@Fritillaria2

@artsyhonker

I understand your bitterness, but wouldn't a celebration of it and with that an acceptance solve that problem for people in the future? Having places where ones weirdness is welcomed?

@Fritillaria2 @webmind

Life is still easier for people who get to choose whether to be weird.

I don't know what would fix this, but pretending that weirdness is a fashion statement can actually make things harder for obligate weirdos, when we're assumed to be normal "underneath".

@Fritillaria2 @webmind
Think about it like this:

If someone wears glasses even though they don't need to, just because they think it looks cool? OK, fine, whatever.

When that happens so much that someone can't understand that *I cannot see* without my glasses, there's a problem.

(No, I probably can't wear contacts, though I am trying again with that. We'll see.)

@Fritillaria2 @webmind
Maybe instead of getting six different pairs of cheap glasses with cosmetic, non-correcting lenses, these people could campaign to subsidise my -8 prescription corrective lenses so that I'm not terrified of what might happen if they break when I can't afford to replace them (...one reason I'm trying again to find contacts that fit my severe astigmatism is that I could keep a few pairs spare more easily than I can with glasses.)

@artsyhonker

@Fritillaria2

Hmm, I wouldn't mix social responsibility (supporting you in your health and ability to function) with personal expression. These aren't either/or. Neither do I think I could judge on what lies beneath a seemingly superficial expression of being different. It could very well be caused by a strong need to feel to belong. These patterns aren't uncommon.

@Fritillaria2 @webmind

I think the point isn't that it's either/or -- of course it isn't -- but that these choices *do* affect others, often those who have much less choice.

This is a thing that happens, it makes some people feel bad. I'm not really here for a debate on whether my feelings are right or wrong.

I'm not sure separating social identification and social responsibility is a great plan either, but that's a digression.

@Fritillaria2 @webmind
I'm also not here to police who considers themselves "weird" or not, and I have no real desire to hamper people's freedom of personal expression. If someone wants to identify as weird, or adopt counter-cultural fashion/behaviour/whatever, I won't stop them.

All I'm saying is that none of these things exist in a vacuum.

@artsyhonker

@Fritillaria2

I agree. That assumption could do that. Which I think can be a struggle within the celebration/acceptance of it.

Foremost, I think the main 'problem' lies with people not accepting people because they are different. Where those celebrating/advocating weirdness/difference I would consider potential allies.

That said, I don't want to ignore any pain the popularisation might cause. That is real, but think the root is elsewhere

@webmind Hm. I think you’ve misunderstood at least half of what I’ve said.