Discussion
Earlier this morning, I posted a video of the Ukrainian drone group Magyar's Birds eliminating 3 Russian soldiers.
I have since deleted the post, and here is why:
On one hand, I find it important to convey the truth that Putin is sending his soldiers to die. This is why Russians should help stop this war.
On the other hand the video was graphic, and in spite of me using a content warning several users still clicked and reported feeling sick having seen the video.
I take that seriously.
1/2
The whole point of showing horrific graphic videos in the attempt to stop any atrocities is to invoke a strong emotional response, this includes feeling sick.
It is the secondary trauma that often motivates people to take action.
So what matters more?
@randahl
From time to time, I see videos of soldiers, killed by drones.
On the one hand, it seems important for me to see the reality of war.
On the other hand, I think, this is so cruel. It should not be posted publicly.
I have no final opinion about that at the moment.
@randahl It’s up to you, but that only helps those who would rather look the other way than face reality.
@randahl So, as someone who got in touch about the video, I have to say that I’m __not at all__ concerned about the content warning. I ignore CWs. Because they don’t deliver what they promise anyway – they’re just clickbait.
In terms of content, it simply doesn’t fit with the channel, which usually posts well-presented, more analytical pieces.
The channel has no need to resort to clickbait and tabloid tactics.
@randahl
I don't know why they would complain after reading the intro and knowing what it will show.
Then, clicking in the content warning!!!!
They knew !!!! And still viewed it !!
War tears bodies apart.
They don't die babbling some esoteric shit.
I thought it was thought provoking and showed just how scared Russian troops are fighting a war they cannot win.
That video, if seen in Russia, would probably deter a good number of men from reporting for mobilization. It could save their life.
@ChrisHolladay I agree fully with everything you just said Chris.
But at the same time, we are all learning all the time, and if people have not fully realized the realities of content warnings, I don't want to teach them the hard way.
It was not just one user ignoring the warning, then complaining. It was many. And I think that proves the point.
As others have stated, when there is a content warning on a post, you should make a conscious choice not to click, if you are sensitive to the content the warning describes.
But this does not change the fact, that humans are curious by nature, and many users will click anyway. So that taught me something important about the limitation of content warnings.
I am sorry for the inconvenience. This was unintended. But now I know, that content warnings are not always an optimal solution.
2/2
@randahl
On the cutting edge of technology are the untested boundaries. You are finding them.
You are doing good work. Keep going.
@randahl
I clicked and felt sorry.
Of course.
I clicked partly by stupidity, partly for information on today's war.
I think you did well. There is reason to harass people because of your own stupidity
@randahl it used to be that a person takes responsibility of his/her own actions and decisions without blaming others. The fact that people cross "red lines" being notified in advance is courage, curiosity or stupidity. I tend to think that the latter is 99%. It is like poking a finger to red ant nest to verify whether it hurts so much as nature experts say....
@randahl P.S., it is sad that clever people like you are being pushed back by this...
@JigenDaisukeJr I agree. But for this to work, Mastodon should ask users up front if they want blood and gore in their feed. That way, the most sensitive would never see my post.
At the moment, they get temptation served right on their phone, they click out of curiosity, and then I am to blame because they see something they did not want to see.
You and I can argue all day long that they should not have clicked, but the fact is many did, and I think that is the point.
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@randahl
Content warnings are too generic and IMO overused. And reading the warning text often takes longer than looking at the picture.
Drawing of two people kissing? Content warning.
A normal day on the beach in Denmark? That's a content warning in christian puritan America.
Maybe they should have a selection of standardized icons or something. One for kissing, one for blood, one for war - but then yours would need to have two. I guess we need something like the warning symbols used in transportation, where one container can have a whole row of symbols - acid, radioactive,...