You know, I first discovered ASMR via a network of Turkish barbers in Istanbul who have some quite popular YouTube channels. I started watching because of the surprisingly soothing nature of a virtual massage. It didn't hurt that most of the guys were easy on the eyes. Also, different cultures fascinate me. Curiosity kept me coming back.

Over the years, I learned that people whom I would have expected to be fundamentally "other" are not much different after all. Some of them are even gay! (Though they're necessarily quiet about it given they live in a repressive Muslim society.)

Getting to "know" some of these people has humanized them and their society for me. Sure, I'm still fiercely opposed to the homophobic nature of Islam, but I'm better able to see nuance and hope.

I would never before have even considered stepping foot in Turkey, but now I really crave a trip to Istanbul, despite Prime Minister Erdogan's repressive religious homophobia.

I guess that's the power of human connection, even across distances.