What is a Controversy?
Controversies are the most complex phenomenon to be observed in collective life. Controversies often involve a so-called matter-of-concern, which is a matter of dispute from where different scientific and non-scientific actors revolve. In trying to grasp the size of a given matter-of-concern we must try to change our conceptions of science (the construction of scientific facts) and understanding scientific "facts" (Latour 2005). So, instead of thinking about science as a procedure, practice and technique to gain "true objectivity" and "facts" we need to view science (specifically technoscientific spaces) as disputed spaces of knowledge (Turnbull 1996). However, we ask what controversy is and how can we define it? According to MACOSPOL controversies are defined as such:
The word "controversy" refers here to every bit of science and technology which is not yet stabilized, closed or "black boxed" ... we use it as a general term to describe shared uncertainty (Venturini 2010:3).
Controversies can also be understood in a broader sense. Besides being scientific, it usually also involve a heterogenous set of actors; from politicians, scientists, things, ideas, machines, workers, spirits etc., which need to be understood as components that form a network, or whole, by always relating to each other in different ways. A controversy can be put pretty straightforward: controversies are situations where actors disagree (or better, agree on their disagreement). So, controversies usually begin when actors find out that they cannot ignore each other, i.e. when they engage in the same matter-of-concern (Venturini 2010:4). Some disputes are considered to be "hot" and "dynamic" while others tend to be "cold" and "static" depending on various factors. This leads us to ask why, then, is hydraulic fracturing controversial? To ask that question click on the button below, which will take you to our section: "Why is Fracking Controversial?"
The word "controversy" refers here to every bit of science and technology which is not yet stabilized, closed or "black boxed" ... we use it as a general term to describe shared uncertainty (Venturini 2010:3).
Controversies can also be understood in a broader sense. Besides being scientific, it usually also involve a heterogenous set of actors; from politicians, scientists, things, ideas, machines, workers, spirits etc., which need to be understood as components that form a network, or whole, by always relating to each other in different ways. A controversy can be put pretty straightforward: controversies are situations where actors disagree (or better, agree on their disagreement). So, controversies usually begin when actors find out that they cannot ignore each other, i.e. when they engage in the same matter-of-concern (Venturini 2010:4). Some disputes are considered to be "hot" and "dynamic" while others tend to be "cold" and "static" depending on various factors. This leads us to ask why, then, is hydraulic fracturing controversial? To ask that question click on the button below, which will take you to our section: "Why is Fracking Controversial?"