The inequalities of offence and reactions to it


Sony has probably acted correctly by rejigging the Little Big Planet computer game soundtrack so as not to risk causing offence to Muslims, but the move comes after offending Christians by including Manchester Cathedral as a location for a violent and gory battle in a different game. Sony said sorry over that, but didn’t withdraw and reprogram the game with an alternative, non-real-world location.

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

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10 other ways the government could try to change our behaviours with scary pictures


“I see dead people,” the little boy whispered. “No, my darling,” said his mother, lighting up. “It’s just a packet of Benson & Hedges…”

Next week the UK becomes the first European country to introduce graphic images on cigarette packets to warn about the dangers of smoking. Fifteen different images will include pictures of a diseased lung and heart surgery being performed. The imminent arrival of horror-themed designs on tobacco products got me thinking, maybe the government would like to see graphic images on other products as well. Or maybe it wouldn’t…

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

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