#Genetic Spatial Multiplicity (trope)

[inspectorspacetimerevisited]

In ‘The A.I. Insurrection’, the Inspector mentioned to Belinay that they met one of her descendants in the far future before meeting her, and that she bore a striking resemblance to Cleric Friday from ‘Kablooey!’.

Yet, the question about how they appear so much alike is never addressed at any point during her travels with the Inspector.

[a11ie0]

Worldbuilding #3

Tropes Used

Sentinel & Guide

Sentinels: 

Assuming genetic engineering was a staple before the Interstellar Era, one would expect that the descendants of modified humans would have enhanced senses multiple times more than humans of present day.

The sense of sight might allow for seeing things beyond the visual light spectrum, like infrared or ultraviolet. The sense of hearing could enable individuals to hear a much wider range of frequencies and tones than before. The sense of touch might improve response time and allow for more precise handling of objects and instruments.

With enhanced senses, the need for a pilot would be even more important, especially in more highly intensive and challenging missions.

While being able to see further is of course critical for navigation and orientation, being able to see in infrared or ultraviolet would provide better visibility and situational awareness in a number of situations.

For example, being able to see in infrared would allow a pilot to spot heat sources such as enemies or natural obstacles in dark areas, while being able to see in ultraviolet would enable detecting things like traces, trails, and clues that could lead to survival or the success of a mission.

The ultraviolet spectrum is typically associated with high energy light, and it can be used to detect or reveal certain features or patterns in the environment that might otherwise be hidden. For example, ultraviolet light is used in detection of biological substances, as well as to reveal signs of tampering and contamination. It can also be used to analyze certain materials and reveal details of their structure. In addition, ultraviolet light can also be used to identify chemical compounds that could be used as sources of fuel or other useful substances.

I would lean towards the possibility of them being separate, where different individuals might have different enhancement capabilities. However, it's also possible in a world of genetic engineering that all 3 could be present in one individual. As for whether these enhancements would always be on or if there would be a way to switch between them, it would likely depend on the level of genetic engineering used.

In a world where genetic engineering is heavily utilized for enhancement and augmentation, it's likely that there would be a way to switch between different enhancements, including ultraviolet and infrared vision capabilities. If it were possible for a human to have the ability to switch between different vision capabilities, such as being able to perceive the infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light spectrum, then it would likely involve multiple sets of photoreceptors and lenses that can respond to each wavelength range in a way that the human could switch between.

This type of ability would likely require the ability to control or modulate the different sets of photoreceptors or to adjust the lens focus and range to accommodate the different wavelengths. In addition, the brain would also need to be able to adjust to receive and interpret the different visual information accurately.

The brain of an Interstellar Era human is capable of accurately processing different visual information with their enhanced mental strength. As for controlling or modulating the photoreceptors/lens focus, this would be done via a mechanism that is similar to the human eye muscles that control the pupil. The muscles that control the iris can contract to allow in more light, while also being able to relax and dilate the pupil larger or smaller depending on the level of light required. Similarly, the mechanism in the Interstellar Era human eye would be able to regulate and adjust the level of photoreceptors or the lens focus.

The scientific consensus on the classification of senses is a bit murky, with some including only the traditional five senses, while other frameworks include more senses such as spatial awareness, proprioception, sense of time, and the sense of self.

Sensory capacity is essentially the ability of an organism to perceive information about its environment. It is driven by a combination of different sensory organs and systems that work together to process various forms of sensory input. Sensory capacity is also highly flexible and adaptable. For example, humans can learn how to use different senses to gain information and can also learn to interpret information or signals to perceive things that are not normally part of their sensory framework.

In addition to the traditional five senses, there are a multitude of other sensory capabilities and functions that contribute to our overall sensory capacity.

Other sensory capabilities and functions that contribute to our overall sensory capacity include:

1. Spatial awareness: the ability to perceive and maintain spatial orientation within a physical or abstract space.

2. Proprioception: the ability to sense the body's position and movement in relation to its environment.

3. Sense of time: the ability to perceive the passage of time and keep track of time periods.

4. Sense of self: the ability to perceive and recognize one's own physical self, emotional state, and thoughts.

Some people believe that a sixth sense is a form of spiritual, psychic, or extra-sensory perception that allows them to perceive and interpret information beyond the five traditional senses. The idea of a sixth sense is fascinating, and I think it's possible that there could be an innate, inexplicable, or intangible form of perception that allows us to perceive things in a way that goes beyond the limits of the traditional five senses.

