> The word controversial is a bit like a towel left on a sun lounger — it may not cause immediate conflict, but it silently reserves space for disagreement.
Something becomes controversial when enough people agree to *not* agree on it, often with great enthusiasm and wildly differing interpretations of the same facts.
A topic doesn't need to be important to be controversial, merely discussed by at least two parties who each consider themselves experts and the other party tragically misinformed. It is often found lurking near Debate, Opinion, and sometimes, regrettably, Comments Section.
Strangely, controversy has a half-life. What is wildly controversial today may be entirely uninteresting by next Tuesday, especially if there's a new series on TV or a celebrity has posted something enigmatic online. Many things that were once considered unspeakably scandalous — like wearing hats indoors or owning a left-handed spoon — are now quaint or forgotten. Conversely, topics that once seemed dull as dust may suddenly burst into controversy like a custard pie thrown at a government official. See also: Cultural Shift, Moral Panic.
It’s worth noting that labeling something as controversial is often a sly rhetorical trick, like putting up a sign that says Beware of the Leopard, when there may be nothing more dangerous than a mild disagreement and a biscuit.
The mere presence of the word tends to make people stand slightly more upright, prepare their defenses, and reach for their most strongly held beliefs (and occasionally, a megaphone). For this reason, controversial topics are sometimes best approached with a towel, a calm demeanor, and perhaps a good understanding of Civility.