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...

What, before 2030? Humans will not die out quickly enough to save the planet, odd anti- natalist argument made on a forum named, 'Mumsnet'! Yes, I'll got to my children with that proposition, 'sorry children, it's best we do nothing and let the human race die out, I know we won't be around for the worst of it but best of luck!'

Bertrand has it- I have only ever seen it used on here, and only ever as an insult to a poster who, for whatever reason, does a specific something which is generally the polar opposite to what the person using the term does.
They are then told to fuck off with their virtue signalling.
It's a way of insulting a person, or an action, which is actually beyond reproach.
At least that's how it's used on MN.

GoldenBear I didn't say "Its best we do nothing" and definitely not advocating telling children that

My comment was a bit dry but I am quite cynical about people justifying their transatlantic flight (for example) by telling themselves that they're doing their bit by wrapping presents in brown paper this year.

And no I don't believe the planet can be saved. Sorry.

The planet being 'saved' is not a simplistic, yes/no discussion certainly not at this stage it's about making things bearable and preventing climate change from worsening.

Thing is though, I come across virtue signallers all the time or perhaps I should correctly refer to them as hypocrites.

I know loads of people who hold others in contempt for their views on Brexit, climate, the election, eating meat etc. These people don't actually lift a finger to help anyone else and think their mouthing off about something is gift enough.

'an attempt to show other people that you are a good person, for example by expressing opinions that will be acceptable to them, especially on social media'

It's a widely used term and is apt, if people only see it here they may need to broaden their horizons.

Goldenbear I agree. Just because I think the world's going to help in a handcart doesn't mean I don't agree we should be doing things to make it more bearable and slow that down!

People saying that Virtue Signalling is not a "thing" and that the phrase is used just to be nasty are not getting it or haven't come across a virtue signaller in all their glory.

• going to Hell in a handcart I meant

If you mean people saying virtue signalling when they mean hypocrite, then you have a point.

If you mean people saying virtue signalling when they mean hypocrite, then you have a point.
Yes, if people mean hypocrite they should say that otherwise the phrase just turns into something that is used in different ways and means nothing.

Well yes you could say hypocrite although some are genuinely helping in a vague essentially useless way.

Virtue Signalling is taking conspicuous action for a good cause in an ostentatious way. You're supporting a good cause in a small way but you want everyone to know how much more moral you are than others.

People saying that Virtue Signalling is not a "thing" and that the phrase is used just to be nasty are not getting it or haven't come across a virtue signaller in all their glory.

Or they just don’t like their own virtue-signalling being exposed...

I did have to sit on my hands on a thread on allergies the other day when someone posted about shops having

Vegan cruelty free desserts

I wondered about the purpose of the second and third word.

I think individual actions can make a difference through buying power. Big companies will adjust their policies and buying strategies depending on what consumers accept. Big companies in turn have influence on behaviour of government’s.

Virtue signalling is not the same as hypocrisy.

Indeed not, but skilful practitioners often find a way to combine the two!

BertrandRussell
Virtue signalling is not the same as hypocrisy.

It isn't, but people often seem to confuse the two.

Telling people with no children that they should get rid of their car etc. whilst having children of your own isn't virtue signalling its hypocrisy.

Matthew 6:5.

I have a sort of friend (our wives are friends so I get to see him, but never without our respective wives) who wears a Help for Heroes t-shirt and is forever posting on Facebook about lives lost in the World Wars, WW1 in particular, always ending with Lest We Forget. You can imagine how the posts increase in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

It comes across to me as virtue signalling because it’s as though he wants to be seen as the person who cares most about the lives lost in wars. He was supposed to be walking 50 miles across Northern France between war cemeteries to raise money for the British Legion and was seeking sponsorship on FB. This was several months before he was due to undertake the walk and I thought I’d withhold my sponsorship until nearer the date to see whether this walk would actually materialise. In the months leading up to the event his wife told us that he hadn’t been doing the necessary training and that he would need to start soon blah blah blah. Surprise surprise, the walk did not happen. However, on hearing of his plans, as a thank you the British Legion invited him and his wife to the big Remembrance Festival at the Royal Albert Hall and of course that was all over FB with photos and proud boasts. His wife told us afterwards that he felt a little guilty about accepting the invitation when he failed to actually carry out the fund-raising walk.

I too feel strongly about the lives lost in world wars and other wars, but it’s something I keep to myself, rather as I would with religious faith if I had any. It’s not something to broadcast over social media in my view. This guy’s constant FB posting about it seems to me to be virtue signalling because that is all he does.