There was a post over on AskBME today in which the criticism was re-raised that I don’t soft-censor cutting images due to issues of “triggering”… This was my response:
First of all, as I’ve said before, if someone is mentally ill to the point where they can not control their own actions, they should be seeking help, not reading BME. This applies to all parts of BME.
Seriously, if you are unable to take responsibility for your own actions, DO NOT put yourself in harms way by reading BME.
BME is intended for healthy individuals who enjoy a positive experience in body modification and ritual. I do not believe that the site should be geared toward people for whom body modification/ritual is an illness.
The REALITY is that when we’re talking about “triggering”, the piercing sections, tattoo sections, and so on are far more triggering — it’s just that fewer readers see being triggered in these areas as a negative thing. Singling out the cutting section is largely a game of POLITICS, not genuine concern for the underlying problem that people are deeply influenced by the actions of others. I feel very much that pretending that what amounts to “peer pressure” is a problem unique to the cutting section of the site is a mistake.
Now, I understand that I tend to take a somewhat no-compromises or radical stance on these matters rather than seeking out the safe or mainstream stance that most people feel is “reasonable” (and I appreciate how one could come to the opposite conclusion), but I really do think it’s important to be honest about this being much more about politics and cultural bias than anything else. Ignoring the fact that it’s very difficult to make a compelling objective case that differentiates cutting from play piercing, suspension, pulling, and other ritual that’s rarely decried, the truth of the matter is that when it comes to triggering, the whole site is a giant trigger for those who are prone to being influenced by peer pressure.
One of the reasons I know this is that if I post a particularly nice serious of photos of a modification, I’ll almost always receive an influx of that particular modification over the next little while, as people see the pictures and decide that it’s something they want to do as well. How many times have I seen comments along the lines of “this makes me really want to suspend” or “this makes me really want to get another tattoo” and so on? Even in a culture that’s steeped in the concept of individualism, the truth is that a significant percentage of people are deeply influenced and “triggered” by the actions of others.
Again, I’d strongly urge people who are not able to take responsibility for their own actions (let alone control their own actions) not read BME (or at least the sections of BME that they’re not comfortable around) or other “triggering” media and get the help they need so they can be happy and self-empowered individuals. I’m sorry if some people feel that makes light of their mental illness, but I’d like to keep BME focused on people for whom body modification and ritual is a positive force, not those who see it as a mental illness.
And now, a beautiful butterfly play piercing by Kevin:
See more in “Ritual and Play Piercing“ (Ritual)
Comments
268 responses to “What is triggering?”
I hope our government reads your words, instead of censoring the results in the searchengines.
Oh wait! Our government is probably with me! Guten Morgen Herr Schäuble!
I hope our government reads your words, instead of censoring the results in the searchengines.
Oh wait! Our government is probably with me! Guten Morgen Herr Schäuble!
I hope our government reads your words, instead of censoring the results in the searchengines.
Oh wait! Our government is probably with me! Guten Morgen Herr Schäuble!
I hope our government reads your words, instead of censoring the results in the searchengines.
Oh wait! Our government is probably with me! Guten Morgen Herr Schäuble!
People should take responsibility for what they choose to look at. Everything on the site is clearly enough labelled, they know what they are accessing. If it “triggers” them that’s their own fault and they should stop bitching. If they’re honestly that unwell that they can’t control their impulses to look at “triggering” material they should be in hospital. I don’t get triggered because I’m not a complete prat. But I have been influenced and inspired in lots of wonderful ways.
Gorgeous play piercing, I love it!
People should take responsibility for what they choose to look at. Everything on the site is clearly enough labelled, they know what they are accessing. If it “triggers” them that’s their own fault and they should stop bitching. If they’re honestly that unwell that they can’t control their impulses to look at “triggering” material they should be in hospital. I don’t get triggered because I’m not a complete prat. But I have been influenced and inspired in lots of wonderful ways.
Gorgeous play piercing, I love it!
People should take responsibility for what they choose to look at. Everything on the site is clearly enough labelled, they know what they are accessing. If it “triggers” them that’s their own fault and they should stop bitching. If they’re honestly that unwell that they can’t control their impulses to look at “triggering” material they should be in hospital. I don’t get triggered because I’m not a complete prat. But I have been influenced and inspired in lots of wonderful ways.
