#and the 3d model community for the last page - that would never exist without 3d models dfghjkl

[grace5418461]

Week 10 - Completing the Loop

Continuing from last week, I picked up my 3d print from the fabrication lab.

Step 5: 3d printing - dealing with imperfections (sanding)

The printing took some time and did not produce the smooth surfaces I was expecting. To fix this, I used sand paper and a Dremel with a sanding attachment to smooth out the cap.

I accidentally over sanding some surfaces as seen in the images above, I believe that this could have been avoided if I just decreased the speed of Dremel and worked the sanding attachment slowly to produce a smoother look.

Final Images of 3d printed prototype.

The Final Reflection :'(

I am sad that this week will be the last week of this class, it was overall a more hands-on subject which I typically prefer. The subject has given me an insight into many things about the design process designers in the industry have to go through when a new product is being developed.

Taking design ideas from initial sketches to more technical engineering drawings, translating them into a physical foam prototype to produce both digital and 3d printed prototypes. This process seems incredibly innovative and makes so much sense, giving so many insights the world of product design.

Completing this subject has given me a sense of achievement, even if it was very hard keeping up with the pre-class and post-class activities on top of the tutorials and lectures. Through this struggle, i found that I create some friendships through the collective confusion during lectures. I felt very proud of myself when someone asked for my help or advice and felt proud for others when they answered my question with confidence.

I have learned the import of practice with both hand drawing, and digital drawing and know the right tools to use. Subtle elements like line thicknesses have such a great impact on an overall hand sketch and communicate a specific meaning to clients and other fellow designers.

Softwares like Photoshop, Rhino, 3dsmax, Solidworks etc. are also such vital tools for product design but never replace good old paper and pencil. Hand sketches are equally important as digital drawings and vice versa, even if Citrix was quite tempramental.

This class has taught me to never discredit the amount of creative freedom hand sketching can bring me. I was always so eager to jump into CAD software with an idea in mine without any existing sketches. The model would come out alright but I would not have extra length and the right fillet radius without mapping it out first on a piece of paper with a simple or comprehensive sketch.

I believe that throughout the duration of the course there has been an improvement in drawing skills in both technical drawing and free-hand sketching. The week 5 drawing exercises were probably my favourite tutorial, it created such a fun atmosphere in the classroom and also greatly improved my idea of 3D forms on a 2D page.

I am very thankful for this class, and for Gonz, Rob, and Sarah for helping us along the way and teaching us very valuable lessons. I could see the amount of effort they have put the whole term into creating an environment that was welcoming and a safe space to ask questions even if they were simple ones. They even went through the trouble of inviting second and third-year students to the classroom to give incredibly valuable advice and shared their experiences with internships and jobs in the in industry.

See you guys next term!!!!

[intrepidsourcing]

4 Major Tips to Minimize Plastic Products’ Mold Cost

For plastic product manufacturing, it is one of your biggest concern to keep injection mold costs at a minimum to become more efficient financially and improve business profitability without sacrificing quality standards. Here are a few tips you need to know of if you are looking to minimize plastic products’ mold cost when making any plastic products. You should consider these part early in the product development process.

1. Plastic Parts Design Optimization

Bad communication between plastic engineers and mold designers is the biggest reason why the cost injection molds become too expensive. If both personnel are focused to be on the same page and are able to finish a highly-optimized plastic parts design before starting the mold injection, costs can be greatly reduced. Using a clever design both saves you material as well as money and reducing this material is generally more environmentally friendly. The best way to address this issue is to present a plastic parts layout in which the plastic engineer and mold designer will work on together. There can be a slight difference to the lead time since we have now two parties working together but the final mold design is rest assured to fit the specifications and knowledge of all the personnel involved. Coming up with a highly-optimized plastic parts design before moving on towards custom plastic molding is your first basic way to cut down on plastic products mold costs.

