The practice of designing an entire research study, audit, or investigation from the ground up with a specific, pre-ordained conclusion in mind. The methodology, data collection parameters, and analytical framework are all carefully engineered as a custom vessel to deliver the desired result. The evidence isn't faked or altered after the fact; the entire process is rigged from the start to produce a conclusion that appears rigorous and independent.
Molded Evidence Theory Example: A tobacco company in the 20th century didn't just deny cancer studies; it funded its own. It molded evidence by hiring sympathetic scientists, designing studies unlikely to find harm (e.g., using animal models known to be resistant), and defining "conclusive proof" at an impossibly high bar. The resulting papers created a manufactured "debate" for decades, all built on evidence molded to be exculpatory.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 6, 2026
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