sarah jeong

@binarybits @mollyknefel It's not just the preferences of affected community. It's also people who think critically about it ("experts").

@binarybits @mollyknefel B/c w/o distinction, the words just don't correctly capture what is actually going on.

@sarahjeong @mollyknefel But that's different from saying it's incorrect to use them in the colloquial way.

@binarybits @mollyknefel Not really. Incorrect colloquial appropriation of scientific and technical terms can be just that-- incorrect.

@sarahjeong @mollyknefel In contrast to, say "electron" or "genome" which were invented by and are primarily used by technical communities.

@binarybits I don't think it makes a difference. We cede authority over words to people who spend most time examining the words' referents.

@binarybits & the point that's been abandoned, but is still important: obliterating the distinction = slap in the face of trans community

@binarybits It's not a rarified concern. It's a foundational distinction for the existence of many people.