<p>Agree totally with Naturally. Darwin, like many people of his class, grew up on an estate out in the countryside. It is easy to ‘avoid socializing’ when there aren’t a whole lot of other people around on a daily basis. It is also pretty natural to take long, solitary walks when you live out in the country.</p>
<p>It is fair to say “scientists tend to be thoughtful, introspective people who are careful observers of the world around them”. That is not the same thing as saying “thoughtful, introspective people who like to be careful observers” are autistic.</p>