This is a big reason why I hated learning history. It is very depressing. I’m always amazed how people can’t seem to understand things they didn’t personally live through. It is a constant cycle of exploitation then revenge on the exploiters and then a new way to exploit.

I’m trying to be hopeful, but it feels like we are in the phase where most need to suffer in order to get to a better place. Climate change is scary, but I try to remember progress can be explosive in ways you don’t expect.

Plex hasn’t been getting better, but it still does what I need. I have a lifetime pass from years ago. If I was starting today I would be a lot less inclined to pay for Plex though. They keep adding things I don’t want.

The definition of pedophilia is sexual attraction towards children. So if the anime characters are all clearly representing children, then sure, why not count that.

The thing is, there is a lot of art that is kind of vague on age. The loli girl stuff creeps me out. But the older teenager / young adult anime/art feels a little more like general human brain. Especially if the user isn’t trying to seek it out. No one is perfect.

But in this case obviously sexualizing something that looks like a child is creepy. Elon’s age is not helping him either…

I have a lot of curiosity about Trans and I’m impressed your so open to questions. I fear that my questions might come off poorly and it isn’t my intention, I just don’t know how to ask these in the best light.

1. I see that you mentioned there are studies that point to Trans likely being a mismatch between the brain and body at development. But, do you think there is also a link that involves childhood trauma? Or is the science very clear?

2. I often find myself uncomfortable with Trans people in person, but I often wonder if half of that is simply that I don’t know how to treat someone. The ones that I met that had relatively normal behavior I found pretty easy to talk to and I felt for them. But ones that were more complicated, say neurodivergent beyond dysphoria, or they had a lot of emotional trauma, made me very uncomfortable. Do you think most of this issue is that as children we are taught how to treat people that are squarely female or male, rather than learning how to treat people as a whole?

I often wish the world wasn’t so hostile, but I also find that some things that were set in motion in my childhood are the hardest to change. It’s easy to change what I act on, but harder to change how I feel.

Thank you again for doing this!

I get what you are saying but everyone is ignoring the human condition. We feel things based on how they are around us in a relative sense.

It doesn’t matter if it is statistically better. Modern times are getting worse for people. Health, privacy, freedom are all declining in America. That is what people see and feel. I’m tired of people acting like we have life horizons that can see centuries.

Chronic health is a real current issue and it absolutely destroys quality of life too.

So yeah, great, best time to be alive. But since I was a kid many things have gotten worse. From health (cost, accessibility) and education to privacy. Maybe we will be much farther ahead in 20 years, but the next 10 are looking grim.

Trauma Trauma can easily make it where you can’t stand your own thoughts or how you feel. So anything that augments that can be very attractive.

I’d day mental health too, even if you don’t have known traumas. Major depression, etc. But I know women who can’t relax or aren’t very intimate unless they drink. But as someone with an alcoholic father, alcohol has some big dark sides. Even if you are happy when you drink, it can really mess your brain up.

Insecurity, self doubt, anxiety. To me it sounds like you might have had bullies or someone that used lots of put downs in your life.

I’d imagine you have plenty of room to love and be loved. Having a boyfriend/girlfriend really is less about being worthy and more about wanting one. Why do I say that? Because there are plenty of nasty people in relationships and nasty people single. Same goes for good people.

I’d probably focus on why you are having these thoughts, and if you can, find a good therapist that works with you.

In the meantime meet men, join a club or social event for something you like that also exposes you to men.

As far as sex goes, a good partner will listen to you and work with you. A good partner cares that you enjoy it and feel comfortable and loved. My spouse sees themselves as gross sometimes, but I very rarely see them that way. As long as the hygiene is reasonable, I don’t have issues. But we communicate well, talk through it, and have a good time.

Something to keep in mind, I wouldn’t want to love myself intimately the way they do with me, but I love to be intimate with them in a way they wouldn’t do with themselves. My point is, let them love you and in return you love them back. They can decide what “gross” is for them and through communication you both set your boundaries, be it sex or daily life.

That ended up being a lot. Anyways, always remember to focus on self care when you are unwell. Remember that others may love the flaws that you don’t like, you might do the same for someone else one day too.