first of all, isn't it just handy that you can choose when and/or if you want to see the contents of this "content warning meta" post? (if you don't want to, that's okay! you can close the cw. this post will still be here later if you need!)

content warnings are a staple of fedi culture for very good reason; they give folks the ability to avoid or delay receiving information that may discomfort or even harm them, and everyone can benefit from this to some degree (but, sure, some benefit more than others; that's okay, though!). even folks who regard themselves as generally stable and thick-skinned or what have you can situationally find cause to appreciate not having their attention drawn to an uncomfortable discussion at an inopportune time

there are those who are skeptical of the merit of content warnings - what if they want that attention? what if they want to present something too important to hide behind a spoiler? what if they want to shake people out of their comfort zone and have a much-needed discussion about something they're not ready to talk about?

but i, in turn, am skeptical of such arguments. to me, it seems they each boil down to saying "i am in the right, i want everyone to know it, and my right to express myself is more important than your right to ignore me." and what i want folks - especially folks outside my circles who don't follow this etiquette particularly as strictly - to understand is that this is a really bad look. sure, maybe you have a public service announcement that will solve everything forever if only others listen to you - but if that's the case, why would you have so little faith in the merit of your arguments that you think folks would take even the slightest incentive to tune out?

i believe most folks who don't content warn posts of a sensitive nature know full well what they're doing. to the rest, i hope this post - and any responses it may receive - can provide some insight and perspective as to why we deem content warnings so important.