NeuroDivine

PCRMWG Revisited

About 14 years ago, a group of us coined the hashtag #PCRMWG — short for “Popular Culture Reference Michael Won’t Get.” At the time, I thought the reason I didn’t understand the jokes was simply because they were pop culture references. I figured I hadn’t seen the right movies or kept up with the latest shows, and that was that.

But lately, I’ve been thinking more deeply about it. I now believe the real reason might be tied to my autism. It’s not just unfamiliarity — it’s how my brain processes humour, especially the kind that relies on subtle social cues, layered irony, or shared cultural shorthand. What felt like “missing the reference” might have been “missing the neurotypical wiring.”

Just this morning, Andrew — my husband — made a joke about how eating an apple for breakfast every day was his way of keeping the doctor away. The Doctor in question? Doctor Who. Apparently the last season was so awful, he’s taking preventive measures. I laughed, but only after he explained it. And that’s okay.

This realization isn’t about regret — it’s about clarity. It’s about understanding myself better and giving myself grace for the moments I felt left out or confused. And maybe it’s also about helping others see that what looks like disinterest or obliviousness might actually be a different way of experiencing the world.