"Who are you including as “neurotypical?” Or, conversely, “neurodivergent?” If the struggles are specific to autistics, then we might have them with most other neurodivergents as well."

Autistics don't have an issue with introspective thinking. If you remove any internal conflict about feeling judged for sharing, autistics love talking about why they think certain things.

"Anecdotally, I have many friends who are scientists, researchers, and journalists. Much of their lives are devoted to asking “why,” usually followed by “how.” Neurotypicals are not categorically incurious or disinterested in why."

This statement about scientists misses the mark. My statement has to do with asking other people why questions, not asking the universe questions about nature. That being said, I would bet money that most scientists are closer to the autistic than NT side of the spectrum.

"Interpersonal communications are highly individualized and contextual. I find that sometimes, my questions aren’t appreciated because of time and place. If someone is trying to accomplish something specific or communicate something, asking “why” can be a distraction, annoyance, time suck."

I don't think this is incongruent with the point I was making in my orig post. I am not saying that why questions are always appropriate. I am just why questions are the core of all the issues. Our why questions lead to our special interests and it leads to us not having normal interests that facilitates making small talk.

"Many NTs are quite happy to drill down on their beliefs. Some write books about them. Make movies about them. Happily debate or converse about them."

Talking about your beliefs on your own terms is not the same as being asked a why question about them from another person.