Godwin's law is an observation made by attorney and author Mike Godwin in 1989. It states: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1." In other words, Godwin believes that given enough time, all online discussions end up being about Hitler and the Nazis.
In fact the Holocaust, to which these so-called comparisons relate, is, in fact, not subject to comparison. It is "incomparable!"
Yes, there have been ethnic cleanings. Yes, there have been mass killings. Yes, there have been atrocities of significant magnitude throughout ancient and recent history. Yes, there has been slavery. Yes, there has been the forced movement of peoples from their traditional homes. Yes, there have been outrageous examples of discrimination. And even more.
But there has been only one Holocaust. Unique. Incomparable. Defined by what it represented.
It is mass killings. It is ethnic cleansing. It is slavery. It is forced movement of peoples. It is the utmost form of discrimination. It is all of these and much more. It is a cold, calculated, engineered affair. It is extermination as a business, in part analogous to pest control, - efficient, cost-conscious, scientific, and yes open to competitive bidding. It was unique in the evaluation and commercial uses of its byproducts. Products of the ovens were converted to energy. Corpses were provided to medical schools. Gold from teeth was extracted and melted down. Skin and hair was re-cycled. People were used as human guinea pigs in medical research. It is an atrocity of such magnitude that, without records or witnesses, it could be regarded as unbelievable propaganda (as it was by many political leaders of the time.) It is an unequaled barbarity of major proportions - cold, logical, unemotional, efficient, effective and productive.
It is the industry of human extermination.
Time to render Godwin's Law obsolete. Time for a new law.
In fact the Holocaust, to which these so-called comparisons relate, is, in fact, not subject to comparison. It is "incomparable!"
Yes, there have been ethnic cleanings. Yes, there have been mass killings. Yes, there have been atrocities of significant magnitude throughout ancient and recent history. Yes, there has been slavery. Yes, there has been the forced movement of peoples from their traditional homes. Yes, there have been outrageous examples of discrimination. And even more.
But there has been only one Holocaust. Unique. Incomparable. Defined by what it represented.
It is mass killings. It is ethnic cleansing. It is slavery. It is forced movement of peoples. It is the utmost form of discrimination. It is all of these and much more. It is a cold, calculated, engineered affair. It is extermination as a business, in part analogous to pest control, - efficient, cost-conscious, scientific, and yes open to competitive bidding. It was unique in the evaluation and commercial uses of its byproducts. Products of the ovens were converted to energy. Corpses were provided to medical schools. Gold from teeth was extracted and melted down. Skin and hair was re-cycled. People were used as human guinea pigs in medical research. It is an atrocity of such magnitude that, without records or witnesses, it could be regarded as unbelievable propaganda (as it was by many political leaders of the time.) It is an unequaled barbarity of major proportions - cold, logical, unemotional, efficient, effective and productive.
It is the industry of human extermination.
Time to render Godwin's Law obsolete. Time for a new law.
The Holocaust is unique
No comparison to other atrocities applies
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