I am, however, concerned about the lack of pics of conservative t-shirts on this thread.
Posted on 09/23/2010 10:11:25 AM PDT by Scythian
Concern trolling is a form of Internet trolling in which someone enters a discussion with claims that he or she supports the view of the discussion, but has concerns. In fact, the concern troll is opposed to the view of the discussion, and he or she uses concern trolling to sow doubt and dissent in the community of commenters or posters. Although this practice originated on the Internet, it has since spread to the real world as well, with concern trolls popping up in a variety of places from network television to op-ed columns.
Artful concern trolling involves developing a believable persona as a supporter of a cause who has legitimate concerns. In an example of concern trolling, a group of people might be having a political discussion on a website about a candidate they support. The concern troll would log on and say “I'm concerned that this candidate might not be strong enough to beat the opposition,” or “I'm worried that the candidate's history in the legislature might be a problem in the election.”
Once a concern troll has sowed dissent or discord, often he or she can sit back and let the other commenters do the rest of the work. When a concern troll has done the job correctly, the discussion will split, factions will emerge, and support for the cause will have eroded. Concern trolling can also be highly distracting, as people band together to oppose the concern troll, rather than discussing serious issues, including valid concerns which should be addressed.
Depending on the context, a concern troll may use a sockpuppet, a false account which conceals his or her real identity. In some particularly infamous cases, members of political campaigns have trolled the opposition using sockpuppet accounts with the goal of undermining grassroots support. When these cases are exposed, it can be quite embarrassing, as trolling is generally viewed as an underhanded and often questionable tactic.
In the 2006 election, an aide to Congressman Charlie Bass (R-NH) was caught concern trolling the opposition on local blogs. While pretending to support Bass's opponent, Paul Hodes, the aide argued that Hodes couldn't win because Bass was an unbeatable candidate. Hodes won the election.
I’m concerned that trolls get no respect
Trolls are people, too!
oh, wait a minute......
You know, I’m kinda worried that this post might harm Republican chances in November...
Your opinions concern me.
ROFLMAO
I am, however, concerned about the lack of pics of conservative t-shirts on this thread.
Exactly.
I did just that, and discovered a thread at the Democrat Underground site on that very subject. I am concerned that FReeper moles are disrupting their discussions and causing angst amongst their members. We need to stop doing that.
I wasn’t involved in any O’Donnell threads, but the fact that we are discribing “concern trolls” concerns me.
If you disagree, argue.
There is a “free” in Freerepublic.
If your position is so weak that you can’t support it, you are a liberal by definition.
Stones! Have stones. Know your sh**. Don’t name-call because your Bambi gets shot.
WOW, you make tons of sense!
I agree, but I’m concerned about your concern.
I agree with your agreement, but I’m concerned by your concern about his concern.
Was Rove on Hannity?
I don’t have cable.
I thought Daschle was the “Deeply Saddened Troll.”
He’s the “Deeply Saddened Concerned Tax Cheating Troll.”..............
There’s a concern troll on Free Republic who does this for Sarah Palin.
S E Ohio Conservative (Or something like that)
Now I know what the proper term is.
Seminar posters.
Let’s just cut to the chase. This thread is mostly about Sarah Palin (and, more recently, Christine O’Donnell).
There are no doubt real Concern Trolls on FR when it comes to Sarah. At some point it does become obvious. They seek out pro-Palin threads to inect their “concerns”.
There are also those who legitimately believe Sarah is not the best choice for POTUS. These people are often flamed by the Palin-Mob (it’s just as real as Concern Trolls are).
I am proof that one can both support Sarah Palin, and also criticize her when she makes mistakes.
Calling everyone who disagrees “troll” is lazy, like a leftist calling everything racist. Leave that crap to DU.
I hear you.
“I agree with your agreement, but I’m concerned by your concern about his concern.”
Agreed. I think we all should be concerned.
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