Bullies are often fundamentally cowardly: if their home, or their country is under attack they rank saving their own life and possessions first and above the group.
A bully will expect any group they target to crumble in a similar manner. The idea that their threats and attacks might cause people to find a common cause, that it might inspire bravery and unification is not something they can anticipate or imagine.
Because were it them? They would shove the child out of the lifeboat and run.
Nothing irritates a bully more than when someone else demonstrates the courage or honor that they lack. They will have an immediate need to prove that any such acts were either a sign that the person was duped, or that the sacrifice was motivated by a desire for public acclaim, not any principles or moral values.
To confront true selflessness is terrifying for the bully. Nothing could be more alien. Nothing more clearly calls into question their own self worth.
No! It's virtue signaling!
There is this cynical and currently popular idea that everything is "virtue signaling" and to some extent it's true. Part of why people do what is right even when it won't benefit them is about making a statement to themselves and others about what we value.
But, it's also ... not that hard, not even that remarkable to really want to be a good person even when you don't personally benefit. I'd even suggest it's normal.
@futurebird I am of the opinion that the best response to an accusation of virtue signalling goes something like this:
PERSON A: You're virtue signalling!
PERSON B: (PAUSE) …and?
If you're sincere, then there's nothing wrong with being open about it so others can see. It's the same reason why we resist (excessive) swearing in front of children. It's behavior modeling. You're showing other people the person (or Owlbear) you want to be.
(I am aware that some people are being insincere, but that's a different issue)
myrmepropagandist
Springy Owlbear 