virtue signalling Archives

Virtue Broadcasting

September 9, 2020 Andrew Elliott 00:34:37

Further to Andrew’s recent blog post about Virtue Broadcasting, we take the topic further.

We discuss virtue signalling in general, before moving on to the louder, shoutier form that is broadcasting. We talk about different forms of signals, from Twitter bios to mask wearing to clapping like a trained chimpanzee every Thursday evening.

We talk about Ben & Jerry’s recent Twitter rant and ask whether it makes any difference to us. Do we really care about the opinions of companies we buy from? What would it take for us ro stop buying from them?

Photo by Ben Hope on Unsplash

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Virtue Broadcasting – When Virtue Signalling Just Isn’t Enough

August 12, 2020 Andrew Elliott

Did you know that the term Virtue Signalling is only 5 years old?

It seems like it’s been around forever, doesn’t it? It was actually created in a Spectator article by James Bartholomew on April 18th, 2015. It’s been flourishing ever since.

For the unaware, Virtue Signalling is a way of appearing noble & principled without actually doing anything. Writing “hates the Daily Mail” in a Twitter bio is a good example. You haven’t done anything good, by doing that. You haven’t helped feed the homeless or built a well in an African Village. You’re just written four words. Yet I’m expected to think you’re somehow a better person for it.

That’s virtue signalling. Once you know it exists, you’ll begin to notice it. Its common, precisely because it requires so little effort.

Now, adding words to your twitter bio is one thing, but what if the ‘signal’ is a lot more prominent? Signalling implies a certain subtlety about it. What if you’re making a big thing about doing nothing? I think we need a new term for that.

I present to you “Virtue Broadcasting”.

You’ll have seen virtue broadcasting, already. Standing outside your house at 8pm on a Thursday banging your pots and pans for the NHS? That’s virtue broadcasting. Shouting at people who aren’t wearing masks? The same.

Virtue signalling just doesn’t seem enough for some people. We need a new term. I’m not entirely sure whether Broadcasting is the right word, and I’m happy to use another. But, for now, it’ll do.

Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash

Left Leaning Language and Grievance Signalling

August 12, 2020 Andrew Elliott 00:35:36

Is a common language enough any more or do you need to somehow signal your political or woke intentions? How does that work when the Overton Window shifts so frequently?

We talk about the evolution of terms such as “Coloured People” and “People of Colour” to define groups of people, and whether its a feature of the woke or broadly the political left to signal how up to date you are by using the most trendy phrase.

Has virtue signalling started leading to a new form: grievance signalling. And is that more about feeling safe by identifying with a tribe?

And does Nic have a problematic car…?