Defining Manufactroversy

Manufactroversy is a made up word, apropos because manufactroversies are made up controversies. The biggest danger of manufactroversies—which are most actively produced by tobacco companies, oil companies, and Creationists—is that they can quietly and insidiously morph into public memes.

Manufactroversy (măn'yə-făk'-trə-vûr'sē) N., pl. -sies.

1. A manufactured controversy, motivated by profit or extreme ideology, that intentionally creates public confusion about an issue that is not in dispute.

2. Effort is often accompanied by imagined conspiracy theory and major marketing dollars involving fraud, deception and polemic rhetoric.

The Manufactroversy NewsLadder

This is place where anyone can post links to stories, articles, web sites, videos, and podcasts that expose manufactroversies. We believe it’s important to share information about the Who, What, Where and Why behind these controversies and to make that information widely available.

So please, sign up, sign in, post some links and spread the word. The word manufactroversy, that is.