Why Americans are buying $22 smoothies despite feeling terrible about the economy

When people feel life is out of control, they reach for something small, expensive and signaling virtue. This is the real reason premium food is booming while some traditional luxury brands struggle, say consumer psychologists.

#PremiumFood #VirtueSignaling #NaziAmeriKKKa https://theconversation.com/why-americans-are-buying-22-smoothies-despite-feeling-terrible-about-the-economy-279425

Ob Du es "#Anstand" oder "#VirtueSignaling" nennst, hängt im wesentlichen davon ab, ob Du es seit dem Kindergarten kennst und vorgelebt bekommst.

Falls nicht, bist Du von jedem Rest von Anstand in der Öffentlichkeit immer wieder so überrascht, dass Du ihn nur als Wink mit dem Zaunpfahl verstehen kannst, exklusiv für Leute wie Dich.

Spoiler: Menschen tun's einfach füreinander. Niemand hat Zeit, Lust, oder auch nur den Gedanken, Deine Erziehung nachholen zu wollen. Kümmer Dich selber drum.

Cynicism and nihilism aren't going to get us out of this mess. @DennyCarterBFT argues the case for earnestness and virtue-signaling in the face of fascism. "I can think of worse societal trends than people — particularly young people — saying, 'I approve of this good thing and I want credit and adoration for that.'"

https://flip.it/.wGkGq

#USPolitics #VirtueSignaling #Earnestness #Culture

finally, a good #firefox update! 😁

#VirtueSignaling

I FINISHED THE ESSAY!!! ✊

Good AI, Bad AI: How to Distinguish Between a Good Idea That Challenges Real Problems and a Bad Idea That Only Virtue Signals

We are currently watching the internet tear itself apart over the metaphysical dread of artificial intelligence, resulting in marginalized groups cannibalizing each other for social credit. By tracing the historical blueprints of respectability politics and legal copyright infringement, this essay provides a functional, actionable framework to escape the doomism. It is a necessary structural guide to separating the human utility of AI from the exploitative nature of the tech industry.

https://open.substack.com/pub/arcwolf/p/good-ai-bad-ai?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

From now on, anyone that comes at me over AI gets a facefull of Teddy Ruxpin. 👿

#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #GenerativeAI #TechEthics #CorporateAccountability #TechRegulation #Sociology #LateralViolence #RespectabilityPolitics #VirtueSignaling #MediaCritique #Copyright #CopyrightInfringement #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #CognitiveProsthesis #LaborRights #Substack #AmWriting #WritersOfMastodon #LongForm #Essay

I actually think that the honest signalling of genuine virtue is a good thing.
It makes you visible to / puts you in touch with other virtuous people so you can band together to do virtuous things.

#VirtueSignaling

Music First, Agenda Last

https://ericfoltin.com/2026/02/08/music-first-agenda-last/