In a situation where there exists mutually exclusive positions A and B, a concern troll is someone who supports A but professes to support B around genuine supporters of B. However, they express their "concerns" about aspects of position B in order to sow doubt and uncertainty amongst genuine supporters of B.
Whilst this does genuinely happen, the term is used by some paranoid people to effectively mean "anyone who does not agree entirely with the standard dogma of position B, thus must actually covertly support position A", when said person does actually support B, just only 99%.
Thus: disagreeing *at all* with the standard dogma of B will get you branded by such people as The Enemy, and you will get generally treated with hostility and suspicion and, at worst, forcibly ejected from the B-supporter group. Result: everyone stops thinking about the issues, and discussion descends into not arriving at logical and interesting places but who can most furiously support B.
Whilst this does genuinely happen, the term is used by some paranoid people to effectively mean "anyone who does not agree entirely with the standard dogma of position B, thus must actually covertly support position A", when said person does actually support B, just only 99%.
Thus: disagreeing *at all* with the standard dogma of B will get you branded by such people as The Enemy, and you will get generally treated with hostility and suspicion and, at worst, forcibly ejected from the B-supporter group. Result: everyone stops thinking about the issues, and discussion descends into not arriving at logical and interesting places but who can most furiously support B.
1: "All Democrats should be hanged, drawn and quartered! Grrgrrrgrrrgr!"
2: "Uh.. that's a bit excessive. I mean, I don't agree with the Democrats, but maybe we shouldn't actually, like, KILL them.."
1: "CONCERN TROLL! CLEARLY YOU ARE 100% DEMOCRAT! BEGONE, SINNER!"
(everyone flings rotten fruit at 2 until he leaves)
2: "Uh.. that's a bit excessive. I mean, I don't agree with the Democrats, but maybe we shouldn't actually, like, KILL them.."
1: "CONCERN TROLL! CLEARLY YOU ARE 100% DEMOCRAT! BEGONE, SINNER!"
(everyone flings rotten fruit at 2 until he leaves)
by bald_rick December 22, 2011
A term of abuse. Mostly used in forums where there is a fairly well-defined orthodoxy, usually political (it could be conservatism, feminism or nearly anything else) that all members are assumed to agree with by default, "concern troll" can refer to nearly anyone who expresses disagreement or skepticism about some aspect of that orthodoxy, while agreeing with other parts of it.
Supposedly, the idea is that the "concern troll" is actually an adherent of some other, opposing orthodoxy, disingenuously pretending to be sympathetic to the goals of the forum in order to disrupt it or sow dissent. Perhaps this actually happens (this longtime forum user is skeptical, having NEVER seen a clear example), but usually, the accusation comes from someone who can't imagine honest disagreement with his or her favored ideology, and thus says more about the accuser than the accused. Basically it's a bludgeon used by people with very black-and-white views on some topic, against anyone more nuanced than themselves.
Accusing someone of being a concern troll is generally a bad idea. Even if you're right about the "troll"'s motives, which you probably aren't, that doesn't make the "troll"'s arguments wrong; in other words, calling someone a concern troll is a basic ad hominem fallacy. The term is used to shut down, rather than to advance, discussion.
Supposedly, the idea is that the "concern troll" is actually an adherent of some other, opposing orthodoxy, disingenuously pretending to be sympathetic to the goals of the forum in order to disrupt it or sow dissent. Perhaps this actually happens (this longtime forum user is skeptical, having NEVER seen a clear example), but usually, the accusation comes from someone who can't imagine honest disagreement with his or her favored ideology, and thus says more about the accuser than the accused. Basically it's a bludgeon used by people with very black-and-white views on some topic, against anyone more nuanced than themselves.
Accusing someone of being a concern troll is generally a bad idea. Even if you're right about the "troll"'s motives, which you probably aren't, that doesn't make the "troll"'s arguments wrong; in other words, calling someone a concern troll is a basic ad hominem fallacy. The term is used to shut down, rather than to advance, discussion.
I tried to tell them their statistics were discredited decades ago, but they just shouted me down and called me a concern troll.
by Eater of Cheese 2 July 20, 2013
1. (Noun) The Concern Troll differentiates itself from more outwardly nasty cousins by using generally polite language and claiming to agree with their victims. They then claim that their victims are essentially "doing it wrong," to help, they offer advice which would either invalidate their victims' position, cause an inherent hypocrisy with their philosophy, or render them unable to effectively advocate for it.
Their first known appearance was in talk radio, where they would open up their call with, "I'm such a huge fan, and you're always right, but..." usually followed with statements completely at odds with the philosophy governing the show. They were nicknamed by some as "seminar callers," because progressive groups in the USA had actually funded seminars where they taught followers to use this tactic against opposition voices on the radio in the '90s. These deceptive practices and individuals have since metastasized into the internet.
This is why most Concern Trolls are found on boards or the comment sections of political subjects; they use this tactic to attempt to sow seeds of doubt, and weaken their political opposition. Most are left-wing progressives, although a smattering of alt-right Concern trolls have begun to appear.
The cure for the typical nasty troll is the simple statement, "don't feed the trolls," i.e., ignore them. The cure for the Concern Troll is, "NEVER TAKE THE ADVICE!" (And if you are attracting them, likely you are doing something right)
Their first known appearance was in talk radio, where they would open up their call with, "I'm such a huge fan, and you're always right, but..." usually followed with statements completely at odds with the philosophy governing the show. They were nicknamed by some as "seminar callers," because progressive groups in the USA had actually funded seminars where they taught followers to use this tactic against opposition voices on the radio in the '90s. These deceptive practices and individuals have since metastasized into the internet.