It's possible that having all of these senses enhanced could lead to sensory overload in some individuals, especially those who are more sensitive or who may not be able to fully integrate the information from all these enhanced senses effectively.

On the flip side, others who are less sensitive or are able to easily integrate the information from all these enhanced senses might not experience as much sensory overload.

Overall, it really depends on the individual and their individual capabilities to handle the influx of information from all these enhanced senses. If I were extremely sensitive to sensory input and found myself overwhelmed, I would likely try a number of approaches to help soothe my overloaded senses. Some things I might try would be:

1. Taking breathers and taking a moment to step back and process the information.

2. Focusing my attention on one thing at a time and ignoring other sensory inputs.

3. Using certain coping strategies such as deep breathing, meditation, or other calming techniques.

4. Taking a break from sensory stimuli and finding a quiet, calming place to rest.

Focusing on one sense only could potentially result in a catatonic state, where the individual is essentially stuck in one sensory state and unresponsive to other stimuli. However, this can also be a useful way to reset the body and regulate the senses when one's sensory overload is particularly intense or overwhelming. Therefore, focusing on one sense for a short period of time can be a helpful coping strategy for someone who is highly sensitive to sensory input and needs time to process it.

If one were in the middle of a battle and suddenly gets sensory overload, there might not be much time to stop and reset the body or mind. In that scenario, a couple of things that one could try would be:

1. Relying on muscle memory and training to continue fighting while tuning out other sensory stimuli.

2. Focusing attention on a single point or element within the battle to minimize sensory input and block out other sensory stimuli.

3. Taking a few seconds to breathe and take a moment to reorient themselves, then rejoining the battle.

If one became overloaded during an important event, such as a medal ceremony or a critical moment during alchemy production, then one might need to look for a more discreet or isolated location to take a moment to reset their senses. This could involve taking a few deep breaths, meditating, or using other calming techniques. In more extreme cases, it might be necessary to leave the event for a few minutes and take a break. Although, these are more severe cases where sensory overload is more intense and overwhelming, and taking an extended break would be necessary.

Alchemy is a delicate process that cannot tolerate mistakes and requires careful timing and a steady hand. In such a scenario, it would indeed be very difficult to take a break while performing alchemy. In fact, it would be impossible to take a break without disrupting the entire operation and potentially causing issues due to the timing and precision needed.

If I were attempting to complete an alchemy process without experiencing sensory overload or disrupting the process, then a few steps I would take would be:

1. Taking a few deep breaths and trying to stay calm and focused on the task at hand.

2. Utilizing my training and experience to guide my actions.

3. Trying not to overthink or overcomplicate matters that might lead to an overwhelmed state.

4. Utilizing my muscle memory to perform the necessary steps as efficiently and accurately as possible.

Companion animals are a phenomenon that tends to occur among Interstellar humans with advanced senses. Some Interstellar humans have the ability to detach their senses from their physical body and create a mental image. This mental image exists on a non-physical plane and acts as a temporary companion animal for the Interstellar human. This mental companion animal has its own unique personality and behavior, and the Interstellar human can choose to interact and bond with it accordingly.

When an Interstellar human creates a mental image companion animal, the animal's behavior and personality tends to remain consistent and stagnant until the Interstellar human bonds with it. Once the Interstellar human has bonded with the mental image animal, the animal's personality and behavior can adapt and develop according to the Interstellar human's needs and desires, becoming more individualized and personalized to the human's preferences.

There are a few theories around why the mental image becomes a particular animal. One theory suggests that the mental image animal reflects the Interstellar human's personality and psychology, often acting as a manifestation of their subconscious mind. Another theory posits that the mental image animal represents the Interstellar human's deeper desires and wishes, acting as a guide or companion that helps to facilitate self-development and growth. It's also possible that the mental image animal may simply be a random selection, with no deeper underlying meaning.

