Do you ever do "virtue signalling" or "performative wokeness" online, or know people who do? Let us know what you think about online activism in the comments!
I think donating to a charity that supports your cause is much more effective than just virtue signalling, and most of the time virtue signalling starts more conflicts in the replies than it helps the cause lol
Superficial chattering is just what human’s do. It didn’t start with Twitter and Facebook. Those things just amplified it and learned how to make money off it. Sure, it can be associated with good and bad, because it is ubiquitous background noise, it is how we socially communicate.
Nevertheless, I can’t see this as being sufficient rationale for accepting superficiality as valid social discourse. I’m not sure how many share my sentiment, but I’ve always been sickened by non-, even anti-substantive chatter.
Love this episode. Jesus actually had something to say on the subject: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4, NIV Bible)
I’m very intentional about avoiding performative stuff. I think the most important activism you can do is with your friends and family, in normal conversations. And be friends with people who disagree with you. You can end up being a great influence on them.
I think the problem with those kind of posts is they are pushing people to extremes, forcing them to choose a side instead of seeing both pros and cons. Almost nothing is black and white but we as a society in general became more and more divided with all these movements and their exaggerated online presence.
There's also the factor that sometimes, a person isn’t able to donate or show up at a protest because they're a minor, very low income, etc. so all they are really able to do is help make people who have the resources to do those things aware of the cause
I kinda see it as a double edge sword. On one hand it's pretty thoughtless and performative like you said in the video but on the other hand it can raise awareness of something and anyone who genuinely wants to know more has a reference point.
I think activism can be measured three ways: how effective the action is, how much effort it costs, and how much it puts you at risk. Donating small amounts of money probably isn't very effective, doesn't take much effort, and no one knows about it unless you tell them. Writing your Congress critter probably isn't very effective, it's not a lot if effort, but it does make your views sort of public - especially in my case when I vehemently disagree with them and they maintain an enemies (mailing) list.
I shut down my IG because of that performative aspect. Shortly before I did I posted info in my stories about global vaccine equity and COVAX, what the fund-raising goals are and who was contributing. I posted info about how to donate. I donated but didn't post about that. Now my friends are caring people, but did anyone actually carefully read those posts and think about them, much less donate? I doubt it. A few people are on IG looking to educate and inspire themselves; a lot more are looking for escape and distraction. I think it's best to share info about the causes I care about in personal conversation. Maybe I'd feel differently if I were an "influencer," but I'm definitely not :)
Thanks so much for wanting to support our channel!! You can donate here: www.kqed.org/support/membership Above the Noise is part of the Bay Area public media station KQED and every donation, no matter the size, will help the show to continue to put out episodes!
The term 'virtue signaling' has such a negative connotation, but perhaps it should not. The standard example of a re-post or retweet may not require much effort, but it is not usually done mindlessly, and it does serve to build and reveal an idea's currency. Activism should often be more than virtue signaling, but it can't be less.
This is tricky, because while I haven't really done a lot of activism offline, I have spent a lot of time learning a ton about different issues. Right now I kinda help spread along fundraisers in hopes that someone who can send money will see it and do so, and I still spread along information that maybe I don't have time to completely check is correct. But ultimately, being involved in "performative activism" kinda ended up guiding me to my current spot. I'm trying to decide now what my career will be and all I really know is that I just genuinely want to help people who are disabled. And like maybe I haven't gotten a grip on my life to be able to do more financially or even politically, but like my current job is helping make online documents accessible and I'm juggling between pursuing being a psychologist, a social worker, or a bioengineer. So yeah, there's a large large swath of grey area, but I also think that people pretending to care about real issues as a form of clout is an important sign that a new definition of what it even means to be a "good person" in a contemporary society is emerging, and I at least think that that new ideal is a lot better.
Agree it does increase awareness and normalizes supporting things like BLM or LGBTQ rights. My biggest issue is that many view talking about it online as enough but we all live in a bubble and the best way to get people talking and thinking about these issues will always be talking to people in your life. Sure your friends all agree but what about your neighbors and coworkers? Think about all the people you interact with on a regular basis, from the barista at your favorite coffee shop to the receptionist at your Dr office and that coworker you kinda know but not well. Find out where they stand, bring up the news in conversation, because unfortunately alot of people still only hear about these things through the grapevine and avoid both social media and the news.
