Unfortunately, people have done a lot of very bad things because they misunderstood biology. Consider the history of lobotomies, or the career of John Money (who popularized the term “gender identity”).
The current (generally misinformed) national conversation about gender identity is being driven — to a…
Unfortunately, people have done a lot of very bad things because they misunderstood biology. Consider the history of lobotomies, or the career of John Money (who popularized the term “gender identity”).
The current (generally misinformed) national conversation about gender identity is being driven — to a great extent — by people who have a naïve and childish understanding of biology, and a zealous belief that they know just how to manipulate it in order to permanently ‘fix’ what they think is a unitary psychological phenomenon. However, because both biology and psychology are complex, and people are remarkably diverse, the same ‘fix’ will never work for everyone… just like the same antidepressant or blood pressure medicine doesn’t work for everyone.
Diversity, including neuro-diversity, should be recognized and valued. Every individual should be respected, accepted, included, and have the opportunity to live the best life that they can. For some very small percentage of people, pharmacological or surgical intervention may be a reasonable option (after an extended period of therapy and careful evaluation). However, by definition, that singular solution is not appropriate for everyone. Unfortunately, the most zealous proponents of that singular solution are doing a tremendous amount of irreversible damage to the young, the vulnerable, families, women, and many of our institutions. I think that’s misguided and unacceptable. (Actually, I think it's worse than that. I'm just trying to be temperate in my language.)
A deep understanding of the evolutionary, genetic, and developmental forces that make us human should prevent us from making foolish mistakes, like thinking that we can surgically alter a few external body parts and change a person into something they’re not. Biology is more complicated than that:
However, all of this notwithstanding, compassion and humility should be our guiding lights. Clearly, they are not. My heart breaks for every child who has been (or will be) permanently harmed by this zealotry.
Also, for great work on where this insanity came from, the harm (to more than just kids) of this ideology, Eliza Mondegreen is another brilliant resource!
This is a wonderful essay. Bravo...
Unfortunately, people have done a lot of very bad things because they misunderstood biology. Consider the history of lobotomies, or the career of John Money (who popularized the term “gender identity”).
The current (generally misinformed) national conversation about gender identity is being driven — to a great extent — by people who have a naïve and childish understanding of biology, and a zealous belief that they know just how to manipulate it in order to permanently ‘fix’ what they think is a unitary psychological phenomenon. However, because both biology and psychology are complex, and people are remarkably diverse, the same ‘fix’ will never work for everyone… just like the same antidepressant or blood pressure medicine doesn’t work for everyone.
Diversity, including neuro-diversity, should be recognized and valued. Every individual should be respected, accepted, included, and have the opportunity to live the best life that they can. For some very small percentage of people, pharmacological or surgical intervention may be a reasonable option (after an extended period of therapy and careful evaluation). However, by definition, that singular solution is not appropriate for everyone. Unfortunately, the most zealous proponents of that singular solution are doing a tremendous amount of irreversible damage to the young, the vulnerable, families, women, and many of our institutions. I think that’s misguided and unacceptable. (Actually, I think it's worse than that. I'm just trying to be temperate in my language.)
A deep understanding of the evolutionary, genetic, and developmental forces that make us human should prevent us from making foolish mistakes, like thinking that we can surgically alter a few external body parts and change a person into something they’re not. Biology is more complicated than that:
https://everythingisbiology.substack.com/p/there-is-biological-evidence-for
However, all of this notwithstanding, compassion and humility should be our guiding lights. Clearly, they are not. My heart breaks for every child who has been (or will be) permanently harmed by this zealotry.
Sincerely, Frederick
Everything Is Biology is SUCH a great resource on this issue. Highly recommend everyone follow your Substack!
Also, for great work on where this insanity came from, the harm (to more than just kids) of this ideology, Eliza Mondegreen is another brilliant resource!
https://substack.com/profile/47620-eliza-mondegreen
Beautifully written deep thoughts.