Rare Disease Creates Elves That Love Everyone

[Harn]

It doesn't say anything about their ability with baked goods however, and that leads me to believe that the Keebler elves are in fact the most accurate depiction of elves by the mainstream media and may in fact exist.

Do the Rice Crispies guys count as Elves? Or are they gnomes? If they are, Rice Crispy Squares > Cookies.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Really? I never got the impression that Elves hated everybody. Depending on your incarnation of them, I know they considered themselves better than everyone else, but I never got the impression there was any hatred involved.

Edit:

Using the 'elfin facial features' comments to tie it to elves and therein to gaming is clever, but I want to point out that 'elfin' typically refers to features we don't commonly see in 'elven' features in gaming.

Here is a child with Williams Syndrome and an illustrated breakdown:

I think she looks more like a Hobbit.

 

[Perticular Elk]

I think we could all use a little WS.

We could all us a little "mild to moderate retardation"?

 

[Eggsnham]

.... I don't get it....

I must be stupid.

 

[The Great JT]

Here's hoping humans evolve into elves.

Because, as I've said a few times (not always here), who wants to be a human when you can be an elf?

 

[Commissar Sae]

I didn't understand this they look nothing like elves?

http://www.williams-syndrome.org.uk/

Maybe its just to late for me

Nah I agree, they look more like gnomes. Or, at least how I imagine gnomes. Plus they're super friendly so another plus there.

 

[RelexCryo]

Rare Disease Creates Elves That Love Everyone

A rare disease might challenge all that we thought we knew about elves.

In classic fantasy writing, elves are normally a race that despise all others. They will cloister themselves away in a hidden mystical vale, only to emerge when absolutely necessary or when shown that dwarves and humans have some redeeming value by chance. According to a newly published study [http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2810%2900144-2], those afflicted with Williams Disease are given "elfin" facial features, but none of the racial hatred typically exhibited by elves.

Williams Disease, along with elfin facial features, is characterized by "mild to moderate mental retardation" and a complete lack of "racial stereotyping." This group is the only one currently known to not exhibit these racial fears, and is also socially fearless. Not to diminish those affected by Williams Disease, but this new study could have sweeping consequences on the belief system of nerds.

Elves hate everyone, and must have their tough exteriors broken down over time: this is the way it's always been. However, in the study, children with WS showed no bias towards their own race, though gender bias was still evident. In fact, those affected by WS are considered "hyper-sociable," which is much different from elves as we know them.

Has classic fantasy gotten it all wrong? Are elves actually incredibly friendly in real life? According to science, yes. On the other hand, this article could be the insensitive ramblings of a madman.

Source: technabob [http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2810%2900144-2]


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So sociable people are mildy to moderately retarded...and nerds are shut-ins/outcasts...Does this mean that your intelligence is inversely proportionate to how sociable you are?

 

[Skreeee]

I always thought people with WS looked closer to portrayals of Santa's elves than the fantasy novel version geeks seem more partial to...

 

[Scrythe]

I'm normally not one for being politically correct, but aren't they called Sylvan Americans now?

 

[Earthmonger]

For a moment I thought this was a Marion Cox piece.

 

[Earthmonger]

Here is a child with Williams Syndrome and an illustrated breakdown:

All my instincts tell me that this is a male child. Why the earrings?

 

[OmegaXIII]

I think someone needs to take a break from WOW.

Christ on a unicycle THIS

Normally stuff like this wouldn't bothe me, but something about the sentiment of this article, particlarly...

Not to diminish those affected by Williams Disease, but this new study could have sweeping consequences on the belief system of nerds.

...really doesn't sit well with me.

 

[OmegaXIII]

I'm normally not one for being politically correct, but aren't they called Sylvan Americans now?

Was that an ENN reference? Props to you my good man if so.

 

[Kamunt]

Here's hoping humans evolve into elves.

Because, as I've said a few times (not always here), who wants to be a human when you can be an elf?

Well, in order to evolve into an elf, we must all have mild mental retardation and not be racist. Sexism is OK, though.
...Mm, yeah, here's hoping.

 

[likalaruku]

Elves may be b*tches in WoW, but in pretty much any other game it's the Humans or Dwarves that are racist & the Elves are always peaceful.

Another thing I hate about Warcraft Elves are those disgusting muscles & Dragon eyebrows. I like my Elves scrawny, leathe,anhorexic, & Elrondish thanx.

As for Williams Syndrome, I see nothing elfy about smiling people.

 

[likalaruku]

Here is a child with Williams Syndrome and an illustrated breakdown:

All my instincts tell me that this is a male child. Why the earrings?

All my instincs tell me that this guy has better chances of getting hired. Oh lordy, the interviewers do NOT like it when you don't smile

 

[DigitalSushi]

In fact, those affected by WS are considered "hyper-sociable," which is much different from elves as we know them.

While hyper sociable people with Williams Syndrome have difficulties having relationship that last longer than six months, its a form of Autism I think.

 

[HuntrRose]

Well, rather tangental article, but interesting theme. Especially if one or more of the readers end up studing medicine or psychology or whatever is needed and ends up working with diseases like this.

Articles like this, while they may be considered in bad taste, can also spark interest in the subject in people who originally didn't even consider that a field a study for them. So here's hoping.

 

[Flames66]

After a little bit of googling, they don't look very elven to me.