[ddarko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronriii

....Her dilemma isn't somehow diminished just because you don't find the circumstances behind it to be realistic enough, especially when the core issues she deals with can actually be applied to similar problems people have faced in terms of gender identity politics, e.g. questioning/mocking someone's affirmation of their gender identity....

I think you touch upon a very important point that perhaps best illustrates what I found problematic.

Hermaphrodites, if it ever came into existence, would actually be grounded in something empirically observable and tangible i.e. the person has both types of organs. Same applies for inter-sexed since we are talking about a condition that is genetically verifiable. But the entire concept of a malleable gender identity hinges on something that is completely opposite i.e. a person claiming that what is empirically verifiable about themselves is actually contradictory with they would like to be/experience as being/identified with etc.

So in one sense, making Kaine stand as the analogy for those who are ostracized for promoting/living a concept of gender identity feels dishonest. The two issues are not comparable. Those who oppose the concept of gender identity politics do so on the grounds that there simply isn't an empirically verifiable grounding for it (claiming a different gender than ones sex). But rather than address this concern, it would be cheating to resort to making a hermaphrodite stand as an icon for gender identity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronriii

...It doesn't make it pointless since it actually manages to enforce a narrative that people are still able to relate to.

But the issue is that hermaphrodites actually do not exist. Secondly, it is different from gender identity because hermaphrodite condition would be empirically grounded (if it did exist).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronriii

I don't mean any animosity by positing an argument (I apologize if my language comes across as such and feel free to disagree of course), but it's exactly why I centered my initial post on the sincerity behind Yoko Taro's intent instead of propping it up some sort of flawless triumph in making a political statement, the latter of which wasn't my intention at all.

No offense taken my friend ! What good is there with having forums and discussion boards if persons cannot exchange ideas in agreement or disagreement. So I personally am glad you posted back because it made me think (and lookup on the internet) about somethings as well.

Thinking along the points you have raised, I would now grant that the game does draw focus onto a similar condition (inter-sexed) that does not get much attention these days (perhaps because it gets lost from gender identity politics that has become more dominant in discussions today). Persons who are faced with the intersex condition do have a heavy cross to bear. In that sense, I do find some fault with the creator/author of the game in that the nuances of such a particular condition were not explored. But yes, you can take heart that because of our discussion, at the very least, I do see Kaine as a character that can draw our attention to an important topic that is largely unheard of today.

Dare I also say it, due to what you have said, I have come to appreciate the character as well !