I didn't really even think about it at all, since I fit in pretty well. I just ignored it. But I'm cis af, and not everyone is. So I can see the benefit to those people.
Also I don't think you remember how arbitrary all the gender norms sound when you first learn them. It all sounds totally unnatural at first.
Not a lot of things more basic than your gender.
It's easy for us cis folks to hand wave it away as pointless frippery, since everyone already acknowledges our gender identity.
We have the privilege of not even having to think about it or question how we feel.
Not so easy for some other people.
I'm not seeing any downvotes on the kbin web app
They're neat (I've only tried Uni's), though imho I prefer the manual control of a regular mech/pencil when writing in cursive, because then I can choose when to rotate the lead (ie by rotating the entire pencils).
If you're used to writing with pencils you don't even think about it anymore. It's as natural as dotting an i.
The Best of World SF is undeniably an excellent sampler of voices from around the world, both of authors and of translators.
The editor comes off as maybe a bit self-centred? But I can't deny they have excellent taste and connections.