Guides: 

A smaller group of Interstellar humans possess extraordinary and unique sixth sense capabilities that can help to regulate and rebalance overwhelmed Interstellar humans. These individuals, known as Empathic Interstellar Humans, or Guides, have an innate ability to perceive and understand the emotions and feelings of others. They are able to detect stress and anxiety in others, and then regulate it to help bring a sense of harmony to the situation. While the Guides themselves live normal lives like any other Interstellar humans, they always have their empathy senses on and on the lookout for overwhelmed Interstellar humans.

It is true that constantly having their senses on can be overwhelming for Guides. Hence, most Guides often have one or two people that they closely monitor and take care of, rather than being constantly on the lookout for a wider group of people. However, there are some Guides who have greater stamina and endurance to bear the mental load of their empathy senses being always on and looking out for others. These Guides take their role more seriously and take it upon themselves to help as many people as they can despite the mental fatigue and exhaustion.

Empathic Interstellar Humans are indeed viewed as model citizens in the Interstellar Republic. They are highly respected and appreciated for the crucial role they play in maintaining the mental equilibrium and mental health of the wider Interstellar population, helping to reduce mental riots and disorder.

Their empathy abilities and senses give them a unique understanding and perspective on the feelings and emotions of others, allowing them to provide support and guidance to help stabilize and regulate the mental state and well-being of fellow Interstellar humans. Empathic Interstellar Humans (Guides) possess unique empathy abilities, which allow them to perceive and understand the emotions and feelings of others.

Guides’ empathy abilities allow them to detect stressful situations or when an individual is upset, anxious, or overwhelmed. They are also able to recognize and differentiate between different emotions such as sadness, loneliness, fear, and distress. Using their empathy abilities, Guides help to regulate and adjust the emotional state of others, bringing a sense of calm, comfort, and support to the person or people that need it.

A therapist or counselor may have similar traits and abilities to an EIH, but the empathy abilities of Guides are far more advanced and refined. Guides have a natural ability to understand and empathize with others, while a therapist or counselor has gained knowledge and insights through their training and experience. Guides' empathy abilities are intuitive and come instinctively to them, making them a natural fit for helping others manage and handle their emotions and mental wellbeing.

A Guide can indeed be apathetic. While most Guides have a profound sense of empathy and compassion for others, it is possible for them to grow numb and detached from the emotions of others. Apathy can arise from a variety of reasons, such as burnout, overexposure to stress and negative emotions, fatigue, and other internal factors. When a Guide becomes apathetic, they may lose touch with their empathy abilities and stop providing support or guidance to others. They might also become numb to others' needs or simply lose interest in the well-being of others.

Apathy can occur after an extended amount of time under pressure, particularly when stressed or overexposed to negative emotions and feelings. The time it can take for Guides to get better varies from individual to individual, as each has their own unique circumstances and mental fortitude. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or even months for a Guide to get better from apathy. If they return to the place or situation that caused their apathy, it is possible that this could set off a recurring cycle of apathy and disillusionment.

There are several ways for Guides to get better when they become jaded and apathetic:

1. Acknowledge the problem: Recognizing and acknowledging the issue of becoming apathetic is the first step to getting better.

2. Refresh their empathy senses: Guides can take breaks, get some rest, and refresh their empathy senses through meditation, reflection, and other relaxing activities.

3. Practice self-care: Self-care is important for Guides, as their empathy abilities can take a toll on their mental well-being.

Taking care of their health and prioritizing their needs can help them stay grounded and more compassionate.

Cultivators:

A cultivator is a spiritual practitioner who cultivates their internal energy to achieve enlightenment. The spiritual energy cultivators use is called qi.   Cultivators use qi to enhance their mind, spirit, and body.

If a cultivator is a body cultivator then they would use qi to enhance, refine and strengthen their body. Increasing the cultivator’s power and endurance beyond a mortal’s. Most cultivators start out with body cultivation as a basic way to transcend mortality using their martial arts.

If a cultivator is a qi cultivator then they use a meditation based art to take in and refine the qi within their body. This purifies the qi and allows the qi to condense to build up the strength of the qi. Cultivators who want to perform techniques that specialize in control over certain elements.

If a cultivator is a spirit cultivator then they use qi to enhance their mental energies sometimes known as divine consciousness. This can allow cultivators to have a higher chance of completing talismans, formations and successfully making alchemy pills. Most refining cultivators choose to become spirit cultivators to succeed in their craft.

