The plan this week was to read chapters one through three. Quick programming note, I’ve actually made a book club calendar you can just add to iCal or Google Calendar if it makes it easier to keep track of dates.
Some questions to talk over in the comments:
Chapter two is about “The realization.” What’s a moment you realized you were different?
Have you ever felt excluded for being different? Did any of the people in the book stand out to you as someone you recognized?
Khazan writes about how weirdness has “developed its more positive, quirky meaning in these past decades.” What is a weird place you enjoy? What is a weird place you would like to remain weird?
Any hopes or expectations for the book?
Comment below, or just come back later and read them, we’ll be back Feb. 6. after reading chapters 4 to 9!
I’ve never wanted to be normal. Normal always seemed boring to me. In 4th grade I had orange tennies and was called out by my “peers” for being different, also for being smart, athletic, good at math, and a voracious reader all the things that my current friends all love about me.
I finished the book last night, so my comments in the last paragraph may be worthy of a spoiler alert. (I will warn you again.)
I have over the recent years worked at a company which values diversity and have had the fortune of working with a diverse group of colleagues. Through that experience, I have found everyone has something that he/she/they can contribute.
I believe that which Olga Khazan calls weird is in fact just someone who is different from the norm and by labeling them "weird" allows society to continue to treat these people differently, even though that is what the book is trying to argue against. Meet people and appreciate them for who/what they are, whether you like or dislike them and whether you want to spend your time with them.
Now, the spoiler. I was most taken with Norma Chang/Ming (not the weird one of the couple), who married Vivienne (the weird one), the person Norma fell in love with when Vivienne was male. Together they went through Vivienne impregnating Norma, then Vivienne transitioning. As Norma said, "Vivienne is the one I love, the one with whom I have chosen to spend the rest of my life."
The next time the Russians came, everyone went to the Strip Club! Enjoying the individuals she highlighted and their stories. The Runaway Amish Girl I have found to be the most interesting so far. As for weird places, independent comic book, record and video stores have always had a weirdness that I've enjoyed. Of course, video stores are pretty much gone and there are far less record stores. Nevertheless by their very nature as long as they exist there will be a wonderful weirdness to these type of places.
I’ve never wanted to be normal. Normal always seemed boring to me. In 4th grade I had orange tennies and was called out by my “peers” for being different, also for being smart, athletic, good at math, and a voracious reader all the things that my current friends all love about me.
Instead of so conformity it would benefit all of us to value individuality and “weirdness.” Being different should be recognized as a strength.
I finished the book last night, so my comments in the last paragraph may be worthy of a spoiler alert. (I will warn you again.)
I have over the recent years worked at a company which values diversity and have had the fortune of working with a diverse group of colleagues. Through that experience, I have found everyone has something that he/she/they can contribute.
I believe that which Olga Khazan calls weird is in fact just someone who is different from the norm and by labeling them "weird" allows society to continue to treat these people differently, even though that is what the book is trying to argue against. Meet people and appreciate them for who/what they are, whether you like or dislike them and whether you want to spend your time with them.
Now, the spoiler. I was most taken with Norma Chang/Ming (not the weird one of the couple), who married Vivienne (the weird one), the person Norma fell in love with when Vivienne was male. Together they went through Vivienne impregnating Norma, then Vivienne transitioning. As Norma said, "Vivienne is the one I love, the one with whom I have chosen to spend the rest of my life."
I just got the book today so will read to catch up. Back later with comments.
Are people identifying as weird or not while they read this?
The next time the Russians came, everyone went to the Strip Club! Enjoying the individuals she highlighted and their stories. The Runaway Amish Girl I have found to be the most interesting so far. As for weird places, independent comic book, record and video stores have always had a weirdness that I've enjoyed. Of course, video stores are pretty much gone and there are far less record stores. Nevertheless by their very nature as long as they exist there will be a wonderful weirdness to these type of places.