[Discussion] On [disclaimers] [PSAs] [the fine print]
Hi everyone,
Hope you all are having a swell summer/winter.
I’ve been cogitating on this for a while and am eager to hear from the community. There was a time when creators would post a script or audio with requisite/informative tags and leave it at that. There would not be further warning past the tags.
But in the past couple of years, I’ve noticed an uptick in disclaimers within posts that are pretty involved, ranging from warning about the content (which should already be conveyed in the tags) to assuring that the creator does not condone such and such fantasy, etc.
I’m truly curious why folks feel this language is necessary, given that a reader would only “enter” a post if the tags appealed in the first place. I’m also perplexed by long posts that end with such disclaimers, warning about potentially triggering content. It seems to me if additional warning is warranted (which again, is the job of the tags) that would appear at the top of the blurb, not at the end, after one’s eyes have already scanned the entire text. To be reminded at that point to mind the tags or to find other material to enjoy doesn't make sense.
The idea of “disclaiming” one’s OC is also odd to me. It’s tantamount to declaring, “this creation came out of my brain”—or in the case of fills, “I chose to perform this material”—“but please don’t associate with me IRL. It’s just a fantasy.” We already know these are fantasies, right...? These disclaimers also make me think of pharma legal fine print narrated at 3x speed in commercials. ;) But seriously, why do folks feel they are needed in offers or audios? Is it a trend? Make it make sense, friends.
Hope to hear from the community!