For cultivators to ascend levels or ranks, they must undergo tribulations. Failing a tribulation either results in death or the ruination of the cultivator’s cultivation. For each level the tribulation gets worse. For example, the tribulation for a qi refining cultivator to ascend to a foundation establishment cultivator may be something simple like an insignificant heart demon. However for cultivators who are higher level or who have angered the Heavens, a tribulation may be more of a life-or-death situation. For example 81 tribulation lightning strikes are a sure-kill for any cultivator, and is the reason most cultivators avoid accumulating negative karma.

Physiological Differences between Mortals and Cultivators:

Cultivators possess enhanced physiological structure and ability, allowing them to live for much longer than mortals and withstand injuries and illness that would be fatal to mortals. This is likely due to the body refinement that most cultivators first partake in, as well as the build-up of qi over the course of the Cultivator’s life.

Many Cultivators have faster reflexes, greater endurance, increased strength and durability and stronger immunity against toxins and poisons. They also have advanced healing abilities due to body refinement. Cultivators will also possess supernatural abilities, for example qi cultivators might show a control of elements, while spirit cultivators may show the ability of telekinesis.

Cultivators can eat but most practice a form of inedia. Whether that means taking pills that give the same amount of energy as food or subsisting completely on the qi they cultivate everyday is a personal choice for the cultivator. This is because the amount of food a Cultivator would need to consume to get the amount of energy needed to sustain their body would take more than the day they are trying to get through.

Differences between Interstellar Era Alchemy and Xianxia Cultivation Alchemy:

If an alchemist from a xianxia cultivation world came to the Interstellar Era, it is possible that they could aid or keep up with alchemists there through the use of their existing expertise and knowledge. Xianxia cultivation and the practice of alchemy are both about refining and controlling energies and essence. So, it's possible that the alchemist from the xianxia world could leverage their knowledge from xianxia cultivation to aid or keep up with modern alchemy practices in the Interstellar Era.

Well, the materials of the Interstellar Era may indeed be quite different from those of the xianxia world. However, the fundamental processes of refining essence and energies are likely similar. So, the principles and practices of xianxia cultivation can potentially provide guidance and knowledge that can be applied to alchemy in the Interstellar Era.

For instance, many principles and techniques such as refining essence and energies may be comparable across both worlds. Therefore, the alchemist from the xianxia world could utilize their existing alchemy knowledge to adapt to and perform alchemy in the Interstellar Era as well.

The runes of the Interstellar Era and the talismans and formations of a xianxia world are similar in terms of their purpose and functionality. Interstellar Runes and Xianxia formations systems are used as aids and support for those who wield or use them to enhance their abilities and perform incredible feats of power. However, there are also some differences between them in terms of implementation and design. The Interstellar Era runes tend to be more sophisticated and scientifically-based, using advanced technology and mathematical principles to enhance abilities. Whereas the formations of the xianxia world tend to have more of an ancient, spiritual focus. The xianxia alchemist would likely be fascinated by the new techniques and abilities offered by the Interstellar Era runes. In contrast to the formations from a xianxia cultivation world, the runes of the Interstellar Era offer more versatile and flexible abilities that could expand the alchemist's arsenal of abilities and techniques. By embracing the runes of the Interstellar Era, the xianxia alchemist could enhance their abilities and create new possibilities for their cultivation.

Interstellar Era Alchemy is indeed different from the xianxia version. In the Interstellar Era, as the world has become increasingly advanced and technologically-oriented, Alchemy has also undergone a paradigm shift from traditional practices to modern practices. No longer are cauldron-based techniques the main method of Alchemy, as a variety of new technological tools, machines, and processes have been developed for the Alchemy of the Interstellar Era. There are still some groups that prefer to use traditional practices, but modern practices have become the norm for many Alchemy practitioners in this era.

Since cultivation is a process that involves refining essence and energies in order to strengthen and enhance the body and mind, it is possible that the alchemist from the xianxia world could still engage in cultivation in the Interstellar Era. However, the exact methods and techniques of cultivation may vary between the xianxia world and the Interstellar Era, as the energy sources and methods used to refine said energies may be different. So while it is possible for the alchemist from the xianxia world to cultivate in the Interstellar Era, they may have to adjust their methods accordingly.

