Originally Posted by
flyprdu
"Don't call me sir." Old trying to be young is a tale as old as time.
There are examples of identity bending everywhere. You're just earmarking this one because it's the new hot topic. Like gay marriage was 8 years ago. You still outraged about that? Or have you moved on?
10 years from now you won't give a crap about he/she/they. That's how progress works.
As to ShyGuys pedantry, yes the English language is inadequate at the moment and will have to evolve. Don't worry, the next generation will figure it out.
I've never cared about the marriage issue, it doesn't affect me or anyone else. Getting fired for accidentally calling someone the wrong pronoun would though. Intent doesn't matter, only how offended the victim feels.
I don't even have a problem with calling someone by their preferred pronoun, I'm probably one of the nicest guys you could ever fly with. The problem I have, like others, is compelled speech.
"10 years from now you won't give a crap about he/she/they. That's how progress works." You're probably right. At the current rate of "progress" there will be issues far more important to worry about.
You still haven't answered my question, why can't people recognize an older person as a younger person if they believe they are?