Big Bang Bucks or Fandom Freedoms? Neurodivergent Cultures and Media Representation
Session Description
This talk will explore the ubiquity of neurodivergent coded characters in media, asking who benefits from depictions of neurodivergence and whether or not those depictions are accurate or helpful for our communities. It considers some of the tropes of autistic and ADHD representation, as well as some positive examples of good representation. As various neurodivergent cultures coalesce there has been increasing pushback against what is pejoratively described as “fake disorder cringe” and professionally (but still pejoratively) described as “social contagion.” Yet our cultures, like any people’s, are vital to our survival and self-determination, and should not be dictated or capitalized on by third parties.
Presenter:
Dr. Ben Mitchell is a librarian, educator, and researcher with a background in the history of science and medicine. They have been a curator involved in the public history of mental health and neurodivergence and have delivered talks and programming on topics related to neurodiversity and information literacy at numerous conferences and events, including as an invited speaker at the Waterloo Public Library and as part of CAPAL’s Diversity & Equity Committee. They are also the organizer of the Neuro-GLAM-erous Discord server and annual conference for neurodivergent gallery, library, archives, and museum (GLAM) workers.
Cost: Free
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/HmcaTsRWSvyVNhTeA
This is part of the Maskwacis Cultural College Microlearning Series and is open to the public.
Contact Manisha Khetarpal by email mkhetarpal@mccedu.ca or call toll free: 1 866 585 3925