Roan Atkinson is calling to repeal Section 5 of the Public Order Act, which bans any word or phrase that could be inferred as insulting. Atkinson stated that “If we want a robust society, we need more robust dialogue and that must include the right to insult or to offend. Because, as someone once said, the freedom to be inoffensive is no freedom at all.”
The news and public have lately been gripped by the disappearance of five-year-old April Jones from her hometown of Machynlleth, Wales. Amidst reports of Mark Bridger being arrested on charges of her murder was the story that 19-year-old Matthew Woods has been arrested and sentenced to 12 weeks’ prison time for “offensive” messages posted on Facebook.
Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 states that it is a crime to send messages that are “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” or are “intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety”. In other words, the confusing and subjective issue of cyber-bullying has, for nigh on a decade, had bestowed upon it its own set of rules and regulations that try and ascertain when messages or jokes have gone too far. There’s a problem though: the offensiveness of anything is purely subjective. While we can all agree that messages that aim to incite violence or hatred towards another person or group should be punished, the difference is that these messages are expressly posted to cause harm or aggravation physically, whereas the crime committed by Woods highlights that people have different opinions on humour and what crosses the boundaries.
As society has become more liberal in recent decades, comedy that pushes the boundaries has become more prominent. I do not suppose that my former classmates making endless dead baby jokes should have been locked up for their tasteless sense of humour; these people did not kill babies or want to kill babies or even find it funny when babies died. The world of humour somehow exists almost as an entity to itself, where we can use laughter to try to make light of a situation or to try to overcome the pain of what it causes. While there are groups that campaign against Family Guy and its creator Seth MacFarlane, there are millions more who enjoy his comedy, regardless of how insensitive or offensive it may be. And from this we can see that comments are not all equal. For instance, a comment of ill taste directed to a particular audience, whether that be a friend or a room full of paying customers to a comedy club, is one thing, and that same comment delivered to the mother of April Jones is something else entirely. The former is trying to get a laugh out of people, the latter is, as the Communications Act states, “intended to cause annoyance”. It is the latter that is worthy of punishment.
The arrest and sentence of Matthew Woods raises the issue of just how much of a right to free speech we really have. Woods’ posts were made on his Facebook page, rather than an email sent directly to the family of April. It is therefore the cyber equivalent of a remark made to no one in particular, or a close friend, or a room full of paying attendees, rather than knocking on Jones’ mother’s door to make crude jokes. So if sentences can be handed out for that, should they not also be handed out to people making comments in ill taste in a setting outside of cyberspace?
There is no denying that Woods’ comments were insensitive, but this sentence has drawn a line in the sand that says “It’s ok to make these comments to your acquaintances, in a book, in a pub, on stage, in songs, but not online.” In a democratic society such as ours, it isn’t possible to live a life with no offence received. Whether it’s someone else’s faith, actions, language or humour, we can be offended by anything. This begs the question, “How can subjectivity be governed?” Typically the argument is simple: If you don’t like something, ignore it. Don’t buy the albums you don’t like, don’t go to the place of worship of a religion you don’t like, and don’t see the comedian that offends you. For the Internet, it’s as simple as don’t visit the websites with content you find offensive.
Indeed, Woods was apparently inspired to write his posts after visiting Sickipedia, a site that describes itself as “almost certainly the best online sick joke database in the world”. The sentence handed to Woods should surely extend to arresting the owners of the website too, as well as all the people involved in the offensive and depraved world of pornography, not to mention the X-Factor judges for relentlessly producing music that offends the ears and minds of all sane people.
Once we start to regulate subjective things like being offended, we must ask what next. Will it be as acceptable to be arrested for private emails between like-minded people if they contain “inappropriate” content? Will it be considered a hate crime to criticise another religion? Ultimately what needs to be remembered is that Woods made comments that were insensitive and sick, but not criminal in nature. There were no threats; he was not responsible for the girl’s disappearance, nor did he harm or abuse her. He did not make the comments directly to the family. The efforts of law enforcement should be focused on the person or people who are responsible for her disappearance or any harm caused to her.
Steve Hughes can have the last word on the subject of offence:
Tell us a little about yourself
It’s one of the best feelings in the world to laze in bed with someone sucking on your nipples, so I didn’t mind one bit when Baby Number Four refused to go to sleep without me. Going to bed at sunset meant that I’d wake up just before sunrise, and before long the proverbial night owl had metamorphosed into a lark. In the undisturbed stillness of the early morning hours the writing really took off: being the mother of four children is a very grounding job and it’s liberating to be able to escape into another reality where you can still be carefree, dance the nights away and do all those things a mother normally doesn’t get round to doing on a regular basis. You could say that one job lead to the next…
Kiss The Sky is your first book and you achieved an unusual feat in selling 2000 copies yourself on the streets. What gave you the inspiration to do so and the idea to do it that way?