Gorgeous play piercing, I love it!
People should take responsibility for what they choose to look at. Everything on the site is clearly enough labelled, they know what they are accessing. If it “triggers” them that’s their own fault and they should stop bitching. If they’re honestly that unwell that they can’t control their impulses to look at “triggering” material they should be in hospital. I don’t get triggered because I’m not a complete prat. But I have been influenced and inspired in lots of wonderful ways.
Gorgeous play piercing, I love it!
Just to chime in, I was a cutter for close to five years, until I got help and stopped doing it. For a long time, I couldn’t look at the cutting pictures, because it was a very strong trigger for me, so I stopped looking at those pictures and would always read tags before looking at pictures on ModBlog.
That being said, it was my personal responsibility to avoid them, because I could have found pictures like that anywhere, not just on BME. It seems to me that it’s just an excuse.
Just to chime in, I was a cutter for close to five years, until I got help and stopped doing it. For a long time, I couldn’t look at the cutting pictures, because it was a very strong trigger for me, so I stopped looking at those pictures and would always read tags before looking at pictures on ModBlog.
That being said, it was my personal responsibility to avoid them, because I could have found pictures like that anywhere, not just on BME. It seems to me that it’s just an excuse.
Just to chime in, I was a cutter for close to five years, until I got help and stopped doing it. For a long time, I couldn’t look at the cutting pictures, because it was a very strong trigger for me, so I stopped looking at those pictures and would always read tags before looking at pictures on ModBlog.
That being said, it was my personal responsibility to avoid them, because I could have found pictures like that anywhere, not just on BME. It seems to me that it’s just an excuse.
Just to chime in, I was a cutter for close to five years, until I got help and stopped doing it. For a long time, I couldn’t look at the cutting pictures, because it was a very strong trigger for me, so I stopped looking at those pictures and would always read tags before looking at pictures on ModBlog.
That being said, it was my personal responsibility to avoid them, because I could have found pictures like that anywhere, not just on BME. It seems to me that it’s just an excuse.
Good on you, sir, for eloquently defending the issue and effectively shutting down further (specious) debate on the (very dead) issue of cutting soft-censorship.
Good on you, sir, for eloquently defending the issue and effectively shutting down further (specious) debate on the (very dead) issue of cutting soft-censorship.
Good on you, sir, for eloquently defending the issue and effectively shutting down further (specious) debate on the (very dead) issue of cutting soft-censorship.
Good on you, sir, for eloquently defending the issue and effectively shutting down further (specious) debate on the (very dead) issue of cutting soft-censorship.
I don’t really understand why people put self-harm and ritual cutting in such separate categories. As a person who’s engaged in both practices over the years, I believe people tend to vastly overstate the difference between the two.
Clearly they are related activities, and there’s a big, fuzzy grey area between them, so how can you draw a line and banish one from the realms of ‘body modification’, and not the other?
I don’t really understand why people put self-harm and ritual cutting in such separate categories. As a person who’s engaged in both practices over the years, I believe people tend to vastly overstate the difference between the two.
Clearly they are related activities, and there’s a big, fuzzy grey area between them, so how can you draw a line and banish one from the realms of ‘body modification’, and not the other?
I don’t really understand why people put self-harm and ritual cutting in such separate categories. As a person who’s engaged in both practices over the years, I believe people tend to vastly overstate the difference between the two.
Clearly they are related activities, and there’s a big, fuzzy grey area between them, so how can you draw a line and banish one from the realms of ‘body modification’, and not the other?
I don’t really understand why people put self-harm and ritual cutting in such separate categories. As a person who’s engaged in both practices over the years, I believe people tend to vastly overstate the difference between the two.
Clearly they are related activities, and there’s a big, fuzzy grey area between them, so how can you draw a line and banish one from the realms of ‘body modification’, and not the other?
Wow, somewhat harsh but good for you not giving in to what some of your readers want Shannon.
#26 – you clearly haven’t done both then. Self-harm is a very negative experience, whereas cutting can be a positive and uplifting ritual of release. It’s like meditation.
