Now that it seems decided that the word “weird” should be used in a derogatory way against sociopathic narcissists in politics, I have to be careful about how i use this word.
In the recent years, I usually used it to describe someone or something that was different in an interesting and charming way. I am neurodivergent in a way that is easily hidden (not that I make coucious efforts to hide it), I would often describe myself as just “slightly weird”. I no longer want to use this word to describe myself anymore because of the above mentioned reasons.
In old literature, I’ve seen the word queer used as such, but today it doesn’t really carry that meaning anymore. Although I wouldn’t really mind if it confused people about my gender, I don’t really worry about that. 😁
Any other suggestions ro help describe myself that wouldn’t put the focus of the discussion on neurotypes?
Weird is good. Own it.
“weird” is an effective way to shut down right-wing nutjobs because they care too much about conformity, and are likely to change their behaviour if they believe they are going against the will of the herd. it undermines their whole ‘silent majority’ schtick.
all this to say, i’m autistic, i’m weird, and i don’t think that this new strategic use of the word in politics should mean you shouldn’t use it in other ways too.
I’d argue that weird isn’t being used as an insult, but to state that the bullies are in fact not representing the norm. They are outside the norm but pretend to be normal, they insist on being normal - which makes it weird. It’s not an insult to us, but it is an insult to them. Which makes it funny.
Fascists believe in inequality based on identity, while we kinda thought we had this already sorted that we all believe in equality now. Like all people created equal. But their need to define an identity as superior and then attacking anybody outside the norm is being used against them. And it IS weird to do that, most people simply don’t care if you’re a little weird. We still have to learn to be more tolerant to more weirdness and not react with biases or irrational emotions. Respect weirdness.
So weird isn’t being used as an insult but as a way to rob them of their power - their attempt to define a new normal. And their arguments and attacks against anyone else are becoming increasingly bizarre, less founded in reality, absurd claims. Comical. Weird.
There is the metaphor about slowly cooking a frog without him noticing, shifting the overton window. Weird sort of resets that. It is more an attack on what they DO than what they are.
Quirky, unique, eccentric, remarkable, mystifying, fantastic, unconventional, offbeat.
if you’re referring to yourself I’d prefer ‘quirky’ because it has less of a self-aggrandizing quality to it. More neutral per se
Eccentric, mystifying, unconventional, and offbeat all have varying levels of ‘polite judgment’ or condescension inherent to them so should be used carefully when referring to others.
Unique, remarkable, and fantastic are the more complimentary versions.
I think “quirky” as a self-descriptor got pretty heavily stigmatized during the 2010s, though. Like if someone self-identifies as “quirky”, the first thing that comes to my mind is the *holds up spork* copypasta. I actually personally really like offbeat, as long as you use a modifier like “a bit”.
I don’t see why it can’t be an insult for them and a compliment for me. Just like gay was for years. I’m weird and I’m proud.
