Auschwitz Officer Scrapbook

[PrettySquareGal]

It is sad that people find these photos so shocking.

The fact that it seems shocking only adds evidence to the conclusion I have come to- "Nazis" have become such an oversimplified cliche of evil that people, especially Americans, can't or won't accept that they were humans. All of them.

So part of me says big deal. Part of me says, my god why are you all so shocked?

Evil is an act. People do evil things, but no one believes what they are doing isn't justified at the moment of the act. We have to; it's a psychological pre-requisite for a positive action. And grim work leads to gallows humor and the human necessity for levity.

That's right, the 'evil' 2-dimensional cut-outs in snappy uniforms were people who thought they were doing right.

Those who look at these photos and think they are above it, well, that naivete will either get you sent to the next regime's camps or fitted in their uniform depending on the way the wind blows.

Personally I hope I never become desensitized to evil. I think it is naive to believe that all of those who commit atrocities are rationalizing that is justified. Many people act with the intent of doing intentional harm. I disagree that all Nazis thought they were doing right.

I am too sensitive about this issue so I won't comment further. It's a shame that this thread has become an opportunity to put down those of us who take an interest in this part of history.

 

[Shearer]

...on a board more than happy to give time to the construction of jackets circa 1920.

:eusa_clap Exactly.

 

[Shearer]

I like you Shearer!

Hahaha, thanks... it was the Naugas, wasn't it?

 

[griffer]

Personally I hope I never become desensitized to evil.

My point was that people over-simplify evil and become desensitized to human nature.

I think it is naive to believe that all of those who commit atrocities are rationalizing that is justified. Many people act with the intent of doing intentional harm. I disagree that all Nazis thought they were doing right.

No, it is naive to believe otherwise. It is denying the dark side of human nature to simply say, "Oh, they were evil psycho's, that's why they did that. Luckily, everyone I know ISN'T an evil psycho, therefore, we are safe."

Even psychopaths 'justify' their actions.

I was pointing out a truism of human nature. It's a bit of sophistry, but the starving mother who steals bread to feed her children has justified her theft to serve the greater good. Her childrens' survival is more important the the ethical implications of her theft. She knew that some would condemn her actions as 'wrong', but to her, her actions were 'right'.

One cannot do something they believe is unjustifiable. We rationalize our actions, no matter how horrific.

It's a shame that this thread has become an opportunity to put down those of us who take an interest in this part of history.

My post was the opposite of an attack on those who have in interest in history, rather it was an invitation to look deeper. Read, "On Hitlers Mountain", one of many true stories of a German struggling to understand right and wrong in the middle of National Socialism.

My post was not an apology for people who commit attrocities, but if you think evil will be so obvious to you when it stares you in the face, then you are mistaken.

The slippery slope to evil is a series of justifications.

That these were people, humans that in another set of circumstances would never have hurt another human being, cannot be forgotten. Those women in the SS-Communications corps were TYPISTS and RADIO OPERATORS! They were just secretaries in a horrible machine. That they laugh and smile, that they find comfort in a bowl of berries, really has no bearing on the context or the atrocity except to underscore that they too were only human. To say every member of the SS was a Dahmer-esque psycho is dangerous and misguided.

My point is that no one should be surprised by the evil that lurks in the hearts of man.

Look deep inside yourself, look into the hearts and minds of others. Look with your eyes open.

To say these people are different from you, are different from us in some elemental way, is look only at the surface.

These pictures serve a great historical purpose, but their context and presentation has been simplified.

The question they should raise is not, "How can these monsters smile?", but rather, "How do laughing, loving humans commit monsterous acts?"

 

[Spitfire]

"The question they should raise is not, "How can these monsters smile?", but rather, "How do laughing, loving humans commit monsterous acts?"

Exactly!:eusa_clap

 

[MrBern]

questioning authority

"The question they should raise is not, "How can these monsters smile?", but rather, "How do laughing, loving humans commit monsterous acts?"

Exactly!:eusa_clap

the simple answer has always been, "I was only following orders...."

Its been credited that the Nazi higher ups went into elaborate planning to devise methods of running these camps w/o incurring a revolt by the guards. Far easier to train a few desensitized workers to gas hundreds of prisoners, that say set up a firing line & have each prisoner shot.
Repression of personal responsibility.

 

[PrettySquareGal]

No, it is naive to believe otherwise. It is denying the dark side of human nature to simply say, "Oh, they were evil psycho's, that's why they did that. Luckily, everyone I know ISN'T an evil psycho, therefore, we are safe."

Even psychopaths 'justify' their actions.

I was pointing out a truism of human nature. It's a bit of sophistry, but the starving mother who steals bread to feed her children has justified her theft to serve the greater good. Her childrens' survival is more important the the ethical implications of her theft. She knew that some would condemn her actions as 'wrong', but to her, her actions were 'right'.

One cannot do something they believe is unjustifiable. We rationalize our actions, no matter how horrific.

I can't leave this unsaid:

You and I don't have to agree, but I'd appreciate you not attributing statements to me that I never made. I never said "Oh, they were evil psycho's, that's why they did that. Luckily, everyone I know ISN'T an evil psycho, therefore, we are safe." If you aren't stating I believe that, my mistake.

As far as using the example of the mother rationaizing stealing bread to save her child as a comparison to well fed Nazis murdering Jews, I strongly disagree.

Regarding your statements about human nature that are spoken with authority, it is my personal belief that no one truly understands the workings of humans, not even psychologists. I am glad to see you have confidence and pride in your convictions. I take pride and confidence in my ability to know I know very little.

 

[scotrace]

This lounge is a brilliant example - or should be a brilliant example - of understanding and friendship across borders, cultures and history.

Indeed it is. Yet, in the discussion of an event of unimaginable proportions such as the holocaust, or the rape of Nanking, etc., our approaches and background to the same topic can unintentionally make for words that sting.

We rarely fare well in this topic. I think that's enough for now.