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How to Be Human

An Autistic Man's Guide to Life

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How to Be Human

By: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
Narrated by: Jory Fleming, Lyric Winik
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About this listen

 A “beautiful and astonishing” (Walter Isaacson, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of The Code Breaker) narrative that examines the many ways to be fully human, told by the first young adult with autism to attend Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

As a child, Jory Fleming was wracked by uncontrollable tantrums, had no tolerance for people, and couldn’t manage the outside world. Slightly more than a decade later, he was bound for England, selected to attend one of the world’s premier universities.

How to Be Human is a “profound, thought-provoking” (Barry M. Pizant, PhD, author of Uniquely Human) exploration of life amid a world constructed for neurotypical brains when yours is not. But the miracle of this book is that instead of dwelling on Jory’s limitations, those who inhabit the neurotypical world will begin to better understand their own: they will contemplate what language cannot say, how linear thinking leads to dead ends, and how nefarious emotions can be, particularly when, in Jory’s words, they are “weaponized.” Through a series of deep, personal conversations with writer Lyric Winik, Jory makes a compelling case for logical empathy based on rational thought, asks why we tolerate friends who see us as a means to an end, and explains why he believes personality is a choice. Most movingly, he discusses how, after many hardships, he maintains a deep, abiding faith: “With people, I don’t understand what goes in and what comes out, and how to relate,” he says. “But I can always reconnect with my relationship with my Creator.”

Join Jory and Lyric as they examine what it means to be human and ultimately how each of us might become a better one. Jory asks us to consider: Who has value? What is a disability? And how do we correct the imbalances we see in the world? How to Be Human shows us the ways a beautifully different mind can express the very best of our shared humanity. Mental Health Professionals & Academics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science & Technology Autism Thought-Provoking Emotionally Gripping Health
All stars
Most relevant
Simply great literature and clarity. Finding and enjoying one of these things is often hard. Though this book has both 😅

Simply great literature and clarity

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From an ND perspective, the book seemed to be targeted to neurotypicals trying to understand autism, but there were many moments that felt less neuroaffirming and the ‘positive’ elements seemed in genuine. Certainly not a bad resource, and everyone’s story will be different, but if you’re seeking neuroaffirming texts on neurodivergence, there are many other books available that I’d recommend starting with.
Still got a lot of out of hearing Jory’s perspective and ways of thinking, but the interviewer often came across as brash, direct and patronising, like they were fascinated by an interesting creature rather than (paradoxically to the title) a human.

Loved Jory’s sections. Didn’t need Winik’s.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.