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>> It's not about virtue signaling. It's about bulk materials handling. > people have been taught that recycling is virtuous, and that's how they have engaged
by _moof 3y ago
>> It's not about virtue signaling. It's about bulk materials handling.
> people have been taught that recycling is virtuous, and that's how they have engaged with it, and they were being genuine.
That's not the same thing. Virtue signaling is when you do something in order to show other people that you are virtuous. If you would still recycle when no one's there to see it, then you're still doing something virtuous, but you aren't doing it to signal anything to others about yourself.
- fsckboy 3y agothe idea of "signalling" comes from economics and game theory to explain some indirect forces in the market. If a company gets a reputation for vigorously defending intellectual property even when the amount in question is minor, or slashing prices in markets where they face regional competition, etc., they "signal" to potential future competitors that it might not be worth it. Doing something virtuous has an intrinsic value, and also sends a signal if other people see you do it. Your intent has nothing to do with the signal. I was simply bringing up virtue to making the point that recycling's failure can backfire without saying anything about virtue signals.