Tag Archives: reading

I compare tags to allergy warning.If you give me food without an ingredient list, I’m not going to eat it, because I might get ill. I’m used to being left out of meals, because I don’t demand everyone not eat peanuts because it makes me ill. I think fiction should be the same way, I don’t think you should read it unless you are sure it’s safe for you. If you aren’t sure something is safe, find something else.And if you are making a piece of fiction I think you should try and make a very thorough list to give people the best chance of avoiding it if it will make them ill.

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I think that people should read things that challenge them.

I think they should read things that are contrary to their views.

I think that they should read things that make them uncomfortable.

I think they should read things that make them question their worldview and their experiences.

And I think that people should read these things by choice, and not be forced into it or surprised by it if they don’t want to be.

I absolutely think it is every person’s right to know what they’re going into when they read a piece of fiction, watch a movie, etc.

We tend to get triggered easily, so we often check ‘does the dog die’ or skim wikipedia for spoilers when we engage with a new piece of media that we’re not sure will be safe for us, and when we are not ready to be challenged or upset.

We watch and read a lot of upsetting media by choice, but we like to know that going in, and we like to be able to decide when we are and aren’t ready for something.