Conflated

To conflate is to combine two or more separate things, concepts, ideas, or texts into a single, unified whole. This process often results in the blurring of distinct characteristics, potentially leading to a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the original components. Conflation can occur intentionally, such as for rhetorical effect or simplification, or unintentionally, due to cognitive biases, lack of attention to detail, or poor source integration. It's crucial to identify instances of conflation to maintain accuracy, clarity, and a nuanced understanding of the subject matter. The term highlights a mixing or merging where individual elements lose their separate identities to a degree. It emphasizes a fusion that is often undesirable because it hides important differences.

Conflated meaning with examples

• The historian was criticized for conflating the motivations of the two warring factions, failing to distinguish the specific grievances and ambitions that fueled their conflict. His narrative, by treating their goals as essentially the same, overlooked critical nuances and complicated the historical record, ultimately misleading readers about the root causes of the conflict and the path towards a resolution, and the specific desires of the parties.
• In the news report, the journalist conflated the terms 'correlation' and 'causation,' leading to a misleading conclusion that an increase in ice cream sales directly *caused* the rise in violent crime rates, while the correlation was based around summer heat. This oversimplification obfuscated the complexities of the matter by falsely implying a causal relationship. His report then had to issue a clarification to correct his mistakes.
• The artist's use of mixed media often deliberately conflates the boundaries between painting and sculpture, allowing her to create an artwork of a new medium. Her work blurs the distinction, challenging traditional artistic categories and inviting viewers to consider the interplay of textures, colors, and forms in an innovative way. The conflation, in her case, is not to mislead, but to provoke.
• During the editing process, the editor accidentally conflated two different character arcs into one. This made it difficult to follow their development and altered the pacing of the story and the character's motivations became ambiguous. The rewrite required a detailed effort to separate the two characters and correct the confusing plot points to avoid confusion.
• When the marketing team conflated the features of two competing products into a single advertisement, it resulted in a confused message that failed to effectively communicate the unique selling points of either one. By trying to cover too much, the message lost its impact, and the intended audience was left unsure of the value that either product would provide or the audience they should serve.