Transferring dislike for one on to another using a false quote

Transferring dislike for one on to another using a false quote

12088548_1197553540258397_8297689775397707990_nTL;DR Summary

  • Poster suggests that Hillary Clinton is advocating the same policies as Adolf Hitler by pairing up alleged quotes from both.
  • There is no evidence that Clinton said this. The quote comes from a book whose author admits he made up quotes.
  • The goal is to transfer one’s dislike for Hitler to Clinton via logical fallacy.


Snopes.com:

‘Finally, we note that whatever the truth of either quotation, this item is a prime example of the Reductio ad Hitlerum argument, a logical fallacy holding that a particular viewpoint is undeniably “bad” or “wrong” if it happens to have been shared by Hitler.’

This propaganda is effective because it features:

  • Simple poster design
  • Features both individuals using similar facial and hand expressions and supposedly saying similar things
  • Simple message
  • Sounds plausible
  • Gets the message across in 5 seconds

But it also relies on the logical fallacy of linking ideas to Hitler. This concept is known as Godwin’s law, based on the observation:

“As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1[2][3]​​that is, if an online discussion (regardless of topic or scope) goes on long enough, sooner or later someone will compare someone or something to Hitler or Nazism.

Text for Search Indexing
Society’s needs come before the individual’s needs – Adolf Hitler
We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society – Hillary Clinton

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