Counterpoint:

There is no reason to bring race or racial attributes into a fantastical story in the first place, unless it serves the narrative.

• We can describe people's features without mentioning racial traits. For example, why mention skin colour at all? "A tall figure, with a strong yet agile built, and a slender face with a gentle smile".

• It's more interesting to describe people by cultural aspects that are subjected to choice, instead of racial aspects that one is born with. Don't mention the black hair or sunkissed skin of the princess, mentioned the detailed embroidery on her sand-coloured silken robe, and the different metals and jewels in her jewelry. Perhaps she has tattoos.

Of course many stories focus on overcoming racial differences. I wholeheartedly agree, a diverse cast is paramount to that. In this case, it is important to establish that there are indeed different races, what the differences are, and strong animosity between the races; such that the main cast can rise above it first, and racial differences at large can be challenged and overcome later. In this case, it serves the narrative to include all these racial aspects.

Just to be clear, as an example, I gave it to a friend of mine; she has a master's degree in art history and literature, and is specialised in folklore and fairytales. She found it a good and easy read, had some interesting remarks on it from a professional perspective.

A different friend is getting into Eastern philosophies, so I gave him the Tao of Pooh.

That's the kind of people I mean when I said "people who I think will appreciate it"

I used to feel greedy when making a wish list, but now I consider it common courtesy

>For kids? Absolutely.

Good point

I told a friend of mine I plan to indoctrinate her son "Sam" into liking LOTR.

I got him a red dragon plushie when he was born.

He's getting The Hobbit for his fifth birthday.

Kronk voice: Yeah, it's all coming together

I like to give something with some personal touch, so I usually don't go for gift cards. In particular the more generic ones; at that point, just give the money (but I'm cynical like that).

As for books, tho:

I once went to a birthday party of an enthousiastic reader. He's comfortable with his own taste in books too, and doesn't like to veer outside of it. He likes books, it's a well-known fact about him; most people know what his favourite authors are.

So inevitably, when one of his favourite authors published a new book, he got five copies as a birthday present from five different people. (Edit: of which he had to keep one copy, and return four. So he had to choose which copy to keep and potentially offend someone, and ask the others politely for a receipt of a gift they thought was thoughtful)

I just gave him a book voucher. A book everyone knows you want, you'll get from everyone. I rather give something so you can get the book I don't know you want.

>In order to live, we need to breathe. So we have the right to breathe anywhere, anytime, and anyway we want.

The ocean would like a word.

Also Pompeii.

People die of suffocation all the time.

If these are "natural rights", then why doesn't nature respect them?

If nature doesn't respect them, then how are they "natural rights"?

Therapy is not the goal.

It's a means to a goal: it's supposed to help you manage the issues you're dealing with.

The goal is self improvement.

If you don't have a clear image of what you're trying to improve about yourself, why go to a therapist?