I'm concerned that her finger is on the trigger when she's obviously not ready to shoot.
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.
Clearly, this thread doesn’t concern me.
Trolls generally are only the original poster. If you scan the thread, you will not see them posting any followup. Even when others are asking for additional information. Their mission is only to sow discord.
I miss the NecroTrolls. They were the most fun.
Your comment has been logged and noted, I’m kidding. I’m a Sarah fan too, but sometimes she drives me crazy, does silly things, as do we all. Just last night on Fox the way she was holding her mouth by covering her upper lip with her lower lip like she was about to jump into a street fight was very unflattering. This post was not about Sarah or Christine in all honestly.
I must reply or be declared a troll ...
LOL, your first sentence definitely caught my attention.
I apologize for assuming to know your intent with the post. I’m writing from my own experience. I had never heard the term concern troll until I was called one a few weeks ago on a Sarah Palin thread. I’ve seen others who dare question Sarah given the same label.
I have a feeling that many people entered this thread with that on their mind. I know I did.
I'm concerned that her finger is on the trigger when she's obviously not ready to shoot.
Bravo, I pretty much agree with what your excellent vanity is suggesting but I’m a bit concerned about your concern about concerned trolls, what if those you call concern trolls are geniunely concerned about the issue of discussion and really want clarification about the concern?
“Was Rove on Hannity?”
Yes. Read all about it here.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2594559/posts
Yes, I saw the tail end of his interview and posted prematurely, still, all I saw was Rove talking about her overcoming (all the things he said about her basically) and so on, I don’t recall him aspousing her correct concervative views, that she was right on the issues (which she is) and so on, So Rove can bite me ...
She might need some private tutoring in gun safety. Are you signing up to teach her?
I thought this was something that all Freepers know about, because it's real, and cuts to the heart of what we do here.”
Guess I am one. I would crawl over glass to get to the polls to vote for a RINO over a DEM for JUST THIS UPCOMING ELECTION!
Why? Because time is running out to stop what is happening to our country. I despise RINO’s but we MUST take back Congress by getting rid of the Socialist/DEMS first. And our upcoming election on Nov 2dn is the time we MUST DO IT!
We took out several RINOs already during the Primary Elections. We need to support and vote for ALL Conservatives or Republicans to stop the DEMS on Nov.2nd!
I will vote only Republican and next time around I will be doing all I can to help support ANY real Conservatives who challenge ANY RINOs!
RINO’s are as much a disgrace to this country as any RAT!!! Perhaps even more so because they’re liars and hypocrites as well as traitors.
LOLOLOLOLO!!!!
Hmmm. She has her frigger on the tinger.
bttt
MUFFLERS NOW!!!!!!!
To give you your due, Willie: you don’t sidle onto threads and evince ‘concerns’. You’re refreshingly direct. And I hope you don’t mind us talking about you like this.
Not at all.
As a matter of fact, I appreciate your honest objectivity.
It is good to see that there are still a few folks on this forum who are capable of thinking for themselves.
IMHO, the kneejerk drones, 'bots and naysayers who constantly spam the threads that I post are the ones who should be considered "trolls".
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