fee for it, they are not mentors... they're tutors, or writing service providers...
