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In reply to the discussion: Concern troll pretends to support but uses "concern" to hurt morale (GD) [View all]Her Sister
(6,444 posts)14. More: What is Concern Trolling?
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
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
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-concern-trolling.htm
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Concern troll pretends to support but uses "concern" to hurt morale (GD) [View all]
Her Sister
Jul 2016
OP
When the concern trollers are numerous they get together to reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllly
Her Sister
Jul 2016
#9
Years ago there was a troll taxonomy effort on DU, new species discovered and all that:
Coyotl
Jul 2016
#15
Some of them get paid well to do it. Most just do it and don't know they could get paid.
Coyotl
Jul 2016
#19
You and I had a productive conversation yesterday that could have gone sideways without
floriduck
Jul 2016
#66
Just as a precautionary note, I'll point out that the other use of concerns about...
Shandris
Jul 2016
#45
I am concerned with your concern over the concerning nature of concern trolls.
Agnosticsherbet
Jul 2016
#56
"I LOVE Bernie Sanders... BUT" Yeah, I've read that shit a thousand times in the last year.
cherokeeprogressive
Jul 2016
#74
Oh, are we doing the cute little gif thing again? I thought that fad finally ended.
Warren DeMontague
Jul 2016
#83