{"id":218590,"date":"2020-03-25T15:11:07","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T22:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=218590"},"modified":"2020-03-26T06:49:30","modified_gmt":"2020-03-26T13:49:30","slug":"virtue-flexing-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/25\/virtue-flexing-2\/","title":{"rendered":"VIRTUE FLEXING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I always get very suspicious when people engage in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153virtuous\u00e2\u20ac\u009d acts of valor, and highly broadcast it, and also sort of make you feel bad for not acting as virtuously as them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nassim Taleb calls it \u00e2\u20ac\u0153virtue signaling\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. I call it \u00e2\u20ac\u0153virtue flexing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"VIRTUE FLEXING \/ VIRTUE SIGNALING\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mxo7g7yqjtk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there anything wrong with virtue flexing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" data-attachment-id=\"218582\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/p1449411\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DC-G9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1585161501&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;12&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"P1449411\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?resize=1180%2C787&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Selfie side\" class=\"wp-image-218582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?resize=720%2C480&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not necessarily. But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d encourage you the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let others make you feel bad about yourself for not acting like them. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/TM5kVqJu?autoPlay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;hd=0&amp;cover=1' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ignore others <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When someone tries to virtue flex on you, just smile, nod, and walk away. No need to give them any unnecessary attention. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like what they say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feed the trolls.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/WhKou9Ds?autoPlay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;hd=0&amp;cover=1' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why help other people?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"787\" data-attachment-id=\"218577\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/p1449360\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1707\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DC-G9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1585161444&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;12&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"P1449360\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?resize=1180%2C787&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Selfie low angle \" class=\"wp-image-218577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?resize=720%2C480&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449360-scaled.jpeg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A suspicion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>When we try to help \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the helpless poor people\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this disrespectful?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inherent in this, we see ourselves <em>superior<\/em> to the poor. But is this fair? What if they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want your pity and help? What if some poor people actually see themselves as <em>superior<\/em> to you? Then who are we to feel \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pity\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for the poor, or those who are in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lesser\u00e2\u20ac\u009d socio-economic class?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/458kubXy?autoPlay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;hd=0&amp;cover=1' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do people virtue flex?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"664\" data-attachment-id=\"218572\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/p1449347-marcus-aurelius-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1440&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1440\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DC-G9&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1585161132&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;12&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"P1449347 marcus aurelius 1 statue ERIC KIM kim selfie\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1440&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=1180%2C664&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-218572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?resize=720%2C405&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449347-marcus-aurelius-1-scaled.jpeg?w=2360&amp;ssl=1 2360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think it is because they want to somehow be rewarded for their virtuosity. But this is base. To desire some sort of pat on the back for virtuous behaviors is downright despicable. It strips away all honor from the virtuous act. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also from a pragmatic perspective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If you do something virtuous, and virtue flex, and nobody congratulates you, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re gonna feel dumb, bitter, and shitty. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/qpV5chnJ?autoPlay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;hd=0&amp;cover=1' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who does virtue flexing actually benefit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes I virtue flex, or tell others about my virtuous acts. Why? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to inspire them to also do the same. But when I do it, I try my best not to put myself on some moral pedestal or high horse. I just try to say the facts and why I did it. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not useful to tell others that they should do as you did. Enough to just share what you did&#8230; that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-videopress\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"VideoPress Video Player\" aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='1180' height='664' src='https:\/\/videopress.com\/embed\/458kubXy?autoPlay=1&amp;loop=1&amp;muted=1&amp;persistVolume=0&amp;preloadContent=metadata&amp;hd=0&amp;cover=1' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen allow='clipboard-write'><\/iframe><script src='https:\/\/v0.wordpress.com\/js\/next\/videopress-iframe.js?m=1770107250'><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I always get very suspicious when people engage in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153virtuous\u00e2\u20ac\u009d acts of valor, and highly broadcast it, and also sort of make you feel bad for not acting as virtuously as them. Nassim Taleb \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":218582,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/P1449411-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=218590"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":218667,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218590\/revisions\/218667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/218582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=218590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=218590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}