Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

Tophat665 · 03-08-2004, 07:13 PM

The problem as I see it is that there are often valid comparisons to be made between current events, governments, and leaders and those of the late thirties and early forties (no specifics here - I want to keep this theoretical rather than get particular) usually in kind but not degree, and typically in the adoption of certain public relations gambits. I think everyone can agree that Hitler was one of the most effective and charismatic public speakers of all time, and Gobbels pretty much invented modern propaganda. That the things that they did with it earned them a one way ticket to hell is a point aside. People use chainsaws to cut wood, and no amount of watching the Texas Chainsaw Massace will take that utility away from them. So there is often a valid comparison to make, but make it and people get righteously indignant.

That's a problem, because what you are doing is saying, in effect, careful how you swing that chainsaw around; you could take somebody's leg off. But everyone thinks you're calling them Leatherface. (Talk about a metaphor taking over.) Same deal here - Hitler is a cautionary tale to any democracy, but only if he can be discussed without outrage, and that usually isn't possible.

Finally, often a conversation will go "X verges on fascist." "Are you calling X a Nazi?" and it degrades from there. Nazis were fascists. Not all fascists are Nazis. While I disagree with fascism, I can see the benefits of a strong, authoritarian central government. I don't see the benefit of a pint size demogogue with a world class chip on his shoulder and an ego of galactic proportion preaching racial purity and blatant land grab. (Don't much care for James K. Polk either.)

To sum up: Fascism != Naziism. Nazi public relations are a dangerous tool too often seen, but not often effectively noted in this day and age. Other comparisons can be validly made, but they will be partial and lopsided.

03-08-2004, 07:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	The problem as I see it is that there are often valid comparisons to be made between current events, governments, and leaders and those of the late thirties and early forties (no specifics here - I want to keep this theoretical rather than get particular) usually in kind but not degree, and typically in the adoption of certain public relations gambits. I think everyone can agree that Hitler was one of the most effective and charismatic public speakers of all time, and Gobbels pretty much invented modern propaganda. That the things that they did with it earned them a one way ticket to hell is a point aside. People use chainsaws to cut wood, and no amount of watching the Texas Chainsaw Massace will take that utility away from them. So there is often a valid comparison to make, but make it and people get righteously indignant. That's a problem, because what you are doing is saying, in effect, careful how you swing that chainsaw around; you could take somebody's leg off. But everyone thinks you're calling them Leatherface. (Talk about a metaphor taking over.) Same deal here - Hitler is a cautionary tale to any democracy, but only if he can be discussed without outrage, and that usually isn't possible. Finally, often a conversation will go "X verges on fascist." "Are you calling X a Nazi?" and it degrades from there. Nazis were fascists. Not all fascists are Nazis. While I disagree with fascism, I can see the benefits of a strong, authoritarian central government. I don't see the benefit of a pint size demogogue with a world class chip on his shoulder and an ego of galactic proportion preaching racial purity and blatant land grab. (Don't much care for James K. Polk either.) To sum up: Fascism != Naziism. Nazi public relations are a dangerous tool too often seen, but not often effectively noted in this day and age. Other comparisons can be validly made, but they will be partial and lopsided. __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.