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Culture War Roundup for the week of December 9, 2024

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I simply forgot about both because I was in a hurry and will use the NSFW thing next time. Many people don't wish to read about NSFW things so I put it out there as there are some, not many but some who would take a look and move on.

I tend to lean towards politeness, there are new visitors and some may be used to trigger warnings, hence my usage. It's the same as with pronouns, I'm not a rabid leftist but I'll use whatever the other person requests so that at least I can put forth my views and not cause any unnecessary drama. Moldbug pointed this out and I quite agree.

My arguments are things that are caustic already, they're in good faith for all things, culture war included, being default kind helps put them out more plus I don't like being rude. I was helped immensely by this forum, people were kinder here than irl, I simply want to repay it back. I limit my usage of slurs too for this reason. Sounds cucked but I do want to act the way I'd want my ideal self to.

You aren't rude or off topic at all. These are valid points.

Its not really "nsfw" vs "trigger warning", its the context in which it is used. I see "nsfw" used almost exclusively in the context of warning what a hyperlink connects to - something porographic, or gore, or something that would literally run into a workplace IT web filter. "Don't click this if you want to avoid getting on a workplace IT naughty list", not "don't read this if you are especially offended by topic X". I can also understand its use in the context of a content warning for children, to not have them exposed to something that parents would not want them to be yet.

While I do think you are in good faith, and you're using "trigger warning" in good faith, I don't think the entire concept of "trigger warning" is in good faith. Those that want such warnings want their issue to be elevated to a special and sacred status. That whatever they are offended and traumatized by deserves a ritual acknowledgment before it can be discussed.

When you adopt this language it is accepting this insane frame: that good faith words can be harmful, and that we ought to change our thoughts and behavior to avoid that harm.

Adding a trigger warning to whatever I want to say is legitimizing their frame and enabling their neuroticism.

This is probably my biggest issue with Scott, he argues very well and logically and convincingly within a frame. But the frame is fundamentally wrong. See his writing on this:

I like trigger warnings. Trigger warnings aren’t censorship; they’re the opposite of censorship. Censorship says “Read what we tell you”. The opposite of censorship is “Read whatever you want”. The philosophy of censorship is “We know what is best for you to read”. The philosophy opposite censorship is “You are an adult and can make your own decisions about what to read”.

Censorship does not just say "Read what we tell you." It also says "Write what we tell you and how we tell you." It says "Think how we tell you." The words can be trauma and violence frame is unworkable, there are a near infinite amount of things to be offended about. Arguments should stand and fall on their own merits, their own internal merits, not those of some moral superstructure.

They say that “Confronting triggers, not avoiding them, is the best way to overcome PTSD”. They point out that “exposure therapy” is the best treatment for trauma survivors, including rape victims. And that this involves reliving the trauma and exposing yourself to traumatic stimuli, exactly what trigger warnings are intended to prevent. All this is true. But I feel like they are missing a very important point.

YOU DO NOT GIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY TO PEOPLE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

Because this is where it leads. Someone claiming that not censoring yourself is somehow psychotherapy. As if we need an MD to adjudicate acceptable arguments. Reject the moral superstructure. Don't let people impose it on you and us by being neurotic.

https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/05/30/the-wonderful-thing-about-triggers/