It isn't even just young people or Covid coping. I think the embrace of kidult pleasures has been happening for at least the last few decades, pioneered as always in Japan... The haters can complain all they want, I'm not giving up my Legos! ;) https://aeon.co/essays/a-history-of-kidults-from-hello-kitty-to-disney-weddings
Your point about so much of life being boring is really fair, and lately I hear a lot of neurotypical and neurodivergent people relate to it more. And I also wonder if sometimes it is just so much harder for us as neurodivergent people to go through the motions, that the escapism is helping keep us together.
I remember seeing a tweet just yesterday about people should bring back parallel play for adults, and I was reminded of it reading about smartphones and how you felt at the bar. Not that it was the same, but I feel like some people might forget or underestimate how important it can be to get out and be around others, but also not have to force interaction. Like my partner is also autistic and lately, the only time he gets out is going grocery shopping or if we get fast food. He doesn't get out and just experience the people/culture around him anymore, and most of his "engagement" comes from Tumblr. (Not even talking with mutuals, just reblogging and reading.)
To me, it's become "touch grass" because sometimes he'll say something, and I feel like it's a very "tumblr feels this way" thing than the reality. But just being around people more and being a little more tuned in to what they're saying/doing would adjust this, even if he isn't actually mingling. It's already hard enough for autistic people to have to read others and sometimes follow the social cues, I think it's fine for us to just be out and about, but moving at our own pace.
I like your overall points and think it's increasingly relevant in our times. Before Covid, it used to be the topic, especially when discussing how privileged people were always practicing escapism and didn't bother being aware of marginalized issues, or pulled back openly while marginalized people were really going through it. But it also just feels like the world is getting harsher so much faster now, so that escapism is becoming more invaluable. It also seems like a surprisingly fine-tuned balance that's hard for some people to strike or even discuss, but I hope with interactive events like you pointed out and other cultural shifts, we can work our way there.
This is such a well thought out comment! Thanks so much for reading my blog and contributing. I definitely think this is an issue of being neurodivergent as well.
That Oakland thing sounds awesome, and if you are cool with me poking you on Discord, I'll send a DM along if you'd be interested in going, since I'm also local to the area :)
But yea, independent of that, I totally vibe about so much of this. The only counterargument I can have that I think may have some validity is 'Boredom is key to helping creativity flourish, as its in the dull spaces we have to invent compelling stories for ourselves' but idk how much it holds
I’m blown away really, this article is so spot on and I could not agree more!
I have anxiety and I have used various coping mechanisms in the past. Sometimes I feel bad for being on my phone so much while I owe it to the people around me to be more present, but on the same hand I have dropped so many more harmful coping mechanisms that it’s not even something I’m willing to work very hard to stop doing.
It isn't even just young people or Covid coping. I think the embrace of kidult pleasures has been happening for at least the last few decades, pioneered as always in Japan... The haters can complain all they want, I'm not giving up my Legos! ;) https://aeon.co/essays/a-history-of-kidults-from-hello-kitty-to-disney-weddings
This is great! thanks for sharing.
Your point about so much of life being boring is really fair, and lately I hear a lot of neurotypical and neurodivergent people relate to it more. And I also wonder if sometimes it is just so much harder for us as neurodivergent people to go through the motions, that the escapism is helping keep us together.
I remember seeing a tweet just yesterday about people should bring back parallel play for adults, and I was reminded of it reading about smartphones and how you felt at the bar. Not that it was the same, but I feel like some people might forget or underestimate how important it can be to get out and be around others, but also not have to force interaction. Like my partner is also autistic and lately, the only time he gets out is going grocery shopping or if we get fast food. He doesn't get out and just experience the people/culture around him anymore, and most of his "engagement" comes from Tumblr. (Not even talking with mutuals, just reblogging and reading.)
To me, it's become "touch grass" because sometimes he'll say something, and I feel like it's a very "tumblr feels this way" thing than the reality. But just being around people more and being a little more tuned in to what they're saying/doing would adjust this, even if he isn't actually mingling. It's already hard enough for autistic people to have to read others and sometimes follow the social cues, I think it's fine for us to just be out and about, but moving at our own pace.
I like your overall points and think it's increasingly relevant in our times. Before Covid, it used to be the topic, especially when discussing how privileged people were always practicing escapism and didn't bother being aware of marginalized issues, or pulled back openly while marginalized people were really going through it. But it also just feels like the world is getting harsher so much faster now, so that escapism is becoming more invaluable. It also seems like a surprisingly fine-tuned balance that's hard for some people to strike or even discuss, but I hope with interactive events like you pointed out and other cultural shifts, we can work our way there.
This is such a well thought out comment! Thanks so much for reading my blog and contributing. I definitely think this is an issue of being neurodivergent as well.
That Oakland thing sounds awesome, and if you are cool with me poking you on Discord, I'll send a DM along if you'd be interested in going, since I'm also local to the area :)
But yea, independent of that, I totally vibe about so much of this. The only counterargument I can have that I think may have some validity is 'Boredom is key to helping creativity flourish, as its in the dull spaces we have to invent compelling stories for ourselves' but idk how much it holds
I’m blown away really, this article is so spot on and I could not agree more!
I have anxiety and I have used various coping mechanisms in the past. Sometimes I feel bad for being on my phone so much while I owe it to the people around me to be more present, but on the same hand I have dropped so many more harmful coping mechanisms that it’s not even something I’m willing to work very hard to stop doing.