Obscurator

An obscurator is a person or thing that intentionally or unintentionally hides, conceals, or confuses information, making something difficult to perceive, understand, or access. This can involve various methods, including misdirection, withholding data, creating ambiguity, or using complex terminology. The goal, whether malicious or accidental, is to hinder clarity and transparency. Obscurators can operate in diverse fields like politics, science, art, or even everyday communication, affecting the way information is received and interpreted by the audience. The degree of intentionality and the impact of the obscuration can vary significantly, ranging from harmless obfuscation to deliberate manipulation.

Obscurator meaning with examples

• The politician, a master obscurator, deftly dodged questions about campaign finance, leaving the public frustrated and ill-informed about the source of his funding, and his statements were designed for such an effect. His strategy was meant to be opaque, keeping the truth from the public.
• The dense scientific paper, with its jargon-filled prose, acted as an unintentional obscurator, making the groundbreaking research inaccessible to a wider audience. Its goal was the opposite - but the effect of making the research inaccessible was still achieved.
• The artist used layered brushstrokes and abstract imagery, creating a visual obscurator that challenged the viewer to interpret the work, making clear communication challenging. This strategy challenged the viewer.
• A company, using deliberately complex terms and lengthy contracts, was an effective financial obscurator, making its lending practices difficult to understand. This strategy was meant to be opaque and complex.
• The security protocols, designed to protect sensitive information, unfortunately became an obscurator of the data for authorized users as well, impeding necessary access. This made accessing the information challenging.