tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13254577.post4477602865030287947..comments2023-11-01T01:03:28.646+10:30Comments on stephen clark: The language of 1984Stephan Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11194782441138561354noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13254577.post-39604103051502030352009-12-04T15:50:49.585+10:302009-12-04T15:50:49.585+10:30Yes, thanks for the reference to Godwin's Law ...Yes, thanks for the reference to Godwin's Law (the Calculus of fascism.)<br />It seems to me ( I am open to being corrected) that Stalinism is much less of an ideological phenomenon than Nazism; but nevertheless hideous.<br />It is therefore a perfect nomenclature to slur others because it lacks definition. It also seems to me that it is/was political megalomania gone mad. One mad step leading to another, all intent on keeping power in the hands of the ruling elite. With disastrous consequences for many, it is bizarre to suggest that there is anything like this in present day AustraliaStephan Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11194782441138561354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13254577.post-36610092585896837252009-12-04T12:31:43.403+10:302009-12-04T12:31:43.403+10:30Having just read Alister McGrath's The Twiligh...Having just read Alister McGrath's <i>The Twilight of Atheism</i>, (wherein he vacillates between a definition of atheism almost synonymous with Stalinism and a more garden variety definition of atheism) I spent a portion of last night wondering if he even cared about the victims of Stalinism. I'm sure he does, but still, it raised doubts.<br /><br />There is a knee-jerk reaction to this made by the attacked, "how dare they call me a Stalinist?", and it's not entirely unreasonable. That is until you realise that the slur isn't even remotely as bad as the belittling of the suffering of the victims - something that to me shares a similarity with Holocaust denial.<br /><br />Then it just smacks you in the face just how ugly it is, that people can stoop to this level in order to press an advantage, or prosecute a grudge. Even when done thoughtlessly, it's still a shocker.<br /><br />The observation you make adds a whole new layer to Godwin's law, I must say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com