Humans have become a successful species mostly due to innovation. And if we believe innovation is key to survival in a hostile universe, then the right to offend is necessary.

Why?

Because much progress has stemmed from challenging orthodoxy and questioning the status quo.

1/n

Take away the right to offend, and we will curtail innovation.

Freedom of expression constraints don& #39;t just curtail offence. They also curtail creativity and the ability to bring new ideas into the world.

2/n

A world without offence will be a world filled with people who will build on existing innovations, but won& #39;t create fundamental breakthroughs.

Just look at history and consider how many scientific and technological breakthroughs came from autocratic or theocratic societies.

3/n

The example of Galileo& #39;s ideas going against Church doctrine and the suffering he endured are but one example of how shutting down offence, perceived or real, can prevent humanity from progressing.

4/n

Of course the right to offend creates unhappiness especially when misused, so societies need to decide how best to balance the two.

For me, I& #39;d draw the line at incitement to violence. Beyond that, where do we draw the line before regressing down a slippery slope?

5/n