2. Avoid Modifications but Seek to Improve the Mold Design

Modifications to the existing molding design wherein the shape can be altered could mean the entire metal injection mold has to be reworked. This development would add up more dollars to your molding costs. However, reordering of a new injection mold may be unnecessary if the changes are minor which may not affect the overall design but only small changes needed to be applied. Sudden mold design modifications normally occur when customer preferences change after the mold design has already been conceptualized. Injection mold companies should be quick to react to these changes and their mold design should adapt quickly to avoid delays. The best way to counter this cost-addition problem is to follow a modern molding design conception process wherein the final phase is to present a 3D module of the mold design which the customer can verify and double-check. This process makes sure all of the preferences of the customer are covered by the custom plastic molding design. Also make sure that you 3D print your prototype and test is extensively before moving on. On the other hand, never settle with your final plastic product design and always leave room for improvements in order to further cut down on costs or to adapt to later design update. Simulation methods are available to help you assess on plastic product designs then compare and contrast them to your other versions.

3. Keep Tryout Times at a Minimum

Plastic products mold processing fees are calculated upon receiving the order up to its delivery. If a potential injection mold has several tryouts yet isn’t able to pass the standard and ultimately fail the contract, the processing fees within are all part of your plastic molding manufacturing costs. Several tryouts are sometimes inevitable for plastic product designs which are innovative and modern but as long as the design conception is done right and is highly optimized, the number of tryouts can be pre-determined right in design conception phase. The most common reason is having a non-optimized injection mold design which lead to an unreasonable mold structure or vice versa. Congruence between these two major factors is very important when you make plastic products. If any of these factors fail in any aspect, testing and tryouts will subsequently increase along with your production costs. Another common reason for having too many tryouts is when the plastic product manufacturing company settle for substandard models and materials. This is a common occurrence in low-end molded plastics companies wherein they try to save cash by using cheap yet substandard molding machine models but end up paying more due to a substantial increase to tryouts and testing. Last but not the least, the physical and chemical properties of the plastic and materials used for the project weren’t adapted well ending up to changes to the mold designs. The shrinkage rate of plastic material is a very important factor in plastic molding manufacturing yet human error and nature are sometimes unavoidable leading to more tryouts.

4. Always Work with the Right Suppliers

As mentioned above, there are times when a plastic molding manufacturing company settle with substandard materials and equipment for their business in order to cut down on setup costs. This method is never the right route for you to save some cash. In fact, you could end up spending more because of the great risks which comes along with this decision. Always work with suppliers who are reputable and known within the plastic product & manufacturing outsourcing industry. This way, you are assured you are getting top quality supplies and materials for molded plastics and not worry of possible setbacks out of your materials later on. If your supplier fail your contract at some point, it will be much easier to hold them accountable and get your compensation when you are working with reputable suppliers.

Conclusion

The four tips mentioned above are the best ways for you to cut down on molding costs without sacrificing your business standards and plastic product quality. For someone new to plastic molding manufacturing, it may be difficult to master all of the aspects mentioned above since it requires experience and an established manufacturing system to make sure all these aspects are well-adjusted. However, when you make sure that your company is making plastic products following these tips, it should go a long way for your business and you can keep using the same perfect molds for a long time. Read the full article

[babybananapeach-blog]

Warhammer 40K Dev On Xbox And PS4 NEO One Electricity Variances, ‘Numerous AspectsI Will

