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Content Warnings

Hello dear chooms,

we have been doing some thinking around the topic of Content Warnings (CW) and how to use them correctly.

This request is based in part on your feedback.

As a community, we are committed to finding a way to use content warnings in a thoughtful and effective manner. We recognize the importance of using these warnings to alert people to potentially sensitive or triggering content, and we want to ensure that we are using them in a way that is respectful and considerate of everyone in our community.

To this end, we have put together this document to provide some guidelines and best practices for using content warnings. We hope that these guidelines will help us all to understand the role of content warnings, and how they can be used to create a more inclusive and supportive online community.

We are open to feedback and suggestions on these guidelines, and we encourage everyone in the community to share their thoughts and ideas. Together, we can find a way to use content warnings in a way that benefits everyone and helps to create a positive and welcoming space for all.

To find a good "set of rules" we would like to find together as a community a good way how CWs should be used in the future on CORTEX IMPLANT.

About this document

This document is not a set of rules that must be followed without question. Instead, it is a manual that outlines some guidelines and best practices for creating and participating in a positive and inclusive online community. We encourage everyone to read through this manual and use it as a starting point for discussions with the rest of the community.

As a community, we can work together to develop and refine these guidelines, so that they accurately reflect the values and goals of our group. By collaborating and listening to each other, we can create a space where everyone feels safe and welcome, regardless of their background or experiences.

Remember, this manual is not set in stone. It is meant to be a flexible and adaptable tool that can help us build a stronger and more supportive community together. So let's use it as a starting point and continue to work together to make our online space a place where everyone can thrive.

What is a Content Warning?

Content warnings, also known as trigger warnings, are labels or statements that alert readers or viewers to potentially sensitive or disturbing content. They are often used on social media platforms and on websites that host user-generated content. There are several reasons why you should use content warnings.

First, content warnings can help to prevent people from accidentally encountering content that may be triggering or distressing to them. For example, someone who has experienced trauma or has a mental health condition might be triggered by certain types of content, such as graphic violence or descriptions of self-harm. By using a content warning, you can give them the opportunity to avoid that content if they choose to.

Second, content warnings can help to create a more inclusive and respectful online environment. By providing warnings for potentially sensitive content, you can show that you care about the well-being of your readers or viewers and that you are willing to take steps to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable while engaging with your content.

Third, using content warnings can help to prevent misunderstandings and confusion. For example, if you are sharing an article or video that contains potentially controversial or sensitive material, a content warning can help to clarify the context and the nature of the content, so that your readers or viewers can better understand what they are about to see or read.

Overall, using content warnings is a simple and effective way to show respect for your audience and to create a more inclusive and safe online environment.

What content should ALWAYS be behind a CW?

What content should be behind a CW under certain circumstances?

Tips for dealing with content warnings for special topics

Political topics: It is perfectly acceptable to write about politics, as it is an important topic that affects us all. However, when it comes to discussing sensitive topics such as war and tragedies, it is important to use a content warning so that readers can decide for themselves whether they want to read about these potentially disturbing subjects. By using a content warning, we can give people the opportunity to avoid reading about subjects that might upset them, while still allowing others to engage with these important topics. Ultimately, using a content warning is a matter of respect for our members and their personal preferences.

Contents about food: Writing about food is a great way to share your passion for cooking and dining with others. Whether you are a professional chef, a food blogger, or simply someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen, there is always an audience for interesting and informative content about food. However, it is important to remember that some people may have triggers that can be set off by certain topics related to food. For example, someone with an eating disorder may be triggered by discussions of weight loss or extreme diets. In order to be considerate of others, it is best to avoid writing about topics that could potentially trigger someone. Instead, focus on sharing healthy and balanced approaches to food that can inspire others to eat well and take care of themselves. By being mindful of the potential impact of our writing, we can create a positive and inclusive community that celebrates food without causing harm to anyone.

Content about alcohol and tobacco: Using a content warning for discussions or images related to alcohol and tobacco makes sense for several reasons. First, both of these substances can be harmful to some people, including those who are recovering from addiction or who have medical conditions that make it unsafe for them to consume alcohol or tobacco. By using a content warning, we can give people the opportunity to avoid reading about or viewing images of these substances if they choose to do so. This can help prevent triggers or other negative reactions in those who may be sensitive to this topic.

What is the right way?

It's hard to find the right sweet spot when it comes to content warnings. It can happen at any time that a person feels uncomfortable because of a posting.

If something like that happens, we would like to ask you to listen to the other person in a friendly way to find out why a content warning might be right for your posting.

Since the topic of content warnings is very wide, we would like to inform you that we make a distinction between passing mentions, photos and indeph discussiosn.

Here are some tips for using content warnings effectively:

To avoid common pitfalls when using content warnings, here are some things to avoid:

Passing mentions

A passing mention is a brief or casual mention of something or someone in a conversation, text, or other form of communication. It usually refers to something that is not the focus of the conversation and is mentioned only in passing.

For example, if someone is talking about their vacation and casually mentions that they saw a famous actor there, that is a passing mention.

A content warning is typically not part of a passing mention because a passing mention is not focused on potentially sensitive or disturbing content. If the content of a conversation or text includes sensitive material, it is usually the main focus of the discussion and would not be considered a passing mention.

Any passing mentions of a particular topic that could be a trigger do NOT need to be hidden behind a CW.

We would like to give you some examples:

I feel depressed today

Elon Musk is quite a weirdo

It's just disturbing how Adam Smasher treats people!

Such a texts does not have to disappear behind a content warning.

