On the use of the word 'Snowflake'

[dscross]

I don't like it. It's derogatory and an insult - pure and simple. 'Snowflake' is an unusual insult in that it calls someone weak and fragile without using misogynistic or homophobic references.

Snowflake is also used as a politicised insult, typically used by those on the right to insult those on the political left. It has become the epithet of choice for right-wingers to fling at anyone who could be accused of being too easily offended - a way of shutting down important arguments.

Also, while I'm too old to be part of it, I imagine if I was a younger adult I would find the term 'generation snowflake' very irritating.

I do not think that it is a useful word. It just gets people's backs up. There are better ways of calling INDIVIDUAL people too sensitive (IF it's ACTUALLY true in some cases).

What do you all think?

 

[Baffle]

I use it all the time, specifically because it gets people's backs up. I only use it for people who typically use it though (right-wingers, crazy pensioners, people who are convinced young people have it too easy). They're a suprisingly thin-skinned bunch.

 

[Elijin]

Well, snowflakes and people are very similar.

Spoiler

It gets much harder to drive at speed when there's a lot of them on the roads

 

[09philj]

Well, snowflakes and people are very similar.

Spoiler

It gets much harder to drive at speed when there's a lot of them on the roads

Also they're all completely unique but they all look the same once they're melted.

 

[PsychedelicDiamond]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Oddly enough, by people who would loudly claim individual rights and tend to oppose what they call big government.

 

[Gethsemani_v1legacy]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Oddly enough, by people who would loudly claim individual rights and tend to oppose what they call big government.

Well, if those people would only use their rights the right way they wouldn't have to be insulted, now would they?

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

Snowflake is a term used to describe people who are so self-obsessed and believe they're so unique they deserve unique treatment. Not special treatment, like a kid who gets extra time on a test or another kid who takes AP calculus, but unique treatment.

Of example only, Dscross, if you were a snowflake you'd demand a Dscross approved class, or protest that you don't want to learn things Dscross disagrees with. You'd want a Dscross bathroom, and Dscross coffee shop, and Dscross highway.

Its for people so convinced they are unique and great and they're very presence is worthy of praise they forgot they're part of a society and need to interact with others.
Donald Trump is a Snowflake. Bruce Campbell is a Snowflake. Eric Cartman is a Snowflake. Rachel Doezal is a Snowflake. Chocolate Pickles was/is a Snowflake. Those kids at Greenwhatever college who want a White Free Day, or as it used to be called Coloreds Only, are Snowflakes.

 

[dscross]

Snowflake is a term used to describe people who are so self-obsessed and believe they're so unique they deserve unique treatment. Not special treatment, like a kid who gets extra time on a test or another kid who takes AP calculus, but unique treatment.

Of example only, Dscross, if you were a snowflake you'd demand a Dscross approved class, or protest that you don't want to learn things Dscross disagrees with. You'd want a Dscross bathroom, and Dscross coffee shop, and Dscross highway.

Its for people so convinced they are unique and great and they're very presence is worthy of praise they forgot they're part of a society and need to interact with others.
Donald Trump is a Snowflake. Bruce Campbell is a Snowflake. Eric Cartman is a Snowflake. Rachel Doezal is a Snowflake. Chocolate Pickles was/is a Snowflake. Those kids at Greenwhatever college who want a White Free Day, or as it used to be called Coloreds Only, are Snowflakes.

This is not how people, generally, use the term from what I've seen. It's usually what I described. I have never those people you mentioned referred to as Snowflakes. The term has been politicised. There are too many connotations to it now.

 

[BreakfastMan]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

I think the current use was popularized by Fight Club, where that was explicitly the point of it's use there. I mean, it was also said by the villain of the film, but hey, nobody said people were great at understanding the point of movies. XD

 

[Abomination]

Snowflake is a term used to describe people who are so self-obsessed and believe they're so unique they deserve unique treatment. Not special treatment, like a kid who gets extra time on a test or another kid who takes AP calculus, but unique treatment.

Of example only, Dscross, if you were a snowflake you'd demand a Dscross approved class, or protest that you don't want to learn things Dscross disagrees with. You'd want a Dscross bathroom, and Dscross coffee shop, and Dscross highway.

