I've seen people argue that CWs don't affect your post's visibility, and that people will read it either way.

Nat Oleander

I've seen people argue that CWs don't affect your post's visibility, and that people will read it either way. I don't think this is entirely true; on a quick scroll, I don't click every CW'd post, and I'll bet there are others like me.

But when you don't CW, you lose engagement/followers from those who prefer it. So there's a potential tradeoff either way.

It comes down to what kind of fedi citizen you want to be, and which people you want in your community.

#contentwarning #fediverse

Nat Oleander

I'm working on using them more. I'm still newish to using mastodon often, and I honestly just don't think of it most of the time. Even though at one point I CW'd a lot of my posts on FB. There are a lot of great examples here of how to do them well! Observe, practice, add one if you're asked to.

Nat Oleander

I will say that when I first got on here and was asked to CW a self-portrait I shared because it shows some skin (naked but posed image with no areolas or genitals), I was miffed. I'm so exhausted from years of social media censorship that I did not feel like this was fair. (Funnily enough, that same picture is still my IG avatar, where I've been censored heavily but have been allowed to keep that profile pic.)

Idk. I wish our society were more comfortable with bodies. I hate the discussion of

Nat Oleander

whether bodies are "safe for work." There is so much misogyny and puritanism that those of us with religious trauma have fought to free ourselves from.

Still—it isn't always the right moment for everyone to view all content.

So if there's a question, I think it's better to err on the side of caution. Because while you may have trauma from hiding, others may have trauma on the flip side.

Nat Oleander

There's no perfect solution. We want our posts to be accessible! CWs are a tool for accessibility, not just for active triggers, but for many kinds of content. Keep playing around with it and see where your comfort level lands.

Random Geek

@nat I routinely make a post, reread it after the fact, realize it's kind of uncomfortable, and edit in a CW.

My favorite usage of editing functionality.

nebulos

@nat ya, it's annoying how the censorship/prudishness people glom in to the CW discussion - IMO they're not welcome, and distract from the real goal, which is to give people more choices (with what they engage in), not fewer (by making it mandatory to CW certain topics). I think your example is a great example of the difference between "people would appreciate a CW for this post" and "you must CW this kind of content".

Nat Oleander

@randomgeek Love that! I like the reminder that keeps me from posting without alt text. I feel like "hey, do you need a cw?" should be part of the workflow too.

Nat Oleander

@nebulos yes!! It's that exactly. More choices, and done from a place of compassion and connection. Not censorship.