Court papers registered in OraclesHA patent infringement suit against Google and its Android systems that are operating demonstrate that the private coverage of Google is to let pick Android OEMs get chosen usage of the smartphone OS. The files exclusively report Motorola—the same Motorola Yahoo has reported it'll purchase—and Verizon, which could properly be used like a struggle of fascination by the different OEMs of Yahoo. I did sonot know if at this time he got the sport or just ready again there till I dropped awareness and gone aside. The complete sport somewhat emits a Mario Kart-like experience also, that is constantly a-plus, and the sport is quite wonderful. That being said, muchas I enjoy cell gaming, between battle-to-the-bottom, FTP and games being consistently broken by OS changes, we regrettably nolonger see it to be in a position to support the somewhat higher-budget advanced games later on and eventually exchange the infrastructure of portables. Be informed, there are several points in this game that may not be suitable for everybody!!! It keeps the fundamentals of games that are Pokémon past — catching Pokémon, battling at Gyms, using items, developing your animals — having an insane angle: You're all carrying it out all-in real life. The Samsung $649 ATIV 500T ($769 having keyboard connect), like different Intel Atom based drugs, could operate most Windows applications: meaning x86ANDWindows-7 apps much like another complete Windows pc. The latter is of attention to Zelnick, who wants to view parity across portable and system types, consequently to not present a weaker solution to smartphone consumers. I believe that desire is boiled down seriously to by the main distinctions between Android and iOS supporters. The Xbox One isn't simply able to create definitely better hunting games the Xbox you have on loads of situations made 1080p games. they appear to know once they reach that stage of the game although We never tell these difficulties to the venture communities. Course's developer,, is creators of the augmented-reality game Ingress on which Pokémon Go's engineering and layout is situated, Niantic, earlier an internal start-up at Google. The 3D method lets you view the whole ninety moments from start to finish as you are currently seeing a system sport doing his thing. You will be able to utilize simple time that is portable with single variety through the cell phones lifestyle. Different new features declared today are the capability to revise gameplay and sport economy parameters in games instantly without having to post a new type of an application to Yahoo Perform, as well as a new service that offers designers the ability to estimate which consumers are most likely to invest profit their games (or drop out). We looked-for an employee to available the shelving that were secured together with the game racks inside and walked straight to the technology division. Should the research work in their favor, the sport could possibly be involved in to a significant employment programme that provides 1,500 new hires to the enterprise each year. http://elveszettszepseg.info feel like unless recreation remotes for cellular became a convention or several new insight product that is groundbreaking were designed, anyone nevertheless will not get the type of finetuned rapid -response you receive from controller inputs that are console. Anyone got a spot there, if peopleis requirement is just a replicated of the initial game. This week I used to be floored by person movies regarding Stop Fort, a-game that could be just like Minecraft in visuals but has so much hidden range when I pick up an ipadmini that it will likely be my initial iOS DL week that was next. If having built in actual remotes Apple previously decides to produce a device I believe Mobile gambling will get a good possibility of being taken seriously. Stopper your Android smartphone in via Flash, when the files are in your Windows pc, where you can choose Available product to view information and you ought to get a pop up screen. As you Can easily see, there's plenty of fps togo about and also the recreation must manage effortlessly sufficient on low detail on the low-end equipment. I had been in the retailer considering Android drugs and there's about 500 of them, numerous using HUGELY different rates and unique UIis. Everyone cannot purchase mobiles that are pricey so each business generating greatest and low-cost phones, now in indian cheap mobiles marketplace very tuff. The rising star of mulitchannel retail is cell, according to your study of U.S. and U.K. people executed by way of a digital marketing class Econsultancy it is not a really stunning discovering — presented the capabilities and pervasiveness of today's smartphones — however the results underline the expanding role phones are enjoying in buyers' life. Felton Rezz in the activities that are first has-been updated to be the twin brother