What's with all the jaded young adults on here and reddit blaming their shortcomings on being told that they were special?

My take on it is this: "you're special" is not a declaration of your supposed super-human intellect or abilities, but a reminder of your uniqueness and independence as a person who can choose to distinguish yourself if you choose to. The moment you stop believing in that is the moment you cease to be special, by that definition.

Don't reject the wrong mantra. "You're special" is fine. "Special means you're better" is what causes you problems.