I learned two new internet terms today....

[jujube]

......."Virtue Signaling" and "Empathy Patrolling".

"Virtue Signaling" is the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments to demonstrate one's excellent character or the superior moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue, i.e. starting each post with "I'm very religious and...." and "I have several advanced college degrees and...." or "I have a very high income and...." to show that he or she is much "nicer", "better educated", "living higher on the hog" and obviously knows a whole lot more than the rest of you heathens, yokels and derelicts.

"Empathy Patrolling" indicates the need to police who may feel "what" and "how much" about an event or condition, i.e. "When you've been through what I've experienced, then you can complain about..... (and rest assured, you will never have suffered as much as he/she has...), "Well, even though your parents were brutal child abusers, you should be glad you had parents...." and, in general, "you shouldn't feel that way...."

Thank goodness, we don't see much, if any, of this on SeniorForums, but on other forums/boards/sites WOWEE!

OK, psychology lecture over.

 

[Katybug]

ITA, Jujube, both put up red flags and I'm not interested in either attitude. Life is too short to get caught up in that.

 

[Falcon]

LOL What do you mean, "We don't see much of this on THIS forum." ?

Almost every other thread begins that way. It's either a brag opening or a "Pity Party".

 

[helenbacque]

Jujube, there is a lot of food for thought there.

But in defense, Falcon, it sometimes takes linguistic agility to define ourselves, our circumstances and our personalities using only the written word, an avatar and a few memes. We're told it's good for our ego - our feeling of self-worth - to think highly of ourselves and our accomplishments yet when interacting with others we must be humble and self-effacing. Some are not adept at walking that fine line.

I'm assuming most postings here are honest thought, unscripted and spontaneous. I'd prefer to read someone's sincere and unvarnished thoughts and feelings even if it comes across as braggadocious or pity seeking. Too many of today's real life situations require constant monitoring of speech. I believe an anonymous peer internet forum should be a place where one can speak without fear of condemnation or judgment within boundaries of rules and decency, of course.