of Grimroth in the film. Worse, people linked to Stylish say, improvement on the recreation is consistently abandoned by Stieglitzis interference. Each one of these gives its own distinctive advantages to some child while holding mobiles are available in a variety of different requirements and sorts. After FIVE years (SIX in the event that you rely the original Intel statement), it is period the builders end horsing about and acquire their programs uptodate. It had beennever frustrating like many fatalities of Recreation of Thrones are, nevertheless it was however heartbreaking. I do believe LOTS OF activities would work great on portable with some adjustments for the podium. Should you pop in a brand new hard-drive, deploy Snow Leopard, while you explained subsequently import Your Own Time Appliance back-up, which should operate great also. Bingis risk is the fact that by determined by adopters to manufacture the components and adjust the OS, the user may derive not get themselves of Yahoo's sources and the OS for their private use. However it generally does not fit for the control, already tried with the PS3 my iPad and controller Sport!!! The point that set back out game one of the most was modeling and animating the Pokemon. Most TELLY string H five devices that are mobile are not low in excellent and facilitates dual-SIM (GSM) element. Well claimed, and I consider they presently do, using the expansion of mobile gambling in their home country. He once informed some kiddies when a game is preordered sufficient it often can come previously away. Besides Battlefield 1 because from your PlayStation age I can't consider that anymore regardless of this being World War 1 and till around three years into the Xbox 360 Console it had been nothing but World War Two shooters. Since the original was therefore without spirit it felt just like a deceased globe We'll also skip Watchdogs and also the hacking was extremely trivial however the additional activities you stated along with a collection that you did not we'm really getting excited about. Chances are there are still a number of Android coders who're utilizing the tools that are outdated to develop their software. Take me subsequently, presently eighteen, began computer, using game boy, ps1 ps3, received an iPhone and now an ipod itouch. Then a job is not as uncomplicated as it seems to be as it pertains to spying on others cell phone. It is not unimportant for one to decide that in which phone they or, she really wants to criminal on. In this page of today's, numerous traveler application exist on the market to criminal on telephones that are several. Many Sonyericsson cell phones have the standard attributes that are there-in all the mobiles that are other, however distinct mobiles get different exclusive marketing idea which make them differ from their competitors. Most of these activities even have before buying the version that is full free version which you may try out. The sport even offers a huge amount of new epidermis packs that you can obtain to improve your character's appearance. The 3DS offers probably among the finest sport libraries of any mobile era. Furthermore on these enterprise that was android differing additional companies and software physicians is possible. the sport recording app from Samsung is super-cool although I'm-not sure whether or not it's on the performs took nevertheless. Last year introduced that he strategies to quit operating After-Game of Thrones systems up because he does not appreciate it as much as they used to. They likewise really wants to create method for other hobbies - they traveled to help poor people this past year,. The 2 clubs include mentioned the game is going to be introduced concurrently on the consoles together with the Laptop, although it'sn't clear perhaps the recreation is only likely to be to the recent generation consoles or whether there may also be a Xbox 360 and PS3 type. Not or imagine it there's a middle-ground between a serious 50 hr game and a 5 minute sport that is relaxed. The games do not get the official release-date, but Nintendo has mentioned they will not be unready to play by the Holidays” of 2016. Sport Of Thrones is the world's most unlicensed exhibit This. Will most likely not help it to shed that identify. Anyone in that more cash doesn't imply quality that is better and I certainly agree; that is why we chosen if I acquired the decision I'd elect to enjoy with an excellent system game-over an iOS recreation. If anyone iPad or else has found a better strategy to prevent games proper sort their iPhone, be sure to let the responses are known in by me! In case you come across activities using violent information, attempt marketing them on a website like and By letting your children, activities that are right are chosen. I just want to buy a whole game and enjoy with it. That's it. Number money regarding health pills or improvement that is quicker.