Wow, somewhat harsh but good for you not giving in to what some of your readers want Shannon.
#26 – you clearly haven’t done both then. Self-harm is a very negative experience, whereas cutting can be a positive and uplifting ritual of release. It’s like meditation.
Wow, somewhat harsh but good for you not giving in to what some of your readers want Shannon.
#26 – you clearly haven’t done both then. Self-harm is a very negative experience, whereas cutting can be a positive and uplifting ritual of release. It’s like meditation.
Wow, somewhat harsh but good for you not giving in to what some of your readers want Shannon.
#26 – you clearly haven’t done both then. Self-harm is a very negative experience, whereas cutting can be a positive and uplifting ritual of release. It’s like meditation.
very well said shannon.
very well said shannon.
very well said shannon.
very well said shannon.
To 27: But the personal experience is what makes it different – the act itself, and results, are often very similar. In the same way that people have different experiences with their piercings (for example one person might get their nips done for aesthetics while one wants them for sensation, some people will find it very painful, some won’t feel much at all, some choose bars and some rings etc – same piercing, different for everyone) people’s cutting rituals are different too. My self harm became a ritual, a negative one at times but also a calming one or an empowering one or a frightening one, one to share or one to hide, it was different every time. Of course at times it was impulsive but mostly I had enough self control to know exactly what I was doing and why, which is where it falls into the ritual category (for me).
To 27: But the personal experience is what makes it different – the act itself, and results, are often very similar. In the same way that people have different experiences with their piercings (for example one person might get their nips done for aesthetics while one wants them for sensation, some people will find it very painful, some won’t feel much at all, some choose bars and some rings etc – same piercing, different for everyone) people’s cutting rituals are different too. My self harm became a ritual, a negative one at times but also a calming one or an empowering one or a frightening one, one to share or one to hide, it was different every time. Of course at times it was impulsive but mostly I had enough self control to know exactly what I was doing and why, which is where it falls into the ritual category (for me).
To 27: But the personal experience is what makes it different – the act itself, and results, are often very similar. In the same way that people have different experiences with their piercings (for example one person might get their nips done for aesthetics while one wants them for sensation, some people will find it very painful, some won’t feel much at all, some choose bars and some rings etc – same piercing, different for everyone) people’s cutting rituals are different too. My self harm became a ritual, a negative one at times but also a calming one or an empowering one or a frightening one, one to share or one to hide, it was different every time. Of course at times it was impulsive but mostly I had enough self control to know exactly what I was doing and why, which is where it falls into the ritual category (for me).
To 27: But the personal experience is what makes it different – the act itself, and results, are often very similar. In the same way that people have different experiences with their piercings (for example one person might get their nips done for aesthetics while one wants them for sensation, some people will find it very painful, some won’t feel much at all, some choose bars and some rings etc – same piercing, different for everyone) people’s cutting rituals are different too. My self harm became a ritual, a negative one at times but also a calming one or an empowering one or a frightening one, one to share or one to hide, it was different every time. Of course at times it was impulsive but mostly I had enough self control to know exactly what I was doing and why, which is where it falls into the ritual category (for me).
Re: “Triggering isn’t peer pressure”
Ok, peer pressure might even be worse… Peer pressure is being influenced by others to do things you might not otherwise do. Triggering is being influenced by others to do thing you might do anyway and have done in the past.
Re: Effectiveness of a click-through
Personally it’s also my feeling that a click-through or warning is potentially MORE triggering. The image is still seem, plus it’s surrounded by a statement of severity. I think for a lot of people that makes it more alluring, and thus more dangerous under this line of thinking.
Re: “Triggering isn’t peer pressure”
Ok, peer pressure might even be worse… Peer pressure is being influenced by others to do things you might not otherwise do. Triggering is being influenced by others to do thing you might do anyway and have done in the past.
Re: Effectiveness of a click-through
Personally it’s also my feeling that a click-through or warning is potentially MORE triggering. The image is still seem, plus it’s surrounded by a statement of severity. I think for a lot of people that makes it more alluring, and thus more dangerous under this line of thinking.
