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    Snowflake

    Being Frank
    ,

    The term snowflake made a resurgence of sorts a few years back in reference to people who are considered special or unique, or whose psychological resilience is more closely aligned to the physical attributes of the frozen ice crystals bearing that name. No doubt there are other usages for the term, and if you’re willing to delve into the various vernacular references found in Wikipedia, Urban Dictionary, and other places, well, I envy the surplus time you have on your hands.

    So why bring it up here? Well, I have an affinity for the manner in which words are used, especially when it comes to different people, ideologies, descriptors, or geographical locations. I also have an aversion to the manner in which certain words are weaponized. In the past few years, snowflake has taken on (or some may argue that it has expanded to) a meaning that is more in line with an insult than a way to inform or describe.

    No doubt you may have found yourself in the presence of someone using snowflake as a taunt, or for the sake of delivering some perceived insult or attack. Some folks can’t help themselves; they love to provoke others to foment trouble or poke at the sensitivities others have that they do not (or cannot) possess.

    So I thought I would provide a bit of information – ammunition, if you want to stick to the idea of weaponizing words – that you may find handy if you happen to be around one of these folks. Just a few factoids about the innocuous frozen crystals that you might share with those individuals whose brains sometimes forget to fire in the right sequence. If anything, these informational tidbits will provide you with a different perspective the next time you find yourself watching the snow fall.

    • Snowflakes are a natural marvel of engineering; durable, unique, bonding, versatile.
    • Snowflakes have seven basic shapes: Plates, Stellar Crystals, Columns, Needles, Spatial Dendrites, Capped Columns, and Irregular Forms (another quick factoid: There are 35 shapes in total.)
    • Snowflakes exhibit six-fold symmetry, arranging themselves in a lattice of hexagonal rings.
    • Snowflakes are part of a collective; there is both power and beauty in numbers.
    • Snowflakes nurture. They bring water to the soil, fill the aquifers, create industries (e.g., sports, leisure), scrub the air, and balance the planet.
    • No two snowflakes are alike.
    • The smaller the snowflake, the colder the conditions and thus the more powerful the system, which leads to large amounts of accumulated snow.
    • A snowflake is a single ice crystal that achieves sufficient mass on its journey to Earth, arriving as snow.
    • Snowflakes appear white, but that’s because they disperse the reflection of the entire spectrum of light through the many facets they contain.
    • Snowflakes in direct sunlight act as prisms.
    • Snowflakes represent rebirth and purity.

    2 responses to “Snowflake”

    1. Maria Potter Avatar
      Maria Potter

      My friend, It’s truly unfortunate how we have become so comfortable using terms and labels without fully understanding their deeper meaning. You said it, what once symbolized uniqueness and delicacy has now morphed into a go-to insult for anyone seen as overly sensitive. It’s fascinating how a word can evolve—or be twisted—depending on who’s using it and why.The irony, as you pointed out, is that real snowflakes are far from fragile. They’re intricate, resilient, and each one is a unique masterpiece crafted by nature. 

      Truly, being called a snowflake is no insult, but a reminder that just like snowflakes, each human being is unique, intricate, and fleeting. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, no two lives are the same, each one leaving a singular imprint on the world before melting into memory…

      Thank you for another insightful post.  I look forward to more of your writings! 

      Maria

      Reply
      1. Being Frank Avatar
        Being Frank

        Maria – As always, thank you for your keen observations. The word “snowflake” is just one example of how our lexicon has been bastardized over the years. And although it’s a common (and some would say necessary) occurrence that arises with every successive generation, it is nonetheless disheartening when new definitions have to be wrapped in a mantle of aggressiveness or disparagement. There has been a general trend towards ascribing hostility to most everything, from automobiles to even terms of endearment or encouragement. It’s as if we don’t believe we’re being heard unless we create shock or animosity. In reality, the only thing we need to do is listen – really listen – and absorb the message being conveyed. I wonder how many minds would be changed by such a simple act. Apologies for the slight digression, and thank you again for taking the time to add value to this small observation.

        Reply

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