What can we learn from SpongeBob?

SpongeBob SquarePants is autistic (according to Tom Kenny, his voice actor). I've shed many a tear (of laughter) watching the gloriously insane antics of SpongeBob and friends. My son is also a huge fan. I think he can teach us a lot about how to live authentically and joyfully in the world. Discuss.

Here's a primer on his traits:

  1. Literal Thinking: He often takes things literally, leading to misunderstandings.
  2. Intense Interests: He has a strong passion for his job and hobbies, like jellyfishing.
  3. Social Challenges: He sometimes struggles with social cues and norms.
  4. Repetitive Behaviours: He engages in routines and repetitive actions for comfort, like making Krabby Patties.
  5. Emotional Expression: He displays a wide range of exaggerated emotions, sometimes struggling to regulate them.
  6. Strong Sense of Justice: He stands up for friends and fairness.
  7. Unique Perspective: He sees the world differently, leading to creative problem-solving.
  • I defo relate to squidward lol though I think I’m more friendly 

  • Listing all them is making me want to play more Mario kart lol! Wish grumble volcano was in the newest one! 

  • “Boating school” is the first episode to feature on of the best quotes. “My leg”! It’s where Patrick tells SpongeBob the answers and how to drive but fails when SpongeBob realises he’s cheating. 


    “The chaperone”is actually the episode where Pearl can’t find a date for her prom so she has to take SpongeBob but Mrs Puff isn’t in that episode at all.

    Season 2 episode 20 is actually “Squid on strike” and again nothing to do with driving. Are you thinking of the episode “No free rides”? That’s where Mrs Puff passes SpongeBob with an extra credit thing and she tried to steal the boat SpongeBobs parents bought him

    “Mrs Puff you're fired” is the episode where she gets fired and a new teacher takes over teaching SpongeBob but again fails. Yet SpongeBob can actually drive blindfolded.

    Some more driving episodes are “The hot shot”, “Boat smarts”, “Boating buddies”, “Yellow pavement”, “Driven to tears”, “The getaway”, “Tutor sauce”, “Bumper to bumper” and “Potato Puff” if you are interested ;) 

    An honourable mention to “Squidtastic Voyage” as this has SpongeBob pilot a submarine 

  • Aww I love that episode! And it’s nice to see Patrick keeping SpongeBob in check and supporting him despite losing it in the Krusty Krab. I do feel Mr Krabs takes SpongeBob for granted all the time though but there again he is shown to be caring towards SpongeBob at times too. But some of Krabs cheapest episodes are “Bummer Vacation”, “Patty Caper”, “Kracked Krabs”, “Best Frienamies” and “Spongebob you’re fired” as Krabs literally can’t part with so much as one nickel, let alone one dollar! 

    The episode that shows SpongeBob and his strong passion for the Krusty Krab and making krabby patties is Spongehenge. At the end of that episode we really see SpongeBobs strong feelings are for the place and his job when he sees the KK somewhat buried in sand. I think it’s also a reference to the original Planet of the Apes films

  • He clearly suffers from anxiety

    I watched the very first episode last night, "Help Wanted". He applies for the job as fry cook at the Krusty Krab. He rehearses his "script", gets psyched up, chickens out, Patrick gives him a pep talk, he gets psyched up again, marches to the KK, opens the door confidently ... then loses his marbles completely, becomes incoherent and starts bouncing around the room (literally). Then he gets taken advantage of because he doesn't realise Mr. Krabs and Squidward are trying to make a fool of him. You can just feel the anxiety pouring off the little guy and he goes through this ordeal, and his innocent taking of people at face value. We've all been there.

    He comes good in the end, of course, because he is REALLY good at his special interest.

  • My son is preparing for his driving test at the moment. He brings me out for a drive most evenings. We've been working on getting his parking just right outside the test centre, as he'll have to do that at the end of his test. He keeps getting a bit flustered and missing his lines, which is odd, as he's fine at everything else.

    I must queue up this list for us to watch (courtesy of AI, so it might be a bunch of hallucinations):

    1. "Boating School" (Season 1, Episode 3): This is the first episode where Mrs. Puff attempts to teach SpongeBob how to drive, leading to chaotic and humorous situations.

    2. "The Chaperone" (Season 1, Episode 16): In this episode, Mrs. Puff is again involved in teaching SpongeBob, showcasing his struggles with driving.

    3. "Driving Lessons" (Season 2, Episode 20): This episode focuses on SpongeBob's driving lessons with Mrs. Puff, highlighting his challenges and the comedic outcomes.

