Sure, it would depend on whether autism is due to mutation or multigene interaction (or the other possible theories) with regard to the validity of mutation being a positive thing. But that is still on an individual level, not the species wide one (regarding my point about the use of terms).
But, I guess where I see the problematic nature of Marvel's "Mutants" (and I'm using "Problematic" in its original academic usage of a possibly flawed conclusion derived from a demonstrably flawed premise or methodology, NOT in its current sociopolitical usage) is that it was all originally predicated on the mistaken belief that mutagens could cause people or entire species to "evolve."
Sure, there have been things grafted onto Marvel's Mutant "science" since Jack and Stan first started things, but that initial premise of "Children of the Atom" and the dominoes it knocked over are still present.
Kinda like humans in mutants.
Thread should be retitled Hickman Grievances Thread.
“Strength is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.” Goethe
I tip my hat off to you, Astroman.
Your educational and thouroughly enlightening points really underscores the reason why I will never try to emotionally equate the X-World with the Real-World. Because when you do...it doesn't make a lick of sense. And to hold fast to non-sensical things as if they were living truths is like turning right at Bonkers Station onto Insanity Road leading straight to Crazy Town.
My Summer rain. My rooftop in Japan. My quiet in the storm. *cries* Al Ewing is GOD...Praise His name! Uplift Him in song! Glorify His works!
Yeah, when they started pumping out mutant children of mutant parents with the exact same powers (Theresa Cassidy, Lorna Dane, Rachel Grey, Angel & Beak's kids), it was like, 'Wait, the definition of mutant is different from your parents... These aren't mutants, they are *entirely new sub-species.* Homo flying sonic screamus. Homo magneticus. Homo redhead telepath/telekineticus. Homo creepy bug-kidicus.'
Still, science and comic books, not a great fit. God only knows what happens to your stomach/intestinal/bladder contents when you transform into energy, or shapeshift, or change size, or become intangible... *Sploosh!* "Ooh, my now empty bladder/intestines/stomach/semicircular canals just imploded. Excuse me while I curl up and die in misery."