Its for people so convinced they are unique and great and they're very presence is worthy of praise they forgot they're part of a society and need to interact with others.
Donald Trump is a Snowflake. Bruce Campbell is a Snowflake. Eric Cartman is a Snowflake. Rachel Doezal is a Snowflake. Chocolate Pickles was/is a Snowflake. Those kids at Greenwhatever college who want a White Free Day, or as it used to be called Coloreds Only, are Snowflakes.

This is not how people, generally, use the term from what I've seen. It's usually what I described. I have never those people you mentioned referred to as Snowflakes. The term has been politicised. There are too many connotations to it now.

I would argue that it is the correct use of the word and people using it incorrectly do not change its intended terminology.

As much as people abuse the word "literally" to add (supposed) emphasis to a conversation it does not change what the word literally means. The term "snowflake" is supposed to be used to describe someone who fancies themselves so unique and special as to require special treatment, and should they not receive it they prove as brittle as a snowflake.

A double-entendre, all snowflakes are unique, but in the grand scheme of things that doesn't matter (if everyone's unique then nobody is). A single snowflake on its own or one that chooses to be on its own doesn't amount to anything, and it is weak, and will soon be forgotten.

That people use it to describe anything they don't like doesn't change what the word is supposed to describe. People using the term wrong doesn't make it a wrong term.

 

[dscross]

Snowflake is a term used to describe people who are so self-obsessed and believe they're so unique they deserve unique treatment. Not special treatment, like a kid who gets extra time on a test or another kid who takes AP calculus, but unique treatment.

Of example only, Dscross, if you were a snowflake you'd demand a Dscross approved class, or protest that you don't want to learn things Dscross disagrees with. You'd want a Dscross bathroom, and Dscross coffee shop, and Dscross highway.

Its for people so convinced they are unique and great and they're very presence is worthy of praise they forgot they're part of a society and need to interact with others.
Donald Trump is a Snowflake. Bruce Campbell is a Snowflake. Eric Cartman is a Snowflake. Rachel Doezal is a Snowflake. Chocolate Pickles was/is a Snowflake. Those kids at Greenwhatever college who want a White Free Day, or as it used to be called Coloreds Only, are Snowflakes.

This is not how people, generally, use the term from what I've seen. It's usually what I described. I have never those people you mentioned referred to as Snowflakes. The term has been politicised. There are too many connotations to it now.

I would argue that it is the correct use of the word and people using it incorrectly do not change its intended terminology.

As much as people abuse the word "literally" to add (supposed) emphasis to a conversation it does not change what the word literally means. The term "snowflake" is supposed to be used to describe someone who fancies themselves so unique and special as to require special treatment, and should they not receive it they prove as brittle as a snowflake.

A double-entendre, all snowflakes are unique, but in the grand scheme of things that doesn't matter (if everyone's unique then nobody is). A single snowflake on its own or one that chooses to be on its own doesn't amount to anything, and it is weak, and will soon be forgotten.

That people use it to describe anything they don't like doesn't change what the word is supposed to describe. People using the term wrong doesn't make it a wrong term.

You could also argue that words that are now abusive didn't start off like that and were intended to mean something innocent. Once people start using it as an insult it changes how it is used and the connotations associated.

 

[Zontar]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Snowflake isn't used as an insult against the concept of individuality (in fact it's mostly used against collectivists who abhor the concept, ironically enough). As Silentpony pointed out it has nothing to do with the concept of individuality and is about those who think themselves completely unique and deserving of similarly unique treatment because of it.

 

[Trunkage]

Usually when people find another person annoying, its a trait they dislike about themselves and want to project onto something else. Snowflakes are usually snowflakes themselves and want to belittle everyone else to make sure they are the top snowflake

 

[Trunkage]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Snowflake isn't used as an insult against the concept of individuality (in fact it's mostly used against collectivists who abhor the concept, ironically enough). As Silentpony pointed out it has nothing to do with the concept of individuality and is about those who think themselves completely unique and deserving of similarly unique treatment because of it.

