News Trigger Warnings Becoming A Fad?

[Nessa7]

I think the difference is the kinds of websites that we're discussing. Here, that would work fine. Other places, like my specific example I gave in my first post, they would have already seen the content before they would see a content warning if you did it like that. Or they might not see the content warning at all. Using "content warning" would only work if there was an overall consensus that was the term people were going to use but right now that is "trigger warning." If I say "trigger warning," people that don't want to see whatever the content is will have things set up so that the post doesn't show up where they can see it at all.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Other places, like my specific example I gave in my first post, they would have already seen the content before they would see a content warning if you did it like that. Or they might not see the content warning at all.

I also dont believe that you need to always use a content warning. So in your example, i wouldnt use any warning. I wasnt suggesting that everything graphic needs a content warning as that would become the fad. I was suggesting that if one feels they need a trigger warning that a content warning MAY be a better option and if not then no warning at all.

 

[Ronin]

I stand by viewing them as courtesy and for many people an opener to the shocking idea that gasp, for some people common things may pose a variety of severe issues.

But the conflation of uncomfortable, stressful, and triggering peeves me off as well. People better learn they are vastly different reactions.

Reminds me - this is not a PTSD only discussion.

A variety of conditions has triggers, whether it be eating disorders, dissociative disorders, addictions, body dysphoric disorders, of what comes to mind the fastest.

 

[aut555]

This is a great thread and really enjoyed reading it. That said, l honestly reply and try to filter the words l pick to not cause a trigger in the posts requesting input.

 

[Nessa7]

I also dont believe that you need to always use a content warning. So in your example, i wou...

I think part of our issue is that we're talking about websites that are designed really differently, so I think we're both talking about approaches that wouldn't make any sense for the other person in the context that they're in. Hopefully that makes sense. I was thinking about writing up a bit of a history of how trigger warnings became a thing on social media, but I didn't want that to be a response to you specifically.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

That said, l honestly reply and try to filter the words l pick to not cause a trigger in the posts requesting input.

How do you know what words trigger people?

I could be triggered by talking about penguins. Others arent but i am (lets say). So are you going to not say "penguin" because im triggered by it?

My triggers arent your triggers arent other's.

Im not triggered by graphic content but i am triggered by saying i did something wrong. (Real info). So are you going to avoid saying im wrong? Or you filtering out advising of graphic content to me is all for not as im not triggered by it.

Do you see the fault in that? Mind reading. Cant be done.

 

[aut555]

Thank you for your input and your opinions. I am responding based on the content of the actual post. Have had some success in doing this. Plus the posts l respond to are my triggers too. So maybe that makes it clearer or more confusing. Lol

 

[EveHarrington]

My biggest worry is that I will no longer be taken seriously when I'm triggered. I have two big triggers right now which can cause meltdowns. If everyone starts using the word "trigger" when something slightly bothered them------I will be looked at as even more deranged!

"Well what is YOUR problem? You're such a FREAK! When I'm triggered I don't start shaking and crying and panicking. Pull it together!"

-------> the problem is therefore that the critical person never was triggered in the first place, merely minorly bothered.

I really do hate social media. It's created a world where everyone else must bow down and change to make others happy.

The irony of everything is while basic respect has gone out the window, people are demanding that others change to make them happy.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

So maybe that makes it clearer or more confusing. Lol

Its not confusing, its just very unnecessary.

For an example, I posted a reply recently (not going to link it or say where as its not about the OP, just making a point) that had some graphic ish content. The OP advised me that I should use a trigger warning which arent allowed here. Many others werent triggered, stated they didnt feel it was graphic, and was inspired and helped by the post.

My point is one was triggered and many others werent. If i used a trigger warning, those that werent triggered and were inspired and helped may had avoided it.

You are censoring yourself when you shouldnt have to.

I mean thats your choice but thats my 2 cents.

 

[aut555]

Agree with that assessment. Well said.

 

[aut555]

I think the beauty of the English language is to get your point across without causing more pain but enlightenment. That is what l strive for. Yes, l believe in unicorns, flowery verbiage. I am from Cali, what did you expect?

 

[joeylittle]

The more people use the word 'trigger' to mean 'upset', then the more the word will start to be completely synonymous with 'upset'.

And then , someone will need to come up with a different word for 'trigger'.

Other places, like my specific example I gave in my first post, they would have already seen the content before they would see a content warning if you did it like that. Or they might not see the content warning at all.

Well, on Tumblr - I believe that was your example - I often click through to the 'homepage' for the blogger, and in that little bit of space up there at the top, get enough info for what I'm about to see. Americans are very accustomed to "Warning: this material contains graphic violence and nudity. Viewer discretion is advised". Live performances carry warnings for strobe lights, gunshots, smoke...almost anything that could cause someone to have a stroke, seizure, asthma attack, and they are expanding into things like warnings for nudity, gore, violence - things that might cause a person with mental health issues to have an anxiety, panic, or flashback response.

At a certain point, as a person in the world, you need to decide if there are just areas you must avoid at all costs. And if someone accidentally clicks on an image in your blog that freaks them the f*ck out, I am sorry for that occurrence - but there's no way you can take full responsibility for that.

I think hashtags have actually helped matters, because people list individual attributes. In my own trauma diary I generally will say "the next bit is going to be about graphic description of rape and mutilation, so if you don't want to see that, move along". That's all I believe I'm responsible for, and I personally think it's just a nice thing to do. But I also absolutely support that it's not necessary. If people read the terms when they join, they'll know that there aren't going to be big flashing 'trigger warnings' everywhere, and they should move at their own pace.

So, just coming back around - I think that the process has already begun, where 'trigger' is shorthand for 'will upset', not 'can cause a visceral reaction that may cause your whole day to go to shit'. So, more complete descriptions of content are the way to go.

And perhaps, it doesn't even need the word "warning" anymore.

When a piece of writing is called, 'Penguins, the Good, Bad, and Ugly' - if you are penguin-phobic (to use @lostforgottensoul's example), you should know to steer clear. Saying "Warning: this story contains penguins" is a little silly. But if it's 'Ponies and Lollipops', and happens to contain a description of a penguin massacre, then 'This story contains graphic depictions of penguins, dismemberment, and gore' - well, that would be good to know. Especially because it was called Ponies and Lollipops.

So, context and content, and detail - these things will always (in my opinion) be more effective than 'trigger warning' or even 'trigger warning for rape'.

Especially on a story/post/piece of art called 'My Rape'.

Which is kind of what it's devolved into, in terms of over-application.