Today I went to a newly formed writers group. It's limited to people over eighteen and was ostensibly formed to allow adult writers to address adult topics including sex, violence, strong emotion, and whether or not Coors Lite is actually beer. So far, so good.
Then came the hand out with three or four damn pages of possible trigger alerts that people are expected to consult and utilize when submitting work for critique. TAs include everything from domestic violence to negative body imagery to "strong language," whatever the hell that means. "This allows members to make informed decisions about engaging with the material." Conspicuously missing are possible phobia triggers like snakes, dogs, and peanut butter sticking to the roof of one's mouth (yeah, it's a thing: arachibutyrophobia, which is generally a fear of choking on any substance).
I suppose when manuscripts containing one or more of these dozens of TAs is up to be read aloud, the facilitator will announce, "Anyone triggered by the mention of (fill in the blank) can go shelter in the safe space of the hall during the reading and ensuing discussion. Ear plugs, blankies, and plushies will be provided. We will recall you when the danger is past."
Am I not grokking something about adult topics?