I Don't Want to be Right

[FireIceTalon]

The main problem with Godwin's Law is that it treats Hitler, Nazism, and German fascism in general as some abstract, almost metaphysical evil in the course of history - instead of for what it really was: a result and response to The Treaty of Versailles and the crumbling of German capitalism, as well as the existing fragile material conditions in Europe as a whole following WWI. Godwin's Law trivializes this, as well as the fascist states that followed in Germany's steps, and additionally the economic and social implications that Nazi ideology has in other societies (like the Neo-Nazis, skin heads, and even some factions of the Tea Party here in America, or any other white nationalist group in any state). While sometimes comparing something to Hitler or Nazism is erroneous, I still think Godwin's Law is even more ridiculous and should be forgotten about entirely. It is too easily used by racists and other discriminatory groups to justify their bullshit views, or by those who just "want to be right" and dismiss those who disagree with them as tin-foil hatters, even if the tin foilers are actually right. If someone makes a poor comparison to Hitler or Nazism, the best way to handle that is to constructively dismember their argument. But shouting "Godwin's Law!!" isn't going to accomplish that, and in fact, the person who does that is the one who is actually discredited, more so than the person making the comparison (even if they are wrong).