*This episode was HIGHLY requested by Autistic Swifty listeners and their contributions are incorporated throughout. Much like how Cher is a Queer culture icon—regardless of her own sexual orientation—we are celebrating Swift as an Autistic culture icon—regardless of her own neurotype. This is a celebration of the ways we see our fabulous culture represented in the once-in-a-generation, Taylor Swift.
In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:
Hosts, Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP, discuss the many ways that Taylor Swift and her fanbase of “Swifties” represent Autistic Culture. Including:
Swift’s encyclopedic knowledge about cats and use of music to find purpose, community, and a successful career. Plus, super fanning, Swifties, and the elements of a “good” special interest.
The autistic joy that comes from decoding puzzles, riddles, and “Easter eggs.”
Swift’s spot on descriptions of feeling like an outsider and masking in order to fit in, as expressed in her lyrics and interviews.
Autistic body language and Autistica’s stimming anthem!
The intersection of capitalism, privilege, and disability.
The relationship between justice sensitivity and expectation sensitivity.
Swift’s Autistic family tree.
Episode Quotes:
“Listen, Taylor is the biggest star in the universe right now, and she represents Autistic Culture. And as the (Autistic) PR department, if we are not waving the flag: ‘The biggest star in the world is from Autistica!’…We have to. We have to celebrate this. There is so much to celebrate.” —Angela
“Yeah, this is the way. Because we don't do anything half-assed. If it's worth doing and worth obsessing about, we go all the way.” —Matt
“Taylor's response to that was, ‘Well I am weird, and the cat jokes will stay!’” —Angela
“It's very very very difficult, especially for celebrities, to come out because of the connotation of what it might mean to be autistic, because there might be some person somewhere saying, ‘You can't be autistic! You're nothing like my five-year-old boy!’” —Matt
“That is why she wrote Shake It Off. That is the song of our people! That is a cultural hymn!” —Angela
Are you an autistic Swifty? Tell us all about it in the comments and use #AutisticCultureCatch to share your answer on your social media and connect with other listeners!
Shout Outs:
Two Swifty listeners made this episode possible:
Show notes and resources:
(See listener-provided images at the bottom of this post)
Article: Taylor Swift is related to famed American poet Emily Dickinson, Ancestry reveals
Article: Ancestry reveals Taylor Swift is related to American poet Emily Dickinson
Quora: Could Taylor Swift have Asperger's syndrome?
Article: 40+ of Taylor Swift's Most Brilliant Easter Eggs, Decoded
YouTube: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Taylor Swift's Easter Eggs
Video: Taylor Swift listing cat breeds on Fallon
Video: Interviews of Taylor Swift describing masking
Video: The number "13" video
Other episodes to check out if you liked this one:
Episode 03: Poetry is Autistic (The Emily Dickinson episode)
Episode 09: Fairy Tales are Autistic
Episode 21: Dino Nuggets are Autistic
Episode 58: The Good Place is Autistic
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Episode 64: Taylor Swift is Autistic