AIBU to be annoyed by the term “virtue signaling“?

[Flyingfish2019]

Whenever people online or in IRL discuss how to reduce their ecological footprint other turn up and tell them that they are “virtue signaling“. I do not get this.

It becomes clearer and clearer that there is a big problem with climate change. If mankind continues to go on like we did in the past we will reach irreversible tipping points. Irreversible.

I think mankind needs to work together. We need to ensure the future of our children. I am s proud of people who are already doing their bit and even prouder of people who make big sacrifices for the cause... like a friend of mine who gave up his car. I couldn’t do this and it leaves me humbled.

I am no way perfect. My ecological footprint is far to big. So I am not in a position to judge anybody.

However I do not get why people who are trying to make a difference are blamed if virtue signaling... whatever that might be...

@churchandstate What kind of things were it?

It was political.

But I’ve been told I’m guilty of ‘virtue signalling’ more than once on here, come to think of it. I think once I said I don’t like the practice of regifting presents and someone said it. I think once I said I value people who tell the truth and someone said it. It seems to be a convenient catch-all.

I see it as similar to ‘woke’.

Only ever used by absolute arseholes.

So a good marker.

You can turn yourself into a dedicated 100% eco-warrior, but it won’t make a blip of difference while China and India are dialling up their emissions.

@trixiebelden77 I am not even sure what woke originally meant, just know people use it as a smear.

It's posting a picture of your food on Rate My Plate and making sure you mention it's vegan.

I can't imagine many people taking photos of their food, for others to judge without tasting, are so needy they'd label it vegan for extra attention.

I see it as similar to ‘woke’. Only ever used by absolute arseholes.

There are a lot of 'arseholes' using woke and virtue signaling. You are right to condemn then as terribly judgemental.

I wonder if it’s only in England that we use terms like this as put downs.Do gooder, over thinker, virtue signaller, martyr.......

I always thought it was just about the people who can't do a good deed without posting it all over social media. Like the ones you see with pictures of them helping the old lady off the floor or giving a homeless person a sandwich. Its all about getting attention for things lots of people would do without expecting praise for.

I wonder if it’s only in England that we use terms like this as put downs.Do gooder, over thinker, virtue signaller, martyr.

Surely you don't think a healthy scepticism for hypocrisy and bossiness only exists in one region of the UK?

The Jewish term Kolboynick springs to mind, I'm sure there are thousands of others.

I’ve noticed mumsnet is full of virtue signallers and woke people. It’s highly annoying

I thought it was a kind of boasting - doing something good but making sure everyone knows about it

That's how I understand it too.

I would say that the term definately has its place (e.g. those that are being over the top about their achievements or being contradictory)like where budwiser (i think) paid more for an advertising campaign about their charitydonation than they did on the donation its self ... however I've only ever had it said to me by people trying to diminish what im trying.

The last two times....
I dont eat meat and we are working hard to cut down animal product use/move towards more ethical sources for various reasons. Its not something i talk about much because its dull, but recently someone told me i was "virtue signalling" for politely declining meat product when asked twice (i initially said "no thanks" but when they asked again i said "sounds lovely but im not eating meat atm")

Secondly we are really trying to move to more eco friendly house products eg not tested on animals, less plastic etc. We have recycled toilet paper that is from a company that funds some charity stuff, its clearly a bit "different" as its got distinctive packaging. My mil came round saw this basically said we were wasting our time, bigger fish to fry and that we shouldn'tbe "making a fuss". Bil chipped in with 'its all virtue signalling though'. Firstly its my own house, these are people with "flushable" toilet wipes in every toilet etc.

I get my changes are nothing to the wider picture but i like to try and people shouldnt be shamed for doing so or we will paralyze people into doing nothing

With regard to climate change, we need people to change behaviours

It is well known that people change more easily when they feel that they are doing what other people do
It's why shops have "last few remaining" as a common tag. It's why groups of teens often dress alike,
So people highlight their actions as it's known to encourage others to act likewise. And certainly, not mentioning your ethical behaviour will not make people more aware. And it might have taken some personal effort, so you might actually be quite proud of what you have achieved,

...unless someone throws a put down like "virtue signal" which then sends the message that people are not prepared to change their behaviours . It's often sent by people who say , oh you did x but you didn't do y so it doesn't count, which is rubbish, x and y together would be best, but neither x nor y is worst, and if everyone did x or y the world would be a better place.

Even if someone really is in your opinion just virtue signalling, is ther a need to post something so negative? It would be much nicer to start a discussion, not close it down

It's a very negative put down

“ Surely you don't think a healthy scepticism for hypocrisy and bossiness only exists in one region of the UK?”
No, I don’t. I think assuming that all good deeds/intentions are hypocritical or bossy might, though.
BTW- well done for picking me up on saying England when I meant U.K......

BTW- well done for picking me up on saying England when I meant U.K.

It ain't what you say, it's the way that you say it. Moaning about a simple error would have been virtue signalling :-)

People moaning about Greta Thunberg's environmental activism are often knobheads (not always, I think there are legitimate criticisms). People moaning about Prince Harry and Emma Thomson are dead right.

I hate the term too. It's bandied about too much like 'snowflake', 'political correctness gone mad' and 'looking to take offence' and used by people who have no legitimate argument and are just trying to make the other person look small.

If you hate damage to the environment, racism, homophobia etc. it is right to speak up against it.

YANBU, who cares anyway when it comes to climate change the message needs to be understood, the more publicity the better, although goodness knows why this is needed when ecological disasters are u folding before our eyes.

That individuals cannot make a difference is rubbish frankly. Who buys this stuff from China, who are they exporting to, where is the demand coming from?? Household consumption habits have a huge impact on the planet(60-80%), wake up and take some responsibility!!

Individuals can do absolutely nothing

Not entirely true - we can stop buying the plastic tat, the single use packaging and we can stop buying products with excessive plastic. If there is no market then manufacturers will have to change or go out of business.

Not the whole answer by any means but we are not powerless.

This will mean a lowering of overall standards of living though as jobs will have to go. Not sure society is ready for that - it's never discussed but it's inevitable if we are to have any hope of reversing the damage we're doing.

It’s a bit like those stupid pack lunch posts or what’s for dinner posts.

Posters outdo themselves to be the most healthiest and ethical then apologise for having something naughty, which is always something like dates and or nuts.

If you went by MN standards, no children seem to have cheese sandwiches, packets of crisps, an apple, juice and a biscuit anymore.

Packet not packets...

The phrase is overused, but mostly due to so many hypocritical sanctimonious twats out there.

I amn't totally convinced about lowering of living standard and job loss.

Yes, change, yes, less material goods. But what really matters isn't a new dress, it's how happy you are. And that is not well linked to things.

There are so many worthwhile jobs that are not being done because they don't fit with a material goods based value system, so no one will pay for them. Think social care for a start. The value we place on a happy human life is pathetic.

However, money and value is a pure human concept. Currently we tie it to goods, exploitation of the earth. There is no reason why it can't b tied differently, valuing people and their efforts instead. Money doesn't grow on trees. it grows on rules we as a society define. We can print as much as we like. We don't because it would affect our ability to trade earths resources with other countries. It's a circular cycle that's harmful to most of the worlds population.

So a low carbon world could be happier and fairer than this one today,

You may say I'm a dreamer.

I think it's a great phrase. It's slightly annoying when it's used incorrectly.

There is a difference between raising awareness of environmental issues/ how people can do their bit and sanctimonious preaching about your own Do Gooding.

The best way to save our planet is to let humans die out unfortunately.