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from the this-article-may-trigger-strong-emotions dept.
There is a lot of talk on the net these days about microagressions, and it's good netiquette to post trigger warnings before discussing sensitive topics. What's good in online forums isn't necessarily appropriate in-person, especially on University campuses. The cover article for September's edition of The Atlantic magazine discusses the harm that students' requests for trigger warnings on course content and accusations of microagression are causing, stifling open conversation on campuses across America. The authors also suggest that these student behaviors are actively causing harm to the students.
Avoiding trigger topics, instead of assisting those who have suffered traumas, perpetuates and enhances the pathology of the phobias they hope not to trigger. The hunt for microagression creates in the students cognitive distortions that are usually treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. The authors are calling this "The Coddling of the American Mind", and suggest it will create a generation of graduates unable to cope with the world after graduation.
The authors also appeared on the Diane Rehm show, on a segment called "The New Political Correctness: Why Some Fear It's Ruining American Education". Far from trying to shut down the conversation about race relations, the authors are trying to re-open it.
(Score: 1) by drgibbon on Tuesday September 01 2015, @05:44PM
I know I could read the articles, but I have never even remotely heard of any of this stuff (although the submission makes it seem like I should have). Microaggressions? Trigger warnings? On course content? On submission content? I think I've just been triggered. Time for a microrage.
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(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday September 01 2015, @05:57PM
You are in just the right frame of mind to fit in with all of those who need trigger warnings.
It's all about manipulating the system to suit yourself. Those little microrages are intended to gain attention, if nothing else. As TFA points out, students use that crap to get out of classes and assignments, as well as other forms of special treatment. It's like, "Oh, I've suffered, you owe me a few free college credits that I don't really intend to earn!"
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2) by MrNemesis on Wednesday September 02 2015, @01:03PM
Agreed, I've no idea what the hell a "trigger warning" is (is that like one of those warnings you might get before a film clip that contains strobing lights as a warning for epileptics?) or a "microaggression", or what either of them have to do with a university education (feel like I should throw in the phrase "liberal arts major" wot I learned from XKCD), but everyone in the thread seems to think it's something to do with the SJW perjorative so I'm gonna stroll the fuck on and 'ave a whistle. Yawn.
Is there? That's nice, hopefully the shops will have enough in stock at christmas as presents for the little ones. First I've heard of the term although clearly I live under a rock without a facebook logo. Some explanation perhaps next time eds? From what I can make of the pseudo-content of TFA, as a term it's analogous to "perceived insult" which is self-explanatory and has the bonus advantage of not being newspeak.
GOTO paragraph 1 of this comment for the "please also explain what a trigger warning is" diatribe. Secondly, define "sensitive". From the first paragraph of the transcript-disguised-as-an-article:
So... conceivably any book in the entire history of human creation, with the possible exception of My Collection of Antique Beige Wallpaper by Dudley Dullard? Or any topic involving any animate object? As a great man once said; "Live is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something".
"To paraphrase Nietzsche, I have looked into the abyss and been sick in it."