Episode 370: Autism, the Obshchina, and the Theatre of Tylenol

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Recorded29 Sep 2025

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Today’s episode draws a powerful analogy between the historical struggle of the Russian peasant commune (the obshchina) against capitalist enclosure and the contemporary experience of the autistic community. The author of the source article, Dr. Jaime Hoerricks, frames autism not as a pathology or a problem to be solved, but as a “living commons” under continuous siege by societal forces and regimes that seek to eradicate difference. Specifically, Dr. Hoerricks critiques a recent press conference that attempted to link Tylenol to autism, arguing that this “Theatre of Tylenol” is merely the latest example of casting autism as a “preventable error” and an enemy to be eliminated. By referencing Karl Marx’s correspondence with Vera Zasulich about the potential of the obshchina to resist capitalism, she calls for resistance, collective care, and a refusal of erasure among autistic people, noting that their shared existence is persistently undervalued compared to expenditures like military funding. She concludes by urging the community to defend their obshchina and challenge the prevailing narrative that frames their lives as a burden.Here’s the link to the source article: https://open.substack.com/pub/autside/p/autism-on-trial-again-from-the-obshchinaLet me know what you think.The AutSide is a reader-supported publication. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit autside.substack.com/subscribe

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.