Virtue Signalling

GrannyGravy13

Just a thought but is complaining about dislike of virtue signalling in itself virtue signalling?

I think it's whinging actually. Also known as being a b**ch.

What Greta said at Davos something along the lines of "Those lecturing about the climate crisis are the very ones causing it"

The fact that a Scandinavian historian addressed that summit a couple of years ago with a "if corporations just paid their taxes we wouldn't need all this grandstanding philanthropy" to gasps of "how revolutionary is that!"

Corporations who like to kid themselves they are all about doing good in the world and equality when they are involved in horrible underhand practices such as exploiting children in a ruinous way in the Democratic Republic of Congo to mine cobalt an essential component for electric car batteries, or using forced labour such as the Uygher Muslims in China. The duplicitous Disney Corporation for example, overtly promoting all sorts of equality but air brushed black actor, John Boyega out of the Star Wars poster at China's behest .

I'll leave it there because there is just too much of it really Why anyone listens to these so called influential people God only knows.

On a personal level we have loads of books, some I've read and don't want to part with, some I've inherited from my parents, I grew up with books in that respect I was lucky, some I have earmarked to read, some are my children's that have been recycled for grandchildren, some my son has given me he works in publishing, some are my stepson's who died, they are very special to my husband.

I'd get rid of the telly before I offload our books.

eazybee

^People who have walls / huge bookshelves full of books but never read. A class signifier^.

This sort of silly remark.
People who have walls full of books buy them because they like books and they keep them on shelves because it as an ideal way to store them.
Nothing to do with class.

I am with you here, no-one I know who has walls full of book shelves, has them only for show.

We read our books regularly, irrespective of whether we are academics, artisans or charwomen.

grandtanteJE65

eazybee

People who have walls / huge bookshelves full of books but never read. A class signifier.

This sort of silly remark.
People who have walls full of books buy them because they like books and they keep them on shelves because it as an ideal way to store them.
Nothing to do with class.

I am with you here, no-one I know who has walls full of book shelves, has them only for show.

We read our books regularly, irrespective of whether we are academics, artisans or charwomen.

I'd just like to understand how those who criticise people with bookshelves full of books know that they are not read?

Without going full throttle with explanations - if you have acquired books throughout your life and don't want to part with them... where the hell else are you supposed to keep them?

In my opinion, the only reason to announce that you give money to charity, donate to a food bank or help others is virtue signalling. Why would you need others to know?

Fleurpepper

Virtue signalling is very much in the eyes of the beholder.

I guess that’s what the person virtue signally hopes - either subconsciously or deliberately. If you do or say something in the hope that it will give you a certain caché, then you want it to be noticed?

MawtheMerrier

“Humble bragging”
Of the “we were so poor….” variety!

My brother and I were (lightheartedly) talking about this at the weekend and trying to outdo each other. The best was voted to be "we were so poor, that our dad used to suck a Polo mint and we sat around him warming our hands." Yes, I know poverty is a thing and is not really a subject for joking, but still ...

Dickens

grandtanteJE65

eazybee

People who have walls / huge bookshelves full of books but never read. A class signifier.

This sort of silly remark.
People who have walls full of books buy them because they like books and they keep them on shelves because it as an ideal way to store them.
Nothing to do with class.

I am with you here, no-one I know who has walls full of book shelves, has them only for show.

We read our books regularly, irrespective of whether we are academics, artisans or charwomen.

I'd just like to understand how those who criticise people with bookshelves full of books know that they are not read?

Without going full throttle with explanations - if you have acquired books throughout your life and don't want to part with them... where the hell else are you supposed to keep them?

This happened a lot during lockdown didn't it, when politicians were talking on Zoom. I remember an episode of Have I Got News for You when a comedian appeared with blank walls with signs saying "Books" behind him

Of course Maw Prince Harry is one person who has told us to take fewer flights and then uses private jets himself, but I certainly wasn’t only thinking of him. Emma Thomson springs to mind, along with Gary Linekar. Also along with Lily Allen and Benedict Cumberbatch. Some of these have been guilty of telling us all to take an asylum seeker from Calais into our own modest homes, whilst doing nothing of the sort themselves (in their large/several houses) or housing someone for a few weeks before they move on. It’s virtue signalling at its worst, especially if you’ve paid good money to watch Hamlet or some such play, and Benedict Cumberbatch is starring in it, and he suddenly spoils the performance by giving a long rant to the audience about how they all should be doing something about the asylum seekers in Calais.

I have masses of books on bookshelves and just love them. Kindle's are not for me ..

Theexwife

In my opinion, the only reason to announce that you give money to charity, donate to a food bank or help others is virtue signalling. Why would you need others to know?

Well, if done in the right way, and it crops up in conversation, encouraging them?

ExperiencedNotOld

Different but sort of the same.
People that move into a country village, swop their car for a 4x4, start wearing country style clothes (that never get dirty) always from expensive brands, buy a couple of labs or spaniels and then can’t understand why real county folk find them so funny.

