# Are we overly sensitive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 18, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-overly-sensitive/993342 "2023-11-18T21:55:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 59
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-overly-sensitive/993342/59 "2023-11-19T14:45:26Z")
I also have recently noticed an apparent increase in warnings on TV for an apparent increased variety of triggers. On one hand, they strike me as mildly silly - and reflective of a recent trend I do not entirely favor. But I recognize how ridiculously minimally such warnings affect me, so I don’t feel strongly about them at all. This reminds me of [a thread I recently started](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-personally-experienced-trauma/990175/1) asking if people perceive themselves as having experienced trauma. I feel we have seen the pendulum swing back from previous generations saying, **“Suck it up, don’t be a crybaby!”** to today’s, **“But they are my feelings and they are real!”** In my personal opinion, the pendulum has swung a tad too far in that direction. I think humans are tougher than many credit us being. Much of the focus on our inner discomfort reflects how comfortable and safe our lives actually are - we stress over emotions because our more basic needs for food, shelter, etc. are covered. I think some people derive some benefit from perceiving themselves as fragile and victims. And I note that many mental health care professionals profit from such an attitude. To some extent and in some situations, I feel people reinforce their own sensitivities by dwelling on their most unpleasant experiences. But I realize that being TOO compassionate is a lesser flaw than being insufficiently so. And while I personally feel too many people are too sensitive, I am able to realize that that does not really affect me negatively in any significant way. So I try not to think too much and too negatively about it when I perceive it. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-overly-sensitive/993342)._