Signalling, with intentional consequences or not, is a part of life. Even though social signalling has challenges, people are unlikely to stop doing it.
Wearing a poppy for Remembrance Day is a positive example of this concept. So is laying a wreath. Although there may be a minority of people that are not in favour of either, there doesn’t seem to be a large or growing campaign against these actions.
Our everyday decisions and lifestyle can also have an impact on others. Whether you do something just for yourself, or to be noticed by others, you are sending signals out to the community. This can be as simple as the clothes you wear, car you drive, phone you use and how you earn an income.
People notice, consciously or subconsciously, many things about you, whether you want them to or not. As people, we tend to simplify and generalise to make quick sense of the daily sensory impact. We can then make assumptions about others, based on our lens, our philosophy and how we interpret the visual or other data.
It is usually fine to allow people to express themselves. However, expecting, or forcing, others to conform to your view can be a less effective tactic. It can even have the opposite effect.
Social signalling has challenges.
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