this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2024
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I've always been told that Hitler was a masterful public speaker; that his support can largely be explained by his compelling, if not mesmerizing hold on crowds. This narrative is not common, it's universal.

Sometimes I think this is emphasized over how much the crowds approved of the content of his speech.

How do native German speakers feel when they view footage of Hitler? Do you think the reputation is earned?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 118 points 1 day ago (6 children)

In school, we never just watched a Hitler speech and were asked "here, have a look, whatdaya think?" It is always, from the beginning, embedded in critical, solemn reminders to see it as the darkest chapter in history. We (at least in my school education) were taught how easily masses are manipulated by emotions, groupthink crowd dynamics and psychology. How strong and blinding tribalism can be.

So to answer your question, what do I, as a German whose grandfather fought in France for the bad guys feel when I see a Hitler speech?

Anger for people who lose their capacity for rational thinking and let themselves be blinded by emotions. Anger about rethoric. And a deep unsettling sense of dread, shame and sadness.

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 13 hours ago

I fully agree. So much sadness, seeing the uninformed, doing the same mistakes we warn for every day. It's depressing, because even if you try to look at the brighter side and at the larger part of people who are kind and anti fascism. To know that group dynamics could destroy all of this in a year. Humans are capable of the worst, even when they believe in acting in good faith. Truth is, we humans are too easily manipulated and fear of isolation when standing up to the crowd makes people cowards. What is "good" is sadly just a matter of perspective and not even a question about quantity. When times get dire, the people will follow the easy solution.

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