I just had to answer this one. We have a chap who is a real wag in our country village with at times a nasty sense of humour.
A few years ago a couple bought the largest house and a 4 by 4 as big as a minibus they turned up at a coffee morning as if they were just about to join the shoot at Sandringham. He said in a loud voice"Two of the models out of John Norrises Window", we all had to bite our lips John Norris is the local shop for country wear and fishing tackle. The next coffee morning they were in jeans and jumpers like everyone else.

Wyllow3

Theexwife

In my opinion, the only reason to announce that you give money to charity, donate to a food bank or help others is virtue signalling. Why would you need others to know?

Well, if done in the right way, and it crops up in conversation, encouraging them?

Well yes, as per Greta as an example. What woule be the point of her saying what she is saying hiding in her bedroom or the back-garden?

What is a 'caché' Sarah75. Virtue signalling is the opposite no, not hidden at all.

Fleurpepper What is a 'caché' Sarah75. I imagine Sarah meant cachet, as that fits with what she said. Might well be autocorrect knowing best as usual.

cachet
/ˈkaʃeɪ/
noun
noun: cachet; plural noun: cachets
1.
the state of being respected or admired; prestige.
"no other shipping company had quite the cachet of Cunard"

Theexwife

In my opinion, the only reason to announce that you give money to charity, donate to a food bank or help others is virtue signalling. Why would you need others to know?

On principle, you should really do it because you are a kind person, don't need a pat on the back and keep it to yourself.
Sometimes I think people do it to try and encourage others to do the same.
Others are sounding you out to see if you are in agreement with them and follow suit or they are doing the right thing.
Or to be cynical they are just letting you know they are waiting for their hallos in the post.
You can usually tell by their personality and actions in other matters.

Rosie51

Fleurpepper What is a 'caché' Sarah75. I imagine Sarah meant cachet, as that fits with what she said. Might well be autocorrect knowing best as usual.

cachet
/ˈkaʃeɪ/
noun
noun: cachet; plural noun: cachets
1.
the state of being respected or admired; prestige.
"no other shipping company had quite the cachet of Cunard"

Thank you, Rosie. I wrote cachet, but, as you say, it was autocorrected……..

OurKid1

MawtheMerrier

“Humble bragging”
Of the “we were so poor….” variety!

My brother and I were (lightheartedly) talking about this at the weekend and trying to outdo each other. The best was voted to be "we were so poor, that our dad used to suck a Polo mint and we sat around him warming our hands." Yes, I know poverty is a thing and is not really a subject for joking, but still ...

I enjoyed this OurKid1.

I’m pleased with the term ‘virtue signalling’ has arrived - it gives me the terminology to briefly explain why some overly pompous or smug type irritates me.

maddyone

Of course Maw Prince Harry is one person who has told us to take fewer flights and then uses private jets himself, but I certainly wasn’t only thinking of him. Emma Thomson springs to mind, along with Gary Linekar. Also along with Lily Allen and Benedict Cumberbatch. Some of these have been guilty of telling us all to take an asylum seeker from Calais into our own modest homes, whilst doing nothing of the sort themselves (in their large/several houses) or housing someone for a few weeks before they move on. It’s virtue signalling at its worst, especially if you’ve paid good money to watch Hamlet or some such play, and Benedict Cumberbatch is starring in it, and he suddenly spoils the performance by giving a long rant to the audience about how they all should be doing something about the asylum seekers in Calais.

Couldn’t agree more!
Emma Thompson particularly annoys me (can’t think why. Maybe sour grapes, Greg Wise is rather good looking! )

MawtheMerrier

“Humble bragging”
Of the “we were so poor….” variety!

Mea culpa......... .

Well we were!

What is a 'caché' Sarah75. Virtue signalling is the opposite no, not hidden at all

Very quick to pick up on somebody else’s French .

MawtheMerrier

^What is a 'caché' Sarah75. Virtue signalling is the opposite no, not hidden at all^

Very quick to pick up on somebody else’s French .

Indeed! I have explained that I wrote cachet, but it was autocorrected - but no acknowledgement of that……

Marydoll

MawtheMerrier

“Humble bragging”
Of the “we were so poor….” variety!

Mea culpa......... .

Well we were!

But did you have an outside toilet?

Riverwalk

eazybee

People who have walls / huge bookshelves full of books but never read. A class signifier.

This sort of silly remark.
People who have walls full of books buy them because they like books and they keep them on shelves because it as an ideal way to store them.
Nothing to do with class.

Gaga can answer for herself but I got the impression that she could be referring to since Covid and interviewees/politicians/ commentators working from home rather than being in the TV studio you often see carefully curated bookshelves in the background!

Oh yes, they all had acres of books perfectly placed behind them.

The one I liked was the Scottish woman (a health adviser?) Who always had a small table with a vase of flowers behind her. Sorty, can't remember her name.
Simple and classy.

Also the ones whose small children interrupted the serious messages when the parent was addressing the nation. 😀

Books, I am hopeless at getting rid of books and some were inherited so yes, we have shelves (and boxes) of books. 😇

But did you have an outside toilet?
Yes.

But did you have an outside toilet?
Yes.

But also books.

I still get a feeling of unease when I remember the books which were given to my father in the early 19th century and which I sent to Oxfam when we moved.

Sorry - 1900s 😂

I should read more.