CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER
Issue #84 | Nov. 29, 2022
Many neurodivergent creators use social media platforms to combat stigma and spread awareness around their lives. Hashtags like #autism, #autistic, and #neurodiversity gained billions of views on platforms like TikTok in recent years.
However, while TikTok has been a place of great representation and community for neurodivergent creators, it’s been a double-edged sword. As Passionfruit contributor Charlotte Colombo explains this week, oftentimes autistic creators’ comments sections are flooded with viewers babying them and gushing about how “adorable” they are.
Colombo also explores how this infantilizing gaze applies to the significant number of accounts that are dedicated to an autistic person’s life but are controlled by a parent, partner, or caregiver. She shares why she thinks these portrayals are problematic and also shares the perspectives of many creators and social media users fed up with infantilization on the platform.
– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
THE HIGHLIGHT
The infantilization of autistic people on TikTok needs to stop
“The continual infantilization of autistic people on TikTok fundamentally harms people like me in our fight for agency and equality.”
By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor
ONE GREAT TIP
“Production is more important than perfection—keep producing on a regular basis as you’ll learn so much. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You will gain confidence and resilience from your mistakes.”
—Video creator Cooking with Lynja on consistency. Read more in our April 2022 interview.
TIPS AND TRICKS
​​TikTok star Evan the Card Guy shares how he hooked 16 million followers
“I started doing what I like to call interactive magic or interactive content.”
By Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
TOOLS REVIEW
How to make tingly brain-massaging ASMR videos
There’s never been a better time to get started making your own.
By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor
IN THE BIZ
- Elon Musk reinstated the accounts of controversial figures like Donald Trump, Ye, and Andrew Tate. (via Observer)
- LinkedIn is now letting users schedule posts. (via TechCrunch)
- YouTube released a report on podcasting best practices, and it is also testing a quiz feature.
- Adult content creators say they are worried about Twitter’s potential demise. (via NBC News)
- Meta was fined $275 million over a Facebook data leak. (via the New York Times)
TIKTOK MADE ME DO IT
We’re loving the resurgence of this “happy happy happy” song.
