'I Find That Offensive!'

By Claire Fox

When you hear that now ubiquitous phrase 'I find that offensive', you know you're being told to shut up. While the terrible murder of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists demonstrated that those who offend can face the most brutal form of censorship, it also served only to intensify the pre-existing climate that dictates we all have to walk on eggshells to avoid saying anything offensive - or else.
Indeed, competitive offence-claiming is ratcheting up well beyond religious sensibilities. So, while Islamists and feminists may seem to have little in common, they are both united in demanding retribution in the form of bans, penalties and censorship of those who hurt their feelings.
But how did we become so thin-skinned? In 'I Find That Offensive!' Claire Fox addresses the possible causes of what is fast becoming known as 'Generation Snowflake' head-on (no 'safe spaces' here) in a call to toughen up, become more robust and make a virtue of the right to be offensive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Biteback Publishing
• Release date: May 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781785900556

Claire Fox

Claire Fox is the director of the Institute of Ideas, which she established in 2000 to create a public space where ideas can be contested without constraint. She convenes the yearly Battle of Ideas festival, established the prestigious nationwide Debating Matters competition for sixth-form students and coorganises the Institute of Ideas’ residential summer school, The Academy: ‘University as it should be’.

Reviews for 'I Find That Offensive!'

[pauntley · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Claire Fox has written a lively polemic directed against the 'snowflake generation'. Who are the snowflakes? They comprise that section of the population who claim special authority to close down discussion of current issues because it will cause offence or hurt to one or other of the rapidly expanding categories of individul who lay claim to being a victim of some form of oppression. The central point of her polemic is the necessity for resistance by people of good will censorship on the ground that others may be offended by a plain spoken expression of a difference of opinion. Fox cherrypicks her way through many of the more egregious attempts to close down or stultify debate by 'deplatforming', 'trigger warnings','safe spaces' and similar cultural developments. She concludes with the device of an open letter, directed to snowflakes and anti-snowflakers alike, calling for a more resilient and better informed commitment to public discussion.

[leaderelliott · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Claire Fox has written a lively polemic directed against the 'snowflake generation'. Who are the snowflakes? They comprise that section of the population who claim special authority to close down discussion of current issues because it will cause offence or hurt to one or other of the rapidly expanding categories of individul who lay claim to being a victim of some form of oppression. The central point of her polemic is the necessity for resistance by people of good will censorship on the ground that others may be offended by a plain spoken expression of a difference of opinion. Fox cherrypicks her way through many of the more egregious attempts to close down or stultify debate by 'deplatforming', 'trigger warnings','safe spaces' and similar cultural developments. She concludes with the device of an open letter, directed to snowflakes and anti-snowflakers alike, calling for a more resilient and better informed commitment to public discussion.