3 definitions by Happydayseveryday

Warm feeling but patronising euphemism often used by care givers, but also over-reaching government or voluntary agencies to describe a target group or audience who have not engaged with the intervention concerned. Almost always the target group are characterised as passive, ‘vulnerable’, or of possessing some other negative/weak quality, but in reality may be have full capacity and instead have no interest or benefit, or even hold strong objections to the intervention concerned
Hospital manager: The medical staff are proving difficult to reach in terms of my new and novel 1 monthly, all day infection and control mandatory training programme. What do you think Brad?
Second hospital manager: yea - I think we need to doc the pay and then sack anyone who does not realise the benefit of your life saving, new and wonderful programme Hank!
by Happydayseveryday August 21, 2023
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Usually, in a mainstream or social media context, jargon to describe the way in which an event or process will be perceived. Often used with other political jargon - notably virtual signalling, where the "signal" is intended to generate a specific and ideally positive public association ("good optics").
Shell Exec (1): "We've just made £8 billion in profits from selling super-priced oil, and the northern hemisphere is heating up like crazy. We need to soften the optics. How about we chuck a few million quid at those desperate muppets at British Cycling?! Worth a shot?"
Shell Exec (2): "Blatant virtue signalling - you never fail Hank - I think that could be the most transparent bit of greenwashing in history! But those lycra boys will never buy it..."
British Cycling official: "wow, thanks, guys; we always knew the oil industry was really nice."
by Happydayseveryday November 3, 2022
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Often in a mainstream or social media setting, the way in which an event or process is perceived by others. Often related to the act of virtue signalling - optics are how a signal will be received/ "look".
Shell marketing exec (1): "we need to signal that our company is all about saving the planet, not making £8 Billion profit - and sponsoring those desperate muppets at British Cycling for a few million quid seems like a no brainer"
Shell marketing exec (2) "you've got it - the optics are great, although surely those fresh-air lycra boys won't buy it?!"
British Cycling: "thanks guys, you're so lovely, we cyclists always knew the oil industry was our friend"
by Happydayseveryday November 3, 2022
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