[eatsleepindiedev-blog]

Credit Where Credit Is Due

It has been 24 months - nearly to the day - since making my first dollar as a freelance game developer. During the course of that time I have worked well beyond full-time hours, assisted in the completion of several games and was even the sole developer of a children’s book app, but to this date have not received a credit. That's been a non-issue for me; credit is not what I got into this line of work for. That is not to say that I wouldn't have enjoyed seeing my name alongside the artist's names on said book, or that I wouldn't have harbored a sense of pride for being credited for designing the multiplayer framework for two currently released titles. I suppose that, in part, this familiarity with working without credit stems from working as a freelance web designer for almost a decade before making the switch to games; web design is a line of work in which credit is rarely sought or received and perhaps I had just become accustomed to this.

Fast forward to today and I will admittedly confess that, now that I am receiving my first credit for a project I played a fairly large role in bringing to life, I can say that I am grateful that up to this point the reward for my hard work has only existed in the form of gratitude expressed via e-mails and the pay I received for said work. This experience in working on Age of Gladiators II has been unlike any of my previous experiences in some pretty profound ways. Most important to me is that Damon and I have, at least as much as two people who have never met in person can, grown rather close during the course of development. We have discussed family, fatherhood (at least as it exists on my end), childhood, the loss of those most important to us, the role baseball has played in our lives, and whether it was ever or always done with intent or not, I think it is a safe to say that we have helped picked one another off the ground on a few occasions when life, or the pressure of this project, seemed daunting.

Within the next week or two I will write a post in which I focus more on the technical aspects of my experience as lead developer on this project, but when I woke this morning and considered doing so, the notion of 'credit' was resonating in my head much like a song might become an earworm. Because the overwhelming majority of my contribution to this project is just that: technical. The core design is all Damon, and the complexities and intricacies therein will likely be lost on most of its players at first, just as it was with me. The number of complex systems that he has taken and meshed together into a single, balanced experience with depth leaves me in awe. Nothing feels extraneous, out of place, or purely for the sake of 'filler'. Play through even a month of one season of this game and you will only begin to see how every decision you make, or even those you do not make, will affect gameplay for every single day to come.

During a play-through last weekend I found myself at a crossroads - something that happens quite often in this game. My best gladiator [by far] was injured and the AI boss with whom I had personally developed a vendetta was scheduled to do battle with me in two days time. My gladiator required over a weeks worth of time in the medical ward to ensure that he would not end up in the morgue. This wasn't like when I would feel a pang of sadness when my favorite soldier would suddenly be swarmed by aliens in XCom and die because, unlike in the XCom scenario, I could see the weight of my decision beforehand. The realization, and admittedly the touch of guilt I felt, for considering risking the well-being of the gladiator who could easily have been likened to my 'The Beast of Carthage' [for those of you who are Spartacus fans] was not at all lost on me. This type of scenario, and the regularity in which it occurs throughout even a single season, is why I will be playing this game for a long time; for both the heavy weighted decisions that arise from seeing what could result from my actions - or lack thereof - to those that blindside me as a result of not paying enough attention to the things that were going on before clicking the button to end my turn.

That is what makes this a great game: not the UI I helped program, not even the incredible work the 3D artist did on the models, but its core design, the credit of which rests solely with Damon. It is the same thing that makes chess a great game that will never go out of style: those moments in which you stare across the game board at your opponent, your hand holding the rook or bishop you so meticulously placed, afraid to let go and provide your opponent with an opportunity to react. For every season I have played there have been at least a handful of moments in which I went from leaning towards the screen with anticipation to thrusting myself against the back of my office chair disgusted with my decision to take such a big risk; for all the times I held a grudge against one the AI bosses in much the same way I have held a life-long one against the Yankees; for all the times I went to view my lost gladiators and regretted the move I had made; and for all the times I ashamedly reverted to my previous save point to avoid the repercussions of such foolish mistakes.

This is what makes a great game; not whether you had your app open more often than your friends so you could click your way to the top of a leaderboard; not whether you were quicker to pull the trigger or had a bit less latency than the guy on the other side of the country in an FPS; but games like this in which you are your own worst enemy, and actions - even inaction - matter. It combines the thrill of watching my beloved Bo Sox make their way through another season of baseball with the forethought and decision-making that makes me a lover of chess, and does so in a way in which, as you play through each season, you inadvertently become better and better at it without even being completely aware of the learning curve you are on. You will undoubtedly learn through failure, and that failure will undoubtedly make you want to play again and not make the same mistake, and that is the key to great replay value. This game isn't about 'can I click this button and dodge this attack' better than I did the previous 10 times. It is a learning experience that is doled out without hesitation. It is a game in which I have often found myself running through a mental list of to-do's, not in the sense of bugs that need to be fixed, but in the sense of 'have I done everything I need to do to ensure that in clicking to end my turn I will not regret having done so?'.

