the.com/controversy

The sound of two people agreeing to never agree, loudly, in public.

means A prolonged public dispute in which strong opinions clash over something people can't settle.

from From Latin controversia, built from contro- (against, turned toward) plus versus (turned) — from vertere, to turn. The same root that gives us 'versus' and 'reverse.' A controversy is literally a 'turning against' — two sides turned to face off, neither willing to turn away.

etymology
Latin for turned against, literally
internet effect
engagement algorithms love it more than facts
irony
everyone claims to hate it while clicking it
half-life
usually shorter than the apology that follows
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