Posted by gardenergirl on June 6, 2006, at 16:00:08
In reply to Re: Implementation of trigger flags » Larry Hoover, posted by corafree on June 6, 2006, at 14:15:47
I think (and I can't speak for Larry) that it was that you posted an account or description of an actual event. Or even if someone posted an account or description of a hypothetical event...it's the description that can be triggering.
This is in contrast to talking about the concept in general. When talking about the concept, I think it might be easier for some, myself included, to avoid forming specific images or imagining it happening. Whereas if someone describes what happened, giving enough detail that a person can imagine this event and/or form visual images of it, it can be more upsetting.
I guess an analogy might be this: I can talk about the concept of violence in general. But if I see a movie with a violent scene, or read something describing an act of violence, I start to get images of violence in my head or right in front of me (as in a movie or video) that I find upsetting.
So I'm not sure that it's any one part of your post, any specific word, etc. I think it's more that it's an account of an event that can be upsetting.
And I think we're all still learning about what can trigger folks. And what triggers varies. If one or more folks find something triggering, it's not because the person who posted the material did anything bad. It's not their fault someone is triggered. However, it can help for those who are triggered by a certain thing to have a warning in advance before reading a post.
So what I would ask, and what I think Larry is asking, is that whenever possible, if posters can flag their posts (or someone else flag a post after the fact) that might be triggering, that would be helpful.
I agree it's not always easy to know what might be triggering. But I do think that any graphic or detailed account of upsetting things such as violence, suicide, self-harm, abuse, etc. might be more likely to trigger someone, and thus, might be a good rule of thumb for now.
Sorry to ramble so much. And this represents my response and thoughts about the issue. I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong about whether they do or do not flag posts.
I'm sorry it's been upsetting.
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:614568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060525/msgs/653706.html