I think that breaks down into what is subjective specialness, and what is objective specialness.
What kind of answer is that?
Which is to implicitly treat them as special or valuable in some way.
Well, then we have it: they are special. Clippy does not want them because they are special. Clippy wants them, period. Brute fact. If that makes them special, well, you have all the more problem.
Clippy can’t predict which self modifications might lead to Clippy ceasing to care about clips
What kind of answer is that?
Well, then we have it: they are special. Clippy does not want them because they are special. Clippy wants them, period. Brute fact. If that makes them special, well, you have all the more problem.
Says who?
Subjectively, but not objectively.
Whoever failed to equip Clippy with the appropriate oracle when stipulating Clippy.