You're going to have to explain the difference between individual and unique then, because I would see them as synonyms. Apparently not?

Like what's the difference between being treated on an individual basis rather than unique

 

[Abomination]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Snowflake isn't used as an insult against the concept of individuality (in fact it's mostly used against collectivists who abhor the concept, ironically enough). As Silentpony pointed out it has nothing to do with the concept of individuality and is about those who think themselves completely unique and deserving of similarly unique treatment because of it.

You're going to have to explain the difference between individual and unique then, because I would see them as synonyms. Apparently not?

Like what's the difference between being treated on an individual basis rather than unique

It's the belief they're entitled to special treatment that makes it an issue. Being an individual is all fine and dandy, you do you, but when you start demanding others recognize and adhere to aspects of your individuality that go beyond common courtesy it becomes a problem.

One can be as outlandish, strange, unique, queer, special, individual as they want - and everyone else is free to not have to deal with that person, as they are free to not have to deal with any other person.

 

[Saelune]

I've started trying to 'reclaim' snowflake as it were. By calling people like Donald Trump snowflakes, cause he is, and Jordan Peterson a snowflake, cause he is.

Dunno how effective it will be though.

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Snowflake isn't used as an insult against the concept of individuality (in fact it's mostly used against collectivists who abhor the concept, ironically enough). As Silentpony pointed out it has nothing to do with the concept of individuality and is about those who think themselves completely unique and deserving of similarly unique treatment because of it.

Except it is, and you said so yourself. You DO know what the word 'unique' means, don't you?

 

[Saelune]

I find it quite telling that we live in a time where we find the mere concept of individuality objectionable enough to use it as an insult.

Snowflake isn't used as an insult against the concept of individuality (in fact it's mostly used against collectivists who abhor the concept, ironically enough). As Silentpony pointed out it has nothing to do with the concept of individuality and is about those who think themselves completely unique and deserving of similarly unique treatment because of it.

You're going to have to explain the difference between individual and unique then, because I would see them as synonyms. Apparently not?

Like what's the difference between being treated on an individual basis rather than unique

It's the belief they're entitled to special treatment that makes it an issue. Being an individual is all fine and dandy, you do you, but when you start demanding others recognize and adhere to aspects of your individuality that go beyond common courtesy it becomes a problem.

One can be as outlandish, strange, unique, queer, special, individual as they want - and everyone else is free to not have to deal with that person, as they are free to not have to deal with any other person.

If people who regularly said 'snowflake' really meant this, then they would all be major supporters of EQUAL rights. Ya know what would really show those damn snowflakes!? Treating everyone equally.

Except most don't. They usually want to treat gays different than straights, men different than women, blacks different than whites etc.

 

[Zontar]

Like what's the difference between being treated on an individual basis rather than unique

One treats all equally, while the other wants specific people/groups to be held above others. Despite what some may think, the people who fall into the "unique" types are inherently incapable of being individualists, as they see certain types of people as groups that need to be held above others. It's why some attempts to "reclaim" it will inevitable fail, since while someone like, say, Trump, could be described as one, others, such as civil rights activists Dr. Peterson, can't.

 

[Abomination]

If people who regularly said 'snowflake' really meant this, then they would all be major supporters of EQUAL rights. Ya know what would really show those damn snowflakes!? Treating everyone equally.

Except most don't. They usually want to treat gays different than straights, men different than women, blacks different than whites etc.

I am not going to get into a debate as to how people are using something incorrectly when discussing what the correct use of the term is.

A snowflake is a special subset of irony, demanding to be treated the same as everyone else, and then some, in spite of - or sometimes because of - an aspect of their character. In addition, they frequently have paper thin skin, and struggle to handle any dissenting opinion or refusal to adhere to their demands.

These type of people can be of any race, gender, religion, or creed.

I would not call Donald Trump a snowflake, I'd call him a loon with a silver spoon. While the demands he makes of others go beyond common courtesy, he is not thin skinned. He is very thick skinned, too thick skinned even. Everything bounces off the twit and he only hears what he wants to hear or chooses to hear.