Re: “Triggering isn’t peer pressure”
Ok, peer pressure might even be worse… Peer pressure is being influenced by others to do things you might not otherwise do. Triggering is being influenced by others to do thing you might do anyway and have done in the past.
Re: Effectiveness of a click-through
Personally it’s also my feeling that a click-through or warning is potentially MORE triggering. The image is still seem, plus it’s surrounded by a statement of severity. I think for a lot of people that makes it more alluring, and thus more dangerous under this line of thinking.
Re: “Triggering isn’t peer pressure”
Ok, peer pressure might even be worse… Peer pressure is being influenced by others to do things you might not otherwise do. Triggering is being influenced by others to do thing you might do anyway and have done in the past.
Re: Effectiveness of a click-through
Personally it’s also my feeling that a click-through or warning is potentially MORE triggering. The image is still seem, plus it’s surrounded by a statement of severity. I think for a lot of people that makes it more alluring, and thus more dangerous under this line of thinking.
#31:
When I surf to bmezine it is *my* *decision*, and when I cut or burn or something, after looking at pictures full of blood and wounds it is still me that is in charge. Noone forced me to surf to bmezine, bmezine did not force me to lokk at the pictures or take that knife or that lighter and therefore noone can blame bmezine.
I looked at the pictures, I took the knife, I cut my skin. It is me, no one else.
“Self-harm is a very negative experience”
I agree that self-harm is different form cutting but I disagree that Self-harm is a very negative experience. Self-Harm is a personal experience. It can be negative, and it can be positive too, because it can release stress and can alter the state of mind.
#31:
When I surf to bmezine it is *my* *decision*, and when I cut or burn or something, after looking at pictures full of blood and wounds it is still me that is in charge. Noone forced me to surf to bmezine, bmezine did not force me to lokk at the pictures or take that knife or that lighter and therefore noone can blame bmezine.
I looked at the pictures, I took the knife, I cut my skin. It is me, no one else.
“Self-harm is a very negative experience”
I agree that self-harm is different form cutting but I disagree that Self-harm is a very negative experience. Self-Harm is a personal experience. It can be negative, and it can be positive too, because it can release stress and can alter the state of mind.
#31:
When I surf to bmezine it is *my* *decision*, and when I cut or burn or something, after looking at pictures full of blood and wounds it is still me that is in charge. Noone forced me to surf to bmezine, bmezine did not force me to lokk at the pictures or take that knife or that lighter and therefore noone can blame bmezine.
I looked at the pictures, I took the knife, I cut my skin. It is me, no one else.
“Self-harm is a very negative experience”
I agree that self-harm is different form cutting but I disagree that Self-harm is a very negative experience. Self-Harm is a personal experience. It can be negative, and it can be positive too, because it can release stress and can alter the state of mind.
#31:
When I surf to bmezine it is *my* *decision*, and when I cut or burn or something, after looking at pictures full of blood and wounds it is still me that is in charge. Noone forced me to surf to bmezine, bmezine did not force me to lokk at the pictures or take that knife or that lighter and therefore noone can blame bmezine.
I looked at the pictures, I took the knife, I cut my skin. It is me, no one else.
“Self-harm is a very negative experience”
I agree that self-harm is different form cutting but I disagree that Self-harm is a very negative experience. Self-Harm is a personal experience. It can be negative, and it can be positive too, because it can release stress and can alter the state of mind.
I have to say I agree with you, as a former self-harmer. While I think that titles like ‘im in ur modblogz triggerin ur cutting’ were unnecessarily antagonistic, and I’d go so far as to say potentially quite hurtful, towards people dealing with self-harm, I agree that it is not BME’s responsibility to censor images of ritual cutting for the minority who experience cutting in a negative context.
I have to say I agree with you, as a former self-harmer. While I think that titles like ‘im in ur modblogz triggerin ur cutting’ were unnecessarily antagonistic, and I’d go so far as to say potentially quite hurtful, towards people dealing with self-harm, I agree that it is not BME’s responsibility to censor images of ritual cutting for the minority who experience cutting in a negative context.
