MixedNuts comments on Well, that does it, I suppose - Less Wrong

2 Post author: lucidfox 17 July 2011 10:51AM

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Comment author: MixedNuts 17 July 2011 07:15:59PM 22 points [-]

I haven't seen anyone calling transsexuality a delusion, only people examining the possibility, and people (who agree with the standard pro-trans positions on policy) declaring the question meaningless. The closest is knb's claims about autogynephilia, which look like an independent reinvention and are thus pretty interesting evidence. In particular, I haven't seen any claims that transpeople should be denied anything.

It sounds like you're offended when people ask "Is transsexuality a delusion?", not just when they say it's one. That's not good at all, for the obvious reasons that if you can't attack n idea you can never prove it, that politics is the mind-killer, etc.

I'm aware of Bad Things that can happen from simply asking questions - they tend to prime you emotionally, even if you don't consciously notice and have the best intent in the world (and even if you're a Martian and thus immune to this effect it affects onlookers). So if you see people sneaking in evil connotations, please complain.

But I'm trans, so if I (in particular, or along with all transpeople) am deluded, I sure as hell want to know.

Comment author: drethelin 17 July 2011 10:01:58PM 4 points [-]

I don't think using the word delusion is helpful here. It's more useful I believe to break down words like gender, woman, man, etc. in order to find what people are ACTUALLY talking about. If someone says they are a woman, to some people it does not matter if they have a penis or were born XY, but to others it does, and it's much easier to discuss it in this fashion rather than to ask whether they "truly" are a woman or are just "deluding" themselves.