Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable increase in the practice of offering “trigger warnings” for news stories, articles and podcasts. Anybody who has not been hiding under a rock has seen these. They’ll warn that the content might upset you. Sometimes they’ll warn about suicide or eating disorders or abuse. They get progressively more ridiculous as they move down the scale to warn about fat shaming, bullying, and micro-aggressions.
I believe that using trigger warnings began with good intentions as a way to warn consumers they might want to stop listening or reading because the upcoming discussion might upset them. But, now, it has devolved into a parody of pandering and posturing.
I notice that some people are now saying, literally, “Trigger Warning” and then in the next breathe talking about someone being fat, or a “toxic” relationship, or mentioning something more serious like sex abuse or suicide.
It’s like the person who says, “Pardon my French” before dropping f-bombs.
Or the person who employs a non-apology apology: “I’m sorry you feel that way…” or “I apologize to anyone who feels offended“.
In other words, I’m calling bullshit on Trigger Warnings.
Don’t pardon my French .