I've been grappling with the idea of states and traits. As you probably know, a trait is a a permanent, immutable characteristic or quality, not susceptible to change. Alternatively, a state is a characteristic that is subject to revision and modification. Here's where it gets a little tricky: A genotype - the DNA containing genes that are the building-blocks of development - is a trait, in the sense that a particular genotype restricts development to a single species. (I.e., "The hereditary information of the organism is in the form of genes in the DNA and remains the same throughout the life," according to the Interwebs.) All living humans are the product of homo sapiens sapiens DNA. However, the genes in the DNA, in interaction with the environment, produces a unique phenotype - the physical person that is you. Ergo, things that may be viewed as a trait from one perspective translates into states as the process of development occurs. So, who cares? Well, speaking as a Developmental Psychologist, I do. The simple minds of this world believe that there are two sex-traits, one male, one female, period. Anyone with a Freshman-level acquaintance with human biology knows that this is a convenient fiction - at the genetic level, things are a lot more complicated, and more complicated still when the phenotype interacts with their environment. Upshot? J.K. Rowling, for all her talent, knows shit-all about genetics and development. You cannot tell the human book by looking at the cover, Joanne. Please butt out. Thanks. Happy Valentine's Day, Regards, Tom.
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