The Gist

Trigger Warnings: Are They BS?

Feb 5, 2025

Sadie Dingfelder, author of "Do I Know You?" and an expert in sight, memory, and imagination, dives deep into the debate over trigger warnings. She questions their effectiveness and necessity, offering insights on their origins and their contentious use in environments like colleges and therapy. The discussion touches on the cultural implications and challenges in balancing sensitivity with practicality. Additionally, they explore the evolving landscape of fact-checking and its declining effectiveness in journalism, highlighting recent industry changes.

36:34

Episode guests

Sadie Dingfelder

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The efficacy of trigger warnings is challenged, as they may inadvertently heighten anxiety and curiosity instead of providing comfort to sensitive individuals.

Trump's controversial proposal for Gaza's resettlement raises ethical concerns, highlighting the complexities of ethnic displacement amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Deep dives

Inaugural Book Club for Subscribers

A new book club is being launched exclusively for Pesca Plus subscribers, featuring the book 'Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness' by Jamil Zaki. The event is scheduled for February 18th and will include a conversation with Zaki, who has appeared on the show before. To participate, listeners are encouraged to subscribe for an ad-free experience or to join the Pesca Plus membership to access this special event. Additional activities and benefits are also offered to subscribers, which can be accessed through the newsletter.

Intro

4min

Exploring Trigger Warnings and Their Relevance

4min

Navigating Trigger Warnings in ABA and Trauma

6min

The Trigger Warning Debate

11min

Exploring Hope and the Challenges of Journalism

5min

The Evolution of Fact-Checking in Journalism

5min

Sadie Dingfelder joins to ask: Are trigger warnings mostly BS? Plus, Donald Trump shares some big redevelopment plans for Gaza. And in The Spiel, what the demise of the fact-checking service "Verify" reveals about the declining appeal of fact-checking as a standalone brand.

Produced by Corey Wara

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