Just like many of you described, my father exhibits genius-level intelligence in some areas, and is completely clueless in others. He can rattle off facts and recite narratives in certain subject areas, and will remember entire passages from a book he read, but will not remember things like my major in college or what I do for a living.

He takes forever to relate a simple story. He will deliver hour-long monologues on his current subject of interest, but never asks questions about my life, or ask how my husband is doing. Anything a person tries to add to his monologue -- an opinion or fact -- he ignores. He is interested in delivering his speech about obscure subjects, but has no interest in other people's thoughts on his topic. And he can't even seem to recognize when his audience loses interst. I don't even know if it matters to him whether his audience knows, understands or cares what he's talking about.

He always seemed very self-centered, but not malicious and now I think I understand why. He does seem incapable of empathy. When I plan to spend time with him, he always makes plans that include activities in which I would have NO interest (like driving an hour away just to visit an electronics consignment store?). Anything I suggest, he ignores. It wasn't his idea, so there is no reason for him to do it.

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