Consumerism

"consumerism and the societal validation of endlessly buying shit hit autistics like crack hit the black community. fountain pens and keyboards and headphones and raw denim and leather boots and flashlights and computer parts and musical instruments and sporting gear"

"The acquisition of professional-quality gear replaces the actual activity as the focus. This is the bit thing that distinguishes this from traditional hobbies. If you're into woodworking you could spend $1k on a bunch of exotic lumber, but it has no value as a possession until it's been transformed "