The most abundant energy in the Interstellar Era would likely be fusion energy. Fusion energy is derived from the process of nuclear fusion, in which the atoms of hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium are combined to form helium and release energy in the process. Fusion energy is a plentiful, clean, and efficient source of energy that is used widely throughout the Interstellar Republic and beyond. It is used to power ships and facilities, and is the main energy source for the Interstellar Era.

Yes, it's possible to use this energy for cultivation. Fusion energy is a powerful and clean source of energy that can be used for a wide range of purposes, including cultivation. In a xianxia world, cultivation may involve refining essences of yin and yang energies, and fusion energy is composed of both yin and yang. So fusion energy could potentially be used in cultivation of essence and energies to enhance both the body and mind. Fusion energy is a combination of the two primary energies of yin and yang. The process of fusion itself involves the mixing of yin and yang elements - the mixing of the hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium. The energy that is released during this process is a powerful mixture of yin and yang. As such, fusion energy can be considered to be a yin and yang energy, making it a strong and powerful choice for cultivation in a xianxia world. For a cultivator, they can find fusion energy in both natural environments, such as stars, and man-made environments, such as nuclear reactors. Alternatively, they can also utilize alchemy to produce fusion energy for cultivation purposes.

Alchemy cultivators have the upper hand when it comes to the production and utilization of fusion energy for cultivation. Alchemical processes and runes can be used to reduce the energy cost of cultivation and improve the overall efficiency and efficacy of fusion energy use. Additionally, alchemists have access to a wide range of powerful alchemy-enhanced technology, such as rune-infused reactors, which can further enhance the production and utilization of fusion energy. A cultivator would have a number of ways to access natural fusion energy within a stellar body.

One way would be to utilize alchemy to transform hydrogen to heavier elements such as helium, oxygen, and carbon, which are the products of nuclear fusion energy in a star. This could be done either through direct alchemy or the construction of alchemy-enhanced reactors. Additionally, alchemists might be able to manipulate the star itself, altering its size, energy output, and surface temperature to adjust the availability and accessibility of the fusion energy within the stellar body. Using alchemy, cultivators can manipulate the properties of a star in a variety of ways.

First, alchemists can alter the star's size and mass using alchemy to either increase or decrease its size, brightness, gravitational pull, and density. They can manipulate the star's energy output by altering its internal energy structure, either increasing or decreasing the amount of energy that it produces. Additionally, they can manipulate the star's surface temperature by transferring energy into or out of its surface area, or by changing the thermal properties of its atmosphere.

Specific methods of manipulation:

1. Star Compression: This method involves applying alchemy to compress the star in a way that decreases its radius and mass. This changes its gravity and internal energy structure, changing its size and energy output.

2. Star Expansion: This methods uses alchemy to expand the star in a way that increases its radius and mass. This similarly changes its gravity and internal energy structure, altering its size and energy output.

The star manipulation uses both alchemy and elemental manipulation. To manipulate a star using alchemy, the alchemist has to apply alchemy to the energy and matter within the star. This means that they have to use a combination of elemental manipulation and alchemy to alter the star's physical nature to achieve the desired effects. This manipulation would take place on a large scale, which is why it would use alchemy. Alchemy would also be used to alter the star's internal energy structure and physical properties.

If the alchemist was not aware of fusion energy in stars or its potential potential to be created through alchemy, they would likely discover it via experimental and exploratory means. For instance, a cultivator could come into contact with the man-made fusion energy in nuclear reactors and discover its potential for exploitation and utilization. In such a case, they would observe the phenomena in operation and, likely, try to manipulate it or replicate it through alchemy.

[thecorteztwins]

