October 2023 – Conquests of the Impossible

Month: October 2023

Conquests of the Impossible > 2023 > October

On Disability advocacy

Posted on 10/29/2023 by norgan

Addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities, particularly those who are neurodivergent, requires a nuanced understanding and an inclusive approach. Here are some considerations regarding the gap between discourse and reality in supporting neurodivergent individuals:

1. Lived Experience:
– The lack of lived experience among those designing and delivering services can lead to a misunderstanding of the real needs and challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals.
– Involving neurodivergent individuals in the design, implementation, and evaluation of services and advocacy initiatives can foster a more authentic understanding and better support.

2. Awareness and Education:
– There may be a lack of awareness or misperceptions surrounding neurodivergence that can impede the effective provision of support and services.
– Education and training for service providers, advocates, and the broader community can promote a deeper understanding and more effective support.

3. Virtue Signalling vs Genuine Advocacy:
– Virtue signalling can overshadow genuine advocacy if discussions and actions are superficial or not informed by the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals.
– Genuine advocacy often involves a long-term commitment, active listening, and the willingness to adapt based on feedback and evolving understanding.

4. Policy and Practice:
– Policies and practices need to reflect a nuanced understanding of neurodivergence, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches.
– Engaging with neurodivergent communities to develop more tailored and responsive policies and practices can be a step towards closing the gap between talk and action.

5. Accessibility and Inclusion:
– Ensuring accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of society — from education and employment to healthcare and community engagement — is crucial.
– This may require challenging existing norms, confronting biases, and advocating for systemic change to create more inclusive environments.

6. Evaluation and Accountability:
– Ongoing evaluation of services and advocacy efforts, with input from neurodivergent individuals, can promote accountability and continuous improvement.
– Establishing clear metrics for success and channels for feedback can also contribute to more effective and responsive support.

7. Intersectionality:
– Neurodivergent individuals may also belong to other marginalized groups, and an intersectional approach can help address the complex layers of experience and need.

These considerations suggest a path towards moving beyond virtue signalling to a more authentic and effective engagement with the realities faced by neurodivergent individuals. Through a combination of lived experience, education, genuine advocacy, and inclusive policy and practice, it may be possible to bridge the gap between talk and reality in supporting neurodivergent individuals.

Caring and Virtue Signalling

Posted on 10/29/2023 by norgan

Virtue signalling and genuine caring can sometimes be confused, but they stem from different motivations and manifest differently in behaviour.
You can talk about caring as much as you like, however without action is merely virtue signalling.
If you truly cared you’d be doing something about it.
It’s ok to not care, your can still have empathy for people without caring enough to actually do anything.
It would be a much wiser use of energy and resources to care about things you can and will do something about.

Virtue signalling and genuine caring can sometimes be confused, but they stem from different motivations and manifest differently in behaviour.

Definition:

Virtue Signalling: This is a term used to describe the action of expressing opinions or doing things to show one’s moral values, mainly to gain approval from a group. It often involves a display of caring or concern that is shallow or not backed by meaningful action.
Genuine Caring: This, on the other hand, is the sincere concern and attention towards others’ needs and wellbeing, often leading to altruistic actions.

Motivation:

Virtue Signalling: The primary motivation is to enhance one’s social standing, approval, or self-image. It is more about appearing good than doing good.
Genuine Caring: The motivation is altruistic concern for others, often leading to selfless actions.

Depth of Engagement:

Virtue Signalling: Typically lacks depth; the person may not engage in meaningful action that reflects the values they are signalling.
Genuine Caring: Often involves a deeper level of engagement, including time, effort, and sometimes personal sacrifice to help others.

Impact:

Virtue Signalling: It may create a superficial or false image of concern, possibly leading to cynicism or distrust.
Genuine Caring: Creates a positive impact on individuals and communities, fostering trust and cooperative relationships.

Recognition:

Virtue Signalling: Seeks recognition and often occurs publicly or within social circles where the individual can gain approval.
Genuine Caring: Does not seek recognition and often happens regardless of who is watching.

Examples:

Virtue Signalling: Posting on social media about a cause without taking any further action or making donations to publicly recognized charities primarily for the recognition.
Genuine Caring: Volunteering time and resources to causes one cares about without the need for public recognition.

Criticism:

Virtue Signalling: Often criticized for being superficial, self-serving, and sometimes hypocritical.
Genuine Caring: Rarely criticized as it’s seen as authentic and beneficial to others.

Understanding the distinction between virtue signalling and genuine caring can help individuals navigate social interactions more authentically and foster more meaningful connections with others.