Godwin’s law

Godwin's law is an Internet adage which states that "as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1".

The law was coined by Mike Godwin in 1990 as a satirical comment on the tendency for online discussions to devolve into flame wars.

Godwin's law is often cited as an example of the Internet's ability to turn minor disagreements into full-blown arguments. It is also used as a reminder to avoid making comparisons to Nazis or Hitler when debating others online.

Why is it called Godwin's Law?

Godwin's Law is an Internet adage which states that "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1".

The law is named after Mike Godwin, who coined the term in 1990. Godwin has stated that he introduced Godwin's Law in an attempt to reduce the use of Nazi and Hitler comparisons in debates, as he felt that such comparisons were "reductive and oversimplified".

The original formulation of Godwin's Law was as follows:

"As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a Nazi comparison being made approaches 1".

However, the law has since been applied more broadly to any online discussion, regardless of platform or context.

What is Godwin's theory?

Godwin's law is an observation made by lawyer and author Mike Godwin in 1990 that 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, as a discussion progresses, the likelihood that someone will make a comparison to the Nazis or Adolf Hitler increases. This is often seen as a sign that the discussion is degenerating, as such comparisons are usually considered to be fallacious.

Godwin's law is sometimes invoked as a reason to avoid making Nazi comparisons. However, Godwin has stated that he never intended it to be used that way, and that he believes that such comparisons can be valid in some cases.

Who is Godwin?

Godwin is an Internet meme that originated on Usenet in the 1990s. The meme is named after British lawyer and politician Charles Godwin, who first proposed it in a legal context. The meme is based on the idea that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.

The meme is often invoked in discussions about online etiquette, particularly in the context of flame wars, in order to declare the discussion over and to condemn the person who made the Nazi comparison as an Internet troll. What was William Godwin's political philosophy known as? William Godwin's political philosophy was known as "anarcho-communism." This philosophy advocates for a society without government or private property, where resources are shared equally among everyone. Who is the founder of philosophical anarchism? The founder of philosophical anarchism is Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.