A Primer for Intersex Characters

I hesitated on writing this, since I am not intersex. But I’ve seen a lot of intersex characters around, a lot of common tropes and mistakes, and not any guides on how to write them accurately or respectfully. I cannot claim to have any experience relevant to being intersex, so I’ve simply tried my best to read the words and voices of many intersex people and relay them here. I welcome correction if something is wrong, since my goal here is to help stop misinformation and misunderstanding, not spread it further. Okay, let’s begin with the physical/medical stuff. - There are multiple terms for people who are NOT intersex, including perisex, endosex, jutasex, and dyadic. Please use any of these rather than “normal”. Cisgender is also not an acceptable substitution, as it conflates intersex with being trans (and some intersex people *are* cisgender) The term “hermaphrodite” is offensive and inaccurate; it is to be used for animals for whom true hermaphrodism (being fully reproductive as both sexes) is the norm, not for people. That said, I have encountered intersex people who use it as a reclaimed term. But if you are not intersex, you should not be using it for your character. - Intersex people are not a third sex category unto themselves ,nor are they both sexes at once. Intersex conditions are variations on male or female, and many intersex conditions are in fact sex-specific. - Intersex is not one thing. There is no single condition called “intersex”. It’s like “mentally ill”  or “disabled” it’s a category containing many different conditions, each with different symptoms and presentations. If you are going to have your character be intersex, please have them have a specific condition (even if they don’t know it/have not been diagnosed/etc) and research that condition thoroughly. Being intersex is always attached to a condition, and there are a limited number of said conditions in existence, and, again, each has specific symptoms and presentations, it’s not just a random mix-and-match. - Most of these conditions are not just cosmetic, there are often MEDICAL PROBLEMS. Most of the time it’s bone and/or heart problems and a need for more screening for reproductive/gonadal health issues, but some have more specific issues. For instance, CAH comes with excessive hairiness and ambiguous genitalia in females, but also something called excess natriuresis, also known as salt-wasting, which can lead to death, and a lower level of cortisol in the blood that puts them at a constant risk of adrenal crisis. So it’s not just about how the body LOOKS, or just about reproductive/sexual function, the entire system is often affected by too much or too little sex hormones. Sometimes there are even cognitive effects; Turner’s Syndrome can cause nonverbal learning disorders, difficulty in perceiving spatial relationships, and issues with motor control, while Klinefelter’s Syndrome can cause learning delays in general. Again, please research if your character is going to have this, and consider the effects. - Not all intersex conditions affect the genital configuration at all. For instance, in Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome, someone who looks externally like a completely normal cis man will have parts of the female reproductive system internally; many of these men never know this til they’re adults and it’s discovered in a medical examination for some other issue and it gets discovered by accident. Likewise, someone with AIS is often going to look totally cis female and be raised as such, and only find it out when she sees a medical specialist because her parents wonder why she isn’t getting her period yet. Ultrasounds, blood tests, and genetics tests are all much better indications of an intersex condition than a mere visual examination of the genitals, as well as kinder and less invasive. - Some conditions that DO affect the genitals still don’t make them ambiguous in any way, just not configured in the usual way. For instance, in Mullerian agenesis, a woman is just missing the uterus and thus infertile, but doesn’t have any “male” traits. Nor does having XXX chromosomes masculinize a woman at all, but it is an abnormality of sex chromosomes and thus classed as intersex. Sometimes it’s not about the sex being ambiguous, but about something that’s missing or not arranged as it should be. Again, it’s not a sexy disorder, and can result in a lot of unpleasant medical and mental effects depending just what’s going on. - Most intersex conditions result in infertility. Depending on their particular condition and its severity, someone may be fertile, but they are NEVER going to be fertile BOTH WAYS. There is no such thing as someone who can both impregnate another person and be impregnated themselves, not unless they’re some kind of mutant, alien, etc., and that’s obviously not what’s being discussed here. - Intersex people should not be used as an excuse to make fetish fantasy fuel. If you want to make a beautifully androgynous boy who can get pregnant or an Amazonian goddess with a big dick, just make that and be honest it’s your personal porn fantasy, but don’t call them intersex or claim it’s representation of any sort. Especially since there’s no condition I’m aware of that’s going to result in either of these things. Being intersex is often fetishized or treated as a freakish curiosity, sometimes both at once. If your character is extremely sexual or sexualized, and their intersex status is a large part of that, reconsider. If your character is depicted as bizarre or monstrous, and being intersex is part of why, don’t do that. - It varies with the specific condition, but most intersex people are actually not going to look androgynous like many people seem to think. Most, in fact, are going to look like perfectly ordinary men and women; you probably have met an intersex person and didn’t know it. That said, there are sometimes phenotypical symptoms. Again, this