Tom's Blog on Life and Livingness
J.K. Rowling has managed to turn a debate about language, biology, and gender into another internet firestorm, and apparently, the author who gave us Hogwarts has no plans to retire from controversy. A quote attributed to her uses everything from hot dogs to pantomime horses to argue that words don’t always mean what they appear to mean. Leave it to the internet to turn a grammar lesson into a political argument before anyone even reaches the final sentence.
Rowling’s position on biological sex and gender identity has drawn strong reactions for years.
Supporters argue that biological differences matter in discussions about women’s rights, sports, and protected spaces. Critics argue that her comparisons dismiss transgender identities and oversimplify (Tom: Truth is simple, lies complicate things.) a subject involving real people’s lives. Meanwhile, social media continues its proud tradition of turning complicated debates into shouting matches where everyone has a microphone and nobody can find the mute button.
Perhaps the strangest part is watching the woman who wrote seven books about magic become one of the internet’s most debated voices on definitions. Hogwarts had moving staircases, talking portraits, and an entire class devoted to defending against dark forces.
Somehow, discussing the meaning of a single word in the real world has become even more chaotic. At this point, the Sorting Hat would probably request early retirement.
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire – Philosopher (1694 – 1778)
This might alter what you consider important now.
Click to view the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlaSnROMqRY
Click to view the video: https://x.com/ItsBecksBe/status/2120132560957145447?a=mQ8p2yKPv3KFJNfP6gw&s=20
I see truth in this. Growth can be uncomfortable, even painful at times. The time taken to acquire new skills and the mistakes made in doing so can be invalidating. Recognising that growth comes with a price tag and that you have to be prepared to pay the price to enjoy the fruits of your labours can help you get there. And doing something that is on your purpose line is helpful to the cause as well.
I just signed a petition supporting the idea that ordinary citizens can exert more control over government decision making than the present system currently allows. Since such a large percentage of us are unhappy with the decisions being made on our behalf this sounds like a great thing to get behind.
Check it out!
Finish reading: https://directdemocracy.org.au/
“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”
Albert Einstein – Physicist (1879 – 1955)