Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism : Book Discussion @ The Bay Horse
Schedule
Wed, 21 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
The Bay Horse Inn, Totnes | Totnes, EN
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📚 Totnes Left Book Club🗓 Wednesday 21st January
⏰ 7:00pm Start
🧠🔥 Empire of Normality: Neurodiversity and Capitalism
✍️ Robert Chapman
A powerful, challenging, and deeply illuminating book that asks a deceptively simple question: who decided what “normal” is — and why?
“Groundbreaking… a deep history of the invention of the ‘normal’ mind as one of the most damaging and oppressive tools of capitalism.”
— Steve Silberman, NeuroTribes
“Argues that a radical politics of neurodiversity is necessary, not only for neurodivergent folk, but for our collective liberation.”
— Professor Hel Spandler
“A vital book that kindles the flames of a neurodivergent revolution.”
— Beatrice Adler-Bolton, Health Communism
📖 About the book
Neurodiversity awareness has exploded in recent years — but understanding has lagged behind. Empire of Normality goes beyond surface-level narratives of difference to expose how the very idea of a “normal” brain was shaped by capitalism.
Drawing on the histories of neurodiversity and disability movements, Robert Chapman shows how capitalism built an empire of normality — treating human bodies and minds as productivity machines, and marginalising those who don’t fit the mould.
The book argues that neurodivergent liberation isn’t just a niche concern, but part of a wider struggle for collective freedom. To challenge ableism properly, we must challenge the deeper logics of capitalism itself.
This is an essential read for anyone interested in disability justice, mental health, politics, class, labour, and how systems shape our sense of self.
👤 About the author
Robert Chapman is a neurodivergent philosopher and Assistant Professor in Critical Neurodiversity Studies at Durham University. They have taught at King’s College London and Bristol University, and write widely on neurodiversity, psychology, and politics.
🌱 What is Totnes Left Book Club?
Our nonthly. Book club is a friendly, thoughtful space for people interested in left-wing ideas, social justice, and how systems of power shape our lives.
You don’t need to agree on everything. You don’t need to be an academic. And you don’t need to have finished the book (or even started it). no membership form or fee to join, open to all.
We read and discuss books that:
✊ Critique capitalism, power, and inequality
🌍 Connect theory to lived experience
🧩 Explore class, disability, ecology, culture, and liberation
💬 Encourage respectful, curious discussion rather than point-scoring
Whether you’ve read every page, dipped in and out, or are coming fresh, you’re welcome.
📣 Format
• Brief welcome and introductions
• Short overview of the book and key themes
• Open, facilitated discussion with guiding questions
• Space for different perspectives, reflections, and lived experience
📚🧠✊
The following meeting of this book club will be : Weds Feb 18th 7pm - our discussion will be based upon the book 'Less Is More' by Jason Hickel
Join our Facebook group to hear news of future gatherings and to suggest books we should read https://m.facebook.com/groups/1824942974987216/?ref=share
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Where is it happening?
The Bay Horse Inn, Totnes, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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