Why Is Everyone 'Neurospicy' Now? On The Individualisation Of Neurodivergence Online
May 26, 2024
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The podcast explores how the internet has turned being neurodivergent into a trend, discussing the pros and cons of sharing mental health conditions online. It delves into the commodification of neurodiversity on social media and the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in society.
Online platforms have turned neurodivergence into an aspirational identity, potentially influencing self-diagnosis.
Social media's commodification of neurodiversity risks trivializing serious medical conditions for profit.
Deep dives
Societal Influence on Neurodiversity Online
The rise of neurodivergent subcultures online has transformed how individuals perceive conditions like ADHD and autism. Through platforms like TikTok, the portrayal of neurodiversity has become aspirational, influencing teenagers to emulate symptoms they see online. While these platforms offer community and relatability, there is a risk of self-diagnosis leading to misrepresented identities and potential harm.
Capitalization and Commodity in Online Communities
Social media's influence in turning neurodiversity into an identity has led to the creation of marketable personas. Individuals are encouraged to flatten their identities to retain audience engagement, potentially diluting the seriousness of actual medical conditions. The commodification of health-related content through influencers and merchandising reinforces the capitalistic nature of online spaces.
Inclusivity and Societal Marginalization
The online narrative around neurodiversity must balance inclusivity with critical evaluation. While seeking self-understanding and community connection are valid, the underlying capitalist motives in promoting and diagnosing mental health conditions online have broader societal implications. It's essential to shift from individualized approaches to promoting societal change that accommodates and respects the diverse needs of neurodivergent individuals.
Is it five signs you may have ADHD or is it five vague symptoms that could be applicable to anyone? In this week's episode, Ione and Gina are diving into the way that TikTok - and the internet in general - has made being neurodivergent a personality trait, a subculture and a community in and of itself. The pair look at the pros and cons of sharing information on having a condition, how this affects wider society and whether or not we should be worrying about the uptick in social media users centring their lives around being neurospicy.
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