"Duncan's diagnosis as 'completely typical' is a disaster for him, particularly since he has worked hard at nurturing the most awful behavior associated with neurodivergence."
"In Palo Alto, the thinking goes, only those 'on the spectrum' are capable of producing out-of-the-box ideas that lead to success and prosperity."
"'I have zero sense of humor and zero empathy,' he insists. 'I'm an apex predator. I eat empathy for breakfast.'"
"'Valley of Heart's Delight' provides a nice narrative mini-arc for Duncan to get a better sense of his true value amidst the absurdities of tech culture."
Duncan faces a crisis after learning he is not neurodivergent, challenging the tech culture's belief that only those on the spectrum can innovate. His diagnosis as 'completely typical' threatens his self-image, as he has built his persona around neurodivergent traits. The episode explores his journey to understand his true value, contrasting the myth of the tech billionaire with the reality of personal inadequacies. The narrative arc highlights the absurdities of Silicon Valley's expectations and the pressure to conform to its ideals of genius.
Read at Vulture
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