Thursday, September 5, 2013

Godwin’s Law

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Incivility
“Godwin’s Law is the only half-facetious observation of Internet guru Mike Godwin that, ‘as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.’ 

“Whether it’s Nazis or something else, the broader point is that commentary in any online forum seems to veer towards the vicious or extreme. (Indeed, a contemporary equivalent of the two-decades-old Godwin’s Law might focus on Obama: No matter what the topic, sooner or later someone blames the president). 

“Sometimes, it appears, there is no room for moderation on the Internet.” 

—Tom Keane, columnist, “Not just for the witless”
The Boston Globe, on HuffPost’s decision to ban anonymous online comments, Aug. 27, 2013 URL (Thanks to alert WORDster Javan Kienzle)
 
• Anonymous Editorial Comment: $^&*%¢∞§¶º^%$!!!! Nazi Kenyan Social Democrats!

PeezPIX by Ted Pease
 
Stella’s life jacket









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(Be)Friend Dr. Ted, Professor of Interesting Stuff

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Ted Pease, Professor of Interesting Stuff
Utah State University, Logan, Utah & Humboldt State University, Arcata, Calif.

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