I'm 40,000 words into my post-apoc, alien bug invasion, time travel novel. I've often wondered if our culture is so enamored with offense and outrage because we're so comfortable and have nothing better to worry about. If so, then it makes sense for all those values to change at the end of the world. I've been searching for a way to express this without being too preachy.

So... My protagonist, who was plucked from the near-present into this overrun hellscape, is chatting with one of the city elders, who tells him not to be such a pussy. He tries to conceal his shock. She follows with:

"They’re just words. Nobody here made it this far being fragile. ... Being able to take offense is a luxury, and none of us are that rich. Not anymore.”

I think that'll do.