Discussion The term "normie"

[Angi]

I interpret "normie" similar to "mainstream". A more or less derogatory term to label a (perceived) majority the speaker is not part of.

These terms help grabbing the role of the "unduely marginalized victim/hero", which seems to be very popular among teenagers and hollywood movies. I think that is the reason these terms are used. Thanks for enlightening me where "normie" comes from, I did not know.

"Neurotypical" is a funny word, though. It is the oposite of "neurodivergent", a term coined to remove the stigma from Autism, with two more conditions added later on. However, all three conditions are diagnosed from traits that exist on a continuum, rather than binary. So who is neurodivergent, as well as which fraction of the population is neurodivergent, depends on your choice of thresholds. You could choose them so that everybody is neurodivergent, or so that everybody is neurotypical, and anywhere in between. However, there is no known correlation between "neurodivergent-ness" and suicidality, neither scientifically nor in my personal experience. I find it very amusing to read "neurotypicals" as a derogatory term for "people who are not part of the community of SS".

Personally, I love to think of myself as a special little snowflake, I am of course very different from the majority. The idea that this might be ingrained in the structure of my brain is very appealing, I can see why people like it.

 

[Ada]

I like normal people.

 

[BrokenBliss]

I like normal people.

Me, too. But wouldn't want to be one.

 

[demuic]

It just refers to the average kind of "well adjusted" relatively speaking person that most of society is catered to. Anything can be "derogatory" if you want it to..it's not that deep.

 

[katagiri83]

Normies = bad faith on an existential level.

An effective term I'd say. Some normes actually agree too!

 

[Smart No More]

Classic us vs them Tribalism to create a stronger sense of group cohesion among "outcasts". The term is so vaguely defined and many who might appear normal on the surface are anything but underneath the facade.

I agree. And visa versa.... people that appear 'abnormal' may well be pretty regular. As you say, it's way too vaguely defined as are all simplistic terms these days. The term haters comes to mind. It's so open to selective ignorance and just strengthens a persons ability to be delusional about theirselves in whatever way suits them. In almost every walk of life there is a very wide spectrum of varying aspectsm a sliding scale with diversion and forks coming off of it. In a time when pronouns are so valued I would expect simplistic terms to be disbanded for more open mindedness. That said, I don't imagine it will change too soon if at all as people are human and their need to simplify and quantify will always exist. All language is open too interpretation and ofyen when two people converse in the same language they can both leave the conversation having totally different takes on it so no matter what words you use there will always be incorrect assumptions made based on the perception of the recipient. Lost in translation so too speak.

 

[LastFlowers]

The term haters comes to mind.

Ugh. One of my pet peeves, my eyes roll all the way back in my skull when I hear people complain about their "haters" or respond to criticism with "you're just a hater" "haters gonna hate"…haven't heard it in awhile, hope it stays that way.

 

[BrokenBliss]

I'll have to check in with my favorite Influencer on that.

 

[NSA]

It might be a little derogatory, but I think its contextual too. I even call myself one, in the rare times some trait of mine fits in with the majority.

 

[Feeding Pigeons]

I like normal people.

I don't know if I've actually met one.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

I'm glad this thread exists merely to highlight who's a normie, normie sympathizer, and non-normie. I think most of those in this thread really lack an understanding of the common usage of this word. Everyone I've ever known who uses the word does not use it with malintent.

 

[Chinaski]

I'm glad this thread exists merely to highlight who's a normie, normie sympathizer, and non-normie.

I too think we should have more threads along these lines as it's always very helpful to divide people on this forum into convenient compartments with pejorative labels so we know who exactly is in the cool clique and who it is acceptable to despise.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

It's not about division and if anything it's the other way around. The norm of people are the ones a non normal person cannot fit into and thus struggles merely by existence. Another term for those like us are: outcasts.

 

[Chinaski]

It's not about division and if anything it's the other way around. The norm of people are the ones a non normal person cannot fit into and thus struggles merely by existence. Another term for those like us are: outcasts.

