There was loads of pre-WW2 mockery of Hitler. It did not matter a lot in the end.

So: As much as I admire Mel Brooks, this is just wishful thinking.

Yeah, how did satire fare when Hitler was in power?

Let's perhaps say that if satire doesn't directly prevent authoritarianism, it works as a very effective canary in the mine.

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sharken 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Tove Jansson, the creator of the Moomins got away with it in 1944.

https://www.openculture.com/2020/11/before-creating-the-moom...

	▲	ceejayoz 20 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Sure. From Finland.

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perihelions 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

The last criticism of Nazism was a very milquetoast 1934 speech by a Nazi, Franz von Papen, who though supporting Adolf Hitler detracted in some (seemingly) lesser ways—decrying the fanaticism of Hitler's personality cult. He was severely punished for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marburg_speech ("...said to be the last speech made publicly, and on a high level, in Germany against National Socialism...")

An ironic tombstone for freedom of speech:

"They will bear them and follow the Führer with unwavering loyalty, if they are allowed to have their part in the planning and in the work, if every word of criticism is not taken for ill will, and if despairing patriots are not branded as enemies of the state."

	▲	tim333 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		The last high level public criticism within Germany. Nazis of course still got criticism and satire elsewhere. Hitler Has Only Got One Ball and the like leading up to their defeat and Hitler shooting himself in a bunker.