Political correctness is – it's now universally accepted in this country, or by anyone with a brain at least – out of control.

It's getting so you can't say anything to anyone, in case you "trigger" them or offend them. Even if what you're saying is true! That's the worst part. It's almost like there are some words and concepts that just drive some people into a blind fit of rage or offence, and render them completely incapable of engaging in a calm and rational discussion.

It's kind of sad, because the conversations that are most richly strewn with potential points of offence are actually usually the most important ones to have. But they're also by definition the most likely to get somebody or other's undies in a bunch, so as soon as they're raised, even when it's in a well-meaning way – SLAM! Suddenly you can't hear yourself for the shrieking.

What happened to freedom of speech in this country? In shutting down genuine inquiry and debate on this matter, or that one, just because its premise (or even, sometimes, merely a sliver of its premise) offends someone, don't we risk missing out, as a population, on the sorts of answers we might more reliably have obtained were we allowed freely to have the conversation?