Sick of Barbieheimer?

Welcome to Virtue Signaling & Commodification part 1

The recent simultaneous release of the Barbie movie (2023) and Oppenheimer (2023) has raised the perennial issue of virtue signaling, particularly in the film industry. Virtue signaling refers to the act of publicly expressing one's support for certain moral values or beliefs in order to gain approval or recognition from others, often without any substantial action or personal sacrifice. It’s a phrase that has gained popularity in the age of social media, where individuals frequently share their opinions and beliefs on various issues. However, there is ongoing debate about whether virtue signaling is genuine moral expression or merely a performative act aimed at enhancing one's image, social status, and/or bank account. Just a way of getting clicks on the internet, or increasing movie ticket sales in theaters.

Barbie purportedly is an example of signaling the virtue of freeing Barbie (women) from the plastic shackles of conformity to explore the challenges of being authentically human,…