7 Signs It’s Past Time for Hitler Comparisons

Because it’s almost too late.

Stephen T. Harper
ILLUMINATION

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“As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler approaches 1”; that is, if an online discussion (regardless of topic or scope) goes on long enough, sooner or later someone will compare someone or something to Adolf Hitler or his deeds.” — Godwin’s Law

Attorney Mike Godwin wrote that in 1990 on Usenet.

I remember the first time I encountered a reference to Godwin’s Law. It was many years later, before Twitter and Facebook, when the preferred arena for arguing anonymously with people was still comment-boards and blogs.

By that time, it had become an ingrained tradition to say that once “Godwin’s Law” plays out and a Hitler comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever made the comparison has lost the debate.

In other words, the first person to call his opponent “Hitler,” loses.

I remember thinking a few things in ominously unfolding succession:

That’s pretty funny.

Yep, seems true enough.

But that was quickly followed by a realization.

Oh my God… what have we done?

Photo by Jacob Morch on Unsplash

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Stephen T. Harper
ILLUMINATION

Cogito ergo…um… wait, I know this one, just give me a minute…