Does it really matter?

[Pica Pica]

Does it really matter if we are male or female or either?
Does it really matter if we present on the outside as we feel within?
Does it really matter if we are happy or not?

Surely what matters is that we are members of our communities and that we can share with them, helping and being helped in turn. The only point of being human seems to be to engage with the humans around us and the rest of it seems like a load of tosh.

Or maybe we need to sort out the other things to engage properly, I'm not sure.

[suzifrommd]

Pica, really good to see you back. I've missed you.

My answer to your question, is that it matters to me. Men and women are treated differently. When I am treated as a man, and when I see myself as male, I suffer dysphoria. When I see myself as female, I experience euphoria. So from the point of view of my emotions, the male/female difference matters.

As for being happy, well I like being happy. Happiness buildings on itself, generating energy and good moods which make it easier for people around me to be happy. So in that respect it matters.

In the grand long run, nothing much matters. 100 years from now everyone who knew us will be dead and our record will slowly be erased from the earth. But the long run is not the only time frame that gets a vote. The present gets a voice as well.

[Pica Pica]

Fair enough, I guess people do treat you differently depending on how you appear to them. Do you think it matters to them which you are? I know some people respond better to males or females.

Also happiness, isn't that supposed to only be a nice fleeting spice of pleasure as we get on with things? When did it start becoming an expected state to be in.

Also, also, I didn't really mean does it matter in a grand scheme of things as much as does it matter within the context of a life...if you were kind and received kindness in turn, how important can the rest of it be?

And also, also, also  Hi Suzie, how's stuff? I hope things are well - even if they aren't always euphoric.

[Tessa James]

Yes, nice to see your name and face on the screen.  When a couple of guys were eyeballing me and one asked if i was a man or a woman my spontaneous answer was, it doesn't matter.   No matter how someone else sees me it does not change who I am or dictate whether or not i would be interested in engaging with them.

Yes, simply being human is a great place to start.