Welcome to the Melbourne Community Daily Discussion Thread.
So, on the other site I came across the term “terminal uniqueness” in relation to a discussion about diagnoses of neurodivergence and whether people are quick to jump on labels to explain why they feel they struggle with life and to try and feel special and exempt rather than working productively with the diagnosis.
It’s a fascinating phrase that has its roots in addiction recovery and is also known more simply as “personal exceptionalism”. But honestly I think the concept can be applied much more broadly to many aspects of modern life and mediated discussions of mental health. and I’m embarrassed to admit I definitely felt that way about myself when I was younger. Maybe sometimes I still do.
Thanks for sharing, I have definitely noticed this but never had a word for it. With the eagerness for labels, I think there’s something else going on too. Labels can give people a sense of belonging. So it’s an overlap of feeling special individually plus feeling part of a tribe. Not saying neurodivergence doesn’t exist, but I do sometimes get unsettled when people label human experience that I consider to be just normal, to be something clinical. No, sometimes lost keys and procrastinating over doing the dishes are just lost keys and dishes. Can we just be allowed to be human.
This echoes my own sentiments, that we need a wider definition of ‘normal’ for humans. We should celebrate diversity, not medicalize it.
If I recall correctly the person who originally coined the term “neurodivergence” (an Australian psychologist?) intended it to describe all people, not to create a distinction between the “neurodiverse” and the “neurotypical” (as if the latter do not also exist on spectrums).
Damn straight it’s a fascinating phrase. Haven’t heard it before, but I’ve seen the phenomenon many many times in various ways. I think part of it stems from simple lack of a large enough database of experience. And it’s so so tempting to slap on a label, pop the fashionable pill and stop thinking and receiving information and examining alternatives. Have you read Temple Grandin’s marvellous book An Anthropologist on Mars? Or any of Oliver Sachs’ works?
I’ve long been recommended to read Oliver Sacks books - for years. I confess my reading has been in the drain for a while now due to too much phone use. Definitely worth reading now that I have the time. Same with Temple Grandin, I did watch the movie about her life years ago …
The Oliver Sacks books are fascinating. I must put Temples book on the to read list.
Temple was one the of the most interesting long interviews I’ve heard this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYZP1wuGBD8
- lunch notes - theme this week is power…
Nice perspective on the fans and blades, disappearing naturally into the distance
Thanks. What did you end up doing with your digital setup? (That was you right…?)
Ok so don’t nap when you had a poor nights sleep the night before. Or set an alarm or something. 2 and a half hours GONE and I don’t love my chances of sleeping well tonight!
Oh Temu. You impress me with your shit. I don’t need a dumpling maker…or do I?
The goddess Anoia will be pleased to accept the dumpling maker as another item to be stuck in drawers. Along with all those silly little corn cob holders shaped like ears of corn and the spare lemon squeezer and of course the spare ladle.
I have 2 of those hand held squeezers because I picked the pretty green one and it took me a while to realise it’s for limes so I had to buy a yellow one too for the lemons.
I have an orange one, bought on the basis that the smaller fruit would also fit.
Do not fall down the rabbit hole of onion savers or avocado savers. Besides, since when has anyone ever had to put half an onion back in the fridge for another day?
Th garden is growing so well in this weather. 😊
