Trigger warning

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(Actual triggers: I think this fixes the issue.)
(Issues behind triggers)
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==Issues behind triggers==
 
==Issues behind triggers==
  
It is important to note that the issues raised by many of even the most benign trigger warnings (fat-shaming, slut-shaming, ableism, etc) are genuine problems. Yet the recurring problem with trigger warnings is that it wrongfully uses these problems in ways that do not reflect the issues behind them.
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It is important to note that the issues raised by many of even the most benign trigger warnings (fat-shaming, slut-shaming, ableism, etc) are genuine problems. Yet the recurring issue found with trigger warnings as an outlet to express these problems is that it wrongfully uses these issues in ways that do not reflect the potential damage caused by them.
 
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Indeed, fat-shaming, for example, is a genuine issue. But it is by no means the cause of PTSD. Attempting to conflate fat-shaming (among many other trigger warnings) with causes of actual PTSD makes an unintended mockery of people who suffer from traumatic sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence.
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 +
Indeed, fat-shaming, for example, is a genuine issue. But it is by no means the cause of PTSD. Attempting to conflate fat-shaming (among many other trigger warnings) with causes of actual PTSD makes an unintended mockery of people who suffer from traumatic sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence. It also does not help address the root cause of the issue due to it being wrongfully attributed to an entirely separate problem.
  
 
==external links==
 
==external links==

Revision as of 14:16, 10 March 2015

A trigger warning is a short warning, usually at the top of an article, short story, or discussion, which aims to reduce PTSD-related trauma that a few people believe will be "activated" simply by reading certain words or phrases.

Though its effectiveness is completely unsupported by modern science, the use of trigger warnings has become more prevalent and, in many instances, is being used on college campuses to protect young, impressionable feminists from the possibility of accidentally encountering opposing viewpoints or learning something that poses a sincere and grave threat to exposing them to materials that may not conform to their preexisting views. [1]

Recently, trigger warnings have even been employed on articles that discuss calories, weight, food, drinking, drug-use, and things as benign as spiders.

Novels, textbooks, and entire courses of study are increasingly being given "trigger warnings" despite the fact that, to date, the use of such is not only unsupported by science, but is actually something experts tend to recommend against [2]


Contents

Actual triggers

Multiple mental disorders(including PTSD) do indeed have relationships to certain sensations that can cause them to become more active, and psychological professionals do indeed frequently call these "triggers". The distinction that give trigger warnings their pseudo-scientific edge is that what triggers these conditions is unique to each individual and experience, and often deeply tied to particular sensory experiences, and not just reading about a general subject.

Additionally, while trigger warnings were initially intended to be used in specially designated safe-spaces (such as feminist blogs) for victims of rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence, they have evolved into something that has become a living parody of all three. An example of this is the show Tom and Jerry, which now has a trigger warning for "racial stereotypes." [3]

Danger of omission

By far, the most dangerous consequence of failing to include a trigger warning in written material is the possibility of PTSD-related trauma. Typically speaking, once a trigger is set off, the events that follow are outside of the triggered person's control.

For example, suppose Bertha, an obese, diabetic, demiromantic trigender otherkin demon, has accidentally stumbled upon an article talking about salad that did not contain a trigger warning. She will immediately flash back to Vietnam. She will then hear bombs going off, warplanes flying overhead, gunshots, explosions, and the sound of human screams.

In most circumstances, Bertha will be found twitching on the floor having a seizure, muttering to herself about how she's been triggered but how this should not affect her plans for dinner later on, so please don't cancel them.

Popularity

Undoubtedly, the popularity of trigger warnings is directly linked to the need for certain individuals to feel "special" and "important". To this end, it is similar to identifying oneself as a demisexual or otherkin.

As more young people are forced to compete with one another over who is more oppressed (so that they are allowed to speak without being insulted for not being oppressed enough), the need for trigger warnings has skyrocketed.

It is estimated that, unless one has at least seven different triggers, they are not a human being worthy of being allowed to share their opinions. Indeed, oftentimes having a trigger can make the difference between two closely tied minority groups being granted permission to accuse the other one of having privilege, a critically misunderstood concept that well-meaning individuals misuse.

For example. Suppose an agender aromantic pangender hermaphrodite is accusing a black gender fluid midget with HIV of having cis-passing privilege. In situations such as these, where the oppression is almost equal, it is often down to who is more easily triggered.

The fact that trigger warnings play such a tremendous role in one's OPL (Oppression Power Level) is often attributed to their rise in popularity, as one of the most important and valued qualities of being given a voice and a platform to share opinions is lacking the ability to actually discuss them.

Issues behind triggers

It is important to note that the issues raised by many of even the most benign trigger warnings (fat-shaming, slut-shaming, ableism, etc) are genuine problems. Yet the recurring issue found with trigger warnings as an outlet to express these problems is that it wrongfully uses these issues in ways that do not reflect the potential damage caused by them.

Indeed, fat-shaming, for example, is a genuine issue. But it is by no means the cause of PTSD. Attempting to conflate fat-shaming (among many other trigger warnings) with causes of actual PTSD makes an unintended mockery of people who suffer from traumatic sexual abuse, rape, and domestic violence. It also does not help address the root cause of the issue due to it being wrongfully attributed to an entirely separate problem.

external links

www.tumblr.com

references

  1. http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116842/trigger-warnings-have-spread-blogs-college-classes-thats-bad
  2. http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/hazards-ahead-problem-trigger-warnings-according-research-81946
  3. http://www.bbc.com/news/education-29427843
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