Godwin’s Law

Matt Roscoe
Chester January 4, 2011

Abstract
An examination of Godwin’s Law accompanied by a suggestion for
areas of further research.

1 Expressed as a Mathematical Equa-

tion
In an internet discussion,

lim P (Ref erenceHitler ) = 1

t→∞

2 Further Examination
”As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a
comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one.”

Clearly the time required for the comparison to take place will
vary enormously and is dependant on a number of factors. Below is a
non-exhaustive list of some factors to take into consideration:

• The nature of original post. A particularly controversial

topic is likely to create controversial posting and thus the prob-
ability of a reference to Hitler or the Nazi party is increased.
• The nature of the posters present. More argumentative
and small minded posters are more likely to attempt to invoke an
emotional reaction from others, possibly because they themselves
are under the influence of their emotions.

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 • The number of active posters present. More posters in-
creases the number of posts and therefore the probability of a
controversial post or poster.
• The authority and number of moderators. Fewer and less
assertive moderators encourages discussions to go off topic or out
of hand, thus increasing the probability of Hitler references.

3 Further Discussion
In some cultures instead of references to Hitler or Nazis, references
are made to Jews. Most notably neo-Nazi discussion forums such as
Stormfront. Presumably similar behaviour takes place at meetings of
neo-Nazi groups (such as Combat 18, Blood and Honour, November
9th Society or League of St George). However due to the difficulties
in gaining access to these meetings no solid evidence for this argu-
ment can be presented at this time. Additionally one may speculate
whether this apparent counter culture may also refer to notable Jews,
mirroring the way which Godwin’s Law could apply to references to
Hitler. One may only guess at which notable Jews may be selected.
It is possible that Albert Einstein may be subject to this kind of ref-
erencing as he was a notable Zionist and pacifist. Perhaps it is these
qualities observed in Einstein which neo-Nazis may use as an insult,
even mockingly?

4 Conclusions
It would be rational to say that Godwin’s Law is a useful tool to refer
to in order to prevent the demise of an internet discussion. Specifi-
cally, reminding participants of the discussion of the existence of the
Law as the debate begins to turn sour but before any accusations are
actually made.

Interestingly, frequent referencing to Godwin’s Law itself has re-

sulted in the mantra ”inb4godwin” to pre-empt the reference. One
should ask whether or not this mantra will in turn become another
over used meme and result in a second mantra of ”inb4inb4godwin”
or similar.

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5 Suggestions for Further Investigation
Below is a short list of further topics relating to Godwin’s Law which
could be investigated to fully understand the Law and all of the im-
plications it brings:
• Additional aspects which Godwin’s law has affected modern so-
ciety.
• Ways in which Godwin’s law has affected international politics.
Has it helped repress far right political organisations, or has it
simply highlighted or even aided their cause? Has it reminded
individuals of the values of the Nazi party and potentially act
as a crude advertisement for some of the previously mentioned
neo-Nazi groups?
• Ways in which Godwin’s Law has affected the global economy
and international trading. Is it possible that constant references
to the Nazi party has encouraged a number of European coun-
tries to adopt economic policies which are akin to those of the
Nazi party. Particularly in reference to concepts such as Autarky,
the idea of a nation being self sufficient in all aspects.
• If there is any correlation between the rises in references to God-
win’s Law and any of the following; the rise in popularity of the
Bb diminished 9th scale in progressive jazz-fusion and technical
death metal (As used by Necrophagist in the songs ”Fermented
Offal Discharge” and ”Diminished to B”), the presence of an
Adolf Hitler style moustache on the face of comedian Richard
Herring, the increase in comical ’holidays’ such as International
Talk Like A Pirate Day, a year on year increase in memes and in-
ternet speech per sentence in everyday spoken language, height-
ened banter density in PHYS 101 lectures at Lancaster Univer-
sity during five weeks in the autumn of 2010, the probability of
the television channel Dave showing repeats of Have I got News
For You from the end of 2001 during the controversial events in
New York during that September and the subsequent invasion
of Afghanistan.
Ideally at least some of these suggestions may be undertaken by myself
and my colleagues within the coming months and years as part of
my missions to better understand the cultural phenomenon that is
Godwin’s Law.