I have to say I agree with you, as a former self-harmer. While I think that titles like ‘im in ur modblogz triggerin ur cutting’ were unnecessarily antagonistic, and I’d go so far as to say potentially quite hurtful, towards people dealing with self-harm, I agree that it is not BME’s responsibility to censor images of ritual cutting for the minority who experience cutting in a negative context.
I have to say I agree with you, as a former self-harmer. While I think that titles like ‘im in ur modblogz triggerin ur cutting’ were unnecessarily antagonistic, and I’d go so far as to say potentially quite hurtful, towards people dealing with self-harm, I agree that it is not BME’s responsibility to censor images of ritual cutting for the minority who experience cutting in a negative context.
I see both points of view here (yes, I have self harmed in the past). I do feel that it is not enough to say, “if someone is mentally ill to the point where they can not control their own actions, they should be seeking help, not reading BME”… many of those who are ill enough that they deliberately injure themselves are not in a position of control to say, “I won’t go on BME today, that might trigger something for me”. Thay are, by definition, mentally ill. Therefore thay may not be able to take responsability for their actions.
That said, I don’t know whether it is the responsability of such sites as this one to start censoring what we look at. I think it’s a cop out to say, “People will see cutting etc all over the internet, we can’t shelter them from it so why try”. We all have our part to play, and we all have our own consciences at answer to at the end of the day.
I think it speaks volumes for this site that we can have an intelligent, informed discussion on the matter. Shannon, I think you are to be credited for having the guts to allow such an open debate and to share points of view. Respect.
Thank you.
I see both points of view here (yes, I have self harmed in the past). I do feel that it is not enough to say, “if someone is mentally ill to the point where they can not control their own actions, they should be seeking help, not reading BME”… many of those who are ill enough that they deliberately injure themselves are not in a position of control to say, “I won’t go on BME today, that might trigger something for me”. Thay are, by definition, mentally ill. Therefore thay may not be able to take responsability for their actions.
That said, I don’t know whether it is the responsability of such sites as this one to start censoring what we look at. I think it’s a cop out to say, “People will see cutting etc all over the internet, we can’t shelter them from it so why try”. We all have our part to play, and we all have our own consciences at answer to at the end of the day.
I think it speaks volumes for this site that we can have an intelligent, informed discussion on the matter. Shannon, I think you are to be credited for having the guts to allow such an open debate and to share points of view. Respect.
Thank you.
I see both points of view here (yes, I have self harmed in the past). I do feel that it is not enough to say, “if someone is mentally ill to the point where they can not control their own actions, they should be seeking help, not reading BME”… many of those who are ill enough that they deliberately injure themselves are not in a position of control to say, “I won’t go on BME today, that might trigger something for me”. Thay are, by definition, mentally ill. Therefore thay may not be able to take responsability for their actions.
That said, I don’t know whether it is the responsability of such sites as this one to start censoring what we look at. I think it’s a cop out to say, “People will see cutting etc all over the internet, we can’t shelter them from it so why try”. We all have our part to play, and we all have our own consciences at answer to at the end of the day.
I think it speaks volumes for this site that we can have an intelligent, informed discussion on the matter. Shannon, I think you are to be credited for having the guts to allow such an open debate and to share points of view. Respect.
Thank you.
I see both points of view here (yes, I have self harmed in the past). I do feel that it is not enough to say, “if someone is mentally ill to the point where they can not control their own actions, they should be seeking help, not reading BME”… many of those who are ill enough that they deliberately injure themselves are not in a position of control to say, “I won’t go on BME today, that might trigger something for me”. Thay are, by definition, mentally ill. Therefore thay may not be able to take responsability for their actions.
That said, I don’t know whether it is the responsability of such sites as this one to start censoring what we look at. I think it’s a cop out to say, “People will see cutting etc all over the internet, we can’t shelter them from it so why try”. We all have our part to play, and we all have our own consciences at answer to at the end of the day.
I think it speaks volumes for this site that we can have an intelligent, informed discussion on the matter. Shannon, I think you are to be credited for having the guts to allow such an open debate and to share points of view. Respect.
Thank you.
(sorry I have no idea why that link comes up)
(sorry I have no idea why that link comes up)