British University Issues Trigger Warnings For Ancient Greek Mythology

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The practice of adding trigger warnings to Homer and Greek mythology in British universities presents a clash between modern sensitivities and classical education. While these stories have been studied for millennia without content warnings, examining the underlying reasons for this change and its implications deserves careful consideration.

Greek mythology and Homeric epics like the Iliad and Odyssey undeniably contain violent and disturbing content - from Cronus to the graphic descriptions of warfare and death in the Trojan War. The texts explore themes of r..., mur.. infan..., and canniba.... These elements weren't gratuitous but rather served to explore fundamental aspects of the human condition, morality, fate, and the relationship between mortals and gods.

However, the recent move to add trigger warnings reflects a significant shift in how academia wishes to approach these texts. This approach faces several compelling criticisms. First, it potentially undermines the historical and cultural context in which these works were created. Greek mythology wasn't meant to be comfortable - it was designed to grapple with the darkest aspects of human nature and cosmic justice. Attempting to sanitize or cushion this experience may dilute its intended impact and educational value.

Furthermore, these warnings might inadvertently diminish students' intellectual resilience. University education traditionally aims to challenge students' perspectives and expose them to difficult ideas. By flagging classical texts as potentially traumatic, we risk creating an environment where students approach challenging material with apprehension rather than scholarly curiosity.

The practice also raises questions about where to draw the line. If Homer requires trigger warnings, what about Shakespeare, whose works are filled with violence and tragedy? Or modern literature that deals with similar themes? This could lead to a situation where much of the literary canon comes with disclaimers, potentially affecting how students engage with these texts.

However, it's worth considering that trigger warnings don't necessarily prevent engagement with difficult material. They simply provide advance notice, allowing students to prepare mentally for challenging content. In an era where we better understand trauma and mental health, this could be seen as an evolution in pedagogical practice but only if we apply it equally and or it will become an attack on classical education.

The key question isn't whether these texts contain disturbing content - they clearly do - but rather how we can best prepare students to engage with challenging material while maintaining the intellectual rigor necessary for university-level study and keep politics OUTSIDE. Perhaps the focus should be on developing better frameworks for discussing difficult content in academic settings, rather than simply labeling it as potentially triggering.

The real risk isn't in the warnings themselves but in potentially creating an environment where students feel entitled to avoid rather than engage with challenging material. Classical texts have endured precisely because they confront us with difficult truths about human nature and existence. Their value lies not in their comfort but in their capacity to challenge and provoke thought.
Moving forward, universities might better serve students by focusing on developing robust frameworks for engaging with difficult material rather than simply warning about it. This could include teaching students about historical context, literary analysis techniques, and methods for processing challenging content constructively. The goal should be to prepare students to engage with these texts thoughtfully and critically, rather than approaching them with trepidation.

In conclusion, even if (and I don't think it's the case) the intention behind trigger warnings may be well-meaning, their application to classical texts raises significant concerns about the future of humanities education. The challenge lies in finding a balance between supporting student wellbeing and maintaining the intellectual rigor that has characterized classical education for centuries. Perhaps the solution lies not in warning labels but in better preparing students to engage with challenging material in meaningful ways.

#ancientgreece #thetruth #metatron

[metatronyt]

Links to the previous episodes mentioned
Anglo Saxon issue
Canada

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Join this channel to get access to more old school Metatron videos the algorithm wouldn't prioritize!

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[TheGM-XX]

I bet they went into the class thinking Homer meant The Simpsons.

[bernardfigiel]

"I want to be a surgeon, but I'm going to skip all classes with blood because I cannot stand it". What happened to this World? If you're offended by any part of history just don't study it. We don't need historians not knowing history. Like having biologists not knowing biology wasn't enough.

[cannibalvegetableyt]

As a woman who experienced a lot of SA and has a PTSD diagnosis, I find all the "trigger warnings" excessively insulting. I suffer from _actual_ triggers, and I take responsibility to my exposure levels. It isn't anyone else's responsibility to warn me about subjects I already know exist.

If we're reading about war, it's going to be violent. If we read about antiquity, women are probably not going to be center and likely will be subjugated on some level. Don't insult my intelligence by "warning" me because you're assuming I'm soft.. which is pretty ironic, given that this is to protect women who are supposedly the future and such Bad Bs that they don't need any help whatsoever. What a joke.

