Agnotology is the study of culturally induced
ignorance. Agnotology questions about what we do not know, and why not. For
instance, Agnotology studies processes that impede or prevent acceptance of
scientific findings, including the human desire to ignore unpleasant facts, the
medias neglect of topics, corporate or government secrecy, and
misrepresentation for a commercial or political end. They often generate
controversy, much of it ill-informed. Examples include the health implications
of tobacco and of genetically modified plants, the safety of nuclear power, the
environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and the
existence or extent of man-made climate change.