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.

 

[Mechamorph]

Just a note. I have heard use of the term for a long time but not applied in the way it is now. In many of the RPG circles I am part of (both off and on line), a "special snowflake" describes the kind of player that just had to play a very "unique" character regardless of how reasonable, playable or even sane such a character might be. They are distinguished from munchkins because mechanically the character is not necessarily all that powerful, just often bizarre.

Some examples:
Vampire the Masquerade (long live V20!): Some obscure Bloodline, a "good" Baali, the "last" Cappadocian, Salubri, Lasombra antitribu

Werewolf the Apocalypse (nWod? What's that?): The "last" of the White Howlers, Mokole, Bastet, very strange and often made up Changing Breeds (such as weresquid, vetoed by a Storyteller that did not want tentacles in his game. The werebarracuda was better received until the Storyteller used them as pseudo Deep Ones)

Dark Heresy/W40K RPG: FEMALE SPACE MARINES. Daemonhosts (usually homebrewed), psykers that are an expy of Professor X

D&D: Ugh. Too many to count. Vampire unicorns. People whose ancestry involve dragons, demons, angels and squid with mad SCIENCE! thrown in to make them part golem too. "Good" members of usually evil races, especially Drow since they are both pretty and R.A. Salvatore made the mould with Drizzit. People who hail from the far past such as Netheril or Cormanthor during its Myth Drannor phase. Elven Royalty on the lam. Dwarven royalty on the run. Human royalty, ah heck it, there are people of royal blood EVERYWHERE when the Snowflakes come to the gaming table. Gonzo races like the various kinds of bird people also make an appearance especially the avariel. That is because the only thing better that being a beautiful elven princess sorceress is being a beautiful winged elven princess sorceress.

 

[Steppin Razor]

Usually when I see special snowflake thrown around it is being used as a derogatory term for otherkin and the like on tumblr. The sorts of people that believe they are actually a super special unique werewolf who "changes form" and growls and barks at people. Or who think they have Harry Potter/random anime character living in their head. The sorts of people that form online groups full of one-upsmanship to be the most special and unique snowflake.