Most readers will be familiar with my occasional ranting and whilst I try to stick to food related anecdotes and stories, I often go off-piste.
This next post isn't really a rant, more of an observation really, something I think about often which was hi-lighted in an article, written by journalist Sarah Vine, in a national paper this week.
I hadn't even come across the term 'virtue signalling' before, although I was well aware that lots of people subscribe to it.
We live in an age where we're all finding ways to let the world know how good and compassionate we are. 'Slebs' lead the way, the likes of Russell Brand (he of the lavish Indian wedding at the Aman-e-Khas luxury resort and the Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel,) has apparently gone away 'to think' and 'to learn.' Although he's ranted on about us taking refugees into our 2 up-2 down homes, he clearly had no intention of taking his own advice and has completely gone off the radar.
Benedict Cumberbatch was another 'sleb' who treated theatre audiences to a tirade of political righteousness whilst playing Hamlet. They were told to donate their money to Syrian refugees, but fans were shocked after learning they are expected to fork out a staggering £3,000 a head to meet him at a Sherlocked convention in London (Cumberbatch plays Sherlock in the BBC drama.)
Social media is awash with people posturing as politically correct martyrs, I see dozens of tweets and posts on Facebook that are simply an exercise in self-congratulatory, sanctimonious indulgence. This is 'virtue signalling' and what most of these people don't do, is actually anything to help anyone!
How many people look in on their elderly neighbours or do a bit of volunteering for a charitable cause? I visited a care home for the elderly this week where staff were working 12 hour shifts for days at a time earning just over the basic wage. It's all well and good to wear a wristband indicating your support for some fashionable cause, but would you volunteer to help with feeding and toileting these vulnerable elderly people?
Virtue signalling is all about words, not deeds. It's so easy to turn on a computer and post something to bolster one's own ego, and it's also a great opportunity for the morality monitors to intimidate anyone who doesn't agree with their rhetoric. Have you noticed, the people who shout the loudest seem to be sitting on their computers, offering their words of wisdom as opposed to going out and getting their hands dirty. The problem is, the people who are the noisiest are diverting us from the neediest. It's commendable to tell people to take refugees into their homes - like Yvette Cooper and Nicola Sturgeon, (unfortunately neither of them actually have,) but if you're taking the moral high ground surely you should lead by example. The problem is we've lost sight of the mum down the road who has a special needs child and could do with a bit of support, the widower who sits on a park bench every day hoping someone will talk to him, the overstretched neighbourhood animal care centre that's desperate for volunteers....... By extending our hand to those closest in need we create a ripple effect and can also practice what we preach.
The way I see it is: until I'm ready to forgo some of the luxuries in my life, (by which I mean a comfortable home, meals out, nice clothes, holidays etc) and take in refugees or homeless people and share some of my comforts and riches, I shan't be dictating to others. I don't sit in my ivory tower offering vacuous platitudes and I rather wish the bleeding heart brigade would either follow through or shut up.
Anyway, this post isn't as random as it may seem. The other evening a very 'right on' friend of mine came for dinner and I was subjected to the usual political outpouring before we got on to the subject that she was off to see her Dr in Harley St the following day (the irony was totally lost on her.) I was forgiving enough to cook this delicious meal.....well, at least it kept her quiet!
Lobster and chips
Recipe
1 cooked lobster (defrost overnight if frozen)
125g butter
2 egg yolks
1 tsp white wine vinegar
Pinch of salt
Lemon juice
Cayenne pepper
Fresh parsley
To prepare the lobster, snap away the claws, using a sharp knife, cut the lobster in half
Lay the lobster cut side up and remove the meat
Crack the claws and remove the claw meat
Set aside
To make the sauce
Melt butter in a saucepan, keep warm
Place egg yolks, vinegar and salt into a glass bowl that will fit over a pan of barely simmering water, whisk for 3-5 minutes
Remove from heat and gradually whisk in melted butter until you have a glossy sauce
Season with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dash of cayenne pepper
Place lobster pieces into sauce and return to heat to warm through for 2-3 minutes
Serve lobster with hand cut chips and a scattering of fresh parsley
You can also grate a little Parmesan cheese on the chips for added flavour
'Survival, it's selfish, it's dark, and we've always been a species willing to do anything to satisfy our needs. Individuals have morals. Mobs have appetites.'
- Rachel Caine.
Love Donna xxxxxxxxx
No comments:
Post a Comment