The Gist

Trigger Warnings: Are They BS?

7 snips
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.
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ANECDOTE

Trigger Warning Example

  • Sadie Dingfelder discusses including a trigger warning in her book.
  • This warning addressed applied behavioral analysis, a therapy that traumatized some autistic people.
INSIGHT

Trigger Warning Origins

  • Trigger warnings originated from PTSD research in the 1960s, focusing on flashbacks caused by environmental cues.
  • These triggers are typically sensory, not intellectual, and are highly individual, relating to basic brain functions.
ANECDOTE

Trigger Warning History

  • Trigger warnings emerged in the 90s on online platforms discussing sensitive topics like sexual assault.
  • They later appeared in fan fiction communities and entered college campuses in the 2010s, sparking backlash.
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