The Origin and Meaning of Godwin's Law

This week a friend of mine brought up Godwin's Law with regards to Dems and Left-leanng media comparing Trump to Hitler. I was unfamiliar with this expression so I Googled it and found this:

Godwin's law

Also known as Godwin's law of Nazi analogies, this internet adage states that the likelihood of a comparison involving Hitler or Nazis increases as an online discussion continues.

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Through further research I learned that Godwin's Law was an internet adage coined by attorney and author Mike Godwin in 1990. It asserts that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of someone making a comparison to Nazis or Adolf Hitler approaches certainty. Initially meant as an observation about how quickly online debates deteriorate into hyperbolic comparisons, Godwin's Law has become a widely recognized rule of online discourse.

The law highlights a tendency for individuals to invoke extreme comparisons, particularly referencing Nazi ideology, when emotions escalate in arguments. These comparisons often derail conversations, making it difficult to engage in rational debate. Although not an official rule or policy, Godwin's Law serves as a caution against the use of inappropriate or exaggerated analogies that trivialize historical atrocities.

In contemporary use, Godwin's Law is sometimes invoked to call out fallacious arguments and to encourage participants to remain on-topic and avoid reducing discussions to the lowest common denominator of debate. Over time, the term has also been used as a reminder to maintain a level of respect and seriousness, especially when discussing sensitive topics. Godwin himself, however, has clarified that the law does not apply in discussions where comparisons to Nazism are relevant or warranted based on the context. 

So there you have it.

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Have you ever called someone a Nazi? I did once. How do you feel about that today? Leave a comment and I may disclose the circumstance of my own experience.

Godwin's Law

While doing a little research for yesterday's entry on bullying I reflected on the concept of flaming, which was rampant in the earlier days of the Internet. Being part of a few Usenet groups, it was inevitable that sooner or later a heated discussion would arise. If you choose to take a side, you risk being the recipient of a whole lotta hostile comments. This was flaming.

So while looking up flaming, which could be a long discussion in and of itself addressing the ease with which people can say things under anonymity that they might never say face-to-face, I stumbled upon Godwin's Law.

Here's a brief synopsis on Godwin's Law from Wikipedia:

Godwin's law (also known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies or Godwin's Law of Nazi Analogies) is a humorous observation made by Mike Godwin in 1989 which has become an Internet adage. It states: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."In other words, Godwin put forth the sarcastic observation that, given enough time, all discussions—regardless of topic or scope—inevitably end up being about Hitler and the Nazis.

Godwin's law is often cited in online discussions as a deterrent against the use of arguments in the widespread reductio ad Hitlerum form. The rule does not make any statement about whether any particular reference or comparison to Adolf Hitler or the Nazis might be appropriate, but only asserts that the likelihood of such a reference or comparison arising increases as the discussion progresses. It is precisely because such a comparison or reference may sometimes be appropriate, Godwin has argued that overuse of Nazi and Hitler comparisons should be avoided, because it robs the valid comparisons of their impact. (emphasis added)

This last statement is one that I've reflected upon many times.

Trivia question: Who was the last president not to be compared to Hitler?