University snowflakes: banning free speech, applauding

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Forums › Politics › University snowflakes: banning free speech, applauding

kingdragonfly

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#240963 4-Oct-2018 08:39

Two recent events reminded me of the insult "snowflakes." From Urban dictionary:

"A term for someone that thinks they are unique and special, but really are not. It gained popularity after the movie 'Fight Club' from the quote “You are not special. You're not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else."

Began being used extensively as a putdown for someone, usually on the political left, who is easily offended or felt they needed a 'safe space' away from the harsh realities of the world, but now has morphed into a general putdown for anyone that complains about any subject.

Comedians have a hard time performing on college campuses anymore because of all the little snowflakes running around that get offended by just about anything they say."

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Snowflake

The first events of snowflakes was Massey University's decision to stop Don Brash from speaking at the Palmerston North campus, cancelling a student political club debate being attended by Brash in August.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/107502374/Don-Brash-raises-concerns-about-Massey-Universitys-Treaty-plans

The second event was this:

"Clapping has been replaced with 'jazz hands' at an English university student union amid fears the noise of applause could trigger anxiety among some students.

Whooping is also discouraged at Manchester University student union events on the basis that the loud noise may be a problem for those with sensory issues.

The use of 'jazz hands' - where students wave their hands in the air - is the British Sign Language (BSL) expression for applause and is deemed a more inclusive gesture."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/107581726/english-university-student-union-ban-clapping-in-favour-of-jazz-hands

I guess that Manchester University students don't realize that "jazz hands" are controversial, since it is used heavily by white comedians in black face (search for "Al Jolson"), and has racial connotations, and cultural appropriation.

So my advice: toughen up, and listen to your enemies arguments:

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults."
Benjamin Franklin

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#2101273 4-Oct-2018 08:49

What a wonderful time to be human! I can't say much more but I genuinely enjoy provoking snowflakes and SJW's.
Something about watching them have an aneurysm because you don't agree with them is just too good.

freitasm

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#2101274 4-Oct-2018 08:51

I remember "snowflakes" when it was used to represent children that were constantly attended to by helicopter parents.

Coil

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#2101276 4-Oct-2018 09:00

freitasm:

I remember "snowflakes" when it was used to represent children that were constantly attended to by helicopter parents.

I have a friend at the age of 21 who is still being served by said helicopter parents. Has to get their permission to even go to music gigs and if he doesn't do his chores he doesn't get his weekly allowance.. Pretty sad/funny/confusing but ah well.

He also gets viciously offended at any form of confrontation and raising the voice seems to be his logical way to win an argument.

gehenna

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#2101280 4-Oct-2018 09:03

It doesn't help that all through my childhood the message from MoE was "you are unique". We can't be surprised with the state of play today when this was all seeded in the 80's

Rikkitic

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#2101307 4-Oct-2018 09:43

All this demonstrates is that an education is no guarantee against silliness. That is not news.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

MikeAqua

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#2101358 4-Oct-2018 10:23

I recently came across the term emotional haemophiliac.

Perfectly describes someone who has their feelings hurt easily and lacks the ability to self heal.

Could be offensive to haemophiliacs though.

And jazz hands instead of applause ... seriously, that has to be a take.

A couple of years ago I went to a Pink Floyd tribute band. A guy a few seat down seemed to be affected by some sort of mental condition and had worn earmuffs tot he concert. He was still rocking away having a blast. The muffs presumably took the edge off the noise for him.

Mike

gehenna

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#2101372 4-Oct-2018 10:28

I think there's just a distinct lack of resilience being taught to people these days. I see it in the corporate world all the time. I'm really not a fan of lumping a generation into categories. A lot of the younger staff I've had over the years have been the best team players around. The older ones were the ones I had the most trouble with. But there has definitely been a noticeable shift in the resilience capabilities of younger people in recent years.

MikeB4

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#2101385 4-Oct-2018 10:53

MikeAqua:

I recently came across the term emotional haemophiliac.

Perfectly describes someone who has their feelings hurt easily and lacks the ability to self heal.

Could be offensive to haemophiliacs though.

