 Butler discusses how gender is performed without one being conscious of it, but says that it does not mean this performativity is "automatic or mechanical".She argues that we have desires that do not originate from our personhood, but rather, from social norms.The philosopher also debates our notions of "human" and "less-than-human" and how these culturally imposed ideas can keep one from having a "viable life" as the biggest concerns are usually about whether a person will be accepted if their desires differ from normality.