Godwin's Law
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
"As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a participant comparing another to Nazis or Hitler approaches 1." Once such an analogy appears, the discussion usually ends (because it has lost rationality and become pure attack). - Scaffolding role: early warning of extreme slippery slope. - It reveals the entropy-increasing trend of online arguments—inevitably sliding toward extremes and labeling. In public opinion wars or PR crises, once you notice the discussion starting to slide toward analogies of "moral judgment" or "crimes against humanity," you should immediately stop debating or cool down, because the window for rational communication has closed.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Early warning of extreme slippery slope. - It reveals the entropy-increasing trend of online arguments—inevitably sliding toward extremes and labeling. In public opinion wars or PR crises, once you notice the discussion starting to slide toward analogies of "moral judgment" or "crimes against humanity," you should immediately stop debating or cool down, because the window for rational communication has closed.
Anchor fast decisions
The longer an online discussion, the more likely someone will compare another to Nazis or Hitler, and once it happens, the discussion quality drops sharply. The mechanism is analogy slippery slope and emotional escalation.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_lawverified
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