Poll of the Day > I'm starting to think that using the term "virtue signaling"...

(+) Yeah! (+)

is the only actual example I've seen of virtue signaling

That's exactly what I'd expect a virtue signaler to say!
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I've always found virtue signaling to be a weird phrase. Like, okay, sure. You don't like people tooting their own horn or whatever. I get it. But if you're complaining about "virtue signaling" doesn't that imply you're signaling a lack of virtue yourself? Why have we allowed the right to politicize and demonize the word "virtue" into something negative?

Whenever I see people label individuals as "virtue signaling" what they're really saying is that they don't stand for anything, only against something. And that something happens to be virtue. It's like this weird thing where they are self-admitting to being an asshole, but are being smugly self-righteous about it.

I do think in regards to corporate pandering you can apply the phrase "virtue signaling" but even then, I find phrases like "performative gesture" are more accurate.

yeah, I've described pandering behavior as performative. I agree it sounds more accurate.

I don't know how it became this way, but I've seen it almost as a dog whistle. I would also like sample data of population that uses SJW unironically in political discussion vs. considers displays of solidarity as "virtue signaling", and I bet they overlap.

IronBornCorps posted...

is the only actual example I've seen of virtue signaling

jfc...


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No one could actually not see things from my perspective! Theyre just faking it for attention!

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I think the concept is legitimate but the problem is that the people who use the phrase act like a pride parade is the same kind of "virtue signaling" as a corporation doing a rainbow logo

And they virtue signal all the time too about stuff like abortion and China

JigsawTDC posted...

But if you're complaining about "virtue signaling" doesn't that imply you're signaling a lack of virtue yourself?

Not really. It's essentially pointing out that the other person lacks the moral high ground they pretend to possess, and are essentially lying so you'll see them as a better person than they actually are.

It's similar to "humble bragging". "I am acting humble, but I'm actually a huge piece of shit and am desperately fishing for attention and praise while trying to act like I'm not fishing for attention or praise." Virtue signaling is basically "I'm pretending outrage towards something so you'll think I'm a good person, but I'm actually a cynical and manipulative piece of shit."

People online may misuse the phrase virtue signaling at times (in the same way "troll" basically came to mean "literally everyone I disagree with" to some people), but let's be honest, people online misuse every phrase and term ever invented in English, because people are stupid.
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any modern catchphrase is pretty loaded these days. I'm inclined to agree with you TC but also actually using it that way isn't too constructive in modern discourse

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most of human behavior is virtue signalling. people want to be liked and will usually try to behave in ways that make other people think they're good and likeable. theres nothing wrong with it, it's the only way society works at all

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CoorsLight posted...

I think the concept is legitimate but the problem is that the people who use the phrase act like a pride parade is the same kind of "virtue signaling" as a corporation doing a rainbow logo

And they virtue signal all the time too about stuff like abortion and China

I totally agree, I think there is something to the concept. From my limited observation, it seems almost divided along political lines on the phrase for the concept. One side is virtue signaling, the other performative ally ship.

While on the subject of performative rainbow capitalism. I mean it's a good thing that companies make more money showing support for LGBTQ+ issues despite outcry by a portion of their clients? right?

The term seems to stem from the belief that nobody can legitimately desire good things for people other than themselves

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Virtue signaling is when a megacorp tweets "Black Lives Matter" despite the fact that they would have definitely tweeted "All Lives Matter" if they thought it would be better for business.

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Zareth posted...

Virtue signaling is when a megacorp tweets "Black Lives Matter" despite the fact that they would have definitely tweeted "All Lives Matter" if they thought it would be better for business.

it brings awareness to issues though which can be helpful

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Blightzkrieg posted...

The term seems to stem from the belief that nobody can legitimately desire good things for people other than themselves

Yep aka it's projection as usual. The people who tend to use it can't imagine believing sincerely in something that "scores political points", since they themselves usually only believe such things with an ulterior motive.

I was nice to a trans person on discord, why aren't all of the ladies coming to me in droves, don't they know I was nice to someone.

I demand signals for my virtuousness, like a beacon.

you can't be serious. . . .

kukukupo posted...

you can't be serious. . . .

care to elaborate?

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IronBornCorps posted...

is the only actual example I've seen of virtue signaling

You must not be paying attention lol

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CoorsLight posted... I think the concept is legitimate but the problem is that the people who use the phrase act like a pride parade is the same kind of "virtue signaling" as a corporation doing a rainbow logo

A corporation doing a rainbow logo isn't virtue-signalling, that's just plain old pandering. That's obnoxious for other reasons. It's a whole side discussion. They also suck, though.

As for pride parades, they're inherently problematic. And, all things considered, the two things *can* fall into the same camp depending on motives. There are companies that walk the walk, so they're on par with active participants and allies. Other companies and participants are slacktivists or doing it for shitty reasons. (Like "nice guys" and white knights at women's marches who go there to pick up chicks.)

Some companies take stances they actually believe or are woven into their mission statement (Tom's Shoes's "One for One", Chik-fil-E's decision to close their business down on Sundays (losing TONS of money) so employees can go to church & spend the day with their families). Others kinda wear the issue on their sleeve, and then others just try to capitalize on shit.

ParanoidObsessive posted...

Not really. It's essentially pointing out that the other person lacks the moral high ground they pretend to possess, and are essentially lying so you'll see them as a better person than they actually are.

Yeah, most virtue-signallers are actually pretty fucking awful people who spend more time signalling virtue than actually having virtue. A lot of them happen to be slacktivists who think that by "raising awareness" in their echo chamber they're making a difference in the world and that makes them better than everybody who doesn't try to "raise awareness", instead of actually fucking doing something.

If anything, they're contributing to why society sucks so much these days. Once upon a time, people who saw problems would go out and try to solve them. If they thought the cops were corrupt, they'd join the police to fix things from within. If they thought the little man was getting a raw deal, they'd go into law and help them fight government and businesses. These were people who actually had virtue and principles. By contrast, virtue-signallers help to convert people who might have done something into just being virtue-signallers.

Blightzkrieg posted...

The term seems to stem from the belief that nobody can legitimately desire good things for people other than themselves

Whether the person believes it or not isn't always germane to the virtue-signal. It's like trolling (which you can understand), in that it's most widely associated with people doing things they don't believe (or don't strongly believe) to achieve a desired reaction, but you also have people who legitimately believe that thing while being provocative about it. And a *lot* of virtue-signalling is basically trolling. For a case-in-point, you can pretty pull out any of the shit memes you've posted over recent months to try to get a negative reaction out of people.

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I feel like virtue signaling is like when someone in your high school kills themselves and everyone talks about the person as if they knew them and how important mental health is. But they were bullying that kid right up until he died.


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DrPrimemaster posted...

I feel like virtue signaling is like when someone in your high school kills themselves and everyone talks about the person as if they knew them and how important mental health is.

That isnt virtue signaling, thats a reaction traumatic news

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Mead posted...

That isnt virtue signaling, thats a reaction traumatic news

Is this some meme I dont get? You also cut out the important part of what I posted.

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