---
title: "The death of British satire, the right to offend, and cinematic dystopia"
date: "2015-08-26T11:24:26+01:00"
modified: "2015-08-26T11:24:26+01:00"
url: "https://newhumanist.org.uk/2015/08/26/the-death-of-british-satire-the-right-to-offend-and-cinematic-dystopia/"
post_id: 6429
categories: ["Uncategorised"]
---

# The death of British satire, the right to offend, and cinematic dystopia

1\. [The strange death of British satire](/articles/4919/the-strange-death-of-british-satire)

In this essay from our [Autumn issue](/articles/4916/the-autumn-2015-new-humanist-is-out-now), Mark Fisher argues that satire today is dominated by a narrow elite. No longer a threat to authority, it is a means for the establishment to protect itself.

2\. [Mad Max and the function of cinematic dystopia](/articles/4918/mad-max-and-the-function-of-cinematic-dystopia)

Dystopian films reflect the anxieties of their times, says Brogan Morris; but the best ones sneak the message in through the back door.

3\. [Walk the tightrope](/playdice/2701)

In this archive piece from 2011, John Burnside writes that even if we don’t need religion, mystical traditions still have a lot to teach us.

4\. [Red alert](/playdice/2051)

Is it a symbol of submission or of authority? Of glamour, lust or danger? In this 2009 article, Sally Feldman uncovers the myriad shades of lipstick.

5\. [On the importance of the right to offend](/playdice/4570)

In this 2014 article, Kenan Malik sets out some basic points about liberalism, free speech and the giving of offence.

*[July’s top long-reads.](/articles/4911/arab-atheism-identity-and-work-and-the-meaning-of-forgiveness)*

*[More on our Autumn issue – out now.](/articles/4916/the-autumn-2015-new-humanist-is-out-now)*