TLDR: thanks, I hate it.

[JaelaOrdo]

As a former history teacher I find the idea of needing a trigger warning (especially for adults) is a disservice to the students. Tell them the truth, the whole truth, don’t hide anything or give any warnings because they need to be able to deal with the facts if they want to have any actual understanding of history.

[JohnSmith-rkzy]

Trigger warning Homer will keep introducing new characters with ridiculous names and what city they are from just to have Achilles or Hector throw a spear at their face two sentences later.

[veeganboy]

The constant infantilizing of young adults is a massive problem!
All it has done is foster a couple of generations of crybabies, incapable of dealing with the most minor emotional discomfort.

[patricka.crawley]

I taught all Greek Mythology in Primary School....no punches pulled.
The pupils love it.

[vasiliskoutsokostas]

I believe I speak on behalf of all Greeks when I say thank you for appreciating and discussing the beauty of my people.

[CapAnson]

If you need trigger warnings for history you shouldn't be studying it. History is not the subject for you.

[wwiiinplastic]

If you can't handle adult-level topics, then perhaps you shouldn't take part in adult-level education.

[escandolosoamargo]

That's crazy. I studied Greek mythology and theatre in (Catholic!) secondary school in the 90s (so aged 16 to 18), nobody felt any need to warn us about all the sex, violence, murder, homosexuality, rape, slavery, bestiality, sexism and general shenanigans, because it wasn't necessary. I guess we were made of sterner stuff? If you're studying Greek literature at university level you really should know what to expect, and if you're too 'sensitive' to appreciate it for the wonder that it is than you are in the wrong classroom.

[Talos_The_King]

How can the student be expected to go out into the field and apply what they've learned if everything they've learned triggers them? We can't expect honest academics if knowledge is being censored and suppressed for the sake of people's feelings.

[IlmarBeekman]

If you need to be warned before reading something, you have no place getting a degree in anything. In fact, I think this automatically disqualifies this universities credibility, and people should reject any applicants from hiring so long as this is policy.

[YtUser-cc]

I read my first book on greek mythology when I was 12. I desperately wanted the book for my birthday, because at that time I was obsessed with ancient culture. I was so happy, I still have that book now. I am now 58 yrs old. Greek mythology is fascinating.

[hariszark]

As a Greek who loves my Greek heritage, I can say *You are welcome* and thanks for appreciating the products of the Greek civilization.

And let's clear something here.
Whatever seems bad or violent in Greek "mythology" and theatrical plays, it was there for people to learn and *avoid* doing them.
Mythology was a *lesson* of life and being a good citizen and character in your whole life.

And I don't see any University saying that they should trigger the Lord Of The Rings books because there is mayhem and war with all the creatures of middle Earth.

And that is why we read and learn history.
To avoid the mistakes of the past as human beings.
So...

[christinatachdjian]

I am a Greek person and I want to say that I absolutely LOVE your content!! I ADORE your videos, they are amazing!
I distinctly remember the very first time I watched one of your videos (which I just happened by chance to come across, I think it was to do with ancient Greek and possibly Roman statues and temples that they had colour and were painted and had other decorations and embellishments). I knew already at the time the evidence about the painted stonework but I remember being very satisfied with the way you presented the information, it was a very informative and enjoyable way to access information.
Thank you for this video, it is another very well done piece on not only my Greece but OUR collective history of the land of Hellas. It is not only a land Hellas, but it is ideas, history and heritage of all Europeans and also radiating even more broadly out reaching towards the lands and people who are not European, it is the heritage of the world.
Well done, excellent work. Thank you immensely.🙏🌹🌹🌹🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷 I want to express deep gratitude. 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷

[franro]

I remember when fainting for the stupidest reasons was made for comedy purposes.

[iDEATH]

There have been studies that show that "trigger warnings" do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to do. Instead of people bracing themselves in order to reduce the effect of what triggers them, they prime people to be on the look out. The result of that is that they pick up on things they might otherwise have missed, meaning that trigger warnings result in more upset than no warnings at all.

[MrLolguy]

As someone that studied Ancient Greek history and culture, I'm sick of these people re-enacting 1984