I am fairly certain that when Damon was kind enough to grant me permission to openly and publicly discuss my experience in working on Age of Gladiators II that this is nothing akin to what he had in mind. In fact, in getting to know him over the course of its development, I think it's safe to say that his modest personality will even be made slightly uncomfortable as a result of it. As I said several paragraphs ago, Damon and I discussed people who have held an important part in our lives during the course of our working together, and for me, that person was my grandfather: a man who  instilled in me a lot of the values I hold near and dear, one of which is to always give credit where credit is due. I am proud to be listed as the lead developer of this game, and I am even more proud that this is alongside my daughter, whom Damon was kind enough to credit for all the pre-weapon-and-violence playtesting she did alongside me.

I encourage you to buy a copy of this game, and not because it will make me feel that much more proud to have been a part of it [it will], and not just because Damon is unquestionably deserving of the support from the indie community [he is], but because this is a great game, through and through. I can say with relative certainty that any regret you feel after grabbing a copy will be reserved for those moments in which you, like me, risk your best gladiator for the sake of pride. You may regret boldly moving your melee fighter into the fray or forgetting to use your stim before clicking to end your turn, but I doubt you will regret the initial purchase. It is slated for release on August 3rd and I encourage you to add it to your wishlist as you take advantage of the sale Steam is currently having. And if you don't pick it up on release day, be sure to remember it the next time you are burnt out on your favorite FPS or MMO. It is a unique, engaging and fun experience that I have recently found difficult to explain to friends without having to reference 3 different existing games, each from a separate genre, all of which hold fond memories.

[Steam Store Page Link] http://store.steampowered.com/app/639300/Age_of_Gladiators_II/

[yes-dal456]

Here's Why Caitlyn Jenner Said She Had Gender Confirmation Surgery

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There isn’t much Caitlyn Jenner can do without making headlines, but news that her tell-all memoir, due out April 25, offers intimate details about her transition has the online gossip rags losing their minds even more than usual.

Radar Online appears to be the only outlet that has gotten its grubby little hands on an advance copy of the book, entitled The Secrets Of My Life, and it made quick work of leaking some of the juiciest bits, including Jenner reportedly revealing that Robert Kardashian told her he knew O.J. was guilty of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson. 

Yet even that alleged bombshell seems to be no match for the portions of the book that confirm and detail Jenner’s gender confirmation surgery.

According to Radar Online, and subsequently substantiated by People magazine, Jenner explains that the decision to undergo surgery was “complex” but ultimately it she wanted to “have all the right parts” and she feels “not only wonderful but liberated.” 

Radar also states that Jenner writes she is opening up about the procedure because “I believe in candor” and so that “all of you can stop staring.” She adds, “You want to know, so now you know. Which is why this is the first time, and the last time, I will ever speak of it.”

If she sounds a little defensive, it’s not without good reason. When it comes to transgender issues, cisgender (or non-trans) people, aided and abetted by the media, have largely been at best cluelessly insensitive and at worst rude, demeaning and obsessive to the point of fetishizing when inquiring about trans experiences and especially trans bodies.

In fact, a web search of “Caitlyn Jenner surgery plans” reveals pages of stories guessing whether or not she has undergone any procedures, and if so, which ones, and if not, when she would. 

This is in part due to the mistaken belief that in order for someone to be transgender, and to transition, they must engage in a surgical transition. While we’ve seen increasing visibility for the transgender community in recent years ― which in turn has helped to educate people about the diversity of trans lives and experiences ― outdated, inaccurate and offensive tropes and stereotypes about trans people still exist.

There are, of course, lots of different ways to be trans ― and to be a woman or a man or both or neither ― and surgically confirming one’s gender is just one option. For some people, like Jenner, gender confirmation surgery may make them feel like they possess the body parts that correspond to their idea of their gender. Others may choose to have certain kinds of surgery, like facial feminization or breast augmentation, but not others. Some trans people use hormones. Some don’t. Some trans people never medically or surgically or hormonally transition. And others aren’t at all concerned about how certain “parts” adhere to ― or don’t adhere to ― their gender identity.

