Virtue signalling is often mentioned on this board as a concept that drives SJW behaviour. I believe in order to really understand SJW behaviour it should be complemented by another concept I would like to call 'power signalling'. For an example, let's look at false rape accusations:
Of course it might be that virtue signalling, the chance to come to the aid of a damsel in distress and show one's good character, just gets the better of people so that they are willing to overlook anything that runs counter to the victim's narrative (or due process).
But I think supporting a rape accusation can make sense to people aside from virtue signalling, even if they think it is false and that it will fall apart - just because somebody will suffer:
Whether it helps the general 'rape culture' narrative or feminist goals is secondary. Just like a virtue signaller overlooks the truth in order to display his most excellent character, the power signaller overlooks long term consequences in order to feel powerful.
I think it's also not clear whether rape accusations that turn out to be false actually hurt the feminist narrative - just by the strength of their destructive fallout, no matter in which direction it goes, it ensures that any future grievances will be given great importance - compared to, for example, MRA issues that do not project any power at all and thus can be ignored.
The allure of signalling power is not limited to feminist issues of course - other SJW causes like BLM can provide participants with the feeling of being powerful, no matter whether their reasoning or long term consequences make sense or not.
Just another term for our vocabulary so we can describe more exactly what is going on when we call blue pilled thinking out.
- Mattress Girl Emma Sulkowicz
- Sabrina Rubin Erdely's Jackie
- USC's Brian Banks
- Duke Lacrosse boys
- etc.
Of course it might be that virtue signalling, the chance to come to the aid of a damsel in distress and show one's good character, just gets the better of people so that they are willing to overlook anything that runs counter to the victim's narrative (or due process).
But I think supporting a rape accusation can make sense to people aside from virtue signalling, even if they think it is false and that it will fall apart - just because somebody will suffer:
- the falsely accused, like Brian Banks who spent years in prison
- an organization, like Duke that has to settle for 60 million USD
- a white knight, like Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong getting disbarred
- a journalist, like Sabrina Rubin Erdely getting fired
- etc.
Whether it helps the general 'rape culture' narrative or feminist goals is secondary. Just like a virtue signaller overlooks the truth in order to display his most excellent character, the power signaller overlooks long term consequences in order to feel powerful.
I think it's also not clear whether rape accusations that turn out to be false actually hurt the feminist narrative - just by the strength of their destructive fallout, no matter in which direction it goes, it ensures that any future grievances will be given great importance - compared to, for example, MRA issues that do not project any power at all and thus can be ignored.
The allure of signalling power is not limited to feminist issues of course - other SJW causes like BLM can provide participants with the feeling of being powerful, no matter whether their reasoning or long term consequences make sense or not.
Just another term for our vocabulary so we can describe more exactly what is going on when we call blue pilled thinking out.
