Posted on 02/23/2014 11:06:23 AM PST by nickcarraway
In almost any science-fiction scenario involving time-travel, the default action is to kill Hitler. As terrible a human being as he was, there are many reasons why this probably isn’t a good idea
If you find yourself suddenly gaining access to a time machine, what’s the first thing you’d do? If you said “kill Adolf Hitler”, then congratulations; you’re a science-fiction character. Actually, the whole “access to a time machine” thing suggested that already, but the desire to kill Hitler clinches it. Any time-travelling sci-fi character (at least ones created by Western society) seems to want to kill Hitler, so much so that there’s a trope about how it’s impossible.
That attempting to kill Hitler has become such a common sci-fi plot device speaks volumes. What about Stalin? He was arguably worse, killing 20 million of his own people to fuel his ideology. But no, Stalin went about his business unmolested by time travellers, all of whom are busy targeting Hitler.
It’s understandable. Who wouldn’t want to prevent the holocaust? It’s probably the worst thing in history. And I only say “probably” because I don’t know all of history, and the human capacity to be awful should not be underestimated. But as noble as it seems, killing the Fuhrer via time travel is a terrible idea, for real-world reasons, not just those in fiction. So should you get hold of a time machine and make plans to kill Hitler, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
ping
Awfully tempting.....but I shall demur...
This coming from the U.K. Guardian? The most left-leaning newspaper not published in Pyongyang? Not wanting to kill Hitler but Stalin? Uh oh, their Kommissars are going to be VERRRRRY angry!
How about just pimp slapping Eve instead?
Who takes over Germany if Hitler is assassinated? I suspect there would have been tremendous infighting between Himmler, Goebbels and Goering, none really trusted the other.
One could argue that Hitler was one of the biggest advantages to the Allies in WW2. Had someone else ran Nazi Germany, the outcome could have been different.
What about 0bama Sr.?
Go too far back in time and who knows what would happen.
Could be unrecognizable - good or bad.
Time traveling Nazis are always telling us not to off Hitler...
Killing Hitler(or Stalin) would have changed the world in very significant ways that would alter our circumstances even today.
In 30 years of time travel The Doctor never attempted to take out Hitler. Must be some reason why.
It might be worse if Reinhard Heydrich took over.
Maybe a time traveller killed a different young German leader, making it possible for the world to get Hitler instead
If God didn’t, why should I?
Without Hitler the left would not have made as much progress in the west over the intervening years, as they successfully (and very unfairly) associated Nazism with the right.
Where would be be today without the YouTube Hitler rants on various subjects?
I would insert Barack Hussein Obama into a normal, two parent family.
“This coming from the U.K. Guardian? The most left-leaning newspaper not published in Pyongyang? “
Also hands down, the most anti-American. Try reading the 2 years worth since the 2003 Iraq invasion and occupation and they make the NYT look like Dick Cheney’s newsletter..
Why couldn’t they arrange for Hitler to get a scholarship to culinary school, instead of killing him.
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