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Biological sex is neither binary nor a spectrum – a biologist explains how it’s multidimensional (theconversation.com)
submitted 2 months ago by to c/science@lemmy.ml
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[–] 5 points 2 months ago (3 children)

The outliers are the exception that prove the rule though. The very fact that intersex people exist at all shows that the physical process of inducing the development of sexual characteristics is complicated and messy, and not a simple switch. It's just that evolution has fine-tuned the process enough that in the majority of cases it leads to people who are within ranges that can be considered "wholly male" or "wholly female". So the sexual binary model isn't useless, but it's important to be aware that it is just a model and not reality.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 months ago (2 children)

    Indeed its a model. A somewhat accurate model. BUT An outdated one

    Like I think about it like this .

    We have newton's model of the gravitational equation, right? Its just a model .A somewhat accurate model... But An outdated model.

    ...Then we have Einstein's.... which is far more accurate.

    And who knows? Who is to say thar einstein's model is COMPLETELY accurate? There could be faults in it we havent encountered yet

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  • [–] 2 points 2 months ago (1 child)

    That's true. But also, for 99.9% of physics problems people use day to day, Newton's model works great.

    If people need the "relativistic model" of gender to understand their own situation, i.e. if they're intersex, thats great and im glad thats available. But theres no need for people to account for relativity if they're just trying to determine how fast a pendulum is swinging or something, and if someone meets the generally accepted definition of male or female biological sex (which 99.9% of people do), i dont think there's much need to complicate things.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 months ago

    I actually think youre correct and that we oughta rely on such complex models only whhen the person in question is a person with a very complex gender identity since easily 90% or 80% of hukans obviously fall under the easily understandable binary model .

    Physics and biology are two very differenr fields.

    Physics equation dont care about the livelihood of the object theyre involved in

    ...The equations of biology do worry about suchbthings . In biology you deal with animate , beings and even with species that are comprised of numerous ither species. Like the human gut's immune system is comprised mostly of non-human cells interestingly

    ....Though I do wonder if future research will actually prove to us that the mosaic models of gender have to start being applied to EVERYONE because it turns out that most people fit into all types of genders, and forms of gender expression....

    When humanity decides that it is time for us to prioritize other things than bombing and ostracizing Iranians , and dubai chocolates and getting a newer , more gas -guzzling car every year maybe we'll finally be able to find out...

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