I know for certain there are people with multiple identities on here who argue with each other, or try to stir things up...especially in the areas of politics and religion. Sometimes it's cute or funny, sometimes (especially lately - these are some seriously nasty trolls on the boards) its annoying and plainly mean. (And for the record, , they are mainly, quote, quote, conservatives and into the shock jock...or whatever...routine).
This is actually something of a technique, called 'issues trolling' or 'concern trolling.' But what it amounts to is the same old manipulation...Lately, it's gotten press for being taken offline:
"Although the term "concern troll" originated in discussions of online behavior, it now sees increasing use to describe similar behaviors that take place offline.
For example, James Wolcott of Vanity Fair accused a conservative New York Daily News columnist of "concern troll" behavior in his efforts to downplay the Mark Foley scandal. Wolcott links what he calls concern trolls to Saul Alinsky's "Do-Nothings," giving a long quote from Alinsky on the Do-Nothing's method and effects:
“ These Do-Nothings profess a commitment to social change for ideals of justice, equality, and opportunity, and then abstain from and discourage all effective action for change. They are known by their brand, 'I agree with your ends but not your means.'[13] ”
In a more recent example, The Hill published an op-ed piece titled "Dems: Ignore 'Concern Trolls'." Again, the concern trolls in question were not Internet participants; they were Republicans offering public advice and warnings to the Democrats. The author defines "concern trolling" as "offering a poisoned apple in the form of advice to political opponents that, if taken, would harm the recipient."