To say “I’m offended by that” is to submit an expectation. By being offended, and choosing to publicly voice it, a person expects a resolution. There’s a hope, that if something is outrageous enough to elicit the response of offense, it will disappear.

Offense is strange. It’s subjective. People are offended by different things. People enjoy some things that others find offensive. Offense is situational.

Atheists create copious amounts of offense. With the recent ‘war on christmas’ that never existed, many were offended that they were still able to celebrate a popular holiday and somehow be unhappy that others weren’t doing it ‘right’.

Churches also seem to offend. People take offense in being told about things they don’t agree with. The offendees, similarly broadcast their own views, but feel a bit uncomfortable that other people are doing the same. Offense is perpetual.

“I’m offended by that” is a phrase which has no respectability. As Stephen Fry (and the argument is pretty much over when Stephen Fry is on your side) describes it, “it’s nothing more than a whine”. It’s a whine with a demand for something to happen. Clearly nothing will come of it, as the rest of the population are happy coexisting.

Here’s a list of things that offend me:

-Olives
-Large amounts of small change
-Spam e-mail
-Canned Hot Dogs
-Buffering
-Wine Cellars
-Printer Ink Prices
-Crooked Flooring
-The same type of weather for a long time

The Oscars were recently and controversially hosted by Seth MacFarlane. People were already offended before it had started. Notorious for his crude sense of humor, the decision to allow him to coordinate such an immense event was risky to say the least. By the end of the night he had not disappointed, securing potential offense in most areas (as to leave nobody out). Some shocked viewers grumbled about their lack of satisfaction afterward, the rest were very busy not caring, having just enjoyed the show the night before. Bland is trumped by entertaining in this case, and all others.

It would be a shame to produce something that doesn’t offend at least one person. What is the value of success if there isn’t anyone to hate you for it?