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The Problem with Gender: Search for a better Lexicon
10 years ago
General
I building a religion, I'm building a brand: but it has no name.
I've been exploring the idea of gender as brand, which is an interesting little thought experiment but I'm running into some problems when considering how to increase the number of expressive points along the gender spectrum. Mainly that no one seems to be working to define descrete segments of the gender spectrum. This raises two problems to me:
1) Discussion of gender is predicated upon the understanding of the feminist theory of gender.
2) We can only express our identity in relation to the gender binary.
With an understanding of feminist theory, I can say I am gender fluid and someone else can reason out that it means that I express high gender variance as well as gender typical qualities situationally but, I would argue, this is of limited utility within the prevalent language.
In fact, I would argue this is of limited utility for me. If I seek self understanding and all I can find in language is expressions of a relationship with the gender binary, then I am essentially left with the non-choice of conform or become a socio-linguistic other. We need a more expressive way to handle this, one that uses the prevalent culture to express new ideas of gender. To this end I am now looking for:
A) expressions of descrete segments of the gender spectrum
B) classical Greek examples of characters expressing these segments
C) popular culture examples of characters expressing these segments.
As much as possible, I want to avoid inventing new words for these concepts. I have a feeling that once classical examples can be found that words that can be repourosed for these kind of discourses can be found. I invite anyone else who is interested in improving our tools of expression to join me in this endeavor or to share knowledge I may not be privy to.
I've been exploring the idea of gender as brand, which is an interesting little thought experiment but I'm running into some problems when considering how to increase the number of expressive points along the gender spectrum. Mainly that no one seems to be working to define descrete segments of the gender spectrum. This raises two problems to me:
1) Discussion of gender is predicated upon the understanding of the feminist theory of gender.
2) We can only express our identity in relation to the gender binary.
With an understanding of feminist theory, I can say I am gender fluid and someone else can reason out that it means that I express high gender variance as well as gender typical qualities situationally but, I would argue, this is of limited utility within the prevalent language.
In fact, I would argue this is of limited utility for me. If I seek self understanding and all I can find in language is expressions of a relationship with the gender binary, then I am essentially left with the non-choice of conform or become a socio-linguistic other. We need a more expressive way to handle this, one that uses the prevalent culture to express new ideas of gender. To this end I am now looking for:
A) expressions of descrete segments of the gender spectrum
B) classical Greek examples of characters expressing these segments
C) popular culture examples of characters expressing these segments.
As much as possible, I want to avoid inventing new words for these concepts. I have a feeling that once classical examples can be found that words that can be repourosed for these kind of discourses can be found. I invite anyone else who is interested in improving our tools of expression to join me in this endeavor or to share knowledge I may not be privy to.
I've always been fond of constructed language as a "nuclear" option for the matter of gender, sexuality, technology and so on. It's not exactly practical but it is immensely satisfying. I've been meaning to learn Lojban and Toki Pona. They look promising.
"Gender manifold" sounds cooler, too, by the way. ;>
Situational interpretation is of course an option, but without explicit expression it takes a lot more effort and the concept is still nebulous at best even when extracted. I think that existing languages are immense and flexible enough to suit our purposes, I'd rather not expand the barrier of entry that far.