This superb polemic by the host of BBC Radio1Xtra's Breakfast Show is a penetrating exploration of the sorry state of outrage in our culture. Through interviews with Rachel Dolezal, Katie Hopkins and others, Charles shows that by so quickly leaping on the outrage bandwagon (typically on social media), we are actually debasing the quality of civil discourse. There is much still to be outraged by, she argues, but in order to truly enact change, we must learn to better channel our responses. I underlined something on almost every page.
Less impressive is her sympathy for advertising boycotts of media whose content she deems hateful. It feels like an attempt at backdoor censorship via corporations. Nonetheless, if her plea for people to turn down the heat, except when it matters most, is heeded, then Charles will have given valuable service in helping to improve public discourse.
