Trying to structure my thinking

[CantChainTheSpirit]

A useful exercise I'm going through is to examine the delta between two states.

To begin, I'm defining an end state. This is where I want the world to be from the perspective of a map.

An end state definition

"I live in a world where being a map is not considered a bad or dangerous thing. The world is made up of many diverse groups including many different sexualities. This has always been the case in nature, and I'm living in a world that understands and respects that fact of nature. Being a map is how nature made me, other people are made differently, but this characteristic does not impact my value or place in society".

Next I define the current state.

Current state definition

"I live in a world that doesn't trust, understand or respect maps in the same way that other sexualities are trusted, understood or respected. In the past, other sexualities have suffered this same prejudice but have been able to achieve equality through perseverance. Despite this sexuality being a natural part of nature, even discussion and research that could in any way change views or understanding is suppressed. This one characteristic about a person is enough to ostracize a person from society."

Having two states defined then allows me to identify precisely the elements I seek to change to reduce the delta.
For example.

1. Recognition that this sexuality is a natural state. It isn't intentionally achieved though logic or will, it is entirely natural.
2. I want to create trust, that being a map does not make someone harmful or risky.
3. I want to go from a state of extreme prejudice to a state or understanding and respect.
4. I want to achieve equality with other sexualities.
5. I want to remove the suppression of research and speech.
6. I want to be a positive, full and equal member of society without hiding my sexuality.

I can then focus in on these specific points and work on initiatives to move the needle for each.
For example.

1. There is an endless spiral of trying to prove that being a map is a mental disorder. I can collate all the research and present it in a way that shows why it isn't a disorder. I can look at examples in nature, I can look at examples through history and cultures to show that this is a long term natural state that will be with us forever.

2. For trust I can collect statistics and compile an evidence set that shows just how few maps lead to real harm. This can be a look at how few maps offend as well as looking at how few relationships cause harm. Challenge the axion that such relationships are always harmful since this axiom is a pillar in the prejudice set against maps.

3. One activity toward equality could be to look at other sexualities that were taboo but no longer are. The harm that was caused to people who were gay, and their families, and communities, and how removing that prejudice has let to real benefit to those people, their families and their communities. Mapping these experiences onto maps who suffer that same prejudice today can contribute towards a case for equality. There can be many different approaches taken from looking at economic impacts to communities. Political parties are caught in a trap where each is being called out for being pedophiles, so there are political reasons to defuse the situation and make minor attraction less of an issue, because there can be no winners when there will be Democrat and Republican maps, statistically there just has to be. Scrutiny of the justice system, media system and other institutions rather than just civilians creates a reason to move away from map hate. Writing to political leaders, in political media, in other sources, to show the toxicity and danger to people and professions by a witch hunt can shift mindsets.

4. For suppression of research, it means there are insights lost that could better protect and support children. Knowledge should always trend towards improved understanding and care. A case can be built to show the real risk and harm to children that comes from suppressed research and the clinging to flawed axioms. Pull together and publish research that challenges mainstream prejudice.

5. I can build a case for being a full and equal member of society. If 10% of society is not fully integrated then there are real impacts on society.

It isn't to create a magic solution, it's to create some structure to assist with theorycrafting, setting out a destination, what needs to change to get to that destination, and then working on specific initiatives for those delta's. I worry that just trying the LGBTQ+ approach might not work, it might be unsuitable for our sexuality. I feel it could be a distraction and it's better to just focus on what's wrong today and what needs to change to build the future we want and deserve.

There are a number of initiatives I'm working through but they are small in the grander scheme of things. I do feel that real change needs bigger initiatives.

[OnionPetal]

This can be a good strategy for brainstorming near- and long-term objectives, and their related initiatives. It could be done collaboratively as well. I might suggest breaking up the processes into phases. For example, processes requiring critical attention to detail can impede the open state of mind that makes brainstorming most effective. Thus, brainstorming should ideally be done separately from critical processes.

[FairBlueLove]

Very nice and structured approach, it was a pleasure to read. I particularly like the connection to the natural world. The fact that this attraction exists across cultures, time, and in other animals isn’t coincidence, it’s evidence. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. It doesn’t produce “abnormalities”; it produces variation. And variation is strength.