One thing this thread has established is that the word "normie" has no static definition and its criteria for use is entirely at the discretion of whichever Big Lebowski soundalike has decided to Be On Line on any given day. The idea that it's necessary to identify "normie sympathisers" like some weird McCarthyist committee on this forum is a flawed one, it really does give the impression that those who sadly endured too much playground derision are now establishing a vengeful playground hierarchy of their own.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

I've never seen that movie.

And the rest of that are some serious exaggerations and accusations.

 

[Chinaski]

I've never seen that movie.

And the rest of that are some serious exaggerations and accusations.

There isn't a single "accusation" in there.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

Insinuating "McCarthyism" and "vengeful playground" -like tactics are going on seem like wild claims to me.

The point is, I don't personally even see the word normie which is a play on "normal person" to be offensive. It's simply shorthand for me. Often at the end of the day, normal people do not care about the plight of those who do not integrate into society. I've seen it far too many times within religious communities, racial communities, academics, work place. One either is a part of it or they are an outcast.

 

[rationaltake]

First of all good idea for a thread.

Thanks.

The definition of a "normie" is probably difficult because it depends to the context. As for the fact this is a suicide forum it means the following for me: People who have a "normal life" that means a job, a family/ friends or a partner, But the most important thing they don't know severe suicidality and they don't have existential crises.

This is a clear explanation and makes sense.

I read some criticism of that term in this forum.
Someone said we would show with this term a feeling of superiority and kind of a hubris.
Other people say we would stigmatize ourselves with that term because we don't consider ourselves as "normal"/ "normies".

For me personally I don't use the term "normie" as a pejorative term. I rather refer it to neurotypicals which is quite a neutral term. I sometimes use these two terms. My sentences are easier to understand when I don't always write "non-suicidal people with regular jobs and no existential crisis". It is just an abbrevation for me.

I can understand this and find your post very informative.

But the most important thing they don't know severe suicidality and they don't have existential crises.

I think this is true. There is a big gulf between people who experience suicidality and those who can't even imagine that state. Imo suicidality is the ultimate game-changer.

 

[Smart No More]

I'm glad this thread exists merely to highlight who's a normie, normie sympathizer, and non-normie. I think most of those in this thread really lack an understanding of the common usage of this word. Everyone I've ever known who uses the word does not use it with malintent.

Are there no non normie simpathizers in your scale? Can a non normie be a normie simpathizer? Is a normie sympathizer a normie or none normie? Does it really matter? We're on a fucking suicide forum for fucks sake! If I'm learning anything from this it's that this place and being a member of it is a source of status to some. It's pretty fucking sad. I guess everyone is trying to find their place in the world but this isn't the place for that. This is the place finding your way out of it. I've said it before. If you're here for edgy kudos points of some kind it's distasteful and it's certainly not cool to be trying to segregate people or catagorize them. Particularly as that is most likely the issue you take with 'normies' and the world they encompass.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

Are there no non normie simpathizers in your scale? Can a non normie be a normie simpathizer? Is a normie sympathizer a normie or none normie? Does it really matter? We're on a fucking suicide forum for fucks sake! If I'm learning anything from this it's that this place and being a member of it is a source of status to some. It's pretty fucking sad. I guess everyone is trying to find their place in the world but this isn't the place for that. This is the place finding your way out of it. I've said it before. If you're here for edgy kudos points of some kind it's distasteful and it's certainly not cool to be trying to segregate people or catagorize them. Particularly as that is most likely the issue you take with 'normies' and the world they encompass.

I'm not really sure how my personal views are of particular interest to anyone else. They're my views. You're free not to like them. Being nasty about it is really uncalled for.

 

[Smart No More]

My intention wasn't to be nasty. I apologise if that's how you took it. My intention was to highlight how segregating people here or judging them based on very little info is nonproductive and just serves to compound issues that you yourself are rebelling against. Your reaction enforces that and serves to prove my point. So whilst I didn't intend to be nasty I do think my recation is called for. What isn't called for is judging people on a system you claim to be personal but are using openly as a way to divide and quantify people. A personal opinion is only personal until you share it. Surely here as people that are suicidal we should be at least somewhat united on that front. Nobody really knows anyone here and sure you can learn and extract things from what people say but that one thing learned does not a full person make. Lets stop bitching and judging one another based on some oversimplified terms and preconceptions based on little to no evidence. We're already in a bad place.

