I see the veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen has seen red over the multiple trigger warnings for the play he's currently acting in.
Audiences are warned that the play contains strong language, sexual references, discussions of bereavement and cancer, loud noise, flashing lights and mentions of smoking.
No doubt if the theatre thought really hard, they could come up with even more things that might trigger the unwary. Is there some unofficial competition among theatres to provide the biggest number of trigger warnings?
"I think it's ludicrous" said Sir Ian. "I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behaviour on stage."
I don't remember so many trigger warnings in my childhood, though there might have been some about sex and violence.
Do people actually avoid an entire play or film or whatever because of one thing that might upset them? It seems unlikely to me.
If people are severely upset by, say, loud noises, shouldn't they be seeing a therapist and trying to get rid of such hyper-sensitivity?
Surely anyone who's seriously keen on culture and the arts will expect at some point to be offended or shocked or startled by something they're experiencing. One of the basic aims of art is to shake you up a bit, to question your usual assumptions. If you're likely to cringe at something a bit out of the ordinary, perhaps you're better off mowing the lawn.
PS: I agree with Infidel that there should be a warning about flashing lights, which can cause seizures and other physical disturbances.
Most of these warnings strike me as unnecessary and a bit silly, but I don't see any harm in them. People who don't care about them are free to not read them. I don't mind a bit of indulgence toward people who are more sensitive about certain things.
ReplyDeleteThe one about flashing lights is a bit more of a serious matter. Under certain conditions, flashing lights can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy. Warnings should definitely be given if a show contains them.
Infidel: True that you can just ignore them. But where will it end? You could end up with dozens and dozens of trigger warnings. But I agree with warnings about flashing lights. I've added a PS to that effect.
DeleteWell, if some shows end up with dozens of trigger warnings, people who don't like them can ignore them, or just not go to that show if they feel really irritated about it. I honestly doubt most people would care.
DeleteInfidel: There's a problem with cinemas, where you only see the trigger warnings after you've bought a ticket and the film starts. Are you eligible for a refund?
DeleteYes, the flashing light warning is the only good one from my perspective. Flashing lights can make me lose my balance and no one my age wants to fall. But, in a theater. I'd already be sitting down so flashing lights are not as hazardous there; I just close my eyes and wait for them to end. That said, I've never been the victim of an assault so a warning that could trigger flashbacks might also be a good one. But, smoking? Be real.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Sorry to hear that flashing lights disturb you. As I said to Infidel, warnings about flashing lights make sense. But why does a play need them in the first place?
DeleteAtmosphere. How else indicate a gothic thunderstorm?
DeleteLinda
Linda: Blimey, are there many plays featuring a gothic thunderstorm?
DeleteGoodness only knows how many trigger warnings they would need for Titus Andronicus.....
ReplyDeleteRumour has it that law students require trigger warnings for lectures on sexual offences.....sounds as if all they are fit for is reeling, writhing and fainting in coils.
The case of law students is more concerning, not for the warnings themselves, but the implication that these students are not temperamentally capable of handling the job they're being trained for. Anyone who becomes a criminal lawyer needs to be able to handle hearing about disgusting behavior. If they can't handle it, fine, but they should choose a different career.
DeleteInfidel: I agree. A lot of court cases are pretty gruesome and if you can't handle the details, you're in the wrong job. The same applies to journalists, police officers, pathologists and all sorts of occupations.
DeleteFly: Surely a lot of children's books should have trigger warnings? There are some grisly nursery rhymes and fairy tales out there. Warnings for lectures on sexual offences - whatever next?
DeleteOur long ago lecturer in criminal law told us that Engish criminal law is founded on ducks...stealing them or buggering them....how would these delicate souls take that? Probably agitate to have him sacked....
DeleteBrought up on Grimms' fairy tales - unexpurgated - and Foxes' Book of Martyrs,
that should curl their livers....
A lot of things in life are unpleasant, but it is madness to decline to deal with them.
Fly: As you say, lots of things in life are unpleasant, but running away from them is no solution.
DeleteI understand the need to warn about flashing lights and loud noises. I’m not sure I’d call those trigger warnings though. However, smoking?? Grief? Strong language? Cancer? Most of us are exposed to those things on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Exactly, these are things that are just part of everyday life. As I said, if you can't handle them, maybe some therapy is needed.
DeleteI am dumbfounded by all the damn "trigger warnings". When I was young, we just left the room, shut our eyes. Yes, I literally had to do that. Perhaps the triggers that snuck up on me are the source of my problems today.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: That's right, as kids if there was something unpleasant we just steered away from it.
DeleteNick, I have no problems , but I know that autistic people and those sensitive to light or noise are triggered very quickly. In Northern Germany some supermarkets introduced the "Silent Hour" two days a week from 3 to 5pm and the other day from 6 to 8pm were people go shopping with no noisy background dimmed light and no loud discussions All people can of course go and it seems to be a full success.A really good thing.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: I've heard about the Silent Hour before. A great idea for people who're sensitive to a lot of noise and bright lights.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I'm very disappointed by the lack of sex and violence that I've been warned about.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Yes indeed. Bring it on!
DeleteI am dumbfounded by all the trigger warnings. What are these sensitive souls doing out and about in the real world? There are noises on the street, in the air, on water (foghorns, motors). I understand rape triggers but read the summary of the play and see if it suits you. Crazy making.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Indeed, everyday life is full of loud noises, so how does someone who's sensitive to loud noise manage to get through the day? I'm puzzled.
DeleteThe trigger warnings for stuff is getting out of hand. There are so many trigger warnings on romance books now i find it kind of ridiculous at times.
ReplyDeleteMary: Helping people to be less over-sensitive seems to me more practical than dozens of trigger warnings everywhere you look.
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