Trigger warnings! The horror! The end of civilization!

[mzrowan]

There are so many things wrong with this New Republic article on the danger of trigger warnings that it's hard to know where to start. For one thing, the twin pillars of their argument seem to be "But where will it all end!?!" and "We can't do everything, so we shouldn't do anything", neither of which are particularly persuasive to me

Comments

[crunchywitch]

Exactly. Though I have problems with the rating system of films, we use warnings there as standard practice. Not really super-difficult.

Have not read the article ...

[taura_g]

Honestly, I just haven't had time. But I've seen a couple of people post about it and their attitude has been very similiar to yours.

Which, btw, I agree with. When I'm posting things that might cause issues I usually put it under a cut and add a note about it at the top of the page.

I do think the word "trigger" has a bit of a negative sense to it and I like the idea of using "content warning" or "content note" more frequently. From now on, I think I will use that it my own posts.

Hope you are doing well. Haven't seen you in a while.

I read the article through other channels

[drwex]

and I think it's a very poorly put-together attempt to address a perennial and real problem. To what degree does a requirement that people should be warned about content about to be presented morph into a requirement that people not present content that could require such warnings?

Relatedly, under what conditions can we require people to confront material that might have triggers in it, particularly in pedagogical situations? Does the need of some people (regardless of how many there are) to be careful about some kinds of exposure require us to restrict other people from telling their stories?

I think there are thoughtful questions that caring entities and institutions are beginning to grapple with. I just wish the article had been written with more care.

Hate the lingo, like the practice

[the_moogie]

I use warnings when I write fanfic, because 1) I have no desire to trick people into reading something upsetting; and 2) it's very little work for me and might save someone else a very bad experience. Anything less just seems lazy and callous.

The article to which you linked is just one continuous wank of "I don't want to have to think about other people at all," and "nobody else should either." Whatever happened to social responsibility? It seems to have been downloaded into personal responsibility across the board.

I think we all ought to be mindful about what we expose ourselves to, and what effects it might have on our mental health.