The bottom line is there’s no universal or “right” path to becoming one’s authentic self and no matter how someone chooses to transition, it isn’t anyone else’s business. What’s more, asking trans people about their anatomy or their transition is fundamentally invasive (and in many situations unwelcome) and puts the spotlight on the wrong elements of trans lives.

Laverne Cox made this point beautifully clear in 2014 when she visited “The Katie Couric show” for a segment about being transgender that also featured model and former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Carmen Carrera. After Couric made an “awkward inquisition” about Carerra’s genitals, Cox explained why that kind of question was inappropriate and problematic.

“I do feel there is a preoccupation with [trans bodies and surgery],” Cox told Couric. “The preoccupation with transition and surgery objectifies trans people. And then we don’t get to really deal with the real lived experiences. The reality of trans people’s lives is that so often we are targets of violence. We experience discrimination disproportionately to the rest of the community. Our unemployment rate is twice the national average; if you are a trans person of color, that rate is four times the national average. The homicide rate is highest among trans women. If we focus on transition, we don’t actually get to talk about those things.”

Cox concluded, “By focusing on bodies we don’t focus on the lived realities of that oppression and that discrimination.”

It was a teachable moment for Couric and her viewers and, to her credit, she apologized for her questions on a follow up segment. 

“I learned that it’s very, very upsetting to the transgender community because they feel that people are too often fixated on this and that your anatomy actually has very little to do with your gender identity,” said Couric, who has since become a passionate ally and advocate for the trans community. 

In reality, most people still have lots to learn about what it means to be transgender and asking questions comes with the territory. And some trans people might be happy to share their experiences. Some trans people find it empowering. Others want to help raise visibility and start discussions. And that’s awesome. But just because some people are open to discussing their lives doesn’t mean transgender people must answer personal questions about their experiences or their bodies (or should even be asked those questions in the first place). There are also plenty of legitimate resources on the web to learn more about what it means to be transgender ― including why and how some people surgically transition, as well as what kind of questions are inappropriate to ask a trans person and why.

Imagine if someone sauntered up to you and asked how big your penis was or inquired about the size of your labia. And then imagine if they wanted to use that information to decide if you were a “real man” or a “real woman.” Does that sound OK to you? No? Yah... probably not.

What’s going on under Caitlyn Jenner’s designer clothing is nobody’s business but her own (and, depending on the day, maybe her doctor’s). She ― and every other trans person ― doesn’t need to tell us what procedures she’s had done or why. Our collective fascination with the bodies of trans people simultaneously ignores and exacerbates the discrimination and unbelievable violence that trans people face on a daily basis. It’s time we all play a role in changing that.

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[imreviewblog]

Here's Why Caitlyn Jenner Said She Had Gender Confirmation Surgery

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There isn’t much Caitlyn Jenner can do without making headlines, but news that her tell-all memoir, due out April 25, offers intimate details about her transition has the online gossip rags losing their minds even more than usual.

Radar Online appears to be the only outlet that has gotten its grubby little hands on an advance copy of the book, entitled The Secrets Of My Life, and it made quick work of leaking some of the juiciest bits, including Jenner reportedly revealing that Robert Kardashian told her he knew O.J. was guilty of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson. 

Yet even that alleged bombshell seems to be no match for the portions of the book that confirm and detail Jenner’s gender confirmation surgery.

According to Radar Online, and subsequently substantiated by People magazine, Jenner explains that the decision to undergo surgery was “complex” but ultimately it she wanted to “have all the right parts” and she feels “not only wonderful but liberated.” 

Radar also states that Jenner writes she is opening up about the procedure because “I believe in candor” and so that “all of you can stop staring.” She adds, “You want to know, so now you know. Which is why this is the first time, and the last time, I will ever speak of it.”

