Those important brain circuits, the ones that enabled most of us to avoid saying the wrong thing, were simply not there in Martha's case; or fired in the wrong order; or were short-circuiting. In other words, Martha Drummond was an electrical problem. And understanding people as electrical problems undoubtedly helped one to tolerate them.
Martha Drummond lacked the crucial brain circuits that help most people navigate social interactions appropriately. Her condition affected her ability to filter thoughts before speaking, leading to frequent social missteps. This absence of typical neural pathways created a metaphorical 'electrical problem' in her brain, which contributed to her challenges in communication.
This understanding of Martha as an 'electrical problem' offered a way to tolerate her idiosyncrasies. By viewing her behavior through this lens, it became easier to empathize with her struggles and accept her unusual way of navigating social situations, fostering a greater sense of tolerance and compassion.
