Gransnet forums

News & politics

provocative phrases

(136 Posts)
PECS Mon 26-Oct-20 11:30:53

I noticed someone us the phrase virtual signaling on a thread.. It is on a par with politically correct.

It seems to me that people use these phrases, constructed deliberately as political put downs, to undermine someone /something that is trying to improve things for others.

Are the people who do this feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed by the action that they are deriding? If someone tries to to good by raising the profile of a charity or of a situation that is causing distress they are 'accused' of 'virtue signalling' as if it is a bad thing to try to improve things for other people.

If someone tries to improve the experience of others through challenging the status quo /currently accepted language/attitude etc they are 'accused' of being politically correct...as if it was a bad thing to be thoughtful of others!

Do these phrases grate with you or do you think they are valid?

lemongrove Wed 28-Oct-20 20:55:08

It’s typical social media isn’t it? Say a thing enough times and it becomes true!
Thanks to Maw for pointing out the ‘actual’ truth and pantglas for pointing out that Rashford’s impoverished years were under a Labour government.

biba70 Wed 28-Oct-20 21:01:50

Chewbacca- the word 'apparently' makes it clear that I was not sure it was fact. I have apologised. The comment was not an anecdote, as it was made by a Conservative MP.

The empathy resulting from the memories of the fear and reality of hunger, is real, whomever was in Government at the time.

MawB2 Wed 28-Oct-20 21:06:19

I thought Lord Griffiths came across as very calm and reasoned, not livid at all.

But this has been an example of of how easy it is to start a “fake news” story which many people would have been only too happy to give credence to - “never let the facts get in the way of a good story” eh ?

Chewbacca Wed 28-Oct-20 21:14:11

It's ok biba70, it's my fault; I should have checked properly myself.

biba70 Wed 28-Oct-20 21:15:23

Indeed, a typo- the context is quite clear that it was supposed to be 'vividly'.

Fake news stories don't use 'apparently' in the text- and do not relay real stories either. The story was not fake- but the words were attributed to the wrong person. Would you like me to apologise again?

lemongrove Wed 28-Oct-20 21:20:07

Yes please!

biba70 Wed 28-Oct-20 21:26:03

I apologise, again.

lemongrove Wed 28-Oct-20 21:28:07

I was joking, but that was very nice of you biba.....you have earned a free pint of poteen in The Argy.

Callistemon Wed 28-Oct-20 22:26:45

Thank you for puting me right
biba ust to say I wasn't trying to put you right but relating some apparent facts that were reported in the media as I couldn't find any reports that Johnson had used those words.

MissAdventure Wed 28-Oct-20 22:30:55

Ok boomer.
Grandson says it to me.