 

[come to dust]

I am a gay, chronically ill, mentally unwell, socially awkward, suicidal, shut in, person of colour with past trauma and weird fetishes and niche interests. The average person on the street in my country is not like me. So yeah, I feel isolated and see most people as "normies". That's just how it is. I'm a freak of nature

 

[Deleted member 8975]

My intention wasn't to be nasty. I apologise if that's how you took it. My intention was to highlight how segregating people here or judging them based on very little info is noproductive and just serves to compound issues that you yourself are rebelling against. Your reaction enforces that and serves to prove my point.Surely here as people that are suicidal we should be at least somewhat united on that front. Nobody really knows anyone here and sure you can learn and extract things from what people say but that one thing learned does not a full person make. Lets stop bitching and judging one another based on some oversimplified terms and preconceptions based on little to no evidence. We're already in a bad place.

I am not segregating and clearly I'm incapable of that nor do I want to.

My response is to the expletives and being called "edgy" because I expressed a view point some have not agreed with. It seems anytime a view is expressed that someone has an issue with, a hostile reaction will always emit but at the same time there is a conflict of wanting to maintain a safe space.

 

[Smart No More]

I am a gay, chronically ill, mentally unwell, suicidal, shut in, person of colour with past trauma and weird fetishes and niche interests. The average person on the street in my country is not like me. So yeah, I feel isolated and see most people as "normies". That's just how it is. I'm a freak of nature

It's understandable to feel that way but whilst you call yourself a freak you wouldn't appreciate others doing so in order to identify you in a dirogatory manner. Imagine now if you spoke on the forum and hadn't mentioned the characteristics that you think make you a freak and were labelled normie or normie sympathiser because you didn't overtly display 'freakish' tendancies. It's just noproductive and detrimental. The existense of labels at either end of the spectrum is the reason people like yourself are struggling with life. If we were open and just accepted one anothers differences you might be in a world that you enjoy living in. Sure it may not serve you right now but further perpetuating stereotypes in a negative light isn't helpful to us all. That may be an idealistic view. I get that.

 

[come to dust]

It's understandable to feel that way but whilst you call yourself a freak you wouldn't appreciate others doing so in order to identify you in a dirogatory manner. Imagine now if you spoke on the forum and hadn't mentioned the characteristics that you think make you a freak and were labelled normie or normie symathiser because you didn't overtly display 'freakish' tendancies. It's just noproductive and detrimental. The existense of labels at either end of the specteum is the reason peole like yourself are struggling with life. If we were open and just accepted one anothers differences you might be in a world that you enjoy living in. Sure it may not serve you right now but further perpetuating stereotypes in a negative light isn't helpful to us all. That may be an idealistic view. I get that.

Honestly I wouldn't mind being labelled a normie. I feel like such a social outcast in so many ways, that to be put under that umbrella would feel a bit reassuring and inclusive for a change.

 

[Smart No More]

Honestly I wouldn't mind being labelled a normie. I feel like such a social outcast in so many ways, that to be put under that umbrella would feel a bit reassuring and inclusive for a change.

It sucks that you have to feel that way.

I am not segregating and clearly I'm incapable of that nor do I want to.

My response is to the expletives and being called "edgy" because I expressed a view point some have not agreed with. It seems anytime a view is expressed that someone has an issue with, a hostile reaction will always emit but at the same time there is a conflict of wanting to maintain a safe space.

In the act of catagorising who is a normie, normie sympathiser or none normie' yoy further compound a world view that plays into segregation and reinforces the world that effect people like @come to dust above.

