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> tried to trigger me Man, I really wish the internet hadn't decided that "trigger" means to anger or upset someone instead of the original meaning: provoke an
by jordigh 10y ago
> tried to trigger me
Man, I really wish the internet hadn't decided that "trigger" means to anger or upset someone instead of the original meaning: provoke an anxiety or panic attack, like lighting firecrackers around war veterans.
Not that what Uber is doing here to "Amy" isn't despicable. I'm just a little bothered by this relatively frivolous usage of the word "trigger" compared to the original purpose for using it: to highlight the experiences of those suffering from PTSD. PTSD can come in many forms, not just from wartime trauma. That's what "triggering" someone was about.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- CPLX 10y agoThe word has lots of original meanings, many of which are quite disparate: "Large price increases could trigger demands for even larger wage increases." "His unpleasant remark triggered an argument that almost cost them their friendship" "Studies show that lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue for Americans." And so on. The usage you're citing is relatively recent jargon.
- jordigh 10y agoYes, that's exactly the problem: it's psychological jargon. People started using it in a jargon way to try to explain to others what PTSD is like. It was supposed to evoke compassion from people if they understood what triggering someone was. Instead it became a point of ridicule and mockery, "oh, I hurt your feelings? Did I trigger you, sweetheart?"
- CPLX 10y agoThen I suppose it hasn't worked has it. Efforts to unilaterally redefine common words are not always successful. The word, when used as a verb, originally refers to a consequential relationship between two entities. According to Webster's something triggers when it "initiates, actuates or sets off" another thing. It appears her usage of the word is entirely and completely correct.
- actuallyalys 10y agoI think people need to realize that using psychological terms casually isn't like using other scientific concepts casually: doing so tends to trivialize mental illnesses most people already poorly understand.
- 1337biz 10y agoI actually think this is a very important process in order to get rid of the weight a word carries. The "triggered" lead us to "triggered snowflakes". "Fake news" has undergone a similar transformation, ie from a term of old media brands branding themselves as the "real news" authority, towards now an ironic term for anything you don't like. What impresses me the most is how fast these tonalities change.
- Mithaldu 10y agoFor some people i know who have PTSD and/or deal with people with PTSD, an attack can mean complete personality and identity disassociation that absolutely requires police involvement and in the aftermath of which having neither them nor anyone else die is a blessing. And that's with people who're entirely excellent at any other minute in their life. As such, i entirely agree that frivolous use of the word is at best annoying when it comes from people who have no idea what it means.
- tyingq 10y agoIt's especially silly in the context of an interview. While an interview shouldn't be an inquisition, it obviously does have some areas where you're being put on the spot, on purpose. Note: Specifically staying just on the "trigger" topic. Not disregarding the level of concern that the story brings, assuming it is true.
- michaelchisari 10y agoI wholeheartedly agree, and considered making a comment about the same point, but in all honestly, I think it's a small quibble in the grand scheme of what the article is about.
- jordigh 10y agoYes, I don't want to blame "Amy" for this. Lots of people have started using the word this way. It is a minor quibble. Perhaps you're right that by bringing this up, I'm distracting from the major point of her article. I still want to leave it up, though.
- guelo 10y ago"tried to trigger me and insulted my intelligence to see if I break under pressure" I'm much more astounded that this is their interview technique.
- megabits 10y agoStrange that this was your takeaway when there were so many other things in the article to be greatly bothered by.
- jordigh 10y agoI had several takeaways. Just split them into several comments in this thread.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- gaius 10y ago"Trigger warnings" come from liberal arts colleges afraid of upsetting students with material that the previous generation of students coped with somehow, that's the first time I heard it used in this context.
- mousetail 10y agoI think part of what made Susan Fowler's account credible to many people was that she didn't use the same terminology as university political groups (trigger, survivor, etc). The title, "I am an Uber Survivor", and the first few paragraphs, made me immediately skeptical. After she revealed specific examples of Uber's toxic culture, I began to feel quite guilty.
- Arizhel 10y ago>I think part of what made Susan Fowler's account credible to many people was that she didn't use the same terminology as university political groups (trigger, survivor, etc). Yeah, you have to look at this girl's age and background. It makes sense that she's going to use that terminology. Every generation has different ways of talking about things.
- fullshark 10y agoFowler's post was incredibly well written and showed the power of understatement.
- ganfortran 10y agoShe is very careful but smart about her article. Title reads "Reflecting On One Very, Very Strange Year At Uber", doesn't seem very accusatory to me, however this only makes the what the article presents even more absurd.