Is my special interest NT-approved?

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One of my special interests is collecting and restoring computers from the 1990s. I don’t tell anyone about it because I don’t want them to associate me as being weird. However, nostalgia became popular during Covid. Would this be a socially-accepted special interest then?

I think a lot of people would find that an interesting interest. Sometimes a special interest might seem odd to others because of its intensity, so I would try to avoid talking about it excessively if you want it to be accepted, but as interests go, it seems like one that many people would be able to relate to.

If you were NT it might be NT approved. Many autistic people have interests similar to NTs, but it's only because we're autistic that it's "wrong".

For example, lots of adults like cartoons, but it's because I'm aspie that it's a socially unacceptable obsession instead of just an enjoyable pastime.

NTs can just go jump in a lake.

Hey, that's a great interest. It's not weird at all. In fact, you can probably turn that into a lucrative business and/or get a job working on computers. Like bee33 said though, I'd avoid talking excessively about it to most folks. That's a very techie topic that, although the basics would probably appeal to a lot of people, the in-depth bits are something they wouldn't care so much about.

So you've piqued my interest. Do you just do hardware or do you actually get DOS and/or Windows up and running on those rigs? There should be some good money to be made with that, too.

If you want to know how NTs will react to something about you, you need to ask them. How will autistic strangers on the internet who have never met you have any idea how you will be perceived by others in real life?

I don’t excessively talk about it. I don’t bring it up unless asked about hobbies. Since I want to appear NT in public, I hide all my ND feelings about things at home

I guess it would depend on the individual NTs. I'm sure a lot of them would approve, but I suppose there will always be people who would be judgemental about something that's not doing any harm.

I don't see any harm in revealing such an interest as long as you don't talk at length about it without making sure they're particularly interested. Anybody who looks down on you for having such an interest, you're probably better off without.

Applause on your Special Interest...... upgrading older systems to be able to interface with current internet protocols
with adequate motherboard chips for speed . And keeping a more familiar older Windows version, would be a very lucrative thing?

Honestly being into vintage/retro computers is already an accepted thing in geek spaces, both neurotypical and neurodivergent ones, and has been for years, so you really don't really need to worry about it.

Sure, there's always going to be people who don't get it, but even if you were NT and were interested in this same thing, they still wouldn't get it because they'd just think of these old computers as junk that should be recycled or thrown out.

Shame really, but who cares if people don't understand your interests, y'know?

does it have to be NT approved? just like any other group, some will find it interesting and some may not. There is no "NT code" to break, each person will be different, NT or ND, Find what gives your life interest and enjoyment and follow it. No shame! You will attract others with more in common if you are open about your likes, interests, and enthusiasms.

Awesome!! !! The form and functionality of those old computers provides so much that so many modern computers lack! I wish I still had my childhood IBM aptiva with windows 98 on it! I am an audio guy who goes deep into tape, vinyl mixing/mastering, and old hardware, and I've been so fortunate to find other audiophiles that share my deep interests. I bet your people are out there in large numbers!

There's no need to worry about your interest in 90s computers fitting in! Retrocomputing (working with older computers) is a growing hobby community. The nostalgia wave definitely boosted its popularity, but enthusiasts have been around for years, preserving these machines and the history they hold.
Embrace your unique interest! It shows you have technical skills, patience, and a passion for a specific era of technology. Sharing your hobby with others could even lead you to a supportive community of fellow retrocomputing enthusiasts.

Why do you care? It's a sad to think that one's passions would have to be approved by others.

Why do you care if it's "NT-approved" or not? It's YOUR special interest, no one has the right to tell you what you can/can't have a special interest regardless of neurotype.