Oddbean new post about | logout
 Context?
 
 This is not referring to anything specific. Just a general statement. 
 For example, respecting someone's choice to have or not have children (and how many), respecting the existence and identity of queer people, etc.  
 What is a queer person? 


Legitimately, seriously, havent a fucking clue. 
 I use the term Queer and an umbrella term to refer to those who are not cis-gendered and heterosexual.  
 So there isnt even a clear cut definition for queer? 

The mental gymnastics just to try and keep all this stuff straight for a straight person. Is beyond maddening. We all cant even try to play along anymore with all this insanity, because the rules and defintions keep changing all the time.

Im just going to be nice. Not try to understand this stuff, empathize, or even try to play along. 

Ill just go by the dont be a dick motto. If i get shit wrong and offend people along the way. So be it. Im too old and impatient to keep up with this shit anymore lol. 
 It's not difficult. It really just comes down to don't be an asshole. Be respectful. Pretty simple. If you accidentally disrespect someone, kindly apologize, just as you would if you accidently bumped into someone on the sidewalk.  
 I agree with what you are saying. However I strongly disagree with your assesmemt of the difficulty rating. 

For someone who is stoic like me. A person whose core is based around logic, reason, and living a virtuous life. Trying to comprehend the illogical and ever changing tides of woke culture. Is beyond challenging. Nearing impossible these days. So much powerful emotional triggering at the drop of a hat. Its like navigating a cancel culture minefield daily.

Im just going to try and continue to tactifully navigate these waters, but I also cant go against my own morals and ethics either. Most of this stuff sounds batshit crazy to me and the vast majority of others. That is still ok. We all dont have to believe, think, and feel the same way. Im sure they think we are crazy too lol.

As long as we can find some common ground for coexistence, or at least a good amish style shunning. Akin to you do your thing over there, i do my thing over here. Lets try to not influence each other and preserve our own respective cultures according to our beliefs. That way we can both continue to be true to ourselves in the most excellent way possible.  
 I agree completely with the concept and practice of letting other people live as they wish and respecting them, even if you dont understand them. However, I wouldn't say that queer culture and identity is illogical any more than any other aspect of society and culture is illogical. Humanity is illogical. We are not Vulcans. 
 Queer identity may be complex, but with an open mind, it becomes easier and easier to understand. 
 Logic like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As well as it depending on the limitations of an individuals consciousness to grasp abstract concepts through deductive reasoning. 

What is logical to you may not be logical to others. The problem we face is that so many people are forcing their ideals upon others and demanding conformity to their perspectives.

Which if you think about it is the ultimate form of irony. That the ones who are supposedly about individuality, being unique, and that it is ok to be different. Are the ones historically most violently demanding us all to conform and play by their rules. In a game where not even they can all collectively agree on. Which is being played while the rules change daily!

Its like a woke cultural soap opera. Miss one episode and dont keep up to date on all the complicated details of the show. Then you have no idea what the fuck is going on when you missed last week's episode.  
 I would not say that queer culture has historically been violently demanding people to play by thier rules. Even a brief study of western history will tell quite the opposite tale. A tale of cis-gendered heterosexual, Christian purity culture dominating western culture and enforcing its edicts via the law and violence of the state. 
 Why cant both be true? Pretty sure we could play tennis back and fourth with examples that validify both viewpoints. Im a recovering Roman Catholic myself. No stranger to the brainwashing there. Same concept for both, but just in different ends of the spectrum. 

Wherein one is brainwashed via culture infilitration, hijacking, and manipulation. The other brainwashed through religious doctrine that is drilled into since birth. Both have a lot of deprogramming and therapy required to achieve a better quality of life with a firmer grasp on facts based on reality. Not feelings. 
 I think the problem is that you are using terms differently.  When you say "queer" you mean am umbrella term which you defined above, but the term is generally used to mean Marcusean Neo-Marxists who use human sexuality as a wedge to attempt the creation of a new proletariat to advancethe socialist revolution.

The way you use the term, you are correct, but I think you would agree that socialists, especially of the Marxist variety, have a history of violently demanding that people play by their rules. 
 If I meant the Marcusean Neo-Marxists I would say exactly that, or I would say socialists. Thats not at all what I am talking about. And while there is a ton of queer and socialist overlap, they are not one and the same. Not at all. I, and many others, are living proof of that.