I'm so glad you mention this because we're starting to work on an episode on how to have REAL conversations with other people you disagree with. Like, can you talk about important stuff without the conversation devolving into an emotional argument? Can you REALLY change someone's mind or is it just a waste of time. Stay tuned!
@@AboveTheNoise awesome! Been doing it myself since forever. Personally found it best to focus on policy and avoid labels like democrat, republican, progressive or maga. Also ban anything personal about a politician that doesn't relate directly to policy, insults, and if getting emotional press pause and talk about something we can bond over (like our kids or favorite TV shows.) I'd love to know if the data agrees.
• 0:47 - That is NOT what "clout" means! 🤦 Shame on PBS for perpetuating zoomer illiteracy. 😠 • 6:47 - If you don't want to read an article, fine, whatever, but don't SHARE it to others! 🙄 Recent surveys have found that 60%-70% of people share links to stuff from just the title without actually bothering to read the articles. 🤦 • 7:21 - You've obviously never heard the various expressions that say sometimes it better to just -shut up- NOT talk. ¬_¬
Do you ever do "virtue signalling" or "performative wokeness" online, or know people who do? Let us know what you think about online activism in the comments!
I think donating to a charity that supports your cause is much more effective than just virtue signalling, and most of the time virtue signalling starts more conflicts in the replies than it helps the cause lol
Superficial chattering is just what human’s do. It didn’t start with Twitter and Facebook. Those things just amplified it and learned how to make money off it. Sure, it can be associated with good and bad, because it is ubiquitous background noise, it is how we socially communicate.
Nevertheless, I can’t see this as being sufficient rationale for accepting superficiality as valid social discourse. I’m not sure how many share my sentiment, but I’ve always been sickened by non-, even anti-substantive chatter.
It may be how you "socially communicate" but not so much for the rest of us.
Love this episode. Jesus actually had something to say on the subject:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4, NIV Bible)
Wouldn't it then be performative so as to gain social capital with God?
@@AlisterPuddifer well what really matters is what we do on earth... Not for the capital G but for ourselves and the people who need us
@@simonasfaw9450 Sounds wise? Although I think you’re missing the point. It’s both for God and our fellow man or neither-there is no in-between.
I’m very intentional about avoiding performative stuff. I think the most important activism you can do is with your friends and family, in normal conversations. And be friends with people who disagree with you. You can end up being a great influence on them.
HE JUST TOLD US ANY ACTIVISM HAS ITS USE TO NOT MUZZLE YOURSELF LISTEN!!!
Love this channel really make me think about topics like these
Thanks!
I think the problem with those kind of posts is they are pushing people to extremes, forcing them to choose a side instead of seeing both pros and cons. Almost nothing is black and white but we as a society in general became more and more divided with all these movements and their exaggerated online presence.
Interesting perspective! Thanks!
There's also the factor that sometimes, a person isn’t able to donate or show up at a protest because they're a minor, very low income, etc. so all they are really able to do is help make people who have the resources to do those things aware of the cause
Good point!
I kinda see it as a double edge sword. On one hand it's pretty thoughtless and performative like you said in the video but on the other hand it can raise awareness of something and anyone who genuinely wants to know more has a reference point.
Yeah it can be a mixed bag!
don't virtue signal
just do the right thing silently
No. It's entitled elitism at its worst.
I think activism can be measured three ways: how effective the action is, how much effort it costs, and how much it puts you at risk. Donating small amounts of money probably isn't very effective, doesn't take much effort, and no one knows about it unless you tell them. Writing your Congress critter probably isn't very effective, it's not a lot if effort, but it does make your views sort of public - especially in my case when I vehemently disagree with them and they maintain an enemies (mailing) list.
Thanks for your perspective!
I only share what I have donated to and those are alway come from someone I trust or what I found informative. I don't think I ever shared a meme
One of the best shows funded by pbs on youtube
Thank you!!
I shut down my IG because of that performative aspect. Shortly before I did I posted info in my stories about global vaccine equity and COVAX, what the fund-raising goals are and who was contributing. I posted info about how to donate. I donated but didn't post about that. Now my friends are caring people, but did anyone actually carefully read those posts and think about them, much less donate? I doubt it. A few people are on IG looking to educate and inspire themselves; a lot more are looking for escape and distraction. I think it's best to share info about the causes I care about in personal conversation. Maybe I'd feel differently if I were an "influencer," but I'm definitely not :)
The vaccine is not a vaccine.
