Posted by Tamar on March 4, 2006, at 19:42:26
In reply to Pillow Room, posted by verne on March 4, 2006, at 17:33:28
> I can't count the times I've read a post that innocently atalks about drinking - even in passing - "after the movie we enjoyed a couple martinis" and I wind up going on a beer run as soon as I leap from the chair.
Yeah, Verne; I know what you mean. And I think this demonstrates how difficult the issue of triggers is. I know people who find talk of adultery very triggering; I find the subject of sexual assault or domestic violence triggering. If I know about a particular person’s triggers I can usually remember to be sensitive, but it’s sometimes hard to know what will trigger people. I joked once about wanting trigger warnings for posts about slugs…
> Then again, that shouldn't be a surprise since drinking to excess is another form of self injury. Although in my case, talk about alcohol, seems to be my only self-destructive trigger.
I don’t know if you’re comfortable with cyberhugs, but if so I’d send some your way. I drink too… I agree that it can be very self-destructive.
> I'm sorry if, while discussing my darker moments, I've triggered anyone else into less positive behavior. I don't know how we safely talk about certain topics.
>
> I actually would like to see one more babble board that allows EVERYTHING - no rules, no civility guidelines, no warnings - where anything goes. This room would act like a safety valve and depressurize all the other rooms.
>
> We could call it the "Pillow Room".
>I actually rather like this idea. I suppose the danger is that people might post offensive things about other people there… I’m not sure how it would work in practice. I don’t feel triggered by posts about self-harm, suicidal ideation or drinking, even though I have problems with all those things. But the things that trigger me are rather idiosyncratic.
Still, I think it’s true that self injury and suicidal ideation are intensely triggering to a great many people. I think Larry has a good point. I don’t know if a red-coloured warning would solve the problem, because it still requires people to be aware of the triggering potential of their posts, which seems to be a complicated issue for some posters.
Maybe the answer is to insist that posts containing any reference to self harm or suicide be marked with a trigger warning or a red flag. And this could apply even if the references were ‘mild’. I suppose definitions could be listed in the FAQ, and drinking could perhaps be included. And although it’s not my issue, I suspect adultery could be on the list too because I’ve seen how upset people can be about it. And maybe it’s obvious, but I’d include CSA, sexual assault and domestic violence.
I do think it’s important for Babble to be safe, though of course the idea of safety differs from person to person. And it’s difficult to guarantee safety in any community. But maybe we can find ways to make it feel safer.
Tamar
poster:Tamar
thread:614568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060225/msgs/615990.html