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'None of you is special. You are not special. None of you is exceptional. Even if you're one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion, that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you. If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy, trophies become meaningless..." -- Mr David McCullough Junior, an English teacher at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts and the son of Pulitzer-winning historian David McCullough
Mr McCullough implied that the students' confidence, their carefully-bolstered self-esteem, may be unearned and undeserved.
He argues they are operating under a false impression of their own centrality and vividness. As he puts it, 'hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet'.
His address does push students to recognise real achievement.
In comments that appear to be more directed towards parents than the youth he was addressing, MrMcCullough told the students: 'You've been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble- wrapped... feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie.'