Virtue Signalling

Another example of real VS (as opposed to just showing off) is when people say they aren't going to send Christmas cards, but will donate to XYZ instead. The point of sending cards was never about spending money, so if you CBA to send them that's fine (I don't), but why make a point of saying that you will donate, if not to signal that you are being 'good'?

kittylester

I have an exceedingly well read friend who is also an author. She spent a whole couple of days colour coordinating all her (read!) books. It looks better in the promo photos or so her publisher told her.

Slightly off topic, but it irritates me when charity shops arrange their books by colour - what's wrong with good old alphabetical order, so as you can easily find an author?

specki4eyes

Angela Strawbridge does virtue signalling in spades..she gets up my nose. Now, where's my tin hat.....?

I’ve watched Angela Strawbridge in spades. I’ve never once heard or seen her practicing virtual signalling.

Virtual signalling clearly explained.

www.ethicssage.com/2021/05/what-is-virtue-signaling-and-why-should-you-care-about-it.html

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

As a former librarian and retired academic I have an entire room filled with books which are my reference library. I never thought when I was buying them that it had anything to do with class.

Frankie51
How true. Most people don’t look beyond the label or the adds.

I don’t know which one I find worse: Virtue signalling, or projection from insecure people who see virtue signalling where there is none. Both stem from insecurity I feel. Both deserve eye rolls.

I have shelves of books collected over the years mainly reference books, French, Italian, Spanish dictionaries, my old school books right from my first French book aged five. My grandmothers Grimms Faiy Tales, 1897, and Hans Anderson". Books on Gardening, Artists. Thomas Hardy, Dickens, and other classics. The last books I read wereDr Zivago, Les Miserables, War and peace before my eyesight failed me.

People who make a big thing about buying only eco friendly products. The products are still manufactured using processes which use up thousands of water and often nasty chemicals which end up in the water table. Labour practices can be questionsble. Some products are made in an truly ecofriendly way, but a lot is greenwash . It's a new marketing strategy , the latest bandwagon to jump on.

Terms like 'virtue signalling' get up my nose.
What on earth is that?
And yes, I have loads of books so, in return, I'd probably get up your nose.

Gagajo, please tell me how to cull books, I try but then buy twice as many as I have space, and undines, I'm glad I'm not alone on the book front!

Angela Strawbridge does virtue signalling in spades..she gets up my nose. Now, where's my tin hat.....?

Zoejory

*Having bookshelves full of books you never read is indeed a class signifier.*

What class is this? Upper class? Aristocrat? Working class? Middle? Who really thinks about class today.

Also I still do not understand how anyone would know if books in a bookcase had been read or not!

This whole thread is making me frown.

Lining your walls with books you have never read and never intend to read could indicate some class or intellectual insecurity. If you don’t read books, why would you bother to go to the trouble?
There again, they could be part of someone’s interior design scheme.

I cannot bear those who Whatsapp the group to tell them they are definitely going to put stuff in the collective box and then post yet again to announce they have done it.... and then the one-up-manship begins.....
Surely the point of donating is to benefit the recipients rather than to seek kudos from the world for your 'generosity'. Virtue signalling at its finest.
Donate quietly and then shut up about it, I say!

@Maria59. 🤣 I had completely forgotten about turning it into a kazoo type instrument. Happy days 😂

Having bookshelves full of books you never read is indeed a class signifier.

What class is this? Upper class? Aristocrat? Working class? Middle? Who really thinks about class today.

Also I still do not understand how anyone would know if books in a bookcase had been read or not!

This whole thread is making me frown.

Having bookshelves full of books you never read is indeed a class signifier.
Readers read their books and do not have them lining the walls as a pretence.
However, I prefer to see books lining a wall even if not read than the minimalist blank walls so much in evidence now.

I think all this correspondence about bookshelves etc is rather off the point.
What came into my mind on the subject of virtue signalling was the greenwashing which corporations and even political parties put about in an effort to appear more ecologically sound than they actually are.

GrannyGravy13

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

This is the comments I came here to post myself. 'I'm so good I wouldn't virtue signal like you' kind of thing.
It's only in the past year or so that I've heard this phrase and I see it thrown at posters who make a comment certain people disagree with. People are allowed opinions without being accused of virtue signalling. I wonder when it first started being used.

On the subject of books I once visited a stately home and commented to the guide on the impressive library. He told me that at the time the house was built it was common to buy books by the yard to fill library shelves and looking closely some of the books had no relevance to the occupier.

Merryweather not completely useless with the addition of a comb it makes an impressive mouth organ

Like MONica I am never without something to read, nowadays a Kobo reader. I do not have to carry reading glasses everywhere and they tend to be cheaper. On average 10/12 a week, Every room has books but varied from chiclic to heavy tomes on history and design. Mostly well thumbed and well read.

SueEH

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 quite agree. I have hundreds of books. I have read them. How could anyone who doesn’t know me possibly make value judgements?

I find it difficult to part with books and still feel angst about some I sent to Oxfam years ago.

Im probably a virtue signalling numpty.

rowyn

I'm probably risking a tsunami of criticism, but dare I mention a certain virtue signalling lefty Lineker, who makes all these pretend compassionate statements about the poor immigrants arriving by boat to escape slavery ( in which case why didn't they ask for asylum in other countries in Europe?) and compares the Tories to Nazis.

I don't engage with Twitter, but has he also boasted about giving some of his millions to these poor migrants?

He has taken some of them into his own home.
He may have given millions but boasting about it would be virtue signalling.

Perhaps check before you call someone a hypocrite?

rowyn

I'm probably risking a tsunami of criticism, but dare I mention a certain virtue signalling lefty Lineker, who makes all these pretend compassionate statements about the poor immigrants arriving by boat to escape slavery ( in which case why didn't they ask for asylum in other countries in Europe?) and compares the Tories to Nazis.

I don't engage with Twitter, but has he also boasted about giving some of his millions to these poor migrants?

If he has given his own money to them, why do you think his statements are 'pretend'?

Anyway, I'm off now to take a home made cake (organic and vegan) to the orphanage, and see as many old ladies over the road as I can on the way. I might drop in to the charity shop on the way, drop in a cashmere coat (must remember to take out the numerous support ribbons) and donate a large sum of money to my current cause. I like to add to the regular direct debits with a bit of extra cash.

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 quite agree. I have hundreds of books. I have read them. How could anyone who doesn’t know me possibly make value judgements?