Special Snowflake - The Terminology

[Eclipse Dragon]

Okay, so as I understand it. A "Special Snowflake" is a particular person who believes they are one-of-a-kind. Like a snowflake, this person thinks they are the one and only, because no two snowflakes are exactly the same.

So I don't understand its usage in reference to the typical subject matter, usually pertaining to a group of people such as those within the various LGBT+ circles. The purpose of such a group is to find others like them, by that logic, wouldn't someone who is a "Special Snowflake" be opposed to forming or joining such a group, because there can be no one else like them?

It always feels like such a contradiction to me, but maybe I'm missing something? What do you think Escapist?

 

[Mangod]

"I don't want to blend in and be indistinguishable. I want to be part of the different crowd, and assert my individuality along with others who are different like me."
- John S. Hall.

Yeah, it's a bit of a contradiction in terms.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

"Others like them" not identical to them. Humans being social creatures by nature, they're looking for a tribe to call their own, using identification markers similar to theirs, such as non-trinary gender Abby Normal fluid. and each person represents that unique distinction in their own way, but want to be around others who have similar qualifications.

 

[Kolby Jack]

I think another part of it is the idea that they are fragile like a snowflake too. People who think they are special in some way tend to react badly when shown that they are not. Even just insinuating they aren't provokes a strong reaction.

That said, most people seem to outgrow this attitude at some point. It's relatively rare to see it in adults. And it's fun to shatter this idea for teenagers, because teenagers are stupid.

 

[PainInTheAssInternet]

It's a term applied to others in a derogatory manner, typically the LGBT community. I can't recall any instance of it being used as self-identification outside that context. That's a crucial starting point to understanding it.

 

[Zontar]

It's a term applied to others in a derogatory manner, typically the LGBT community. I can't recall any instance of it being used as self-identification outside that context. That's a crucial starting point to understanding it.

Pretty much this only I'd say instead of it being typical of the LGBT community instead just of narcissistic millennials in general. While there's plenty of overlap I would hesitate to lump in the Tumblrites of the ever growing number of made up genders in with the legitimate issues of the LGBT.

 

[Erttheking]

It's basically a term used by people who are angry at others for not fitting into their narrow world view.

 

[happyninja42]

It's also used, and the context in which I personally have seen it used the most, to describe characters in works of fiction, who are The Chosen One, and other such unique, special "only they can accomplish this" one-in-a-million kind of people in stories. Usually associated with Mary/Marty Sues' a lot.

I've personally never heard it used in social media, but then again, I don't really wade into that stuff much, so that's not surprising.

But yeah, I've never seen it used in any context, as a self-identifier, it's always been used by some other party, when criticizing the snowflake in question.

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

It's basically a term used by people who are angry at others for not fitting into their narrow world view.

To be fair, is there anyone in the world who doesn't have a narrow world view? I mean even the most liberal college student at UC Berkeley doesn't know shit about...99.99% of everyone else in the world.

 

[Erttheking]

It's basically a term used by people who are angry at others for not fitting into their narrow world view.

To be fair, is there anyone in the world who doesn't have a narrow world view? I mean even the most liberal college student at UC Berkeley doesn't know shit about...99.99% of everyone else in the world.

Yeah, which is why I specified that was angry people.

 

[Baffle]

To be fair, is there anyone in the world who doesn't have a narrow world view?

I've got 360-degree vision when I turn around.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I think another part of it is the idea that they are fragile like a snowflake too. People who think they are special in some way tend to react badly when shown that they are not. Even just insinuating they aren't provokes a strong reaction.

I wasn't aware of that usage, thank you.

I've got 360-degree vision when I turn around.

So you're an owl?

 

[Catnip1024]

I have no idea why you think it would be purely a term to be used for LGBT people (you've been reading the internet again, haven't you?). I know many people to whom it would apply that are not LGBT.

As above, to me it's someone who is fragile and can't stand having things any way but their own. And who doesn't complain in a proper manner, but throws a hissy fit. Someone who thinks that they have rights (bless).

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

To be fair, is there anyone in the world who doesn't have a narrow world view?

I've got 360-degree vision when I turn around.

That's because you're an unholy monster of the aether pits.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

I have no idea why you think it would be purely a term to be used for LGBT people (you've been reading the internet again, haven't you?). I know many people to whom it would apply that are not LGBT.

I didn't say purely, I said usually.

So I don't understand its usage in reference to the typical subject matter, usually pertaining to a group of people such as those within the various LGBT+ circles.

Furthermore, I used "such as" in other words, LGBT people are an example of a group that I've often seen the phrase thrown at but not exclusive to.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

A derogatory term predominantly thrown towards young women who believe they're creative and special

Predominantly thrown by young men who think they're creative and special

That's an oddly specific example...
I'm not implying anything, just saying.

 

[Baffle]

So you're an owl?

No, I just spin really quickly. It's quite blurry 360 degree vision.

 

[Saelune]

It's basically a term used by people who are angry at others for not fitting into their narrow world view.

To be fair, is there anyone in the world who doesn't have a narrow world view? I mean even the most liberal college student at UC Berkeley doesn't know shit about...99.99% of everyone else in the world.

Generally the opposite of "Narrow-Minded" is "Open-Minded" that is their mind is open to new ideas and such. As opposed to "Wide-Minded" suggesting they already know.