APA Annual Meeting 2019: Art and Science

APAAM2019 Warhol Style, San Francisco, CA

Andy Warhol foreshadowed the centrality of images, the selfies,  ubiquitous picture repetitions with tiny variations, the pervasive use of image filters, insta- and fleeting image related fame.

Not to reduce his art to this observation, no, but to also see his art through that particular prism,  Andy hypothesized that his hypo-connectivity to other humans had to do with abundant 1970s drug use perhaps; others have hypothesized, convincingly, that he had many hallmarks of someone with an autism spectrum disorder.

I was excited to meet young prospective clinical scientists interested in child psychiatry research this morning and to listen to their varied and sophisticated science projects and ideas.

Most of which had arisen through observation: something that they had noticed in a clinical setting; something that struck them. Just like other creative processes, scientific ideas often arise when the mind starts playing after trigger by a catalyst.

For instance, after seeing the SFMOMA Warhol exhibit I was musing.. If autism is at the extreme of social reciprocity deficits, how do you call people who have extreme social reciprocity? What are functional outcomes for these people at the general population level? Do they have average, lower than average or above average prevalences of psychiatric disorders? And if yes, why this association? Is it because...

Science starts with observation curiosity and continues with (initially) fearless thinking.

Scientists, artists and innovators: keep going; we need you.

Love and Till Later,

Anne