A Short Note on Being Yourself

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// 2025-07-05

A month ago or thereabouts, I switched full-time from using Windows 11 to using Linux Mint. (Previously, I'd just had a Linux Mint installation on a secondary laptop.) It's been a really enjoyable change so far, and while it's definitely not been without its share of headaches, I think that they're worth it, on balance. I wouldn't trade the control I have over my own system for a slightly more stable, well-documented system, even though some people think I'm crazy for using Linux instead of Windows.

Oh wait, that reminds me of something.

A year or two ago, I started coming out to people as trans. (Previously, I'd just been keeping that information in my head.) It's been a really enjoyable change so far, and while it's definitely not been without its share of headaches, I think that they're worth it, on balance. I wouldn't trade the control I have over my own identity for a slightly safer, well-understood identity, even though some people think I'm crazy for being transgender instead of cisgender.

Folks, make sure you don't get tied into the default just because it's easiest. Step back. Take a look at things objectively. But don't ask yourself whether it's worth changing the status quo, because I think as a species, we have a tendency to stick to what's familiar. Pretend you're just getting a computer for the first time, or pretend you're a disembodied spirit choosing which sort of human vessel you'd like to inhabit. Don't treat the status quo as the null hypothesis; treat it as just one option being compared to another, equally weighted option.