Why I Try Not to Say "Neckbeard"

Post Reply New Topic

I'd like to congratulate Everyday Feminism. They really took the high road.
https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/02/neckbeard-cartoon/

The word "neckbeard" is becoming a dog whistle. People use it to insult autistic people without actually using the word "autistic".

Christians frequently use the term as well.

I'm also starting to hate the term "nerd misogyny". The term is outdated because nerds aren't the only people who use the internet. Some of this "nerd misogyny" is really coming from Jocks with computers.

I don't know any autistic people who are actually neckbeards though. It seems to be a stereotype with little to no basis in reality.

Lol, I have a full blown beard. Feelsgoodman.

I thought "neckbeards" meant like hillbillies, or something.

From how folks use the term it never sounds like theyre talking about autistic folks. And Ive been to a local autistic support group, and I have never seen an autistic person with a neckbeard.

First of all, "DarthMetalKnight" is one of my top five, possibly top three all time favorite usernames. Hats off to you.

Secondly, it really irritates me the way that beards used to be cool, but now "beirdos" (that's a term people like in my neck of the woods) with their waxed mustachios and conditioned face fur have made it into this hipster thing that goes hand in hand with craft beer and men's fashion. That's great if you are truly interested in those things, but it crosses the line for me when it's a trend and it seems like everyone is doing it.

Thirdly, I hear what you're saying, but I think it's just in certain circles that people are using "neckbeard" to mean autistic. I think the term varies depending on where you are and who you are around. When I was in college, people used to refer to a "Otaku type" because a lot of autistic girls were in the local anime club.

I've never known "neckbeard" to refer to autistic people. Every time I've heard it used it's in reference to arrogant nerds/"Men's Rights activists", the old stereotype of the unwashed, fedora-wearing geek who spends hours on 'World of Warcraft' and trolling YouTube videos.

I've never used the term myself, but I'm not against it, seeing as there are certainly people like that lurking around the web, and I'm not entirely convinced it's designed as a slight against people on the spectrum, only against internet jerks.

As an autistic man, I will say that I always try to be clean shaven these days. Admittedly back in college, I'd go without shaving for two or three days.

Some of my friends use the term to describe a guy who is over weight and just doesn't take care of themselves at all, rather than it having anything to do with being autistic, I figure different places have different meanings for Internet kind of terms.