Ok, I see what you're saying. It's basically, being around negative people or elements breeds negativity, and being around positive people or elements breeds positivity. That I fully agree with. Just like success--I believe, if you want to be successful at something, you raise your chances greatly by hanging around others who are successful at what you want to do, and learn from them.

Interesting info on Plato. I'm not that familiar with him; I know who he is and a few facts here and there, but nothing extensive.

I understand what you mean about definitions of different terms and ideas being subject to interpretation, but I think most things do have meaning and solidity. One can look at words, names and other terms and say anything can be anything, but we need definitions and understanding of what things are. It leads to confusion and boredom without meaning.

I've heard deaf people feel they shouldn't have to "assimilate," and I agree. They should have the option to remain deaf, if there's an option for them to be able to hear. They shouldn't be discriminated against for being deaf, or forced to change to fit in with society. But I don't believe we're meant to be born without hearing; it's a mutation or defect, I think.

I think the problem doesn't lie so much with labels, but how people interpret them and classify them. I can think someone has a defect and not see them as beneath me.

One thing I thought of, and I want to ask you is, What about people with "rage disorders" and dangerous minds? Are they just thinking differently? Should they be accepted as they are, and free to roam around in society, even though they harm others (and, in my question, this is to assume they have already shown themselves to be dangerous, having already hurt someone or an animal or exhibited violence in some way, not someone who a psychologist has deemed dangerous without the person having committed any serious actions)?

On the idea of surrounding oneself by people who build you up, rather than break you down, I might have many of my views due to the people who have been around me. My parents, their friends, my friends and others have often said things to me and given me the impressions that I'm bad, have "problems," ridiculous, unreasonable, should be ashamed, etc. And they still do. So, I can see where my views might be skewed.

Also, I admit, many of my views have changed after being exposed to other people and concepts.

In answer to your questions:

1) Yes, I think there are objective facts suggesting that males plus females are the norm. It takes males and females to reproduce and create life. This is the base meaning of our existence. (That said, there was a report I heard that we can create sperm from bone marrow, and this could lead to making babies through artificial means, without men.)

2) Logic is what convinces me. Granted, it's my logic. I don't believe that, because something exists, it's the way it's meant to be, or that nothing is wrong, defective or abnormal. It's not God, although I was raised to believe in a Christian God, because I've been agnostic for many years now. Nevertheless, there are many effects (mostly negative) that remain with me because of that upbringing.

3) I don't choose to adopt any model. It's simply what I'm convinced of, what I believe. I can say I deny it, but if I don't inside, then that's a lie. I can try not to believe it, but if nothing's convinced me otherwise, then I still believe.

I want to mention again, I think the problem lies not with labeling, but how we perceive those we see as different. If people look down on those who are labeled "disabled," "defective," "handicapped," or whatever, then therein lies the problem. People want change the terms: "Mentally challenged," "hearing impaired," "differently abled," etc., and that doesn't work. People that see disabled people as less than, or ridicule them, just turn these new terms into slurs, too. The perceptions of the people and the disability or difference are what need to be changed.

4) Most of my answer is the same as what I've stated above. The harm of a label isn't the problem, but changing the perception. As for if something harms someone, I think, if something is true, it's true. People who are defective, for instance, should be given self-esteem and strength to not let being defective, or different, keep them from what they want in life.

I just heard on the news, somewhere they've changed the laws or something to prevent people with mental problems like Cho, from getting a gun. I don't know if they meant people like Cho, or people with mental problems, in general. It makes me sick, because as I've said, being mentally ill doesn't make me irresponsible or dangerous with a gun. I have always advocated that anyone who gets a gun be trained in its proper use. This won't prevent people from using it to harm others (not in self-defense) if that's their intent, but it will make it less likely there will be accidents or mistakes.

I'm a small woman. I believe, if I want to have a gun for protection, as long as I show myself to be responsible, I should be allowed to have one. I also believe we should be trained in self-defense, and yes, a weapon can be turned against us, but I feel my odds are better with one.