You Are Not Special

Summary

The article "You Are Not Special" argues against the notion of individual exceptionalism, emphasizing that no one is inherently superior to others in the grand scheme of the universe.

Abstract

The article challenges the common motivational trope that individuals are unique or extraordinary by highlighting the sheer number of people on Earth and the vastness of the universe. It suggests that while everyone deserves respect and equal opportunities, the belief in one's own specialness can lead to harmful ideologies, such as the concept of a "master race" that fueled Nazi Germany's atrocities and continues to manifest in contemporary white supremacy. The author, David McCullough Jr., insists that recognizing one's ordinariness fosters humility and a sense of interdependence among humans, regardless of race, religion, or background.

Opinions

The author posits that despite common motivational rhetoric, considering oneself as inherently special can be problematic and lead to arrogance.
The article emphasizes that with 7.8 billion people on Earth, even being one in a million means there are 8,000 others with similar attributes, diminishing the argument for individual exceptionalism.
It criticizes the idea of a "master race" and white supremacy, linking these beliefs to historical and ongoing social issues, including World War II and apartheid in South Africa.
The author advocates for the understanding that all humans are interdependent and that no race, religion, or ethnicity is superior to another.
The piece concludes that everyone has the same opportunity for a better life, and this should be the focus rather than claims of exceptionalism.

Stop thinking that the world is yours

You Are Not Special

When I first heard that sentence in a book, I was curious. Because usually, people will say the opposite to motivate others. For example, the motivator will say that you are a special person. But over time, I began to realize the meaning of the sentence.

It’s true that you deserve the right treatment, you have the right to get the job you want. But you must remember that you are nobody.

Often we consider ourselves special, or different from others. Well, what can we boast about in ourselves? If you consider yourself special, let’s look at the following example. There are 7.8 billion people on earth. If you think you are only one in 1 million, there are still 8,000 others like you.

Want to see greater evidence? Look at our planet. Our planet is not the center of the solar system, nor is it the largest in our solar system. Our solar system is not the center of the galaxy, and our galaxy is also not the center of the universe. So don’t feel special, especially if you are arrogant.

Don’t think that your special, because you’re not.

So why am I saying this?

Many major events in this world happen because one person feels special from another. Take for example, we all know about Hitler and his Nazis. They have a belief that the Nordic or Aryan race is dominant among the Germans and other northern Europeans, this is the concept of the master race (German: Herrenrasse).

They feel that their race which is the Arya/Nordic race is deemed the highest in racial hierarchy, so they feel that their race is special. The Nazis believed they were titled to expand territorially.

Because of that belief, they finally decided to enlarge their territory to the east. These events and so on we are familiar with World War 2.

Another example that still happens today is white supremacy. White supremacy is an ideology that considers that the white race is superior to other races. White supremacy is associated with anti-black racism and antisemitism, although it is widely used to justify discrimination against Native Americans, Chinese, Irish, Southeast Asians, and others.

For example, the apartheid period in South Africa. This development of white supremacy continues in Western culture and is the subject of many debates. White supremacy is sometimes used to signify a philosophical belief that assumes that white people are not only superior to others but must also rule over them or may even destroy them.

Don’t feel better than other people because other people can’t do what you can do. It may be that the person will help you with something you cannot do. Humans are social creatures, everyone needs each other. Nobody can live alone.

It doesn’t matter whether you are white, black, Asian, Latin, Indian, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, etc. it makes no difference, nothing is more special than others, everyone has the same opportunity, an opportunity for a better life.

You are not special. You are not exceptional. — David McCullough Jr.