Terf mindset is fascinating. It's like they need their conceptual models to literally be objective reality. Accepting even a glimmer of uncertainty into the perfect essential binary law of nature would just implode their whole world, and they know it. So nothing is off the table. The entire basis of reality is at stake and they'll sacrifice you, me and themselves to protect it.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

For real, it's scary how quickly transphobia can get a grip on someone, to the point it becomes a singular focus, and something people are willing to destroy their own lives for.

Specifically, I'm thinking of Graham Linehan. Other famous and successful people have let transphobia take over their lives and tarnish their reputations, but that dude lost his reputation, can't get work anymore, even destroyed his own marriage... but can't stop. I think he subconsciously realizes that, if he's wrong about this, he lost everything for nothing, so he can't ever even entertain the idea.

[–] emergencyfood 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not just TERFs, all cults are like that.

[–] octoperson 6 points 1 year ago

Oh indeed, but I think there is something peculiar to terfs that you don't see that much elsewhere. They're not just fervently believing some crazy shit. They're taking a cultural practice that's already widespread outside their movement, and fervently believing that it's some ironclad law of the universe. That's why they believe the science is on their side, and why they don't even need to check. And why they think that everyone, even their opponents, secretly agrees with them.

I don't know that they're more dangerous or more far gone than other flavours of crazy. But they're certainly.. well, they're certainly something.