Godwin's law
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Godwin's law of Nazi analogies is an Internet adage asserting that as an online discussion grows longer (regardless of topic or scope), the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Adolf Hitler approaches 1.[1] In less mathematical terms, the longer the discussion, the more likely a Nazi comparison becomes, and with long enough discussions, it is a certainty.[2]
Promulgated by the American attorney and author Mike Godwin in 1990, Godwin's law originally referred specifically to Usenet newsgroup discussions. He stated that he introduced Godwin's law in 1990 as an experiment in memetics.
Contents
Reductio ad Hitlerum
Later it was applied to any threaded online discussion, such as Internet forums, chat rooms, and comment threads, as well as to speeches, articles, and other rhetoric where reductio ad Hitlerum occurs.[3]
In 2012, "Godwin's law of Nazi analogies" became an entry in the third edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. In 2021 Harvard researchers published an article stating the law does not apply in Reddit discussions.[4]
Comparing Putin with Hitler
On 14 February 2022, John Pilger tweeted:
By comparing Putin with Hitler and Russia with the Nazis, Labour MP Chris Bryant out-Tories the Tories to become a finalist for the Warmongers Prize. The winner of this coveted award must abuse Russia without proof or referring to the risk of world war. Nominations please![5]
Invoking Godwin's law
Greg Maybury responded on 15 February 2022:
Replying to @johnpilger
I was wondering when someone was going to invoke Godwin’s Law vis à vis Russia and Putin. Haven’t heard it for a bit. It’s an oldie, but a goodie! Usually works a treat!
Surprised it’s taken so long for someone to wheel it out.[6]
References
- ↑ "Godwin's Law of Nazi Analogies"
- ↑ "How to post about Nazis and get away with it - the Godwin's Law FAQ"
- ↑ "Meme, Counter-meme"
- ↑ "Does Godwin’s law (rule of Nazi analogies) apply in observable reality? An empirical study of selected words in 199 million Reddit posts"
- ↑ "By comparing Putin with Hitler and Russia with the Nazis, Labour MP Chris Bryant out-Tories the Tories to become a finalist for the Warmongers Prize"
- ↑ "I was wondering when someone was going to invoke Godwin’s Law vis a vis Russia and Putin"
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