Goodwin's Law of Usenet

Professor Goodwin, U of I, in 1981 made the observation that Usenet discussions gravitate downhill.

He postulated that as the length of a discussion thread grows, the probability approaches one (1) that one participant will introduce the terms "Hitler" or "Nazi".

The custom has evolved that the first party to utter "Hitler" or "Nazi" has lost the discussion, and the thread terminates.


Why Are You Here?

You were likely referred to his page from being a participant in a discussion where Goodwin's Law was evoked due to improper word useage.