Most of us regular contributors are well aware of “Godwin’s Law”, which states
“As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.” therefore invoking Godwin’s Law has become the standard method of countering reductio ad hitlerum, with the argument being lost by default. Such has been its success recent invocations have been extremely rare.
Unfortunately, in this opening year of centenaries, another horrific event in our history has become overused in political and social analogy, I am of course referring to the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Already used for many years as an apt discription of coming disaster, the excessive use by media outlets, online blogs or in private conversation has cheapened the tragic events as well as sidelining the issues discussed, you could say it has become reductio ad titanicum.
Therefore I propose to introduce my own law, similar in nature to Mr. Godwin’s, but being a modest chap I will give the naming honour to someone more worthy, therefore from now on, if the Titanic is mentioned in a thread not directly relating to the sinking or commerations we should invoke …
“Winslet’s Law” and thereby eradicate this virus from our midst.
PS. Ms Winslett or any other bearing that name have not been involved, consulted or endorse in any manner this issue.
PPS. the fact the UUP is often the butt of these analogies has absolutely nothing to do with this post.
I’m a progressive traditionalist, liberal conservative, left wing captialist, free thinking fundamentalist, am too fond of playing devils advocate for my own good, and a fondness for the occasional shock comment, put all that together with a tendancy to drop in the odd risky one-liner(occasionally even funny ones) would lead me to issue the appeal not to take what I say too seriously.