My husband Rich and I had infiltrated the VIP area of the London Book Fair pretending to be literary agents. When you buy your ticket online, they ask you whether you’re an author, agent or publisher. Well, we figured that authors were the least welcome people there and so we ordered badges for agents, dressed up, and sailed straight past security to the upper floor where I handed out my letter. One agency wanted to see the whole manuscript. They loved the writing but didn’t think that there was a market for the subject matter. We couldn’t believe it: the 90s dance music revolution was a worldwide phenomenon that changed the music scene forever. We were much more than just a ‘chemical generation’. We were dancing for freedom and world peace, yet there was no market for a book talking about a period that many still consider the best time of their life? Odd. So instead of playing the lottery and trying to grab the attention of the middlemen, why not take it to the readers directly? We were also ready for a family adventure and the idea of working on a tropical party island beach did appeal!
Where did this story come from? Do you consider it autobiographical in any way?
Most of my art is autobiographical in some way, because that’s what I do when not writing. Like most first novels there are autobiographical elements woven into a fabric of fiction.
One look at your website bio and it’s clear that it’s not just your success that has been unique, but your lifestyle in general – living in a stone shed with no electricity or road access, searching skips for windows and your dance floor from cut-offs at the marble factory. Is your lifestyle as bohemian as it seems, and is it dance music, the focal point of Kiss The Sky, that prompted this lifestyle?
Yes, let’s blame it on the music and the dance floor! When dance music is your guiding star, you can travel this hippie trail where you follow the party and trade whatever you pick up on your way around the world. Where there is trade, there can be a party. And that’s what we learned in India: that you can always sell directly to the people. That’s probably the reason I wasn’t afraid to promote the book myself.
The book explores, amongst other things, anti-materialism and a life without money and this seems to be mirrored in your own life. Is it a fundamental ideology you believe in?
I wouldn’t call it a fundamental ideology but more a lifestyle born out of necessity: When you devote your life to art, financial security is not part of the package; you have to improvise a lot and use your imagination instead of a credit card. I love spending money just like everybody else and can be very good at it when given the chance, but I take more pleasure in picking up treasures for next to nothing – it’s all about the hunt, not the possession.
It also explores the sexual revolution and your attitude to it is “why it is more important than ever to start enjoying sex without indoctrinated guilt or shame.” Can you elaborate on this? Is this a plea to the hedonism of the Swinging Sixties, a suggestion that monogamy is unnecessary, or a mere suggestion that sex is fine if no one is going to get hurt?
I love the way you put this question. It’s probably a bit of all of the above and I will try to answer it point by point:
The hedonism of the swinging sixties was a direct consequence of the sexual liberation through LSD. Anyone who has ever experienced sex on acid and had a good trip with the right partner will confirm this: It enhances our sensitivities and men can be totally in charge of their ejaculations and really satisfy the female who in turn is totally able to let go. That is the most amazing thing about it. All the hang-ups and insecurities can be overcome and sex becomes the art of love making instead of a race to orgasm. That’s where the revolution is going to happen, not in the counting of male and female orgasms.
Is Monogamy unnecessary? Monogamy is an idea, no more no less. It suits some but not all and if we want to move towards a sexually liberated society it has to be an individual choice and not forced upon us by (religious?) morals in a society that wants to control human sexuality in order to harness its energy for warfare or consumerism. Enforced monogamy as the only norm is the reason for a lot of hurt and betrayal in long-term relationships. Why inject guilt and morals into an art form?
…A mere suggestion that sex is fine if no one is going to get hurt:
We live in a world where the taking of lives is witnessed, on a daily basis, through TV, film and other media, but the making of a life is seen as dirty, forbidden and therefore hidden. I’m asking you, what is more hurtful:
Gunshots or healthy sessions of sexy sex?
One review of your book says that it’s “a story about the search for human freedom in a conditioned world…and about forging an authentic being from the imposed structure of modern urban life.” Is this something you were actively trying to portray when writing it, or was it more of an unconscious development in the subtext?
Most of all I intended to tell an exciting story with freedom as the point of departure. I am grateful to my readers, and especially CJ Stone, for putting this into words so eloquently: The reviews and comments on Facebook really have taught me why I gave up so much living to be in front of a computer for years.
In this watered-down modern world of restrictions, new laws and more government intrusion than before, with a primary focus on money and possessions, your book points at a time when that wasn’t the case and argues the case for its virtues. It also bucks the trend in exploring sex, defending drugs, rebellion and how art and creativity threatens capitalism. It’s refreshing and a welcome departure, but how much of that is just story and how much are your actual beliefs?
Again, it’s not so much a belief but more a philosophy lived and learnt through circumstance and the need to be creative while surviving on the material plane. That’s what makes the story so realistic.
You’ve lived in London squats and very much hand-to-mouth at times. Were those your own decisions or just how things turned out, and how do you think your children were affected as you tried to sell your book?
As a one-basket woman I find it impossible to be a ‘part-time’ artist. After our return from India we’ve always sold our stuff in markets, be it art, food or now a book. It’s fun and real and you’re out there in the fresh air meeting cool people. Our children don’t know any better. They come with us wherever we go, and are used to seeing us working and selling and they have realistic expectations of life and its possibilities, I think.
