Can someone explain virtue signalling to me?

[Norfolklassie]

Long time lurker of the feminism threads and peaked some time ago. I don’t contribute as I don’t yet feel confident enough, especially with terminology.

Could anyone explain simply to me what is virtue signalling - I think I understand it, as have looked around some websites but I’m unable to make the distinction between when someone is supporting a cause or virtue signalling.

Stealth polar bear

I believe an example would be when someone runs on to this board, stamps their foot at how bigoted everyone is, proclaims their love and inclusion and allied-ness to all trans whether they have had an op or just felt like it that day...and then proceeds to completely ignore every trans poster on that boards questions/points.

Not that trans peoples opinion is more worthy of attention, but you'd think seeing as they were such blind devotees they'd at least take a second to actual talk t a trans person about these issues they are 'defending' us on.

I wondered if on the transwoman bf the thread that recently compared two different forums (one a mostly white feminist one and one mostly black feminist one) talking about the trans male who claimed to bf was an example; the 'white feminists' were falling over themselves to applaud and encourage a TIM who thought 'they'd like to bf' - almost as if they needed to prove how 'right on' they were. (The other forum were disgusted). They signalled their virtue to the cause of that makes sense through their comments?

The phrase "virtue signalling" is generally used by those who don't believe that anyone would actually support the cause in question.

When they say "you are virtue signalling" they mean "nobody really supports that thing, you are just pretending because you think it makes you look good".

Trills, no that’s not what we are saying. I for one am saying, ok, support that cause if you want to, but keep it to yourself unless the situation or context demands that you speak of it. I would also ask if signallers whether they actually DO something to support said cause or whether they just speak in agreement with it.

I was just answering the original question there, about "what does virtue signalling mean?" rather than specifically replying to what people have said on this thread about any one particular cause.

For example, I once worked with a woman who I was friendly enough to do social stuff with as well as work. Known her for ten years. Bumped into her one time out in a cafe, asked her who she was waiting for. Turns out she mentors vulnerable young girls on a sort of big sister program. She had not mentioned this to me once! This is actual VIRTUE. She was doing a great, helpful thing in her own time, unpaid, but she felt no need to signal to anyone that she did that. I ought to add that we worked together in a situation and she knew enough about me to know I’d find it interesting and be sympathetic but she still didn’t tell me about it, I’ve never seen anything on her Facebook about it either.

I'd also add that in many cases it is a positive thing, if you support a cause, to do so loudly and publicly.

If I sign a petition or donate to a charity or give blood, I want to also tell people that I have done it.
Am I virtue signalling, or "showing off" about what a good person I am?
Maybe partly. Maybe quite a lot.
Is it good for the petition or charity or NHS for me to tell everyone that I've done it and maybe encourage them to do the same?
Yes, it is good for them.

Trills and I’m answering you, I am someone who uses that phrase “virtue signaling” but I certainly don’t think “nobody really supports that thing”

Trills I don’t agree. Depends on the situation and context. I have supported loudly and publicly on public demonstrations for example. Because that is a context that demands it. Also I think people forget that they can do damage to a cause with their loud public support, because many people lack the self awareness to understand how other people perceive them. I’d say from this thread it’s clear that people can sniff out hypocrisy and humbug quite easily. You might think you are a good example but others might not. We are all human and fallible. Brendan Cox is a cautionary tale.

Fair enough wrappedup :)
I did say "generally" rather than "exclusively". I don't think that is always the motivation behind the use of the phrase, but my experience on social media suggests that it often is.

I knew someone who used both cloth nappies and disposables

She ONLY used the cloth nappies while out and about.

THAT is virtue signalling

Oh we're talking about trans things again, sorry. Thought I had something to add.

Virtue signalling is the difference between wearing a rainbow lanyard at a Southern Baptist convention and wearing a rainbow lanyard at a Lib Dem party conference. One requires a real commitment to the cause, the other one is a cheap act designed to elicit praise from people who already agree with you.

Trills yes I agree I’ve seen that on social media too but mostly from an alt right position. I’m coming at this from a left position.

Not David tennant exactly! The rainbow lanyards at my work place are a cheap, risk free, self congratulatory device. I wonder how many of them have even been on a pride march? The sad thing is that 5 years ago I would have proudly worn one, which just shows how much social media has changed things.

‘Just a way to put down people who care about stuff. A way to make people who can’t be arsed feel better about themselves. See also Do-Gooder and Social Justice Warrior.’

This.

Virtue signallers are usually, in my experience, also the most dull people on the planet. They rarely have a sense of humour, are limp as a wet lettuce and are tedious as fuck.

Just a way to put down people who care about stuff. A way to make people who can’t be arsed feel better about themselves. See also Do-Gooder and Social Justice Warrior

I don't think so. It is a way to put down people who care more about looking like the sort of person who cares about stuff than actually caring about stuff.

The examples on here about nappies, lanyards and banging on about boycotting multi- nationals and supporting local businesses are good examples of it being used properly.

Qvar - no I don’t think virtue signalling is solely to do with trans, however that’s where I kept seeing it and wanted to understand what it meant - the cloth/disposable nappies thing is a good example actually.

The types of examples I have seen:
‘I have spent time with children (and young men) living in the mud in Calais - can’t get behind talking about them as economic migrants’ - ‘VIRTUE SIGNALLER!’

‘I feel for people who don’t feel they fit with the sex they were born into. I would welcome them into my space and don’t like you talking about them af men in a dress.’ -
‘’VIRTUE SIGNALLER!’

"Virtue signalling is the conspicuous expression of moral values done primarily with the intent of enhancing standing within a social group.[1] The term was first used in signalling theory, to describe any behavior that could be used to signal virtue—especially piety among the religious.[2] In recent years, the term has become more commonly used as a pejorative characterization by commentators to criticize what they regard as empty, or superficial support of certain political views, and also used within groups to criticize their own members for valuing outward appearance over substantive action."

OP this ^^ is from Wikipedia and sums up my understanding of the phrase.

Don't get me wrong, I love women, but...
Everything before the but is virtue signaling of the most common sort and everything after the but is bullshit.
Like every other word we speak it is now often used as an accusation in the DARVO routine of abusers.
Still, I think you will recognize that example since men have been using it virtually forever.

You follow an ideology not because you understand it and argue for it but because you want to be seen as a good person. When you fight for “good” but really you’re just fighting for your own agenda.

Owen Jones and pretty much all woke lefty bros are examples.

I thought lily Allen and Grenfell was an example of virtue signalling...

She spoke up, she spoke loud, she fought with the people...

And lived in her luxury homes etc and I don't think moved anyone in? In fact didn't she go to the papers about kicking someone out...