Virtual signals

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What does it mean to give off a virtual signal? I've seen and heard the term on the Internet since 2016. I don't know what it means.

Haha that's a good one!

I think they're talking about virtue signaling, and no, I have no idea what it is.

I have a feeling they haven't been correcting their autocorrect.

Thankyou for explaining.

It's when someone tries to show how virtuous they are.

"I never post off topic or detail threads, and I always report those who do".

I looked it up.

virtue signalling

the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.

In other words, a person who always takes the moral high ground in every situation, even when people are joking around.

e.g. If I joked that King Charles's crown might fall off if he bent over, a virtue signaller might say, 'I would never wish King Charles to lose his crown and perhaps break it. I always hope for the best for our royal family.'

Whereas a non virtue signaller might say, 'haha, yes, it might!'

Does that make sense at all? I hope so

Oh I just thought of another example!

I used to have a Facebook friend who put in her 'About' section that her interests were:

Justice
Inclusion
Fairness
Equality

How the heck are those INTERESTS? They are qualities or aspirations. I thought Interests were supposed to be hobbies, like fishing, cooking, sewing etc!

And if someone commented on her choice of interests, she said 'oh, aren't you interested in justice, inclusion, fairness, equality?' There's no answer to that without making yourself sound like a horrible person, is there? Which I suspect is the aim of virtue signallers- to make themselves look better than other people...

I wonder if I could be making a virtual signal without even knowing it. From a disability viewpoint, I could be using a Schultz avatar to bring forth signals of inclusion and equality as far as disabilities are concerned. I also look like him, but that's for another topic. The more things come together and the more I understand and learn about myself, the more it seems that I have a permeant avatar. Something that's never happened to me on WP before.

Ah I see, thanks. I've heard the name, but I thought it was something to do with Hulk Hogan due to the name!