If she sounds a little defensive, it’s not without good reason. When it comes to transgender issues, cisgender (or non-trans) people, aided and abetted by the media, have largely been at best cluelessly insensitive and at worst rude, demeaning and obsessive to the point of fetishizing when inquiring about trans experiences and especially trans bodies.

In fact, a web search of “Caitlyn Jenner surgery plans” reveals pages of stories guessing whether or not she has undergone any procedures, and if so, which ones, and if not, when she would. 

This is in part due to the mistaken belief that in order for someone to be transgender, and to transition, they must engage in a surgical transition. While we’ve seen increasing visibility for the transgender community in recent years ― which in turn has helped to educate people about the diversity of trans lives and experiences ― outdated, inaccurate and offensive tropes and stereotypes about trans people still exist.

There are, of course, lots of different ways to be trans ― and to be a woman or a man or both or neither ― and surgically confirming one’s gender is just one option. For some people, like Jenner, gender confirmation surgery may make them feel like they possess the body parts that correspond to their idea of their gender. Others may choose to have certain kinds of surgery, like facial feminization or breast augmentation, but not others. Some trans people use hormones. Some don’t. Some trans people never medically or surgically or hormonally transition. And others aren’t at all concerned about how certain “parts” adhere to ― or don’t adhere to ― their gender identity.

The bottom line is there’s no universal or “right” path to becoming one’s authentic self and no matter how someone chooses to transition, it isn’t anyone else’s business. What’s more, asking trans people about their anatomy or their transition is fundamentally invasive (and in many situations unwelcome) and puts the spotlight on the wrong elements of trans lives.

Laverne Cox made this point beautifully clear in 2014 when she visited “The Katie Couric show” for a segment about being transgender that also featured model and former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Carmen Carrera. After Couric made an “awkward inquisition” about Carerra’s genitals, Cox explained why that kind of question was inappropriate and problematic.

“I do feel there is a preoccupation with [trans bodies and surgery],” Cox told Couric. “The preoccupation with transition and surgery objectifies trans people. And then we don’t get to really deal with the real lived experiences. The reality of trans people’s lives is that so often we are targets of violence. We experience discrimination disproportionately to the rest of the community. Our unemployment rate is twice the national average; if you are a trans person of color, that rate is four times the national average. The homicide rate is highest among trans women. If we focus on transition, we don’t actually get to talk about those things.”

Cox concluded, “By focusing on bodies we don’t focus on the lived realities of that oppression and that discrimination.”

It was a teachable moment for Couric and her viewers and, to her credit, she apologized for her questions on a follow up segment. 

“I learned that it’s very, very upsetting to the transgender community because they feel that people are too often fixated on this and that your anatomy actually has very little to do with your gender identity,” said Couric, who has since become a passionate ally and advocate for the trans community. 

In reality, most people still have lots to learn about what it means to be transgender and asking questions comes with the territory. And some trans people might be happy to share their experiences. Some trans people find it empowering. Others want to help raise visibility and start discussions. And that’s awesome. But just because some people are open to discussing their lives doesn’t mean transgender people must answer personal questions about their experiences or their bodies (or should even be asked those questions in the first place). There are also plenty of legitimate resources on the web to learn more about what it means to be transgender ― including why and how some people surgically transition, as well as what kind of questions are inappropriate to ask a trans person and why.

Imagine if someone sauntered up to you and asked how big your penis was or inquired about the size of your labia. And then imagine if they wanted to use that information to decide if you were a “real man” or a “real woman.” Does that sound OK to you? No? Yah... probably not.

What’s going on under Caitlyn Jenner’s designer clothing is nobody’s business but her own (and, depending on the day, maybe her doctor’s). She ― and every other trans person ― doesn’t need to tell us what procedures she’s had done or why. Our collective fascination with the bodies of trans people simultaneously ignores and exacerbates the discrimination and unbelievable violence that trans people face on a daily basis. It’s time we all play a role in changing that.

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from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://huff.to/2p8Wa9J