Summary

An individual with Asperger's syndrome discusses their unique interest in boundaries and borders, particularly focusing on their fascination with Ukraine's borders during the war, and how they explore these areas using Google Maps and Street View.

Abstract

The article discusses the unique perspective of an individual with Asperger's syndrome, who has a special interest in boundaries and borders. When the war in Ukraine began, the author found themselves more interested in the country's borders than the war itself. They used Google Maps and Street View to explore the roads that cross from Russia into Ukraine and the border between Ukraine and Poland. The author also shares their fascination with London's boroughs and the boundaries between them, highlighting the differences between the City of London and the City of Westminster. The article concludes with the author expressing their love for Google Maps and Street View as tools for exploration and fun.

Bullet points

The author has Asperger's syndrome and has a special interest in boundaries and borders.
When the war in Ukraine began, the author was more interested in the country's borders than the war itself.
The author used Google Maps and Street View to explore the roads that cross from Russia into Ukraine and the border between Ukraine and Poland.
The author also shares their fascination with London's boroughs and the boundaries between them.
The author highlights the differences between the City of London and the City of Westminster.
The article concludes with the author expressing their love for Google Maps and Street View as tools for exploration and fun.

AUTISM

Google Maps and Street View Are the Best Things Ever Invented

How my autistic special interest has affected my reaction to the Ukraine war

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Since the war in Ukraine began, I have responded differently to most people.

I have Asperger’s syndrome. People on the autism spectrum tend to have special interests. One of mine has always been boundaries between places. Like international borders, for example.

So, when the war kicked off, Ukraine’s border interested me more than the war itself.

I found myself checking all the roads that cross from Russia into Ukraine. How close can I get to the border with Google Street View? Can I see the checkpoint?

And then I heard that Ukrainians were starting to escape across into Poland. At that point, you might have been wondering what that means for Poland. What does it mean for all the Polish people that are providing Ukrainians with a place to live?

Not me. My main thought was: what does Ukraine’s border with Poland look like? How close can I get to the border with Google Street View? Can I see the checkpoints?

Even just being mildly autistic affects how someone understands and interacts with the world.

For example, I sometimes happily spend my free time looking at London’s boroughs. There are 32 of them. Plus the City of London, which is NOT a borough.

Okay, now we’re talking about London, let me ask you this:

What city is the British parliament in?

If you answered London, you’re wrong. It’s the City of Westminster, which is a London Borough.

But it depends on what your definition of a city is.

But anyway, my point is, it’s fun to look at where the boroughs meet. Sometimes there is a sign telling you you’re coming into a different borough. Sometimes there isn’t.

NW boundary of Westminster by Jaggery, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

But the borough is usually mentioned on the street signs anyway.

I love Google Maps and Street View. Hours of fun!

Autistic Special Interests: Do You Have a Topic That You’re Obsessed With?

I’m obsessed with boundaries. I also quite like abandoned roads.

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