Godwin's law

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Mike Godwin

Godwin's Law (also known as Godwin's Rule of Nazi Analogies)[1] is a saying made by Mike Godwin in 1990.[2] The law states: "As a discussion on the Internet grows longer, the likelihood of a person/s being compared to Hitler or another Nazi, increases."[3][2] That means that as more people talk on the Internet for a longer time, it becomes more and more likely that someone will talk about Hitler or the Nazis.

In 2019, Bret Stephens demonstrated both the Streisand Effect and Godwin’s Law, by publishing a column in the New York Times, where he compared his experience on Twitter to the plight of Jews under Hitler’s regime.

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References[change | change source]

  1. "How to post about Nazis and get away with it—the Godwin's Law FAQ". Retrieved 2006-05-07.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Godwin, Mike (October 1, 2004). "Meme, Counter-meme". Wired. Retrieved 2006-03-24.
  3. Godwin, Mike (January 12, 1995). "Godwin's Law of Nazi Analogies (and Corollaries)". EFF.org. Electronic Frontier Foundation. pp. "Net Culture – Humor" archive section. Archived from the original on 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2006-03-24.