For those who weren’t into the movement, can you explain the appeal of dance music and its purpose beyond the sounds it created?
The appeal was the unity and love created on the dance floor. We didn’t drink alcohol, instead, we were all high on psychedelics, able to experience and envision the potential of a healed humanity.
When did you decide to turn your hand to writing?
I always knew from very young that I’d write books one day and that I had to live an interesting life and read and read and read some more…
Have you started or thought of ideas for a second novel yet?
Yes, I have started and the setting is India, the Goa scene and beyond 😉
What does D C Gallin read when she has free time?
This is the hardest question of all! Let’s just say I do not read genre fiction such as romance or thrillers or anything that is overtly plot driven and predictable. If you wanted a list of books that made me feel at home instantly, influenced and even changed the way I perceive life? Some are mentioned or hinted at in KTS and the list is long, but here are some other favourites:
Rule of the Bone, Russell Banks
White Oleander, Janet Fitch
Gimme More, Liza Cody
This perfect Day, Ira Levin
A very Private Life, Michael Frey
Ines of my Soul Isabel Allende
Are you experienced? William Sutcliffe
Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell
A Movable Feast, Ernest Hemingway
The Island, Aldous Huxley
And here are some non fiction:
Fierce Dancing, C. J. Stone
The Tao of Love and Sex Jolan Chang
The Chalice and the Blade Riane Eisler
The Descent of Woman, Elaine Morgan
The politics of Ecstasy, Timothy Leary
The Gift, Lewis Hyde
Small is Beautiful, E. Schumacher
The Nature Doctor, A. Vogel
Thanks for all the thoughtful questions, Richard! Hope you enjoyed KTS 🙂
Dan Hawes, co-founder and director of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau (GRB), has taken the time to answer a few questions to advise graduates looking to enter the world of work.
Tell us a bit about the company:
GRB is a leading recruitment consultancy, matching high calibre graduates with the UK’s leading recruiters. We are a no-fee match-making for graduate job seekers, as it is the employers who pay our experts to find their perfect candidate. As a consultancy we offer free one-to-one guidance to our candidates throughout every step of the process, from writing your CV down to the final deal-making handshake. I co-founded the company in 1997 after graduating from Brighton University and seeing many friends struggle to find work. In over 15 years we have helped and placed graduates into a variety of successful careers.
Some people are of the opinion that a degree is no longer a valuable asset and not needed for career success. As a graduate recruiter how would you stress the importance of going to university and getting a degree?
As a graduate recruiter I can safely say that the power of a degree is the most valuable thing a student can have. Our clients are seeking graduates from the top 40 universities to fill positions in their company. Relevant work experience does help but first and foremost they are looking for specific skills or knowledge that only a degree can provide. Gaining a good degree from an established university puts you on the map for employment, and by registering with a company such as GRB the chances of fast employment from university rise significantly.
What other things can students do before they graduate to make them more employable once they have finished their degree and are looking to start their career?
Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Employers aren’t just looking for academic success; they want people who make proactive use of their spare time. Work experience is a great way to gain experience in jobs you think you might be interested in. It’s never too early to start gaining work experience; the more you have behind you the better. There are different types of work experience, some paid, some voluntary but think carefully before accepting unpaid work experience – will it actually lead to paid employment?
Most big companies offer summer internships, which are a great way to get experience and sometimes can give you an advantage if you want to join their graduate scheme after your degree. Some university courses offer terms or years abroad which should fully be taken advantage of. Travel is always attractive to employers, especially if you can show you used your time wisely. Attending university in another country for a time helps give you an edge too, as do industrial placements in your degree.
So, say a graduate has successfully boosted their employability and now has an important interview. What vital advice can you give based on your 15 years plus experience?
Preparation. One of the unique services GRB offers our candidates is free one-to-one advice throughout every step of the process, which of course will include the interview. I can’t stress how important preparation is before an interview. If you arrive unprepared you look like you don’t care and is very unprofessional. To prepare effectively, research the company, what they do, their recent news and the skills they look for in employees. Look over your CV and application form again so it’s refreshed in your mind and you’ll be expecting any questions they may throw at you. For example, ‘Why did you decide to take a gap year?’ or ‘Why did you get such a disappointing grade in History?’
Think of answers to questions you think they will ask but make sure you don’t sound too rehearsed; you want to appear natural. On the day wear smart dress even if they don’t specify and make sure you have checked travel arrangements so you are not late. Although you’ll be nervous try to smile and look relaxed; body language speaks volumes and eye contact and posture influence their opinion of you. Some major no nos to be aware of are appearing uninterested or saying too little; being overbearing about salary or mentioning other jobs and looking untidy.
Finally, what’s the best tip you can give job seekers?
Make yourself accessible and known. Use a variety of methods to get yourself noticed such as social media, networking and attending careers fairs. Do you research and be proactive and you’ll get there.
Written by Anna Pitts
Graduate Recruitment Bureau
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