In-depth discussion

A in-depth discussion is a conversation or discourse that explores a topic in great detail and with a high level of understanding or knowledge. It often involves multiple participants who are willing and able to engage in a thoughtful and thorough examination of the topic at hand, considering different perspectives and ideas.

Depth discussions often require a high degree of critical thinking and can be more intense or challenging than a casual conversation.

There are several reasons why someone might hide a depth discussion behind a content warning. One reason is to warn readers or listeners that the discussion contains sensitive or potentially offensive material that they may not want to engage with.

This can help protect people who are easily triggered or who may be uncomfortable with certain topics. Another reason is to indicate that the discussion is going to be more in-depth and challenging than a casual conversation, which can help prepare participants and set the right expectations.

We would like to give you some examples:

My depression is driving me crazy today.
I still haven't found the strength to clean up and do the dishes.

What happened in Night City tonight just doesn't give me any peace. How can it be that Adam Smasher just goes out on the street and shoots people at random?!

My beloved pet passed away today

Such texts should be behind a content warning.

Photos

A content warning should be used for photos that contain sensitive or potentially offensive material, such as graphic violence, nudity, or other explicit content. The decision to use a content warning for a photo ultimately depends on the context and audience, as well as the content of the photo itself. For example, a photo of a violent protest might require a content warning for some audiences, while a photo of a nude statue in an art museum might not require a content warning. It is always best to use discretion and good judgment when deciding whether or not to use a content warning for a photo.

Posting pictures of food is a great way to share delicious meals and recipes with others. However, it is important to remember that some people may have triggers that can be set off by certain images of food. For example, someone with an eating disorder may be triggered by pictures of high-calorie or rich foods. In order to be considerate of others, it is best to avoid posting pictures of food that could potentially trigger someone. Instead, focus on sharing healthy and balanced meals that can inspire others to eat well and take care of themselves. By being mindful of the potential impact of our posts, we can create a positive and inclusive community that celebrates food without causing harm to anyone.

Misuse of content warnings

A misuse of content warnings occurs when these warnings are used in a way that is not consistent with their intended purpose. Content warnings are typically used to alert people to sensitive or potentially triggering content, such as discussions of violence, self-harm, or other difficult subjects. They are intended to give people the opportunity to avoid reading about these topics if they choose to do so.

A misuse of content warnings might occur when these warnings are used for content that is not actually sensitive or triggering. For example, using a content warning for a discussion of a celebrity's recent actions or a political opinion would be considered a misuse of content warnings, as these topics are not typically associated with potentially harmful or disturbing content.

Another misuse of content warnings might occur when they are used in an excessive or unnecessary manner. For example, using a content warning for every single post or article, even if it does not contain sensitive or triggering content, would be considered a misuse of these warnings.

Overall, it is important to use content warnings appropriately and only for content that is truly sensitive or potentially triggering, in order to avoid misusing these warnings and potentially confusing or alienating readers.

Example - Topic: Elon Musk:

There are a few reasons why posts about Elon Musk and his recent purchase of Twitter, for example, may not necessarily need to be behind a content warning.

First, discussions about Elon Musk and his actions are not typically considered to be sensitive or triggering for most people. While some people may have strong opinions about him or his actions, these topics are not typically associated with potentially harmful or disturbing content.

Second, content warnings are typically used to alert people to sensitive or potentially triggering content, such as discussions of violence, self-harm, or other difficult subjects. In the case of discussions about Elon Musk and his Twitter purchase, there is no need to use a content warning, as these topics are not likely to cause harm or distress to most readers.

Overall, while it is always important to be considerate of others and to use content warnings when appropriate, it is not necessary to use them for discussions of Elon Musk and his actions.

Will I get in trouble if I don't use CWs?

It is generally not considered a punishable offense to not use content warnings. However, not using content warnings can be inconsiderate to others and can make certain topics or discussions more difficult or uncomfortable for some people to engage with.

Additionally, some online communities or platforms may have specific guidelines or rules regarding the use of content warnings, and failure to comply with these guidelines may result in consequences such as being banned or suspended from the community.

Overall, it is always best to use content warnings when necessary to be respectful and considerate of others and to help ensure that discussions are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

If you forget a content warning, nothing will happen to your account on CORTEX IMPLANT. We will likely inform you that a content warning would be useful for your posting and give you the appropriate reasons.

But, when someone is triggered, it means that they have been reminded of a past trauma or difficult experience, and are experiencing strong emotional and physical reactions as a result.

This can happen in response to a specific stimulus, such as a particular sight, sound or even just a certain phrase or idea. People who have experienced trauma or have mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to experience triggers, but anyone can be triggered under the right circumstances.

When someone is triggered, they may feel a range of emotions, including fear, anger, sadness, and anxiety. They may also experience physical sensations such as a racing heart, difficulty breathing, or a sudden headache.

Please note that respectful behavior must be guaranteed at all times. A piece of information should NEVER be taken personally.

However, if we find out that you are abusing CWs we reserve the right to limit or suspend your account - before that we will contact you to find a better solution — Nobody is perfect (and that's a good thing!)

Feedback

This document was created by revengeday, chaotin, kaiserkiwi, wolfe and jomendacium. We collaborated to research and compile the information contained within this document. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the subject matter.

We hope that this document will be useful to those who read it and that it will provide valuable information and insights.

Thank you for taking the time to read this document.

We are seeking feedback on this document. Your thoughts and opinions are valuable to us and will help us improve the content of the document. Please take a few moments to review the document and provide any feedback or suggestions you may have.

Please send your feedback via lucy's post.

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