And jazz hands instead of applause ... seriously, that has to be a take.

A couple of years ago I went to a Pink Floyd tribute band. A guy a few seat down seemed to be affected by some sort of mental condition and had worn earmuffs tot he concert. He was still rocking away having a blast. The muffs presumably took the edge off the noise for him.

It is offensive, using illness or disability as a derogatory term is no different to using race or gender as a derogatory term.

Fred99

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#2101420 4-Oct-2018 11:12

Categorising people as <whatever> as a kickback against "PC" and loudly using that as an excuse to behave in a disgusting manner is surely evidence that Dunning and Kruger hit the nail on the head.

Almost invariably, terms like "SJW" and "snowflake" apply equally to the accusers as the targets. Idiots arguing for social Darwinism seem to be the most vocal "SJW's" - and the most easily triggered.

As for Massey, that was a decision by the VC - not the students, staff (or majority of council).

As for "Clapping has been replaced with 'jazz hands'", shame on Stuff for (once again) pushing fake news for a reaction. It's abject BS, click-bait for conservatives lap up as "proof" of the conspiracy theories living inside their heads.

The policy was proposed in order to encourage the use of British Sign Language (BSL) clapping during our democratic events to make those events more accessible and inclusive for all. We are not banning audible clapping — we understand that some people may be more comfortable to continue using it.

Nor are we applying this motion to all events held at the Students’ Union. The Union holds a huge number of events, including gigs, theatre productions and sport. This policy has no bearing on those events which make up the majority of a packed calendar at the Students’ Union. It is only intended to be encouraged at the Union’s democratic events – those in which our members are invited to participate in decision making which affects the democratic organisation of the Students’ Union. In fact, those democratic events make up a relatively small number of meetings inside the organisation each year.

We have already received many positive responses from disabled students (some of whom are deaf or autistic), who are pleased to feel more included in our democratic process. Some of them plan to attend upcoming democratic events at the Union for the first time, thanks to this policy.

kingdragonfly

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#2101422 4-Oct-2018 11:13

MikeAqua: jazz hands instead of applause ... seriously, that has to be a s*** take.

"A motion proposed by delegates at the National Union of Students (NUS) conference warned there would be 'consequences' for students who clap and whoop at future events. "

https://www.independent.co.uk/student/nus-ban-whooping-cheering-exclude-deaf-people-national-union-student-conferences-a7707136.html

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster
Nietzsche

Fred99

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#2101423 4-Oct-2018 11:15

MikeAqua:

I recently came across the term emotional haemophiliac.

Perfectly describes someone who has their feelings hurt easily and lacks the ability to self heal.

Get a life. That's just plain stupid.

Fred99

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#2101425 4-Oct-2018 11:22

kingdragonfly:
MikeAqua: jazz hands instead of applause ... seriously, that has to be a s*** take.

"A motion proposed by delegates at the National Union of Students (NUS) conference warned there would be 'consequences' for students who clap and whoop at future events. "

https://www.independent.co.uk/student/nus-ban-whooping-cheering-exclude-deaf-people-national-union-student-conferences-a7707136.html

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster
Nietzsche

Wow - you believe the independent.co.uk website? ROFL.

When something seems too dumb to be true - check Snopes etc before posting. I've italicised/bolded where that part of the fanciful story doesn't match the headline - even if that story is true. A motion could be proposed that only people with beards should be allowed to drink yoghurt with plastic straws.

Zepanda66

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#2101428 4-Oct-2018 11:27

If I was a hard of hearing/visually impaired student there id be insulted. Basically insinuating that I don't like clapping cause i must be a retard cause of my disability and that it might cause me to freak out.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/7315955530.png

Fred99

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#2101431 4-Oct-2018 11:33

Zepanda66:

If I was a hard of hearing/visually impaired student there id be insulted.

But you're not.

MikeAqua

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#2101433 4-Oct-2018 11:36

Fred99:

MikeAqua:

I recently came across the term emotional haemophiliac.

Perfectly describes someone who has their feelings hurt easily and lacks the ability to self heal.

Get a life. That's just plain stupid.

I didn't coin the phrase. Just reporting what I read.

Mike

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