I find the entire concept of trigger warnings to be ridiculous, but I am mostly concerned about the impact of this trend on the continuing dumbing down of the American public. By enabling students to avoid contact with materials that might challenge their preconceptions, we undermine the whole purpose of a “liberal” education. I feel the same way about safe spaces. Growing up is about confronting demons, not ignoring or hiding from them. Ultimately, we all face death on a daily basis, against which there are no feasible trigger warnings and no safe spaces. I think that studying the effects of trigger warnings is equally ridiculous because it is a study of the effects of a practice that should not exist.