There is a simple solution: don't judge others. Let them do them and you do you.
That's the problem with modern activism. You can't just do your own thing, they will demonize for daring to not accept what they tell you. It's toxic
It's sad to see someone try so hard to hide his true feelings. Just go get that toaster already.
I do love toast.
Seeing as I'm one of the melanin deprived, White protesting is the only way I can protest. lol
Ha!
After May 2020, social media is getting more awkward as many users post more activism. Be careful what you wish for!
True! The pandemic definitely coincided (caused?) a lot more people to go online!
Do you have a patron page or another way I can support?
Thanks so much for wanting to support our channel!! You can donate here: www.kqed.org/support/membership
Above the Noise is part of the Bay Area public media station KQED and every donation, no matter the size, will help the show to continue to put out episodes!
The term 'virtue signaling' has such a negative connotation, but perhaps it should not. The standard example of a re-post or retweet may not require much effort, but it is not usually done mindlessly, and it does serve to build and reveal an idea's currency. Activism should often be more than virtue signaling, but it can't be less.
Myles idk why but your talk makes me feel calm bro and it’s great cus I have anxiety 😂👍
Amazing! Thank you!
Long answer short, no it doesn't.
Short answer: No.
This is tricky, because while I haven't really done a lot of activism offline, I have spent a lot of time learning a ton about different issues. Right now I kinda help spread along fundraisers in hopes that someone who can send money will see it and do so, and I still spread along information that maybe I don't have time to completely check is correct.
But ultimately, being involved in "performative activism" kinda ended up guiding me to my current spot. I'm trying to decide now what my career will be and all I really know is that I just genuinely want to help people who are disabled. And like maybe I haven't gotten a grip on my life to be able to do more financially or even politically, but like my current job is helping make online documents accessible and I'm juggling between pursuing being a psychologist, a social worker, or a bioengineer.
So yeah, there's a large large swath of grey area, but I also think that people pretending to care about real issues as a form of clout is an important sign that a new definition of what it even means to be a "good person" in a contemporary society is emerging, and I at least think that that new ideal is a lot better.
Interesting!
I'm curious what issues have you learned and where from.
Better jump on the bandwagon for internet points and validation from people you’ll never meet!
You take internet points with you when you die, right?
No.
Sounds exactly like Donald J Trump
This Twitter et al FOMO is hilarious to me. It's like the world is in puberty.
😆
I'm guessing no
Nah it's changing things but for the worst.
I love these videos
Thanks!
Burn Loot Marauder
Agree it does increase awareness and normalizes supporting things like BLM or LGBTQ rights. My biggest issue is that many view talking about it online as enough but we all live in a bubble and the best way to get people talking and thinking about these issues will always be talking to people in your life. Sure your friends all agree but what about your neighbors and coworkers? Think about all the people you interact with on a regular basis, from the barista at your favorite coffee shop to the receptionist at your Dr office and that coworker you kinda know but not well. Find out where they stand, bring up the news in conversation, because unfortunately alot of people still only hear about these things through the grapevine and avoid both social media and the news.
I'm so glad you mention this because we're starting to work on an episode on how to have REAL conversations with other people you disagree with. Like, can you talk about important stuff without the conversation devolving into an emotional argument? Can you REALLY change someone's mind or is it just a waste of time. Stay tuned!
@@AboveTheNoise awesome! Been doing it myself since forever. Personally found it best to focus on policy and avoid labels like democrat, republican, progressive or maga. Also ban anything personal about a politician that doesn't relate directly to policy, insults, and if getting emotional press pause and talk about something we can bond over (like our kids or favorite TV shows.) I'd love to know if the data agrees.
• 0:47 - That is NOT what "clout" means! 🤦 Shame on PBS for perpetuating zoomer illiteracy. 😠
• 6:47 - If you don't want to read an article, fine, whatever, but don't SHARE it to others! 🙄 Recent surveys have found that 60%-70% of people share links to stuff from just the title without actually bothering to read the articles. 🤦
• 7:21 - You've obviously never heard the various expressions that say sometimes it better to just -shut up- NOT talk. ¬_¬
Thank you for your thorough analysis, with timecodes!
Oh. It's PBS. Ffs.
Can’t believe I’m only just finding out about this channel… Looking forward to more.
Well religion is dead so I guess it's all we have.
No God is very much still alive.
Always was, is and will be
*Interesting informative video!*