This isn't about you or me. Some people wear outcast or freak as a badge because they're secretly fearful of being boring or empty. Or they're attempting to own it after being treated poorly as outcasts. People in that situation are often guilty of being the same as those they label and vilify just from the opposite end of the spectrum. It may be that we're inherently all just shit and faulty as a species. It may not be our faults and more a side effect of our evolution and self awareness. There are many theroies of this. Religion being one/many. I'm simply attempting to hold a mirror up to it as I see it. Perhaps my tone isn't useful and that's something I can work on. I stand by what I've said though and I hope you're able to take it as intended. We are all here together and separate at the same time. It's impossible not to have views in our journey to understand each other but maybe it's best not to let those views turn derogatory or diflamatory or sew seeds of segregation. There have been many atrocities born out of this. Racism being one that we can all see quite clearly.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

This isn't about you or me. Some people wear outcast or freak as a badge because they're secretly fearful of being boring or empty. People in that situation are often guilty of being the same as those they label and vilify just from the opposite end of the spectrum. It may be that we're inherently all just shit and faulty as a species. It may not be our faults and more a side effect of our evolution and self awareness. There are many theroies of this. Religion being one/many. I'm simply attempting to hold a mirror up to it as I see it. Perhaps my tone isn't useful and that's something I can work on. I stand by what I've said though and I hope you're able to take it as intended. We are all here together and separate at the same time. It's impossible not to have views in our journey to understand each other but maybe it's best not to let those views turn derogatory or diflamatory or sow seeds of segregation. There have been many atrocities born out of this. Racism being one that we can all see quite clearly.

I am not wearing a fake badge or whatever and I don't walk around assuming anyone is saying anything other than what they truly believe.

And my point in the post that started this is that we most certainly are not all in this together as seems to be thought. I've seen all sorts of walks of life here and we know for a fact that there are fixers and infiltrators. It'd be nice to say that yes, everyone on this site is defacto a non-normie simply because we are all marginalized and I believe the honest ones among us are indeed no matter what their reason for being here. There is an exception and that's those who seek to cause harm to the social fabric of this site.

I won't make believe that terms and labels do not exist. And there is nothing derogatory about their terms I used as I stated my definitions.

 

[Smart No More]

What triggered me to respond is that you said you're glad this thread exists as it shows who is one of three denominations you indicated. Normie, normie sympathisers or none normie. These denominations don't serve to correctly identify fixers or infiltrators. It serves to segregate people that get caught in the net you throw around when oversimplifying things in order to catch the infiltrators and trouble makers. I think it's important ro highlight that (not only because it bothers me personally that you may or may not have caught me in that net having myself posted before you made said comment) but because it does as much harm as it may do good. Maybe more. Therefore it negates your efforts. Maybe there is another way to approach identifying fixers and infiltrators? Bare in mind anyone with a bit of intwligence isn't going to overtly show theirselves in a way that would fit into the denominations you outlined. And if they did they're probably not likely to be very good at acheiving their ill advised aims here.

 

[Deleted member 8975]

What triggered me to respond is that you said you're glad this thread exists as it shows whonis one of three denominations you indicated. These denominations don't serve to correctly identify fixers or infiltrators. It serves to segregate people that get caught in the net you throw around when oversimplifying things in order to catch the infiltrators and teouble makers. I think it's important ro highlight that (not only because it bothers me personally that you may or may not have caught me in that net having myself posted before you made said comment) but because it does as much harm as it may do good. Maybe more. Therefore it negates your efforts. Maybe there is another way to approach identifying fixers and infiltrators? Bare in mind anyone with a bit of intwligence isn't going to overtly show theirselves in a way that would fit into the denominations you outlined. And if they did they're probably not likely to be very good at acheiving their ill advised aims here.

It's not to list out fixers but it guarantees (perhaps detrimentally if it turns out wrong) who is safe to trust in my eyes and who may not be. That said I live by a rule of trust no one anyway.

Fixers and infiltrators are not that clever lol. The chat audience is well acquainted with them and their shenanigans. Things move much quicker and more indepth there than they do here and detecting the patterns in personality traits becomes almost 2nd nature. It's not perfect. It's useful.

The bottom line though is I don't view the term normie as derogatory at all and this is inspite of being marginalized in the "the clash of civilizations."

 

[NumbItAll]

I use such terms for fun, it ain't that serious lmao.