Anatomy of a Snowflake- Part I: A Satirical Take
A satirical exploration of the 'Snowflake Generation, a term often used to describe young people perceived as overly sensitive, entitled, and intolerant of opposing viewpoints.
Summary:
Snowflakeville, a whimsical town east of San Francisco, is known for its allegiance to the current 'Woke' ideology, emphasizing social awareness, activism, and progressive values.
This ideology, a mishmash of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), egalitarianism, entitlements, and redistribution, is proudly displayed at the town's entrance.
Their similar adaptation to Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), corporate strategies focused on ethical and sustainable practices, is closely related to Marxist communism in their idealistic pursuit of equality.
The virtues of capitalism are absent from this utopian vision: hard work, effort, risk-taking, or the notion that failure can be a stepping stone to success. In this village, it's a communal affair- what's yours is everyone's.
Snowflakes are stressed everywhere because the recent election is usurping their delicate structure. They must retreat to their safe space for soft and tender counseling.
Article:
Our first Snowflake character, Atticus, eagerly awaits a text message from one of his 'closest' friends, a concept he was spoon-fed during his formative years. He and 80% of his high school graduating class were on the honor roll, a fact that was celebrated with embossed gold certificates. The irony of their 'uniqueness,' which is as unique as a snowflake in a blizzard, is my point of satire that is not lost on anyone.
One would assume that someone as 'unique' as Atticus would have many close friends. However, his definition of friendship is as digital as his interactions. His 'friends' exist in the virtual realm, leaving no room for recognition in the real world. His reaction to them would be as blank as their digital faces, a stark irony in the age of social connectivity.
He proudly graduated from Berkeley with a major in sociology, a field that, unfortunately, didn't equip him with marketable skills. Yet, he remains unfazed, comfortably residing in his parents' home, overlooking the serene pool from his window. His parents, who have always provided for him, continue to support his lifestyle, offering a credit card for his spending and a new plug-in Prius Hybrid for his transportation needs.
A top priority in his life is keeping connected with the Berkeley set and regularly taking trips to take part in the demonstrations against conservatives and those who deviate from the required left-wing scripted ideology. As part of this groupthink, he affirms that the First Amendment only applies to those fortunate to possess similar opinions. Noncompliant others, beware! By thwarting the views of others, he wins and can carry on his ideology unencumbered. He is surrounded by other ridged ideologues and protected as long as he marches with his kind; there is no threat. Sometimes, group force and groupthink are ways to protect oneself from the realities of the outside world.
One of his idols and favorite books was Saul Alinsky, founder of a modern community organization. The book our Snowflake displays in his parent's house is Rules for Radicals. He is very proud of his participation because it allows social purpose and pictures to be shared on his Instagram with his thousand closest friends. Saul Alinsky said power is what you have and what the enemy thinks you have.
Atticus refuses to step out into the treacherous forest (the real world of business), for there may be animals that bite. He fears push-back or even rejection. The real business world may require a different and new thought process, where there is constant give-and-take, with negotiated outcomes, and where all parties are required to semi-peacefully coexist, if for no other reason than to earn a living.
For Atticus, stepping into the 'real world' is as daunting as a journey into a perilous forest. His fear of push-back or rejection and the potential for his fragile ego to be wounded keep him securely ensconced in his nurturing yet sheltered environment, devoid of real-world experience. In the face of the countless challenges and opportunities the 'real world' presents, the absurdity of this fear is so pronounced that it's almost comical, evoking a sense of disbelief in the audience for his stagnant existence.
For Atticus, personal growth and risk-taking are alien concepts. His closest friends are easily replaceable with a thousand new Instagram and Facebook followers. His life is a continuous recreation cycle without real challenges or growth opportunities. The pressure to allow a mate into his life or start a family is a distant concern. The lack of personal growth and risk-taking in his life is so pronounced that it's almost comical, evoking a strong sense of pity in the audience for his stagnant existence.
Want to know how to get rid of your selfishness? Just raise a family. You can think of it as taking a village or taking a family. A family is much more difficult because you are the risk-taker rather than the village's overseers, usually public employee labor union bureaucrats paid for by your tax dollars.
Atticus's cell phone is his constant companion, checked at least 150 times daily. His extreme obsession with this device, to the point of it affecting his physical and mental posture, is so ironic that it borders on the comical, a fact that is not lost on anyone. This extreme attachment to a device designed for communication and connection has ironically isolated him from the real world. This situation is sure to amuse the audience at Atticus's expense.
If Atticus consumes his parents' wealth and doesn't participate in the real world, he will be considered an obedient and good citizen of the well-planned and thought-out economy. This kid was raised in an environment with no requirement or learned ability to measure his self-worth realistically because he was reassured at every turn that he was special.
Critical thinking and real risk-taking have never been required in his life. He is a product of the public education college system. The system keeps kids like him constantly busy, engaged in questionably or marginally useless activities, and gives no time for self-reflection, learning to take risks, or enjoying solitude. The joys of earned success and failure, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and personal growth remain a distant illusion, a mirage in the desert of his life devoid of self-reflection and risk-taking.
This fictional story is written in a satirical tone, aiming to poke fun at the perceived characteristics of the Snowflake Generation, whoever they may be.