In politics, personal insults are usually dismissed as inappropriate ad hominem attacks. On Twitter, they’re anything but.
The #TriggerALiberalIn4Words hashtag, in which users list facts or ideas that they believe will “trigger” a liberal in under four words, took over the Twittersphere for a brief moment of unrestrained mudslinging and angry rebuttals.
I disagree with you. #TriggerALiberalIn4Words
— Jim Treacher is a dumb pseudonym (@jtLOL) March 4, 2018
Men can’t be women. #TriggerALiberalIn4Words
— Riya sharma (@riyasharma266) March 4, 2018
Tweets demonstrated a surprisingly large range of content, encapsulating everything from simple facts to philosophical beliefs, partisan politics, and personal values. Users often added memes or pictures to support their point.
Americans before illegal aliens. #TriggerALiberalIn4Words pic.twitter.com/9Tj5m6RqYm
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) March 4, 2018
Liberal Twitter users soon got wind of this movement, and launched a counter-attack aptly titled #TriggerAConservativeIn4Words. Many discussed the ineffectiveness of the original hashtag, relating it to conservative tactics they perceived as simimlar.
Yes, they’re running out of excuses for trump so they use random words like #DeepState, #MAGA, #triggeraliberalin4words & now #ignorance
— Simon Schwartz (@SimonSchwartz54) April 16, 2018
Users quickly noted the larger implications of the movement and what it revealed about both parties. Some used it to further their position…
The #TriggerALiberalIn4Words hashtag revealed that many conservatives on Twitter won’t listen to liberals out of resentment. The #TriggerAConservativeIn4Words response reveals why that resentment exists.
Meanwhile, the rich keep getting richer. https://t.co/FIWoXEDp1L
— Walker Bragman (@WalkerBragman) March 4, 2018
… while others took a non-partisan position and pointed out the problems with the hashtag’s phrasing and language.
Children trigger or are triggered. Adults discuss and try to convince. #TriggerALiberalIn4Words#TriggerAConservativeIn4Words
— Avi Woolf, WTF Conservative🌍 (@AviWoolf) March 4, 2018
So: who won?
I believe that taking a non-partisan position and eliminating the word “Trigger” altogether is important in taking a step towards common ground and productive conversation/discussions on social media channels, especially Twitter. I feel that back and forth hashtags like these make Twitter known as a platform used to rant and rave rather than conduct meaningful dialogue. Great post!