    4. "Mrs. Puff, You're Fired" (Season 4, Episode 4): In this episode, Mrs. Puff's teaching methods and her relationship with SpongeBob are explored, including driving lessons.

  • Yeah my weekend was very turbulent, also got diagnosed with cptsd on Monday and expecting a general assessment soon. 

  • Actually watching the sun bleached episode 

  • Is this particular track wario stadium? If so I’m sure the at is on Mario kart world. I’ve never had an n64 but I have played a few n64 games on NSO and sure that version of kart is on so I’ll have to play. 

  • I always feel sorry for him when he doesn’t pass his driving test. He clearly suffers from anxiety and lets face it Mrs puff and the students aren’t really the most comforting. But there again I suppose I’d be scared if I was driving with SpongeBob 

  • Hmm that makes sense now you mention it. Come to think of it not sure if it was nuclear stuff that gave mermaid man and barnicle boy their special powers 

  • And let's round it out a bit with Mr. Krabs:

    1. Intense Focus on Interests: Mr. Krabs has an overwhelming obsession with money and profit, often prioritising it above all else.
    2. Literal Thinking: He tends to take things literally, especially when it comes to business and financial matters.
    3. Social Awkwardness: Mr. Krabs can be socially awkward, often struggling to connect with others beyond his business interests.
    4. Repetitive Behaviours: He frequently engages in routines related to managing his restaurant and finances, showing a preference for consistency.
    5. Emotional Expression: His emotions, particularly greed and anger, are often exaggerated, leading to intense reactions.
    6. Difficulty with Change: Mr. Krabs resists changes that could affect his business, showing a strong attachment to his routines and practices.
  • And Patrick Star...

    1. Literal Thinking: Patrick often takes things literally, leading to confusion and humorous misunderstandings.
    2. Social Naivety: He can be socially unaware, often missing social cues and norms.
    3. Intense Interests: Patrick shows a strong focus on simple pleasures, like eating and sleeping, which can reflect a deep engagement with specific interests.
    4. Repetitive Behaviours: He frequently engages in repetitive actions and routines, providing comfort and familiarity.
    5. Emotional Expression: Patrick displays emotions in an exaggerated manner, sometimes struggling to articulate his feelings.
    6. Childlike Perspective: He often approaches situations with a simplistic, childlike view, leading to unique problem-solving methods.
  • Here, I'll do Squidward Tentacles:

    1. Social Withdrawal: Squidward often prefers solitude and avoids social interactions, reflecting a tendency to be introverted.
    2. Literal Thinking: He can be quite literal and often struggles to understand SpongeBob's antics.
    3. Intense Interests: Squidward is passionate about art and music, showing a deep focus on his interests.
    4. Difficulty with Change: He often resists changes in his routine or environment, leading to frustration.
    5. Emotional Expression: Squidward frequently expresses annoyance and frustration, sometimes struggling to manage his emotions.
    6. Critical Nature: He often critiques others, which can be seen as a lack of social tact.
  • Used to have an N64 in an office I worked in years ago. We used to play four-way Mario Kart every lunchtime. We nearly always drove the same track (the stadium) just for the chance of knocking each other off the ramp.

    Come to think of it ... "always drove the same track" ... maybe that was a sign that at least 75% of us were .. you know ...

  • Yeah, SB's a nice guy. A lot of plot lines see him being taken advantage of, but every time he falls down he gets back up again and he doesn't let it get to him. He stays true to himself and his friends. Lives life his way. [I think I got something in my eye...sniff...]

  • Now we're gettin' somewhere! Welcome to the par-tay!

    Perhaps radiation caused genetic mutations that resulted in most of the characters also being autistic. I mean, the signs are all there...

  • Not a problem. I hear you had a tough weekend. I hope you're on the mend.

  • Bikini Atoll is a real place where SpongeBobs world is meant to take place in, it was used as a nuclear testing ground. They’ve change the name in the show but I guess the idea is that radiation caused all these creatures in the ocean to start talking through mutation.

  • I defo have a strong sense of justice, like I want to be a vigilante but I just don’t have what it takes

    I wanted to be Batman for a long time, probably dare I say up until my mid 20s :S I would often fantasise that someone rich would hear me out and fund my quest for justice on the basis it was the right thing to do. I did question how I’d get about on rooftops as most of them around here are sloped and what if I was caught? I’d be a laughing stock.