This is why most Concern Trolls are found on boards or the comment sections of political subjects; they use this tactic to attempt to sow seeds of doubt, and weaken their political opposition. Most are left-wing progressives, although a smattering of alt-right Concern trolls have begun to appear.
The cure for the typical nasty troll is the simple statement, "don't feed the trolls," i.e., ignore them. The cure for the Concern Troll is, "NEVER TAKE THE ADVICE!" (And if you are attracting them, likely you are doing something right)
Concern Troll Example 1:
User: "...and that is how I believe we should publicly advocate for our position on this important topic."
CT: "Hi User, I agree entirely with this topic, and everything you've said, but you come off extremely rude with this, so if you expect to do it right, you shouldn't advocate like you said, instead, stay home and write in a journal. You wouldn't want to hurt people's feelings and be a jerk, right?"
(The advice, if taken, would remove User from the public debate, weakening their side)
Concern Troll Example 2:
Radio show caller: "Hello Rush, I'm a huge fan! I've been listening to you since the beginning, and agree 100% with 99% of what you say; but, you are wrong on this and it could hurt your audience. We should have higher taxes and more government regulation on this topic, and it surprises me you aren't being consistent by supporting this."
(The advice here would completely go against the governing philosophy of Limbaugh, and if taken, would make him contradict his own philosophy, causing listeners to turn him off)
User: "...and that is how I believe we should publicly advocate for our position on this important topic."
CT: "Hi User, I agree entirely with this topic, and everything you've said, but you come off extremely rude with this, so if you expect to do it right, you shouldn't advocate like you said, instead, stay home and write in a journal. You wouldn't want to hurt people's feelings and be a jerk, right?"
(The advice, if taken, would remove User from the public debate, weakening their side)
Concern Troll Example 2:
Radio show caller: "Hello Rush, I'm a huge fan! I've been listening to you since the beginning, and agree 100% with 99% of what you say; but, you are wrong on this and it could hurt your audience. We should have higher taxes and more government regulation on this topic, and it surprises me you aren't being consistent by supporting this."
(The advice here would completely go against the governing philosophy of Limbaugh, and if taken, would make him contradict his own philosophy, causing listeners to turn him off)
by brrrayday July 24, 2017
A phrase used by the progressive netroots whenever someone questions the effectiveness of their activism, or notices that they are acting like fools, and discrediting their causes by incredibly silly gestures.
See: http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7501
(Noting that facebook isn't a good vehicle for protest makes one a "concern troll.)
(Noting that facebook isn't a good vehicle for protest makes one a "concern troll.)
by Mr.Eddy August 14, 2008
A person who pretends to support an ideology, often taking it too far, in order to discredit the ideology. They accuse someone of being a concern troll for simply bringing concerns or not being fully committed to the ideology. Their goal is to make the ideology look dogmatic and extreme to outsiders, as well as encourage paranoia, tensions, and infighting among supporters about who is really a supporter.
"In our last 'Flat Earth' meeting, David brought up a concern about how we would explain the moon's movement if the Earth was flat. Emily said that she was concerned that David was a concern troll because obviously the moon doesn't exist. I stated that I have concerns that Emily might be a concern troll troll and was trying to discredit our movement, but then she also accused me of being a concern troll. The rest of the meeting consisted of everyone arguing about who was really a flat Earth believer. Stacy tried pointing out that she was concerned we were getting nothing done and we should focus on our agenda, but Tom called her a concern troll for trying to distract everyone from their concerns that there might be concern trolls and concern troll trolls among us."
by concerntt April 18, 2022
One who engages with no one on a sane level; One who continuously flirts with Death; One who is truly concerned... so she trolls people into hating her until we start loving her again and then she does more shit to make us hate her again. La La La La .... omg... like.... what?!
I'm concerned about trolling concerts for trolls to give better fitting Clothings outfits toys joys and wHynmsims and wishes and wants and desires to; Jesus Christ what does a lady have to do to cease all operations as an intergalactic Concern Troll (Proper Noun)?
by LillyManson July 14, 2023
When a person gaslights you into feeling or looking vulnerable or needy for their fake help and hence, inferior. It's a way of domineering over you by establishing a power dynamic where they get to control your life, order you around and you're supposed to feel grateful to be treated like a dog. May be part of a smear campaign, triangulation and poisoning the well of your general reputation. Common to narcissists but everyone has done this at some point, we usually grow out of it after school. They will interrogate you for slander and ruin under the guise of politeness. Social sabotage and attempted social murder.
e.g. "I'm just worried about you" or "are you okay? you seem XYZ" Classic form of concern trolling, weaponised by controlling men and women who otherwise have no recourse to control you in that situation. May speak to you like an abusive parent to a naughty child. Boundary violation is the purpose.
"People have been talking about you so I just came to check how you are." Triangulation method, they're the problem. They are smearing you.
"You look terrible/tired" or "You seem so sad, secretly, can I help?" Interference and belittlement gaslights.
"Are you SURE you're okay?" wearing you down with resistance to their interrogations. Happens in the workplace too.
"People have been talking about you so I just came to check how you are." Triangulation method, they're the problem. They are smearing you.
"You look terrible/tired" or "You seem so sad, secretly, can I help?" Interference and belittlement gaslights.
"Are you SURE you're okay?" wearing you down with resistance to their interrogations. Happens in the workplace too.
by paint88 July 01, 2024