is NOT androgynous beauty or elegant gender ambiguity as I think people often hope/fantastize, but more like, say, the webbed neck of Turner’s syndrome, or the gynecomastia of Klinefelter’s (which are NOT big perky tits), etc. I am not trying to say intersex people are ugly or these features are anything to be ashamed of, but rather that if you are going to represent people with these conditions, to include the real features of their conditions, even the ones that don’t appeal to you, rather than defaulting to, again, fantasies and fetishes. Now comes the real thorny territory--- common ideas and presumptions I’ve seen around what intersex people think, identify as , etc., and addressing those. Again I am not intersex so I don’t want to speak on “what intersex people think” merely relay what I have seen, and what it comes down to is---there is no one thing all people who are intersex think! - Please be aware of the many issues intersex people face, be it medical problems stemming from their specific condition, being used as a political football by other groups, or finding doctors who will treat them respectfully and compassionately. Medical abuse of intersex people and trying to “fix” their genitals via surgery on infants and children is a rampant thing, and something that many intersex people are opposed to. It’s also worth noting that the terms “AMAB” and “AFAB” originated in the intersex community, as it CAFAB and CAMAB. I’m just trying to cover basics here but if you’re going to write a person with an intersex condition, these are all worth looking into further. - Many people with an intersex condition see it as just that, a medical condition. Many do not see themselves as something besides male or female, just as men or women who have a medical condition, and many may in fact be offended by the claim that they are a third category. It is for this reason that many dislike being used as “gotcha” to the claim there are “only two sexes” especially when it’s by people who don’t actually know or care anything about intersex people or the issues they face, and just want to win an argument, because it’s saying they’re NOT a man or NOT a woman because of their condition. - Many also do not consider being intersex to be LGBT and don’t wish to be included under the umbrella as such. - But, by the same token, some DO consider themselves a third category and DO feel that being intersex should be part of the LGBT umbrella. - I’ve noticed there seems to be an assumption that all intersex people are inherently nonbinary, genderqueer, trans, etc. Firstly, that’s not true. Many intersex people identify within the gender binary as a man or a woman, and many identify with their birth sex. I think this idea, while progressive on the surface, actually belies a very cisnormative way of thinking---the idea that the body must match the gender identity, so therefore someone with an “in-between” body must have an “in-between” gender identity! Which is really quite an offensive assumption, and no more true than the idea that everyone with a vagina identifies as a woman or that everyone with a penis identifies as a man. This is not to say that having a genderqueer/genderfluid/nonbinary/etc person with an intersex condition is automatically wrong either, there are non-binary intersex people in real life too, I’m saying that it isn’t an automatic part of being intersex. - Likewise, I see an assumption that all intersex people are going to be queer, pansexual, etc., or that their partners by definition must be pansexual, etc. But many intersex people are heterosexual. Many are also gay, or bi, or ace, and so on. And those who are monosexual are not less gay or straight for being intersex, nor are their partners. Believe it or not, there’s a ton of regular ol’ cishet people who have an intersex condition. - There’s also an assumption I’ve seen that all intersex people are all automatically going to be trans-supportive/trans-inclusive or count as trans by default. This is also not the case. There are seen intersex people who were trans/enbyphobic, just like anyone else can be. Many do not see themselves as comparable to trans people, and resent the idea they are the same or comparable. Some just don’t give a fuck either way. - Some intersex people have deep and complicated relationships with their status as intersex. Some see it as no different than just having diabetes. Some are activists and very knowledgeable about a host of intersex topics, both the physical aspects of various conditions and the political issues surrounding being intersex in general, and are very opinionated. Some people just know about their own condition and nothing more, and have no involvement in any kind of activism, no particularly strong opinions, etc. - Some people always knew they were intersex, some didn’t find out til puberty, some didn’t find out til in their adult life. It depends vastly on their condition and how it presents, as well as the access they had to medical care, whether their doctors were qualified or not, what decade they were growing up in and where, whether their families told them, etc. - There is debate on if PCOS counts as being intersex or not. I’ve seen a lot of people with PCOS argue it does, and a lot of people with other conditions say it’s in no way the same. I am not taking sides, as I don’t have either, just something to be aware of. At the moment though, no intersex rights organization or doctor classifies PCOS as intersex. So basically what it comes down to is that there’s a big diversity of conditions, and likewise a big diversity of experience, identities, and opinions. Do your research, and listen to intersex people, including the ones whose opinions you don’t like or whose opinions are contradict those of other intersex people. Find what fits your character best, think very critically on why you want an intersex character in the first place and why you chose what you did, and, above all, be respectful.