Being triggered has nothing to do with being offended.

[Meryuma]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

[Secret Santa Claus]

But what if you're a tripwire?

[Ifreann]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

Yes, but you can't tell people that or they'll just start screaming incoherently about Swag Jive Wiseguys.

[Cannot think of a name]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

Yes, but you can't tell people that or they'll just start screaming incoherently about Swag Jive Wiseguys.

We can never forget that the real victims are people who want to be jerks without anyone pointing it out.

[Alvecia]

This is something that has always bothered me when I hear people saying "blah blah SJW blah triggered blah blah pansies".
Actually being triggered can be a pretty debilitating psychological effect, not just an uncomfortable feeling.

[New confederate ramenia]

This so much.

[Ifreann]

Yes, but you can't tell people that or they'll just start screaming incoherently about Swag Jive Wiseguys.

We can never forget that the real victims are people who want to be jerks without anyone pointing it out.

Where's their parade, Obama?

[Dumb Ideologies]

You're right that they aren't the same. Unfortunately, there's people on the right and "libertarian" side of things who don't (or won't) recognize that there are some topics that you do have to flag up before discussing in some contexts because they can have very real effects. Equally, though, there are some people on the other side who appropriate the concept when not actually affected in order to try to shut down arguments that they just don't like.

Basically, idiots all the way down.

[Ifreann]

You're right that they aren't the same. Unfortunately, there's people on the right and "libertarian" side of things who don't (or won't) recognize that there are some topics that you do have to flag up before discussing in some contexts because they can have very real effects. Equally, though, there are some people on the other side who appropriate the concept when not actually affected in order to try to shut down arguments that they just don't like.

Basically, idiots all the way down.

But what's at the bottom?

[New confederate ramenia]

You're right that they aren't the same. Unfortunately, there's people on the right and "libertarian" side of things who don't (or won't) recognize that there are some topics that you do have to flag up before discussing in some contexts because they can have very real effects. Equally, though, there are some people on the other side who appropriate the concept when not actually affected in order to try to shut down arguments that they just don't like.

Basically, idiots all the way down.

But what's at the bottom?

More idiots.

[Ifreann]

But what's at the bottom?

More idiots.

Dear god.

[Greed and Death]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

If needles trigger you do not work in a hospital.

IF vigorous debate triggers you do not go to university.

[Dumb Ideologies]

You're right that they aren't the same. Unfortunately, there's people on the right and "libertarian" side of things who don't (or won't) recognize that there are some topics that you do have to flag up before discussing in some contexts because they can have very real effects. Equally, though, there are some people on the other side who appropriate the concept when not actually affected in order to try to shut down arguments that they just don't like.

Basically, idiots all the way down.

But what's at the bottom?

Reddit. Always reddit.

[Talvezout]

somethingsomethingmyfreezedpeachessomethingsomething

[New confederate ramenia]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

If needles trigger you do not work in a hospital.

IF vigorous debate triggers you do not go to university.

Good advice.

[Ifreann]

A lot of people seem to think that the whole issue of triggers, trigger warnings etc is about "political correctness" or avoiding offensive behavior. I see this on both sides of the debate - from people claiming to be "triggered" by things that mundanely offend or scare them as well as by people deriding the entire concept. It's not about that. At all.

A trigger is an involuntary psychological response where a certain image or sensory cue brings the memory of a traumatic experience to the surface of one's mind. It is real, but also niche - most people do not have "triggers". One can be triggered by something without it offending them whatsoever. For instance, I had a traumatic experience in a hospital and I can't watch graphic depictions of IVs or hypodermic needles being inserted. I can watch gory things without flinching but if I see a needle, my arm will become physically numb, tingly or cold. Does this mean that I'm offended by media with needles, or refuse to watch it? Hel no. I love Pulp Fiction, for instance. But it's still an example of a (mild) trigger. And I do believe that trigger warnings can be useful in some contexts, but they're often overextended. It's a challenge to balance comfort and short-term psychological well-being with the ability to confront and overcome trauma, but it's also very important.

If needles trigger you do not work in a hospital.

IF vigorous debate triggers you do not go to university.

Truly you are a beacon of wisdom in these dark times.

---

But what's at the bottom?

Reddit. Always reddit.

That's even worse!

[Alvecia]

It might be worth pointing out that there are likely some on the side of protecting people from being triggered that also might not quite understand what triggering is in their attempt to prevent harm.

[Skeckoa]

If needles trigger you do not work in a hospital.

IF vigorous debate triggers you do not go to university.

These reactions are usually symptoms of PTSD. The same way that buildings have to/should modify buildings to be useable by people with physical limitations (wheelchairs for example), a school should be modified to be inclusive to people with PTSD. Just because something is trigger warned doesn't mean that the student will completely not comply or do the prescribed work, but it at least serves as a warning so that the student can participate effectively and plan accordingly.

[Greed and Death]

You have trigger warnings you need exposure therapy. So if Needles trigger you a good friend wont shelter you from needles he will strap you down in that chair from clockwork orange and play 100s of hours of footage of needles being injected into people.

[Greed and Death]

If needles trigger you do not work in a hospital.

IF vigorous debate triggers you do not go to university.

These reactions are usually symptoms of PTSD. The same way that buildings have to/should modify buildings to be useable by people with physical limitations (wheelchairs for example), a school should be modified to be inclusive to people with PTSD. Just because something is trigger warned doesn't mean that the student will completely not comply or do the prescribed work, but it at least serves as a warning so that the student can participate effectively and plan accordingly.

One can not modify vigorous debate without ruining the education of others.

I am sorry if you can not handle debate your destiny lies with janitorial work save the educated jobs for those of us who are not damaged.

[Ifreann]

...

"I know what'll be funny, I'll deliberately provoke psychological distress in other posters"

[Ostroeuropa]

Pretty much yeh. It's why trigger warnings are a little stupid.

I dunno if it happens to me or not. Once or twice maybe, but nothing consistent.

[Fartsniffage]

You have trigger warnings you need exposure therapy. So if Needles trigger you a good friend wont shelter you from needles he will strap you down in that chair from clockwork orange and play 100s of hours of footage of needles being injected into people.

Said friend would need to be very far away when the straps came off.

[Shaggai]

You have trigger warnings you need exposure therapy. So if Needles trigger you a good friend wont shelter you from needles he will strap you down in that chair from clockwork orange and play 100s of hours of footage of needles being injected into people.

Therapy costs money. Also, that's not how therapy works.

[Ifreann]

Pretty much yeh. It's why trigger warnings are a little stupid.

What?